How to find cheap flights to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB)
₹ 17,921 is currently the cheapest price for a round-trip flight to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport. For a one-way plane ticket to CMB, the lowest fare is ₹ 8,792.
Book at the right time with Price Alerts. You'll get an email or a push notification on the app if the price of tickets to CMB rises or falls.
Lock in a bargain on tickets to Colombo, where Colombo Bandaranayake Airport is located, by booking in advance. You're more likely to land a great deal and have a wider selection of flights and departure times.
Click on 'Add nearby airports' when searching to boost your chances of securing cheap flights to Colombo. This will give you more options for where you take off and touch down, along with different prices.
Search for plane tickets to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport that have a stop or two. Routes with stops tend to be less expensive. Once your results appear, select the 'Stops' filter to explore your options.
Best time to go to Colombo
The cheapest month to take off on a flight to Colombo is typically May.
To find the month with the cheapest flights to CMB, use the 'Whole month' tool. If you're flexible with your dates, search for the green prices on the calendar — they highlight the lowest available fares.
If you want to experience Colombo at its liveliest, lock in your flights to CMB for August. Taking a trip during high seasons often means more things to do compared to other times of the year.
March is the quietest period of the year to visit if you prefer a more relaxed pace. You'll generally find cheaper prices on plane tickets to Colombo then.
With averages of between 24ºC and 33ºC, March is when Colombo is at its warmest. Organise your visit around your preferred weather conditions to get the most out of your trip.
Temperatures are at their lowest in January, when they range from 22ºC to 32ºC.
With seven days of rain on average, January is the driest month in Colombo.
It rains the most during May, which gets around 21 days of wet weather.
Weather snapshot
The weather in Colombo stays warm and tropical year-round, with consistent temperatures and distinct wet and dry seasons. Here's what to expect throughout the year:
December – February: Dry season brings warm days around 31°C and balmy nights near 22°C, making these the best times to explore Colombo with light cotton clothing and reliable sunshine for sightseeing adventures.
March – May: Colombo's inter-monsoon season brings warm, humid days averaging 32°C and nights around 24°C. You'll find lightweight cotton clothing keeps you coolest during this hot period.
June – September: Monsoon season brings warm, humid days with temperatures reaching 30°C and cooling to 24°C at night. Regular tropical showers refresh the air, making this ideal for exploring indoor attractions, cultural sites, and covered markets throughout the city.
October – November: The inter-monsoon season brings warm days around 31°C and nights near 24°C with occasional showers that refresh the air. You'll find ideal conditions for exploring outdoor attractions, enjoying nature walks, and discovering the city's vibrant markets and cultural sites.
Travelling to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB): What you need to know
Travel to Colombo without any detours. These are some of the top airlines that offer direct flights to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport:
China Eastern has the best track record for punctuality. Up to 98% of its flights into this airport land without delays, making it a smart pick when reserving your CMB plane ticket.
When you land at CMB, you'll be in the UTC+5:30 timezone.
Eager to get some sleep after your flight to CMB? These hotels close to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport offer the perfect place to kick back and relax:
You can secure a car hire in CMB with popular providers like Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt. Turn the key and get ready to explore Colombo and beyond.
Flights out of Colombo Bandaranayake Airport land as scheduled 69% of the time. This percentage shows how the airport performs overall in terms of punctuality.
What is the baggage allowance on flights to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB)?
Most airlines offering flights to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB) include a carry-on bag with standard fares, but allowances can vary depending on the airline and your ticket type. Here's what to expect with major airlines operating this route:
SriLankan Airlines
Carry-on allowance: 7kg cabin bag plus personal item
Checked baggage: 23kg included with some economy fares
Terminal: Arrives at Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB), Terminal 1
IndiGo
Carry-on allowance: 7kg cabin bag (55x35x25cm) plus personal item
Checked baggage: 15kg included with some economy fares
Terminal: Arrives at Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB), Terminal 1
FitsAir
Carry-on allowance: 7kg cabin bag plus personal item
Checked baggage: 20kg included with some economy fares
Terminal: Arrives at Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB), Terminal 1
Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB) offers free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, along with numerous duty-free shops and restaurants serving local and international cuisine. You'll find currency exchange services, ATMs, and comfortable seating areas, plus dedicated prayer rooms and baby care facilities for families. The airport also provides baggage storage services and medical assistance if needed during your visit.
Getting to central Colombo from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB)
The distance from CMB to central Colombo is about 32 kilometres.
If you're taking a taxi or ride-sharing after your flight to CMB, it'll take around 40 minutes to get to the centre.
Hop on public transport and you'll be there in roughly 50 minutes.
If you'd like to stay close to the action in Colombo, drop your bags at one of these popular options:
Colombo highlights
Jump off your flight to Colombo and go straight to these must-visit attractions:
Mount Lavinia Beach: Located around 10 kilometres south of the city centre, this landmark is an ideal spot to start your sightseeing in the city.
Aquaria Garden: You'll discover this park roughly 11 kilometres southeast of the centre. It's a great place to take a breather while exploring Colombo.
Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall: Take on this landmark next. About 3 kilometres south of the city centre in Colombo 07, it's well worth stopping by for the full Colombo experience.
Sightseeing and travel inspiration
Things to do in Colombo: Stroll along Galle Face Green, a seaside promenade just 2 kilometres west of the centre where you can watch the sunset over the Indian Ocean. Head to Pettah Market, roughly 1 kilometre northeast, to browse local produce and textiles in the narrow streets. For a beach day, visit Mount Lavinia Beach about 12 kilometres south of downtown, where you can swim in calm waters and enjoy fresh seafood from beachside vendors.
Cultural experiences: Sample traditional Sri Lankan cuisine during cooking classes in the Cinnamon Gardens area, about 3 kilometres south of the centre, or attend classical dance performances at the Lionel Wendt Theatre in Kollupitiya, roughly 4 kilometres southwest. The Red Mosque in Pettah, just 2 kilometres northeast, welcomes visitors to observe its Indo-Saracenic architecture and learn about the city's diverse religious heritage.
Seasonal highlights: Experience the colourful Vesak Festival in May with thousands of lanterns lighting up the city streets. The Kandy Perahera procession reaches Colombo in July and August, bringing traditional dancers and decorated elephants. December through March offers cooler weather and fewer monsoon rains, making it the best time to visit Colombo for exploring outdoor markets and coastal areas.
How to get to Moratuwa from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB)
Heading straight for Moratuwa? From CMB, it takes around 1 hour 25 minutes to drive there. The city is about 64 kilometres from the airport.
Public transport will get you to Moratuwa in 2 hours 30 minutes or so.
Travelling from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB) to Negombo
Negombo is around 6 kilometres from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport if your trip takes you in that direction.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Moratuwa might just become one of your favourite stops in Sri Lanka. You'll find it roughly 48 kilometres south of Colombo. Holy Emmanuel Church, Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum and Lahugala Sanctuary are major draws.
Or set out for Negombo, roughly 6 kilometres northwest of Colombo. Negombo Beach, Ettukala Beach and Moya Beach are just the start of reasons to go.