Cheap flights from Chennai to Colombo

Compare Chennai to Colombo flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Colombo

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Flight deals from Chennai to Colombo

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best round-trip flight from Chennai Airport to Colombo? If you want to travel next month, round-trip fares start from $212. Find the lowest prices on one-way and round-trip tickets right here.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Chennai to Colombo

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Chennai to Colombo flights are currently cheapest in May.

Direct flights from Chennai to Colombo

Chennai to Colombo: Flight information

The things to know before you go.
Cheapest flight found$212
Cheapest month to flyMay
Average flight time1 hr, 22 mins
Most popular airlineSriLankan Airlines
Average flights per week270

Finding cheap flights from Chennai to Colombo: Frequently asked questions

There are 5 airports in Colombo: Kelaniya, Colombo Ratmalana, Colombo Bandaranayake, Bentota River, and Katugastota.
The best price we found for a round-trip flight from Chennai to Colombo is $212. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.
1 hour and 22 minutes is the average flight time from Chennai to Colombo.
SriLankan Airlines, IndiGo and Air India fly direct from Chennai to Colombo.
There are 90 flights per week flying from Chennai to Colombo, as of April 2026.
The cheapest month to fly from Chennai to Colombo is usually May.
If you're flying from Chennai Airport, the cheapest airport near Colombo is Colombo Bandaranayake – which is 27.5 km away from the center of Colombo. We've found flights to this airport from $212.
After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Chennai Airport to Colombo on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
Yes – the average flight time is 1 hour and 22 minutes.
In April, the average temperature is usually around 28°C. May is typically the warmest month in Colombo, when it usually averages around 29°C. You can expect the least rain in February. The coldest month is July, with temperatures averaging 25°C. The rainiest month is November.
Currently, IndiGo offers the cheapest flight tickets to Colombo.

Traveling from Chennai Airport (MAA) to Colombo: what you need to know

  • The average duration of a direct flight from Chennai Airport to Colombo is 1 hour 20 minutes.

  • Colombo and Chennai (where Chennai Airport is located) are both in the UTC+5:30 timezone. That means there's no time difference to consider.

  • Chennai Airport (MAA) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the most popular route, with 56 weekly departures to choose from. If you prefer starting your day later, the last flight from MAA to CMB is with SriLankan Airlines at 21:15. Opt for the first departure with IndiGo at 00:35 if you want to get on your way earlier.

  • Give yourself plenty of time to make your MAA to Colombo flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.

  • You'll likely experience longer lines during popular months such as July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you plenty of time for security and boarding.

  • Start your journey at MAA and travel nonstop to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Chennai Airport to Colombo tickets.

  • Well-known airlines that operate direct flights from Chennai Airport to Colombo include:

  • We make it a breeze to book plane tickets from MAA to Colombo with a stopover. To see your options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, select a flight that has a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. The most sought-after stopovers include:

    • Cochin International Airport (COK)

    • Coimbatore International Airport (CJB)

    • Tiruchirapalli International Airport (TRZ)

  • MAA is about 16 kilometers from central Chennai. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the center, it'll take 45 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 50 minutes.

  • Planning to catch an early flight from Chennai Airport to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to MAA:

  • 76.04% of flights that depart Chennai Airport reach their destination on schedule.

How to find the cheapest flights from Chennai Airport (MAA) to Colombo

  • $94 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Chennai Airport to Colombo flight. A round-trip flight ticket right now is $212. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares could change.

  • To pick up cheap flights from MAA to Colombo, book ahead. Airlines generally offer lower prices when tickets are first released.

  • The 'Whole month' tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Chennai Airport to Colombo across every month. It's a great way to find a bargain if your trip dates are flexible.

  • There's no need to check in daily to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's an even better deal on cheap flights from MAA to Colombo.

  • Choose your preferred departure and arrival times, number of stops and airlines with our filters. Then, sort the results for your flight from Chennai Airport to Colombo by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best.'

Airports in Colombo

Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)

  • The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 16 kilometers. It takes about 40 minutes to get to the center driving.

  • Traveling by public transport takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

  • The last thing you need is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Chennai Airport to Colombo. Stay at one of these accommodation options near RML instead:

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)

  • Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is roughly 32 kilometers from central Colombo. Following your flight from Chennai Airport to Colombo, it'll take you around 40 minutes to get to the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.

  • The trip will take about 1 hour 30 minutes on public transport.

  • Hang the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and unwind at a hotel near CMB. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your MAA to Colombo flight:

  • The fastest way to get to where you're going is with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Collect your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and get going in the blink of an eye.

  • Lock in the best price by securing your ride from CMB two weeks ahead of time. You'll also have access to a greater range of vehicles.

Best time to go to Colombo

  • Carefully consider your travel dates before securing your flight from Chennai Airport to Colombo. The city buzzes during high season, but rates are typically higher and top attractions can get crowded. Plan your trip to Colombo in the off-season if you prefer a more relaxed vibe.

  • The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Lock in your Chennai Airport to Colombo flight ticket then if that's your definition of good weather.

  • For cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from MAA to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF).

More about Colombo

  • Once you've booked your flight from Chennai Airport to Colombo, choose a hotel that combines comfort with a great location. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:

  • Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Gangaramaya Temple are just two of the major attractions to add to your Colombo must-do list. Keep the sightseeing going at Viharamahadevi Park.

Explore more of Sri Lanka

  • Jaffna is just one of the many cities in Sri Lanka waiting to be explored once you've seen Colombo. Around 306 kilometers away to the north, check out popular attractions including Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.

  • If you're looking to explore another well-known destination in Sri Lanka, head for Trincomalee, roughly 241 kilometers north-east of Colombo. Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach are highlights.

Prices shown on this page are estimated lowest prices only. Found in the last 45 days.