Travelling from Colombo to Cairns Airport (CNS): What you need to know
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is Colombo's main airport. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Colombo to Cairns Airport (CNS) leaving from here.
Cairns is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Colombo. Cairns Airport is located in Cairns, which is in the UTC+10 timezone.
Give yourself plenty of time to catch your flight from Colombo to CNS. As a general rule, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Travelling during a peak period like school or public holidays? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. To play it safe, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Located around 16 kilometres from central Colombo, RML can be reached in about 40 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey by public transport will take roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
Want a leisurely start to your trip? Stay near Colombo Ratmalana Airport. Whether you've booked an early flight from Colombo to Cairns Airport or aren't a fan of being rushed, these hotels have you covered:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Tick a new place off your list or just take some time to unwind with a stopover. If you'd like to split up your flight from Colombo to Cairns Airport, browse these options when taking off from Bandaranaike International Airport:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
On public transport, you can travel from central Colombo to CMB in about 1 hour 30 minutes. The terminal is roughly 32 kilometres away, and making the trip by car takes approximately 40 minutes.
Get a head start on your holiday with an additional night away from home. Before catching your Colombo to CNS flight, unwind in one of these hotels near Bandaranaike International Airport:
Bandaranaike International Airport has an on-time performance rate of 75.71%. This figure gives an insight into how frequently flights that leave from this airport arrive on time.
About Cairns Airport (CNS)
If you have a late flight from Colombo to Cairns Airport, nothing tops the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these options near CNS:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Cairns Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals or East Coast to explore Cairns and beyond.
To lock in the lowest price, book your ride around two weeks ahead of your Colombo to Cairns Airport flight.
Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns
Cairns Airport to the centre of Cairns is about 5 kilometres. If you're renting a car or taking a cab, plan ahead to make your trip as smooth as possible. Journey times may vary based on traffic and the time of day.
It typically takes 1 hour 25 minutes if you're using public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Cairns Airport (CNS)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Colombo to Cairns Airport is 299 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 590 €. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from Colombo to CNS if you book ahead. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird deals.
Cheap Colombo to Cairns Airport tickets are easier to find when you have flexibility in your schedule. Try using the 'Whole month' search tool to compare fares throughout the month and then pick the cheapest day.
Save time searching for cheap plane tickets from Colombo to CNS by creating a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your flights using filters. Choose your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Colombo to Cairns Airport.
The best time to fly from Colombo to Cairns Airport (CNS)
Think about the kind of holiday you want when deciding your trip dates. February is the quietest month to visit Cairns. July is when most people book flights from Colombo to Cairns Airport (CNS), which may be ideal if you'd rather travel when it's busy.
Book a Colombo to CNS plane ticket departing in January if you're eager to explore the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures in Cairns to range from 23ºC (73ºF) to 31ºC (88ºF).
August has temperatures of between 16ºC (61ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF). Search for cheap tickets from Colombo to Cairns Airport around that time if you like cooler conditions.
More about Cairns
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the most popular stays in Cairns right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Colombo to Cairns Airport:
There are so many things to see and do in this city, it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Great Barrier Reef, Barrier Reef Park and Great Barrier Reef Liveaboard are top attractions which should feature on any well-planned Cairns itinerary.
Explore more of Australia
Townsville is just one of the many places in Australia waiting to be discovered once you've seen Cairns. Around 290 kilometres away to the south, popular attractions include Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Reef HQ and Botanic Gardens.
Around 290 kilometres south-east of Cairns, North Ward is another favourite stop in Australia. Experience major highlights starting with The Strand Jetty, Ocean Siren Statue and The Drill Hall Studio.
