Zurich to Colombo (ZRH–CMB) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections

ZRH Airport Page →
4,984 mi airlines 0/wk
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Flight Schedule 1 flight Verified 3w ago
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WK65
WK Edelweiss
343
11:55 AM
+0530
6:25 PM
CET
11h
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M T W T F S S
Prices

No flights match your filters.

No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.

✦ 1-STOP
✧ 2-STOP Loading...
Zurich to Colombo
Connecting service available through multiple hubs.
4,984 mi +4.5h ahead 10 1-stop hubs

While no nonstop service exists between ZRH and CMB, connecting options are available through 10 hubs.

Also explore ZRH Routes CMB Routes ZRH Live Flights CMB Live Flights
Connections

Connection Landscape

Beyond nonstop. 1-stop and 2-stop options for ZRH to CMB.
1-STOP
One-Stop Connections
10
Hubs
~11h
Fastest
~26h
Longest
MCT ~11h 51m BOM ~17h 41m BKK ~19h 42m DOH ~20h 30m DXB ~23h 17m
Verified with published schedule alignment and minimum connection time.
2-STOP
Two-Stop Connections
547
Candidates
Two-stop connections loaded in the connections tab above.
Connections computed from published schedules with minimum connection time verification. Use the interactive explorer above the fold to filter by airline, tier, and layover time.
Know before you go

Travel Essentials

Practical planning for this route.
Time Difference
+4.5h
Colombo is 4.5 hours ahead of Zurich.
ZRH: CET · CMB: +0530

When it's 6:00 PM in Zurich, it's 10.5:00 PM in Colombo.
Distance & Flight Time
4,984 mi / 8,021 km
Visa & Entry

Swiss passport holders must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before arrival. Apply through the official portal at srilankaeta.gov.lk. The ETA costs USD 50 for a tourist visit and allows stays up to 30 days. Processing is usually instant or within 24 hours. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of entry. Extensions up to 90 days can be obtained at the Department of Immigration in Colombo.

Verify entry requirements with official sources before travel.
Getting to ZRH

Direct SBB (Swiss Federal Railways) trains run from Zurich HB (main station) to the airport station in 10 minutes, departing every 10–15 minutes for CHF 6.80 with a standard zone 1–2 ticket. From other Swiss cities, intercity trains call at Zurich Airport station directly; Basel (65 min), Bern (90 min), Geneva (2h45) all have direct connections. The airport station is integrated beneath the terminal.Taxis from Zurich city centre cost CHF 55–75 and take 15–25 minutes via the A1 motorway. Driving is practical; the terminal has a large multi-storey car park (P1/P2/P3) with short- and long-term rates. Rental cars are on-site.

Facts

ZRH–CMB Quick Facts

Key statistics for the Zurich to Colombo route.
Route details
Distance4,984 mi / 8,021 km
Time difference+4.5 hours
Airlines (nonstop)0
1-stop connections10 hubs
Origin: ZRH
Full nameZürich Airport
IATA / ICAOZRH / LSZH
TimezoneEurope/Zurich
Passengers/yr31.2M
Elevation1,417 ft / 432 m
Destination: CMB
Full nameBandaranaike International Colombo Airport
IATA / ICAOCMB / VCBI
TimezoneAsia/Colombo
Passengers/yr8.8M
Elevation30 ft / 9 m
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about ZRH to CMB flights.
Yes, 1-stop connections are available through MCT, BOM, BKK, DOH, DXB, AUH, DEL, PVG, SIN and HKG. These options provide additional schedule flexibility.
Colombo is 4.5 hours ahead of Zurich.
Yes, return flights from CMB to ZRH are available. Use the direction toggle at the top to view the return schedule.
Click the 'Search Flights' button to check availability and prices on Google Flights. You can also compare airlines and schedules on this page to find the best option.
Route data is updated regularly from official airline schedules. On-time performance data comes from recent airport delay snapshots.
Flight time is about 10 hours eastbound and 11 hours westbound on the 8,400 km route. The flight crosses Turkey, Iran, and the Arabian Sea before reaching Sri Lanka. Block time varies with routing, and some flights overfly the Middle East with slight path variations depending on airspace availability.
SWISS operates nonstop service from Zurich to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport. Frequency is typically 3 to 5 times per week depending on the season. Equipment is the Airbus A330-300. SriLankan Airlines has also operated the route at times. One-stop options through Dubai, Doha, or Abu Dhabi are available on Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad.
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is in Katunayake, 32 km north of Colombo city center. The drive to Colombo takes 45 minutes to 1.5 hours depending on traffic on the Colombo-Katunayake Expressway. The airport has one main terminal with separate arrival and departure levels. A lounge is available for business class passengers. Currency exchange and SIM card vendors are in the arrivals hall.
The Colombo-Katunayake Expressway toll road is the fastest route, taking about 30 to 45 minutes by taxi to central Colombo. Taxi costs about 3,000 to 4,000 LKR. Airport bus services run to Colombo Fort railway station. Some hotels offer pickup services. For beach destinations like Negombo, the airport is actually closer (10 km north) than Colombo.
November through March is peak season, coinciding with dry weather on Sri Lanka's west and south coasts. This is also when Swiss holiday travel to Sri Lanka peaks over the Christmas and New Year period. Fares are highest in December and January. The monsoon season from May through September sees lower fares and reduced frequency on some carriers.

Zurich to Colombo Flights

ZRH-CMB covers 8,400 km in about 10 to 11 hours depending on direction. SWISS operates nonstop service 3 to 5 times per week with Airbus A330-300 aircraft. SriLankan Airlines has also served the route. One-stop alternatives through Gulf hubs on Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad add 3 to 5 hours but sometimes offer lower fares. Switzerland has a significant Sri Lankan diaspora community, driving steady year-round demand alongside tourism traffic.

Bandaranaike International Airport is 32 km north of Colombo, connected by the expressway toll road in 30 to 45 minutes. The beach town of Negombo is only 10 km from the airport, making it a popular first-night stop. Peak travel season is November through March when Sri Lanka's west coast has dry weather. Zurich Airport is Switzerland's largest, with SWISS using it as its main hub. Connecting passengers from German, Austrian, and Eastern European cities can reach Colombo through Zurich with a single stop.