Flying from Chennai Airport (MAA) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): what you need to know
A direct flight from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport takes 1 hour 21 minutes, on average. Colombo's timezone is UTC+5:30 — the same as Chennai.
Each week, there are 201 flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. To take off as soon as possible, select the 00:05 SpiceJet flight. If you're keen to make the most of your time before you fly, the latest flight from MAA to CMB is 21:15 with SriLankan Airlines.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during a high season in general.
A number of airlines offer direct flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, so getting to Colombo (and then seeing more of Sri Lanka!) is easy. The most popular carriers that fly between MAA and CMB include:
We make it simple to book a flight with a stopover. To look at the options for flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight that has a stop long enough to tour the city of your choice. Some popular stopovers between MAA and CMB are:
Cochin International Airport
Coimbatore International Airport
Tiruchirapalli International Airport
Before organising your cheap ticket from MAA to CMB, check whether you need a visa to enter Sri Lanka. Travel document and visa requirements can vary and are updated often. To get the latest information, contact the nearest consulate or embassy of the country you're flying to.
How to find the cheapest flights from Chennai Airport (MAA) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The lowest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport is $119. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $227. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
Book 8 months before flying. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure flight tickets from MAA to CMB.
April is the cheapest month for tickets from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. If you need to travel during a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest airfares for each month.
Log into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. You'll be notified right away if there's a better deal on this route. It doesn't take long, and it'll save you the hassle of searching for flight tickets from MAA to CMB every day.
Use filters to tailor your flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Simply enter your ideal arrival and departure times, number of stops and airlines. Alternatively, sort your results by 'Cheapest' to find the best deals.
Handy information about Chennai Airport (MAA)
Travelling from central Chennai to Chennai Airport takes around 49 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or grab a cab, you'll cover the 19 kilometres in 47 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
After a convenient hotel close to MAA? If you've booked an early flight from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, these accommodation options will have you moments from your departure lounge:
Arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
If you're coming in on a late flight from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, few things top the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your luggage from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these options near CMB:
Getting from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport to central Colombo is about 39 minutes by car. It's approximately 32 kilometres away. Discover what options are available, such as car rentals, cabs or ride-sharing services.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour and 31 minutes.
When to fly to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
August is the busiest month for flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. To skip the crowds, head to Colombo in April.
Lock in your flight from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport for March if you'd like to visit Colombo during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures of between 24 ºC and 33 ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 22 ºC and 32 ºC. Look for flight tickets from MAA to CMB around that time if you like travelling in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
As soon as you've booked your flights from MAA to CMB, you'll want to find a place to stay in Colombo. Make one of these options your base for exploring this exciting city:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are must-have experiences during your Colombo visit.
Complete your Colombo trip with hotels and a car rental
Once you've secured your cheap ticket to Bandaranaike International Airport, browse our low prices and exclusive offers on hotels. You can also compare hundreds of car rental companies in one go to find the best car rental price for your Colombo getaway.