Flying from Melbourne to Colombo: what you need to know
Planning your trip begins with working out where you'll leave from in Melbourne. Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) is the city's main base, so check out your options for booking a flight from Melbourne to Colombo jetting off from here.
Hop off the plane at Colombo's major arrival point, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Around 10 hours 35 minutes is how long you'll be in transit on a direct Melbourne to Colombo flight.
Colombo is five hours 30 minutes behind Melbourne and follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
With seven flights a week between the two airports, Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the busiest route. Hop on the first flight from Melbourne to Colombo with SriLankan Airlines at 16:10. If you'd like to get more out of your day before flying, the last departure from MEL to CMB is with SriLankan Airlines at 17:25.
Give yourself enough time to get on your Melbourne to Colombo flight. As a general rule, arrive two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as January, it's best to get to the airport earlier than normal. Plan to arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight when you fly during peak periods in general.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne to Colombo
The cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Melbourne to Colombo is 171 €. For a return flight on this route, the best price is 469 €. Depending on how early you book and the availability, these fares could change.
Score cheap Melbourne to Colombo flights by booking two months ahead. Based on our research, that's the ideal time for finding a bargain.
The best month for landing cheap plane tickets from Melbourne to Colombo is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to compare prices, then select the dates with the lowest fares.
Never miss a deal on cheap flights from Melbourne to Colombo by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or push notification on the app when fares go down.
Select your ideal arrival and departure times, airlines and number of stops by using the filters. Alternatively, sort your Melbourne to Colombo flight results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest.'
Flying from Melbourne
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
You can get a direct flight from Melbourne to Colombo leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL). Start your trip at MEL and come in for landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Be on the lookout for deals with SriLankan Airlines. This carrier offers direct Melbourne to Colombo plane tickets from MEL.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially save money on your Melbourne to Colombo flight. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Break up your trip (and maybe save some cash) by stopping at one of these popular options:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Located around 19 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, MEL can be reached in about 30 minutes by car (depending on traffic). The journey on public transport takes roughly 40 minutes.
Want a stress-free start to your break? Stay near Melbourne Tullamarine Airport. Whether you have an early flight from Melbourne to Colombo or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are just the thing:
67.71% of flights leaving from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
Arriving in Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes around 40 minutes to reach by car. The centre is roughly 13 kilometres away.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Melbourne to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying near the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these hotels near CMB:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The centre of Colombo is around 27 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Melbourne to Colombo has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, the drive should be around 40 minutes.
Travelling by public transport will take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located around or in the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Get exactly what you want. Reserving your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time often means lower prices and a greater range of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Have a think about your dates before booking your flight from Melbourne to Melbourne. The city buzzes in peak season, but hotel prices are typically higher and attractions can be crowded. Visit Melbourne in low season if you want a more relaxed vibe.
Before locking in your Melbourne to Colombo tickets, consider the kind of weather forecast you're hoping for. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
January has average temperatures of between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF). Look for cheap flights from Melbourne to Colombo around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Colombo
After booking your flight from Melbourne to Colombo, take your pick from prime hotels that put you close to the action. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
There are so many things to explore in this city it can be hard to figure out where to begin. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are top sights which should be on any good Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa is just one of the many places in Sri Lanka waiting to be discovered after you've experienced Colombo. Around 18 kilometres to the south, popular attractions include Boat House, Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum.
Jaffna is another sought-after destination in Sri Lanka and is around 306 kilometres north of Colombo. No journey is complete without seeing Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.