Traveling from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Colombo: what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo and you'll be traveling for an average of 9 hours 45 minutes.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is located in Melbourne. Following the UTC+5:30 timezone, Colombo is five hours 30 minutes behind Melbourne.
The most popular route is from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). You can choose from seven weekly services between these two airports. SriLankan Airlines offers a 16:10 departure between MEL and CMB.
To avoid missing your MEL to Colombo flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
During popular months like July, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of an international flight whenever you're traveling during a peak period in general.
Direct Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo tickets are available for booking. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) will be your arrival point.
SriLankan Airlines is a popular airline that offers direct flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo.
Think about adding a stopover to potentially score a cheaper plane ticket from MEL to Colombo. All you need to do is deselect 'Direct flights only' during your search. Give yourself a breather (and maybe even a better deal) by stopping at one of these popular airports:
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
MEL is around 19 kilometers from central Melbourne. If you're catching a cab, driving or ride-sharing from the center, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on traffic conditions. If you're using public transport, expect the trip time to be around 40 minutes.
Looking for a hotel near MEL? If you've booked an early flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo, these stays put the terminal practically at your doorstep:
When it comes to Melbourne Tullamarine Airport's on-time performance, 67.71% of flights arrive within the scheduled time frame.
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Colombo
$250 is currently the best price for a one-way Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo flight. Return flight tickets start from $488. These fares may change depending on availability and demand.
Lock in cheap flights from MEL to Colombo by booking one month ahead. Based on our research, that's the best time for landing a bargain.
Schedule your trip for May. That's the best month for scoring the biggest deals on Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo tickets. If you're flexible on when you fly, use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest price across each month.
There's no need to check every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll let you know when there's an updated deal for cheap flights from MEL to Colombo.
Snag an affordable flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' for the best deals.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 16 kilometers. It'll take you about 40 minutes to get to the center driving.
Traveling to the center on public transport will take you around 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you're arriving on a late flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo, few things beat 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 hotels near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The center of Colombo is located around 32 kilometers from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Once your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo has hit the runway and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 40 minutes.
If you travel by public transport, you'll reach the center in 1 hour 30 minutes or so.
Place the 'Do not disturb' sign on your door and relax at a hotel close to CMB. Here are a few options where you can tuck yourself in after your MEL to Colombo flight:
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make picking up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car quick and easy. These providers are located in or around the terminal and will have you on your way in a heartbeat.
Don't pay more than you need to. Reserving your ride two weeks ahead of your arrival at CMB will help you save.
Best time to go to Colombo
Before scheduling your flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year works best for you. High season in Colombo offers a bustling atmosphere and plenty of activities, while the low season means you'll get better deals on hotels and fewer crowds.
Before booking a Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo plane ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from MEL to Colombo in January if you like traveling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Colombo right here. Browse these hotels once you've booked your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo:
There are so many things to see and do in this city it can be hard to know where to start. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are top attractions which should be on every Colombo itinerary.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has plenty to offer, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka you should also see. Around 306 kilometers north of Colombo, a trip to Jaffna will keep you on the move. Check out popular attractions like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Trincomalee is another essential stop in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometers north-east of Colombo. No journey is complete without experiencing Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.