Flying from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): what you need to know
Hop on a direct flight from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 30 minutes.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30, which is 30 minutes ahead of Malé.
Take your pick of 243 weekly Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flights. The 07:25 departure with flydubai is the earliest flight available. Chongqing Airlines operates the last service of the day at 22:55.
Leave enough time to catch your MLE to CMB flight. As a general rule, turn up two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
You'll likely experience longer queues during popular months such as January. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure is a good idea.
There's a good range of direct flights from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport to choose from. When planning your Colombo journey, these carriers can fly you nonstop to this exciting corner of Sri Lanka:
FitsAir tops the list for bookings on this route.
China Eastern Airlines is a leader in on-time performance for MLE to CMB flights, with 90.91% of services landing as scheduled.
Think about adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Just deselect 'Direct flights only' to break up your journey, or maybe even explore a new city along the way. Here are some options between MLE and CMB:
Trivandrum International Airport
Cochin International Airport
Kempegowda International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Right now, Rs39,410 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flight. The best price for a return ticket is Rs60,925. Remember that fares may change due to demand when booking.
Score cheap tickets from MLE to CMB by booking at least seven months ahead. According to our research, that's the sweet spot for landing a bargain.
The cheapest month for flights from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest airfares if you have a flexible travel schedule.
Spend less time searching for cheap flights from MLE to CMB by setting up a Price Alert. You'll receive an email or push notification on the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport.
Handy information about Velana International Airport (MLE)
When it comes to Velana International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 77.73% of flights complete their journey on time.
To get to Velana International Airport from central Malé, it takes around 15 minutes if you're planning to drive. Of course, this depends on traffic conditions. It's approximately 5 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Catching an early flight from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and catch some extra z's) by picking one of these hotels near MLE:
Arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
If you're coming in on a late Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flight, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these options near CMB:
Pick up a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car and discover Colombo and beyond with your own wheels. Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt are popular providers you can book with here.
To lock in the lowest price, book your ride from Bandaranaike International Airport about two weeks ahead.
Getting from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport is approximately 32 kilometres from central Colombo. The drive time takes about 40 minutes.
When travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
When to fly to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
It's time to work out your dates for your flight from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. February is the busiest month to visit Colombo. If you're after a more laid-back vibe, go in April.
When reserving your flight from Velana International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, consider the type of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with the temperature ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
Search for cheap tickets from MLE to CMB in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've seen Colombo, now it's time to discover more of Sri Lanka. Journey about 18 kilometres south to Moratuwa to check off its leading sights. From Boat House to Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If there's time to check out another great destination in Sri Lanka, head for Jaffna, about 306 kilometres north of Colombo. Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library are the start of reasons to visit.