Flying from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Colombo: what you need to know
Colombo is 10 hours 30 minutes ahead of Chicago, where O'Hare International Airport is located. Colombo operates on the UTC+5:30 timezone.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight from ORD to Colombo. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Popular months like August or holiday times such as spring break and Thanksgiving will mean longer queues at check-in and security. Play it safe and get to the terminal even earlier. Arriving two hours before domestic flights and up four hours ahead of an international flight is a wise idea.
Consider adding a stopover to possibly find a cheaper flight from ORD to Colombo. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when browsing the departures. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
If you hold a passport from United States, you will need an e-visa to enter Sri Lanka. This applies when booking a cheap ticket from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo for tourism purposes. The rules may be different if you're travelling for work or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines before you make travel plans and definitely before you fly.
The journey from central Chicago to ORD takes approximately 54 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a cab, you'll cover the 40 kilometres in 35 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Catching an early flight from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and sneak in some extra snooze time) by picking one of these hotels near ORD:
How to find the cheapest flights from O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Colombo
The best price we've found for a one-way ticket from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo is $931. The cheapest price for a return flight is $1,357. Bear in mind fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
To find cheap tickets from ORD to Colombo, book in advance. Airlines usually offer their best fares when flights are first released.
The 'Whole month' search function shows you the cheapest tickets from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo throughout the entire month. It's a good way to snap up a bargain if your dates aren't set in stone.
Create a Price Alert for flight tickets from ORD to Colombo. You don't need to check every day to find out if fares have dropped. We'll tell you the moment the price changes.
Tailor your flights with filters. Choose your arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes around 39 minutes by car. It's approximately 16 kilometres away.
Travelling on public transport typically takes 1 hour and 16 minutes.
The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a flight from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
After your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo has touched down, you can make your way to the city centre in about 39 minutes by car. Central Colombo is approximately 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
You can expect the trip to take about 1 hour and 31 minutes on public transport.
You'll find some great places to call home for the night near CMB. Settle in and get cosy after your flight from ORD to Colombo at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Colombo
Carefully consider your travel dates before scheduling your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo. The city comes alive during high season, but rates are often higher and top attractions can get crowded. Visit Colombo in low season if you prefer a quieter vibe.
Before locking in your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
January has average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Look for cheap flights from ORD to Colombo sometime then if you like cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
Once you've booked your flight from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo, think about where you'll stay in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be tricky to know where to begin. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are highlights which should be on every Colombo itinerary.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
Pick one of our car rentals in Colombo and explore the city at your own pace. Easily compare companies in one go to find the ideal ride after booking your hotel and cheap flights from O'Hare International Airport to Colombo.
