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✈️ Cheap flights from San Francisco to Colombo
Compare San Francisco – Colombo fares from hundreds of airlines and travel sites. The trip is about 14,523 km and takes around 18 h 10 min nonstop (most flights stop once).
📏 Distance14,523 km (9,024 miles)
⏱️ Flight timeabout 18 h 10 min nonstop – most trips need one stop
🕒 Time differenceColombo is 12.5 hours ahead of San Francisco
🛫 AirportsSFO → CMB
💸 Cheapest monthNov 2026 – from $956
📅 Cheapest months to fly San Francisco → Colombo
- $956Nov 26
- $1,905Dec 26
- $11,296Jan 27
Lowest fares our Fare agent saw for each month. Prices change daily.
🌞 Best time to visit Sri Lanka
Best: December to March – dry and sunny on the west and south coasts and in the hill country, ideal for beaches and sightseeing.
Shoulder season: April and September to November – warmer or more changeable weather but fewer crowds; the east coast is at its best from May to September.
Weather by month in Colombo
- 31°Jan⛅
- 31°Feb⛅
- 32°Mar⛅
- 32°Apr🌧
- 31°May🌧
- 30°Jun🌧
- 30°Jul⛅
- 30°Aug⛅
- 30°Sep🌧
- 30°Oct🌧
- 30°Nov🌧
- 30°Dec🌧
Average daytime highs (°C) and how rainy each month is.
📍 Things to do when you land
- Climb Sigiriya – Scale the giant rock fortress past ancient frescoes and lion's paws to a summit palace with sweeping jungle views.
- Ride the hill-country train – Hang out of the open door as the train winds past waterfalls and tea estates between Kandy and Ella.
- Safari in Yala – Scan the scrubland for leopards, sloth bears, elephants and crocodiles in Sri Lanka's most famous park.
- Walk Galle Fort – Stroll the ramparts of a Dutch-era fort town at sunset, past boutiques, churches and a lighthouse.
💡 Tips for a cheaper ticket
Planning hackSlow down to save
Staying longer in fewer places cuts transport costs and unlocks weekly discounts on stays.
Flights hackBe flexible by a few days
Use a fare calendar view and move your trip by one or two days – mid-week departures are usually the cheapest.
San Francisco to Colombo flights: questions
How long is the flight from San Francisco to Colombo?
A nonstop flight from San Francisco to Colombo takes about 18 h 10 min for the 14,523 km (9,024 miles) trip. Few airlines fly this distance nonstop, so most itineraries include one stop and take several hours longer.
How far is Colombo from San Francisco?
Colombo is about 14,523 km (9,024 miles) from San Francisco as the plane flies.
What is the time difference between San Francisco and Colombo?
Right now Colombo is 12.5 hours ahead of San Francisco. Daylight saving changes can shift this by an hour during the year.
What is the cheapest month to fly from San Francisco to Colombo?
Recently the lowest fares were in Nov 2026, from about $956. Prices change daily.
Which airports serve San Francisco and Colombo?
From San Francisco: San Francisco Intl (SFO). In Colombo: Bandaranaike International Colombo (CMB).
Do I need a visa for Sri Lanka?
It depends on your passport – see our Sri Lanka visa & entry guide.
More flights from San Francisco
More flights to Colombo
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