Tea hills, ancient rock fortresses and palm-lined beaches, without a single change of plane.
British Airways flies non-stop from London Gatwick to Colombo from £509 return. The dates fall in November and December 2026, as the dry season starts on the west and south coasts.
✈️ The Deal
- From: London Gatwick, UK
- To: Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Airline: British Airways
- Stops: Non-stop
- Price: £509–£534 return
- When: November - December 2026
Example dates:
23/11/2026 - 24/12/2026
23/11/2026 - 10/12/2026
18/11/2026 - 01/12/2026
16/11/2026 - 01/12/2026
30/11/2026 - 15/12/2026
Claim up to £520 for your delayed or cancelled flight →
The flight leaves Gatwick at 16:40 and lands in Colombo at 08:35 the next morning, after about 10h25. The return leaves Colombo at 10:35 and lands at Gatwick at 17:00 the same day. The Basic Economy fare includes a cabin bag. Checked bags cost extra.
💰 How far does your money go?
A pint in London now costs £6-7. In Sri Lanka, a plate of kottu roti costs about £2.50, a rice and curry lunch with five or six dishes £2, and a cold Lion lager in a beach bar £2.50-4. A tuk-tuk ride across town is about £1.30, and the train from Kandy to Ella costs less than £5 in second class.
☀️ The Weather
Colombo is hot all year, with highs of 30-31°C. November still brings some heavy showers to the west coast, but from December the west and south coasts are dry and sunny, with a calm sea at about 28°C. The hill country around Kandy and Ella is cooler, at about 20-24°C.
🏨 Where to Stay
Spend a night or two in Colombo before heading to the hills or the beaches.
Marine Bay Colombo · 9.1/10 · From £25/night
A simple, well-run guesthouse close to the sea and the Galle Road buses.
Cinnamon Grand Colombo · 9.1/10 · From £101/night
A big city hotel with a large pool and some of Colombo's best restaurants.
Galle Face Hotel · 9.2/10 · From £143/night
A colonial landmark from 1864 on the seafront, with sunset drinks on the veranda.
🎯 What to Do
Sri Lanka packs ancient cities, tea country and beaches into a small island.
Sigiriya and Dambulla: The rock fortress with its frescoes and the cave temples of Dambulla, on a day trip from Colombo.
Kandy and the tea country: The Temple of the Tooth, a tea factory and a spice garden in one day.
Colombo by tuk-tuk: The markets of Pettah, colonial Fort and the Galle Face Green by tuk-tuk.
Lotus Tower: The tallest tower in South Asia, with a buffet and views over the city and the ocean.
🗺️ Where to Go From Here
From Colombo, the rest of Sri Lanka and the Maldives are close.
Galle: The Dutch fort town on the south coast, about 2 hours by train or road.
Ella: Green hills and the Nine Arch Bridge, reached by one of the world's most scenic train rides.
Maldives: Overwater villas and coral reefs, about 1h20 by air. Search flights
From £509 return, non-stop from London to Sri Lanka. Five dates, and the beaches are at their best.
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