Bandaranaike International Airport is the largest airport in Sri Lanka and serves Colombo, the country’s capital. This modern, efficient airport is named after former Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike, and is one of the busiest air travel hubs in South Asia.
Thoughts of Zürich may dredge up images of international finance, but book a flight to Zurich with Qatar Airways and you’ll discover a spectacular Alpine backdrop and a juxtaposition of classic and modern design, is the real story.
Zürich is a vivacious and fun-filled city surrounded by natural beauty that will leave you weak at the knees.
Book a trip to Zürich and bask in the shadow of the Swiss Alps, amid the birthplace of Dadaism.
Flying from Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport is the largest airport in Sri Lanka and serves Colombo, the country’s capital. This modern, efficient airport is named after former Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike, and is one of the busiest air travel hubs in South Asia.
Passengers flying from Colombo with Qatar Airways will experience a fast, friendly and efficient service, with the emphasis placed firmly on the passenger experience. As is traditional in Sri Lankan culture, courtesy and respect are paramount, and the friendly staff go out of their way to make your departure a smooth and pleasant one.
Transportation and parking
Airport shuttles run from most hotels in the city centre to the main bus terminal 500m from the Terminal building itself, but it is advisable to check in advance on availability. If you have a large amount of luggage then it is probably wiser to take a taxi. Air conditioned cabs are often more expensive than non-air conditioned vehicles, which can be an issue in the summer heat.
There are two parking areas available for short and long-term stays. The terminal car park has space for 400 vehicles on short-term stays, while the remote car park, about 300m from the terminal is for long-term parking.
Arriving in Colombo
Passengers flying from Colombo with Qatar Airways depart from Terminal 1. Currently, this terminal is used for all international flights until the opening of Terminal 2 in 2017. The terminal can get very busy, especially at peak travel times, so it is advisable to arrive at least two hours in advance.
Facilities and amenities
Facilities are good if a little limited, although business users are surprisingly well catered for. A business centre is located in the transit hall on the ground floor, providing international direct dialling, fax and photocopying services.
There are also four business and first-class lounges, although Wi-Fi access is limited. Vendors serving local and international cuisine are located in the Departures area and the transit lounge, and a selection of snack bars offer light refreshments and drinks. Retail outlets provide a choice of good quality goods and accessories.
Arriving in Zürich
A glorious mountain backdrop and the shores of Lake Zurich right on the doorstep – the capital of Switzerland is one of the prettiest destinations in Europe, filled with charm and natural beauty that is complemented by the well-preserved medieval city.
But alongside this is a centre focused on commerce, finance and innovation, making this one of the most modern and forward-looking cities in the world.
Book a flight to Zurich with Qatar Airways and you’ll discover a city where old and new sit comfortably side by side, and there are surprises down every beautifully cobbled, medieval alleyway.
And if you tire of city life then you are just a few miles from some of the finest hiking, skiing and trekking country in Europe, making it an all-year destination that’s perfect for city breaks and adventure holidays.
Tourist attractions
Most of the popular tourist attractions are clustered around the Old Town and the riverfront and lakeshore. The lake itself is one of the biggest attractions in the city, and the Lakeside Promenade is incredibly popular, especially in the summer.
Starting from Bellevue, the boardwalk goes for about 3km along the lake towards Tiefenbrunnen, making it a relaxing and tranquil walk for all ages.
Switzerland is famous for its premium quality watches, and you can find out all about this unique industry at the Bayer Museum.
This museum has exhibitions of watches dating back hundreds of years, with some of the rarest and most beautiful examples of the watchmaker’s craft on display.
Zurich is filled with fine art galleries and museums, and one of the best is the Kunsthaus, which has dedicated exhibitions to Swiss artists including the modern sculptor Giacometti, and surrealist 18th Century painter Fuseli.
At the Rietberg Museum you’ll be able to see one of Europe’s best collections of Asian art, and if you need a good cup of coffee after all that exploring then head to the Jacob Coffee Museum, which charts the evolution of coffee and the European passion for the drink.
Travel Considerations
Flights to Zurich with Qatar Airways land at Zurich Airport. Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure.
Before you fly to Zurich please check the visa and passport requirements.
Flight FAQ
To get the best price on your {Destination} flights, it is recommended that you book well in advance of your departure date, as booking early means you are likely to secure the flight you want with your preferred departure and arrival times.
You can buy Business Class tickets to {Destination}, or First Class tickets on some flights. When you book in premium (First or Business Class), you can look forward to exceptional levels of luxury and comfort, with wide seats (fully reclining on some aircraft), unparalleled attention from our cabin crew, the latest in-flight entertainment and a sumptuous on-demand menu. You can view all flight features during flight selection when you book your ticket at qatarairways.com to choose the flight that best suits your needs.
Qatar Airways flights from {Origin} to {Destination} will stop in Doha, Qatar along the way. You will transit at the state-of-the-art Hamad International Airport, home to a myriad of entertainment, shopping and relaxation venues. Stopping in Doha will allow you to take a break from your journey, stretch your legs and rejuvenate before your connecting flight.
Yes. Qatar Airways operates direct flights from {Origin} to Doha. You can check our timetable for flight times and frequency.
Qatar Airways flights from Doha to {Destination} take around {FilightTime}. You can check our timetable for flight times and frequency.
Qatar Airways is proud to be recognised as the ‘World’s Best Business Class’ at the 2023 World Airline Awards by Skytrax, for the tenth time. The airline also won ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge’ and ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining’. As a testament to its continuous pursuit of excellence, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Airline’ by Skytrax an unprecedented seven times. The airline offers an unsurpassed travel experience in one of the youngest fleets in the skies.
From the moment you step on board until you reach {Destination}, the award-winning cabin crew will take care of your every need. Prepare to enjoy renowned hospitality as you relax in a spacious seat, and keep warm with a cosy blanket for the ultimate comfort. Explore local and international flavours when you indulge in fine cuisine prepared with only the freshest ingredients. Explore up to 6,000 entertainment options on Oryx One, including the latest movie releases, TV series, music and games.
From the moment you step on board until you reach {Destination}, the award-winning cabin crew will take care of your every need. Prepare to enjoy renowned hospitality as you relax in a spacious seat, and keep warm with a cosy blanket for the ultimate comfort. Explore local and international flavours when you indulge in fine cuisine prepared with only the freshest ingredients. Explore up to 6,000 entertainment options on Oryx One, including the latest movie releases, TV series, music and games.
