Travelling from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): What you need to know
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is Melbourne's main airport. Check out your options for reserving a flight from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) departing from here.
Book a direct Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport flight and you'll be travelling for around 10 hours 35 minutes.
Colombo is five hours 30 minutes behind Melbourne. Bandaranaike International Airport is located in Colombo, which follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
The busiest route is from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). You can choose from 7 direct services every week. SriLankan Airlines operates a 4:10pm departure between MEL and CMB.
Give yourself enough time to catch your flight from Melbourne to CMB. It's generally best to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
Planning to travel during a peak period like a bank holiday? Expect longer lines at check-in and security. For peace of mind, arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
Airports in Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You can hop on a direct flight from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) out of Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL).
SriLankan Airlines is a well-known carrier that offers direct flights from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport jetting out of MEL.
Most passengers choose to book seats with SriLankan Airlines from MEL to CMB.
SriLankan Airlines is the leading carrier for punctuality on this route.
Consider adding a stopover to find cheap flights from Melbourne to CMB. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Break up the journey at one of these popular airports:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Located around 24 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, MEL can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport will take roughly 40 minutes.
Want an easy start to your journey? Stay near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Whether you're catching an early flight from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels offer the perfect solution:
Of the departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport, 67.71% arrive as scheduled at their destination.
Avalon Airport (AVV)
Consider adding a stopover to your journey at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD). It's a key transfer point for flights from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) leaving Avalon Airport.
AVV is about 56 kilometres from central Melbourne. It'll take 50 minutes or so to get to the airport if you're driving from the city centre. Public transport takes roughly 2 hours 5 minutes.
Kick back before your Melbourne to CMB flight at a hotel close to Avalon Airport. Corio Bay Motel is one option where you can jump out of bed and get to the airport with time to spare.
Flights from Avalon Airport have a reputation for punctuality, with 80.09% of them landing within the expected time frame.
About Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Consider staying in a hotel near CMB if you're catching a late flight from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport. Settle into one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Say yes to new adventures by picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and experience the lesser-explored corners of Colombo and beyond.
Booking your ride around two weeks ahead of your Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport flight can help you secure the lowest rate.
Getting from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo
Central Colombo is about 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport. Travel times by car hire or cab will vary depending on traffic conditions and time of day, so do some research before your trip.
It typically takes 1 hour 30 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport is 188 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 436 €. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
Booking early is often the key to scoring a cheap flight from Melbourne to CMB. Fares tend to rise as demand increases, so the closer you get to departure, the more you'll likely spend on your ticket.
Affordable Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport tickets are easier to find when your travel dates are flexible. Try using the 'Whole month' tool to compare fares across every month and then pick the cheapest day.
Save time looking for cheap plane tickets from Melbourne to CMB by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or notification through the app when a lower fare becomes available.
Tailor your trip using filters. Pick your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort the results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport.
The best time to fly from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Think about the kind of experience you want when deciding the best time to fly. April is the quietest month to visit Colombo. August is when most people book flights from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), which may be ideal if you're after more action.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your Melbourne to CMB plane ticket then if you enjoy this type of weather.
Search for cheap tickets from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Melbourne to Bandaranaike International Airport, find a hotel that offers a good mix of location and comfort. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
There are plenty of fantastic things to do in Colombo when you're ready to see the sights. Make your way to Mt Lavinia Beach followed by Elephant House and Sri Gangaramaya.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo is always a good idea, but there are so many other corners of Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered. About 209 kilometres north-east of Colombo, a trip to Trincomalee will keep you on the move. Start with leading sights like Nilaveli Beach, Sea View Point and Uppuveli.
If you're looking to explore another side of Sri Lanka, consider Kalmunai, roughly 209 kilometres east of Colombo. Jamia Jummah Masjid (Kalmunai Town Red Mosque), Green Field Aasath Park and Iyanar Kovil are among the biggest draws.
