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How long is a flight to Sri Lanka from cities around the US?

The duration of flights to Sri Lanka from the US will depend on your departure and arrival locations. Popular airports in the US offering flights to Sri Lanka include Dulles International Airport (IAD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). Flights from these airports will take you to busy cities in Sri Lanka like Colombo, Batticaloa, and Galle. The quickest flight you will get is from JFK to Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which takes about 18h 50min. The flight from Dulles International Airport to Colombo Airport is also a relatively quick option and will take just over 19h. The flight from LAX to CMB is the longest, taking roughly 22h 40min.

Can you get nonstop flights to Sri Lanka from the United States?

Currently, no direct flights are available to Sri Lanka from the United States. Cheap non-direct Sri Lanka flights are, however, available. You will need to make one or two stops depending on your departure airport and airline. A couple of airlines from airports like JFK, IAD, and LAX offer one-stop flights to Sri Lanka. All airlines at IAD offer one-stop flights to Sri Lanka with flight durations ranging from 19 to 33h. Using multiple airlines offers the quickest one-stop flight from IAD with a stop at Hamad International Airport (DOH). The longest flight is offered by the same airline with a stop at London (LHR). You can find a one-stop flight to Sri Lanka from LAX with Singapore Airlines with a stop at Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) or Qatar Airways with a stop at Hamad International Airport (DOH). Multiple airlines and Etihad Airways offer you one-stop flights from JFK to CMB. If you use multiple airlines, your stop will either be Heathrow Airport (LHR) or DOH with a duration of about 29h if you stop at the former and about 22h if your stop is at the latter. Etihad Airways offers you a stop at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) with a flight duration of about 21 and a halfh.

What is the best way to travel around Sri Lanka?

There are several options by which you can get around Sri Lanka. Car rental or taxis, buses, and trains are the most popular since domestic air services are limited. The Fort Railway Station at Colombo offers commuter and inter-city trains, which will serve you well whether you are in Sri Lanka for business or leisure. You can get to cities like Kandy, Galle, Polonnaruwa, and Batticaloa by train, and train tickets are affordable. The best way to get around Sri Lanka for tourists is by train because it connects Colombo to several tourist cities and towns like Anuradhapura. Car hire is the other popular way to get around Sri Lanka. International car hire agencies like Dollar and Hertz are available in Sri Lanka and offer car hire services at affordable rates. You need to be above 18 years and have a driver’s license for you to hire a car. Buses are another suitable option. You can opt for private buses or government (SLTB or CBT) buses. The latter has the merit of strictly adhering to any existing timetables. Central Transport Board (CBT) covers almost all routes compared to Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), making it the most preferred.

Does a US citizen need a passport or visa to fly to Sri Lanka?

Yes, United States citizens need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to fly to Sri Lanka. You can get your visa from the Sri Lankan Consulate or Embassy, which has a processing period of about three working days. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa online, also known as an ETA, which takes a fewh to process.