Flying from Colombo to Nairobi: what you need to know
Colombo's main base, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), is where countless incredible trips begin. Explore your departure choices from here for your flight from Colombo to Nairobi.
Hop off your plane in Nairobi at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) or Wilson Airport (WIL).
Give yourself plenty of time to make your Colombo to Nairobi flight. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Traveling during a peak time like a public holiday? Expect longer queues at security and check-in. To give yourself peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours ahead of domestic departures.
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Nairobi
Booking ahead of time is often the key to locking in a cheap Colombo to Nairobi flight. Prices tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer your departure date, the more you'll likely spend.
The 'Whole month' search tool shows you the cheapest plane tickets from Colombo to Nairobi throughout the month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
There's no need to check every day to find out if prices have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment a better deal is available on cheap flights from Colombo to Nairobi.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' Colombo to Nairobi flights.
Flying from Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
We make it easy to find a Colombo to Nairobi flight with a stopover. To see your options departing from Bandaranaike International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, simply pick a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers include:
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)
Sharjah International Airport (SHJ)
CMB is about 27 kilometers from central Colombo. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the center, it'll take you 40 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're planning to take public transport, expect the trip time to be around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Have an early flight from Colombo to Nairobi? Avoid rushing to the airport (and sneak in some extra precious sleep) by choosing one of these hotels close to Bandaranaike International Airport:
75.71% of flights that depart Bandaranaike International Airport arrive at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Nairobi
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is approximately 11 kilometers from the center of Nairobi. If you're catching a cab or a ride-share, the drive will take around 20 minutes.
Getting there by public transport takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Colombo to Nairobi. Check in to one of these accommodation options near NBO instead:
Get your adventure underway by picking up a Jomo Kenyatta International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Auto-Union, Green Motion or Hertz and experience the lesser-explored corners of Nairobi and beyond.
Secure the lowest price by booking your ride from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport around three weeks ahead of your trip.
Wilson Airport (WIL)
Wilson Airport (WIL) is roughly 2 kilometers from the center of Nairobi. Once you've hopped off your flight from Colombo to Nairobi, it takes approximately 15 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
Public transport will get you there in about 45 minutes.
After your flight from Colombo to Nairobi, kick back at a hotel close to WIL. These are some great options that'll help you sink into relaxation mode:
Grab a Wilson Airport rental car and take the scenic route to your next destination. You can select from leading providers like Auto-Union and Unicorn rent a car.
Generally speaking, the sooner you book, the better the prices and vehicle selection. Secure your ride from WIL once you know your travel dates.
Best time to go to Nairobi
February is the quietest month for flights from Colombo to Nairobi, while July is the busiest. Choose the ideal time to visit Nairobi based on whether you prefer a laid-back vibe or a more bustling atmosphere.
Lock in a Colombo to Nairobi ticket departing in March if you're eager to visit the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Nairobi to range from 14ºC (57ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
If you want to travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap flight from Colombo to Nairobi in July when temperatures average between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF).
More about Nairobi
After booking your flight from Colombo to Nairobi, find a hotel that keeps you close to what you want to see. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Nairobi:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be difficult to know where to begin. Nairobi National Park, The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Westlands Maasai Market D at the roof top are top attractions which should be on any good Nairobi itinerary.
Explore more of Kenya
Nairobi will leave a lasting impression, but there are so many other corners of Kenya just waiting to be discovered. Around 434 kilometers south-east of Nairobi, a trip to Mombasa will keep you on the move. Start with attractions like Fort Jesus, Haller Park and Old Town of Mombasa.
Nakuru is another well-known destination in Kenya and is around 145 kilometers north-west of Nairobi. No trip is complete without seeing ARTHUR GARDENS (WEDDING/EVENT GROUNDS), Upper Hill estate and Muhia's Conservation Forest.
