Colombo to New York Flights

  About Colombo

Colombo is the largest city and the commercial capital of Sri Lanka. It is one of the holiday destinations that you must add to your travel list. It is also known for its eclectic dining scene and its nightlife. It is also a great place to shop for clothes, wedding invitations and indulge in spa treatments. Sri Lanka is also known for its wildlife and elephant sanctuaries. It is the perfect place to go to if you want to club your luxurious, relaxing holiday plans with adventures. You can either volunteer to help out at an Elephant Sanctuary or sign up for a walking tour. Do try the ayurvedic spas in the city to relieve yourself of all the stress. You can book a hotel in Colombo at an affordable price. While it is not exactly the cheapest holiday destination in Asia, it is worth every money spent. The city is also known for its temples and no matter which religion you follow, you will find a temple of your choice of deity/religion here.

Best Time to Visit Colombo

January to March is ideal for taking off to Colombo on a trip since they are the driest months of the year. The best season to visit, however, is winter from November to March. Winters are quite chilly, and it is the best time to go sightseeing, too. The rainfall does not affect any of your sightseeing plans or any other outdoor activities. It is also an ideal time to head to the beaches and indulges in a few water activities. Colombo also has a very vibrant nightlife that is best experienced in winter when there is barely any rainfall. You can book a hotel in Colombo that is either close to the beach or the nightclubs, depending on how you intend to spend your holiday. The temperature ranges from 25 to 30 degree Celsius. January to March is the high tourist season in Colombo, and a lot of attractions will be filled with tourists. Colombo is also filled with festive spirit during these months as they celebrate festivals like Thai Pongal, Independence Day of Sri Lanka, New Year and Duruthu Perahera Festival. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Colombo well in advance if you are on a budget. If you are planning to go to Colombo on your honeymoon, this is the best time to go.

Colombo experiences summer from May to October, and it is considered as an off-season for tourists. Not only is it unbearably hot in the city, but it is also quite humid, so much that you won't feel like stepping out of your hotel at all. The temperature ranges from 28 to 32 degrees and will only make you uncomfortable. However, since it is offseason, you will get great flight deals to Colombo online. It also rains during this season and might lead to a hailstorm sometimes. If you are not an outdoorsy person and prefer indoor activities, this might be the best time for you to head to Colombo. You will also get really good hotels at a reasonable price during this time since it is offseason and the demand is low. You can sip cocktails by the pool in your hotel or indulge in relaxing spa treatments. You can also explore the Pettah market during this time without being hassled by the tourist crowd. It starts raining from May to August, and it rains intermittently in September and October. The temperature ranges around 28 degree Celsius during this time.

Places to Visit in Colombo

Galle Face Green is a popular beach park in Colombo that you can visit. You can also indulge in a lot of water activities at the beach. Pettah Market is another popular destination where you can go on a shopping spree and walk away with high-end luxury items at the lowest prices. Fort-Colombo is an important tourist attraction in the capital of Sri Lanka. It is the political and cultural heritage of the country and is also known for its vibrant nightlife. A major part is shut because of the turbulence caused by the Civil War. You will also find a lot of casinos here. The National Museum of Colombo is the largest one in Sri Lanka. It was founded by the British Governor of Ceylon from 1872 to 1877, William Henry Gregory. You will find artwork that dates back to the British Colonial and Portuguese era, along with a lot of artefacts. The Gangaramaya temple is famous for its blend of culture and architectural styles from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Chinese and India. It was built in the 19th century and is a place of Buddhist worship and learning. Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara is another Buddhist temple that was built in the 5th century, which holds a lot of historical importance. The temple sees a lot of tourists and devotees during the Duruthu Maha Perehera every January and on full moon days of every month. The paintings and sculptures in the temple will tell you tales from Lord Buddha's life and the Jataka Tales.

Beira Lake is another popular landmark in the city where you can head to if you want to relax and soak in the beautiful views. It is also a highly recommended place for couples to head to in Colombo. Colombo Zoo also called the National Zoological Garden of Sri Lanka, houses over 300 different species of animals, birds, marine life and reptiles from all over the world. Casino Marina started in 2013 and is usually filled with elite tourists in the evenings. You can gamble away till wee hours of the night or enjoy the view of the sea from here. World Trade Centre is one of the most famous colonial buildings that you will find in the Old Fort area. St Lucia's Cathedral got its name after the saint martyr, St Lucia, who is believed to have protected everyone with eye problems in Colombo. It was built in 1760, and the Gothic style architecture draws tourists to it every year. Panadura and Crow Island Beaches are quite popular in the city and the best spots to indulge in recreational activities. You will find a lot of beach parks and temples in the city that are worth a visit.

Things to do in Colombo

Sign up for a city tour of Colombo and indulge in all the activities that come with your tour package. You can also get a customised tour of places that are of interest to you and activities that you have listed in your itinerary. Sri Lanka is known for its seafood and treating yourself to fresh seafood at Mt Lavinia Beach is highly recommended. While you can always rent a taxi for the entire day to get around the city, you can also enjoy a tuk-tuk ride, which is a popular way for locals to get around the city. Pettah Market, Good Market, Paradise Road are some of the popular places in the city for you to go on a shopping spree. You can also indulge in rejuvenating massage therapies at the spas in Colombo. The city also offers scuba diving at certain locations. If you want to give water sports a try, make sure you try this one. Most beaches also have boating, surfing and other water activities for you to try.

Food and Restaurants in Colombo

Seafood, especially prawns, is popular in Colombo since it is a coastal city. Curry Leaf and Seafood's Cove are some of the popular restaurants for you to binge on seafood or other types of meat. The city also has a lot of Indian restaurants; a lot of them have a vegetarian menu, too. Spice Coast is known for its biryani, Chana's for delicious North Indian cuisine and Shanmugas for its vegetarian menu. While you are trying seafood in the city, make sure you also try the chilli crabs. Paradise Road Gallery Cafe is a lovely cafe that is set in a walled garden and also has rotating exhibitions by local artists. It is considered as one of the most romantic restaurants in Colombo and is popular for its cakes. Rare is a chic and modern restaurant in Colombo with wonderful service. The restaurant uses organic produce to cook their unique, delicious cuisines and also boast of a wine cellar with over 150 labels. The lagoon is one of the best seafood restaurants in Colombo, and the fish curries, lobster Thermidor and raw sashimi are their speciality dishes.

How to reach Colombo (Transportation)

Bandaranaike International Airport, also called Colombo International Airport, is about 32 km north of Colombo. The flight connectivity to Colombo from India is excellent. While there are only a few direct flights to Colombo from India, most of the flights have layovers in Chennai or Bangalore. GoAir, Indigo and Spicejet have the maximum number of flights from India. However, Vistara and Srilankan Airlines have direct flights that help you reach the city in 2-3 hours instead of 6 hours. It is also quite easy to get cheap flight tickets to Colombo from India.

  About New York

Songs about the city of dreams, New York, have been sung by celebrated artists such as Frank Sinatra, Jay Z and Alicia Keys, Billy Joel and even Sting. But nothing compares to the real deal that the city is. Touted to be the financial hub of the world, New York City is nestled on top of the Hudson River and has a cluster of five boroughs.

Best time to visit New York

There is no specific good time for a visit to New York. The city is always bustling with life and enthusiasm that is so contagious that no season can take it away from a traveller. Right from the crisp breeze of the early fall to the snowy merry winter, the city is so alluring that it befits the title that has been given to it by the world. At any time during the year, the streets of New York are always packed with New Yorkers and festivities. The months from September to November is probably the one time the hotel rates skyrocket. However, considering how it is fall and the temperatures are agreeable, often people don't mind spending extra bucks. In fact, the temperatures vary between 12 degree Celsius to 23 degree Celsius, which is quite pleasant. Besides, the city also comes with a slew of festivals and events such as the New York Film festival, Lighting at Rockefeller Centre, New York City Marathon, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Haunted Halloween Carnival. Everything about the city is just too lovely and worth exploring.

Christmas and New Year's in New York is an experience that simply cannot be missed. Sadly though, the vacation time comes with exorbitant hotel prices. Getting cheap accommodation in New York, especially during their festive season, is definitely going to be tough. From December to February, the flight tickets to New York are also expensive. However, it shouldn't be missed so as long as you are able to save up on some money, the trip is worth every penny.

The warm months from March to May are also quite appealing as the city celebrates St. Patrick's Day Parade and even holds various other festivals. In fact, the city's venerated Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET) also hosts the Hollywood and fashion industry's stalwarts at the Met Gala. The city also faces light showers during these months. Booking a cheap hotel room in New York City in these months is also possible.

Places to visit in New York

You would most certainly need a map and a guide book to peruse through while you stroll around New York City to visit some of their tourist attractions. Before engaging in their foodie delights or nightlife, you should most certainly visit some of their intriguing tourist sites. From sites for an art patron to a history enthusiast, there is an attraction for all types of tourists. When in New York City, the first thing that you should certainly take up is to check out Central Park. Sprawled across 843 acres of land in the middle of a bustling city is this haven of tranquillity. It is in proximity with Guggenheim Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History, you can further extend your day trip within the city. These places will pique your interest not just because of the historical relevance but also thanks to the pop culture references in movies and TV shows. The Rockefeller Centre is another iconic location in New York. Do visit the Top of the Rock Observation Deck to get a bird's eye view of the city from atop

Touted to be an architectural pilgrimage is the St. Patrick's Cathedral, a must-visit structure which is quaint instead of chaotic. The Empire State Building, located in midtown Manhattan, is a total crowd-puller for its cultural relevance and contribution to making the Big Apple a hot spot. Other New York City landmarks include the Statue of Liberty, New York Public Library, Times Square, Chrysler Building, Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Fifth Avenue, Coney Island, Brooklyn Bridge, Bronx Zoo, Metropolitan Opera House, etc. These places have defined the New York City stature in the United States as well as the world

Things to do in New York

The top-most things to do in New York City is to explore their food. The city's thriving food culture beckons you, and you cannot decline the offer. Aside from the delicious meal voyage, don't forget to swing by some of the breweries too. Take a tour if necessary but do check out some of New York City's best beers and breweries. You can also take up Ice Skating as one of the activities to do in the city. If you're loaded enough and have reserved a ticket to watch plays on Broadway, do not miss it. Perhaps Cats or Hamilton? They will blow your mind!

Food and Restaurants in New York

New York City's staples, pizza and bagels, and the top sellers when it comes to food in the big city. They take their pizzas and bagels rather too seriously, especially since they need to compete with Chicago in the race for best pizzas. While both are at neck and neck when it comes to pizzas, their styles certainly define them to be apart. NYC favours pizzas with thin crusts and fewer toppings with layers of tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. You'll find the best of New York-style pizza at Joe's Pizza and Grimaldi's Pizzeria. These two places will not disappoint. As for the doughy delights popularly known as bagels? Head straight to Bagel Bob's, Ess-a-Bagel and Tompkins Square Bagels to get the best ones. Don't fill your heart and stomach with just their staple meals. Expand your taste buds and introduce them to international cuisine, which you will find here aplenty. The Big Apple does offer exemplary dining experiences that don't limit to good pizzas and bagels.

With multitudes of flavours and international cuisine at your perusal, it is advised that you make your reservations ahead of time. New York City restaurants are known to be notoriously crowded and expensive. To treat yourself with some multicourse meals, head to Eleven Madison Park, located at the heart of Manhattan. You can further expand your list to places such as Le Bernadin and Daniel for exquisite fine dining experience. If you have budgetary constraints but want to indulge in some fine dining scene, you can check out Scarpetta, Butter, Marc Forgione along with some celebrity chef-founded food joints and eateries. Aside from posh dining experiences, the city also boasts a plethora of breweries and bars. In fact, to soak in the best views of New York, make reservations at Pod 39 Rooftop, 230 Fifth and Top of the Strand. You'll be delighted to know that these places have views of the towering skyscrapers, Empire State, Chrysler buildings and more.

How to reach New York (Transportation)

Flight connectivity to New York from India is excellent. The state has about four important airports such as New York John F. Kennedy airport, New York Newark, Stewart International and New York LaGuardia, all located in perfect locations. There are regular flights flying to New York from India as there is a high demand for the state and even the city. In fact, major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, have flights to New York, some of them even direct. Turkish Airlines has direct flights to New York from India. Despite the convenient flight duration, often people do not resort to purchasing direct flight tickets to New York. Thanks to the expensive ticket prices to New York, people often opt to choose a cheaper alternative. There are many international route alternatives taken to reach New York from India. Depending on which route is chosen by you, the flight ticket prices to New York are determined. They usually stand approximately at 60K to 70K for a one-way trip.

It takes close to 16 hours to reach New York from India. The distance from New York and New Delhi is around 11,765 km, and it takes close to 15 hours and 5 mins to reach the cities. From Delhi, there are direct flights to New York serviced by Emirates and United Airlines. In general, airlines such as Air India, Etihad Airways, etc., also have dedicated flights to New York from India. Travelling is not a concern for New York because there are many available flight options. In fact, a majority of important international cities are connected to New York because it is the financial hub of the world. Not to mention how it also is the 'city of dreams'.

Flights to New York from India are usually expensive because it is one of the most popular cities with an array of regular travellers visiting from around the world. However, a little bit of scouting on the internet might lead to you getting your hands on some cheap flight tickets to New York. The international route to New York taken by the airlines as well as the layover/connecting flights should be taken into consideration here. Usually, the flights with longer durations are comparatively cheap.

  About Colombo Airport

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport, popularly known as Bandaranaike International Airport is the international hub that serves Sri Lanka. The airport is situated at Negombo and has been named after SWRD Bandaranaike, the former Prime Minister of Sri Lanka.

About Airport Terminals

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport stretches about 32.5 km at Katunayake. The airport accommodates three passenger terminals with Terminal 1 being reserved for international airlines and flight activity. Terminal 2 also caters to international activities while Terminal 3 is set for domestic airline functions. Terminal 1 is the oldest and largest terminal in the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport with 12 gates. It opened back in 1967. Departure and arrival are also located in the same terminal and separated horizontally. Currently, all the international operations take place from this terminal. The terminal is connected to one concourse which has all the 12 gates. The terminal also has two lounges with Srilankan Airlines' famous Serendib Lounge being installed. Along with this, the Palm Spirit lounge is also located in proximity. Terminal 1 also has a dedicated cafeteria, day-rooms, showers, duty-free shops and a smoking lounge.

Terminal 2 has been constructed and opened much recently. It has eight gates and accommodates departure and arrival areas which are separated vertically. As per expansion plans, the airport plans to build an extension to Terminal 2 which will be built in stages and phases. The new terminal is set to have eight boarding gates along with 14 passenger boarding bridges. The proposed development plan also has bridge accommodations for Airbus A380. Terminal 3 came into existence in 2012 and has since been used for domestic operations. The departure and arrival zones are strategically separated in a horizontal manner. There is a dedicated Cargo Terminal that takes care of all cargo airline activities. The arrival and departure are separated in the same way as terminal 1, horizontally.

About Airport Authority

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport is owned by the Government of Sri Lanka while it is operated by Airport and Aviation Services Limited (AASL). AASL is a government body that has statutory powers to administer, manage and work on the development of the airport. The statutory body is also known to be a big contributor to Sri Lanka's economy as the civil aviation industry has witnessed tremendous financial revenues from the airport. Other airports that also fall under the AASL umbrella are Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, Ratmalana Airport, Batticaloa Airport and Jaffna International Airport.

The airport has been going through some tremendous expansion plans and developments with a view to accommodating more airlines and flights. A split-level passenger terminal building is being constructed which would be separating both the departures as well as the arrivals vertically. Further on the same, there are constructions for a passenger boarding bridges that would directly connect to the new Airbus A380. Adding to the infrastructure would be a remote apron along with nine parking bays to facilitate air traffic movement. Stage II of the expansion seeks to acquiesce 600 hectares of land for construction of a new runway that can accommodate newer airplanes as well as aircraft maintenance and repair centre.

Top airlines flying from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport accommodates various airlines as it is recognized to be one of the best tourist destinations. With its proximity to India, the airport sees a good amount of flights flying to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from the Indian cities. Some of the biggest Indian airlines operate from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport are Air India, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. These airlines have dedicated direct flights to Sri Lanka. Indian cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, Hyderabad, Delhi, Kolkata, Kochi, to name a few, have provisions of direct flight connections to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport.

Similarly, various international airlines are also linked to Sri Lanka. In fact, some of the international airlines that operate from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport are Air Arabia, AirAsia, Air China, Cathay Pacific, China Eastern Airlines, Cinnamon Air, Edelweiss Air, Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai, Gulf Air, Korean Air, Kuwait Airways, LOT Polish Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Salam Air, Saudia, Silkair, Singapore Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines and SCAT Airlines. A majority of the flight activities come from the Middle East and Southeast Asian countries. A handful of cargo carriers also fly in and out of the airport. These include Cathay Pacific Cargo, Turkish Airlines Cargo, SriLankan Cargo and Etihad Cargo.

Facilities at Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

ATM, banks and currency exchange - The airport has a bunch of local banks and ATM services available. If you need to make the currency exchange for travelling within Sri Lanka or if you need some cash in hand for your destination outside the country, it can be arranged at the airport's premise.

Communication services - If you are in need of a local SIM service for your trip, you can get hold of the same at the airport itself. There are booths at the arrivals where they have telecommunication services. With necessary identification documents, you can get hold of the SIM.

Free WiFI - There are free WiFi services available at the airport. You will need to go to the website of Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport to avail the same. Or you can visit the information desk to learn more about how to work around it.

Medical services - To ensure that medical emergencies at the airport are resolved quickly, the airport has also installed designated medical rooms and services. You can find them as well as pharmacies also at the airport. In case you are unable to find them, you can visit the nearest information desk and get more details. The airport paramedic services are known to be of good quality.

Baggage - With respect to baggage services, the airport offers a slew of facilities that would be beneficial. You can get hold of services ranging from wrapping plastic on the luggage, trolleys, storage facilities for the luggage, delivering luggage to the specified destination and more.

Pet assistance - There is room for pet services at the airport too. In case you are travelling with pets, there are professional staff who can take care of your pets as well as their needs. They would require authorized papers and documents from the Department of Animal Production and Health.

Porter service - You can avail porter services at the airport. Basically, you will have to inform your airlines well in advance to book a porter service. The airport staff will escort you through the terminals and take care of your luggage. This would include a security check of the bags, wrapping services, etc.

Airport lounge - There are three lounges at the airport, namely, Lotus, Araliya and Executive. The lounges have been designed in a way to enhance tranquillity and excellent hospitality. You can relax in the lounge, and at the same time, you can avail their services too. These include rich culinary delights, good resting space and complimentary showers and spa.

Restaurants and cafe - Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport has many restaurants and cafes available. The departures and arrivals have good food establishments located perfectly to cater to passengers. Along with restaurants, the airport also as dedicated food courts that is in proximity to the lounge area.

Smoking zone - Smoking in public space is prohibited in Sri Lanka. Hence, the airport has also reserved a space for a smoking lounge. You can make purchases for cigarette boxes at nearby shops within the airport premise.

Transit Hotel - The airport's transit hotel is named Serendiva and offers world-class contemporary decor, aesthetic construction, modern amenities and top-notch hospitality. The interiors are known to bring about the rich culture of Sri Lanka. It is situated on the main pier of the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport's arrival/departure zone. The hotel is also surrounded by duty-free shops, lounges, immigration counters, cafes and more.

How to reach Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport

The airport offers exemplary transport services and is well-connected to the main city. Although you would be required to travel a little depending on your itinerary and which part of the country you'll be visiting. But you will be able to reach the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from different parts of the country. There are public buses, transport services and taxicabs available.

Buses

Express public buses are available within the city that can reach you to Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport. It would only take about 25 mins to reach Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport from Colombo (Pettah) bus stand. From here, you can traverse through all parts of the country without any hassle. You will need to get used to the crowd because the buses are always packed.

Taxicab services

The city is well-connected by taxicab services that can be availed to reach the Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport. In fact, the airport also sees counters and lanes with taxi services outside the airport's arrival section. The arrival porch allows a fleet of 600 vehicles with fixed rates. With the taxicab, you can reach any part of the country, but it might get expensive depending on the distance from Colombo-Bandaranaike International Airport.