Three numbers. The ones that decide the meeting.
When the world meets at work.
Read the day in both zones.
Crossing the border. Money, language, plugs.
Money changes hands at the border: Colombo uses the LKR (Rs රු) and Istanbul uses the TRY (₺). Language shifts too — Sinhala in Colombo, Turkish in Istanbul. Be careful behind the wheel: Colombo drives on the left, Istanbul on the right.
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Capital
- Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
- Currency
- Sri Lankan rupee (LKR · Rs රු)
- Language
- Sinhala, Tamil
- Calling code
- +94
- Drives on
- Left
- Country
- Turkey
- Capital
- Ankara
- Currency
- Turkish lira (TRY · ₺)
- Language
- Turkish
- Calling code
- +90
- Drives on
- Right
Quick answers. Before you book the call.
What's the time difference between Colombo and Istanbul?
Colombo is 2.5 hours behind Istanbul. Colombo runs on GMT+5:30 and Istanbul on GMT+3. The gap can shift by an hour when either side enters or leaves daylight saving — the live clocks above always reflect the current offset.
When's the best time to schedule a meeting?
There are 5 hours where both cities are inside a 09:00–17:00 workday. Aim for the middle of that window so neither side is starting or closing out.
Does daylight saving time change the difference?
Yes, if either city observes DST. When one side shifts and the other doesn't, the gap changes by one hour. The DST badges under each clock show whether each zone is currently shifted and when the next transition lands.
How far is Colombo from Istanbul?
About 6,284 km as the crow flies (great-circle distance). A non-stop commercial flight cruises that in roughly 7h 54m, not counting airport time, winds, or routing around restricted airspace.
Can I send this meeting time as a calendar invite?
Yes. Pick a time on the slider above, open the meeting card, customize the title and duration, then download the .ics file. It imports cleanly into Google Calendar, Outlook, and Apple Calendar with the correct timezone attached.
What currency do Colombo and Istanbul use?
Colombo uses the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR, Rs රු); Istanbul uses the Turkish lira (TRY, ₺). Check the live rate before transferring money or paying with a card abroad — most banks add a 1–3 % FX margin on top of the mid-market rate.
How do I call Colombo from Istanbul?
Dial the international prefix used by your carrier (often 00), then +94, then the local number — drop any leading zero of the city or mobile code. For free calls, WhatsApp, Signal, and FaceTime work over Wi-Fi regardless of country code.
What language is spoken in Colombo and Istanbul?
Colombo primarily speaks Sinhala, Tamil; Istanbul speaks Turkish. English is widely used in business contexts in major cities of both, but written contracts may need translation.
Do Colombo and Istanbul drive on the same side of the road?
No. Sri Lanka drives on the left, Turkey on the right. If you're renting, expect a learning curve on the first day — especially at roundabouts and when judging the centre of the lane.