Flying from Chennai Airport (MAA) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport is 1 hour 20 minutes.
Chennai and Colombo are both in the UTC+5:30 timezone. That means there's no time difference to adjust for.
Every week, there are 201 Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flights. If you'd like to jet off as early as possible, opt for the 00:05 SpiceJet flight. If you'd rather make the most of your time before you fly, the last departure is at 21:15 with SriLankan Airlines.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Be at the airport with enough time to board your MAA to CMB flight.
Be prepared for longer queues during popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures is a good idea.
There are plenty of direct flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, so getting to Colombo (and then seeing more of Sri Lanka!) is a breeze. Popular carriers that fly nonstop include:
The majority of travellers choose to travel with IndiGo on this route.
FitsAir is a leader in on-time performance for MAA to CMB flights, with 94.87% of its services landing as scheduled.
Think about adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or perhaps see a new city along the way. Check out these options between MAA and CMB:
Coimbatore International Airport
Tiruchirapalli International Airport
Cochin International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Chennai Airport (MAA) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The lowest price we've found for a one-way Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flight is $93. A round-trip plane ticket right now is $208. Depending on the availability and when you book, these fares can change.
To score cheap tickets from MAA to CMB, book your trip five months ahead of your departure.
Plan your trip for April. That's the cheapest month for flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. If your travel dates are flexible, try out the 'Whole month' tool to find the cheapest airfare across each month.
You won't have to check back in every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment a special offer becomes available on cheap flights from MAA to CMB.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport.
Handy information about Chennai Airport (MAA)
76.04% of flights taking off from Chennai Airport touch down at their destination on schedule.
To reach Chennai Airport from central Chennai, it takes around 45 minutes if you're planning to drive. This depends on traffic though. It's approximately 19 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Taking public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 50 minutes.
Get your trip off to a hassle-free start by staying near MAA. Whether you're catching an early flight from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these stays have you covered:
Arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The last thing you need is a lengthy trip to your hotel if you're landing late on a Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flight. Book one of these accommodation options near CMB instead:
Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and discover Colombo and beyond with your own set of wheels. Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt are top providers you can book with here.
Booking your vehicle from Bandaranaike International Airport about two weeks ahead increases your chances of getting a good deal.
Getting from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo
From Bandaranaike International Airport, Colombo is approximately 32 kilometres away. It takes around 40 minutes to reach the centre by car.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
When to fly to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
February is the most popular month for flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. To steer clear of the crowds, visit Colombo in April.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC (75ºF) and 33ºC (91ºF). Book your flights from Chennai Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Search for cheap tickets from MAA to CMB in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've visited Colombo, now it's time to explore other parts of Sri Lanka. Journey about 18 kilometres south to Moratuwa to tick off its top sights. From Boat House to Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
Around 306 kilometres north of Colombo, Jaffna is another favourite stop in Sri Lanka. Experience major highlights starting with Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.