Traveling from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Colombo: what you need to know
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Madrid, where Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport is located.
Give yourself plenty of time to get on your MAD to Colombo flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Delays at check-in and security are more likely if you're jetting off during high season, so allow some extra wiggle room. A good general rule for peak periods? Get there up to four hours ahead for international flights and at least two hours for domestic departures.
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to break up your trip and maybe even tick off a new city. When browsing for flight tickets from MAD to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can visit along the way. Popular options include:
Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Located around 13 kilometers from central Madrid, MAD can be reached in about 25 minutes by car, depending on traffic. Traveling on public transport will take roughly 35 minutes.
Booked an early flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and get some extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays near MAD:
When it comes to Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport's on-time performance, data shows 78.23% of flights meet their scheduled arrival time.
How to find the cheapest flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport (MAD) to Colombo
AED 1,281 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo flight. A return flight ticket right now is AED 2,519. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Booking ahead of time is often the key to locking in a cheap flight from MAD to Colombo. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the nearer you get to departure, the more expensive your ticket may be.
Landing cheap tickets from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo is more likely if you can be flexible with your travel dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to access the best prices across every month and snap up a sweet deal.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from MAD to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) is around 16 kilometers from the center of Colombo. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive takes roughly 40 minutes.
Getting there on public transport will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo. Reserve one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Once your flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo has arrived, you can get to the city center in about 40 minutes by car. Central Colombo is roughly 32 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
If you choose to travel on public transport, you'll reach the center in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
There are some great places ready to welcome you near CMB. Tuck yourself in and get cozy after your MAD to Colombo flight at one of these perfectly located options:
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car quick and easy. These trusted providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Snap up the best price by securing your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You can also expect to have a wider range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before booking your flights from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty to do, while the off-season means you'll get better hotel deals and smaller crowds.
When booking your Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo flight ticket, think about what kind of weather you prefer. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from MAD to Colombo around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport to Colombo, check out our range of accommodation options including:
There are so many things to do and see in this city it can be tricky to know where to start. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are highlights which should feature on any well-planned Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has its own special appeal, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered. About 306 kilometers north of Colombo, a trip to Jaffna will fill your itinerary to the brim. Start with attractions like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of Sri Lanka, head for Trincomalee, roughly 241 kilometers north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are highlights.
