Travelling from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Colombo: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 9 hours 46 minutes. On average, that's the time it takes for a direct flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo.
Colombo is 5 hours 30 minutes behind Melbourne, where Melbourne Tullamarine Airport is located. Colombo operates on the UTC+5:30 timezone.
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the most popular route, with 13 departures a week to choose from. If you have things to do before heading off, the last flight from MEL to CMB is with SriLankan Airlines at 17:25. Go for the first departure operated by SriLankan Airlines at 16:10 if you want to get going early.
For hassle-free travel, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and one hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from MEL to Colombo.
Travelling during a peak time like July? School holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Be extra cautious and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Nonstop flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Colombo are available for booking. Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) will be your arrival point.
Keep your eyes peeled for promotions from SriLankan Airlines. This airline operates direct flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo.
We make it a breeze to book a flight from MEL to Colombo that includes a stopover. To see all the options, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Some popular stopovers include:
Changi International Airport (SIN)
Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
If you have a passport from Australia, you will need an e-visa to visit Sri Lanka. This applies when booking a cheap ticket from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo for tourism purposes. The rules may differ if you're travelling for business or other reasons. Always check official visa guidelines before you book and certainly before flying.
Located around 24 kilometres from the centre of Melbourne, MEL can be reached in about 28 minutes by car, depending on traffic. The journey on public transport will take roughly 42 minutes.
Need a handy hotel near MEL? If you're catching an early flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo, these stays will put you moments from your check-in counter:
How to find the cheapest flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL) to Colombo
ر.ق. 837 is the cheapest price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo. For a return flight on this route, the best price is ر.ق. 1,588. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Get cheap tickets from MEL to Colombo by booking at least 9 months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for bagging a bargain.
May is the cheapest month for tickets from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for every month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to create a Price Alert. We'll notify you right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you the hassle of checking for cheap flight tickets from MEL to Colombo every day.
Make the most of the filters to find your ideal trip. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, departure and arrival times, and number of stops.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is approximately 16 kilometres. It takes about 39 minutes to get to the centre driving.
When travelling on public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour and 16 minutes.
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're getting in late on a flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo. Check in to one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Once your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo has hit the runway and you've made your way to arrivals, the drive should be around 39 minutes.
You can expect the trip to take approximately 1 hour and 31 minutes on public transport.
After your flight from MEL to Colombo, rest your head at a hotel near CMB. These are some comfortable options that'll help you get into relaxation mode:
Best time to go to Colombo
Before securing your flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo, consider which time of year is best for you. High season in Colombo offers a lively atmosphere and plenty of activities, while the off-season brings better deals on hotels and smaller crowds.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with the temperature ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Book your flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap flight from MEL to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC and 32ºC.
More about Colombo
When it comes to searching for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the best places to stay in Colombo right here. Check out these hotels as soon as you've booked your flight from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo:
All great adventures should include some sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are attractions you won't want to skip in Colombo.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
Choose one of our car rentals in Colombo and explore the city at your leisure. Easily compare rates in one go to find the perfect set of wheels after booking your hotel and cheap flights from Melbourne Tullamarine Airport to Colombo.
