MEL - CMB

£184 Find Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Colombo – Compare and Save

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Everything you should know

Cheapest return flight
£403
Typical prices: £563-£815
Jetstar
Wed 10/10Wed 24/10
MEL - CMB • Direct
Cheapest one-way flight
£184
Typical prices: £291-£473
Jetstar
Wed 10/10
MEL - CMB • Direct
Direct flights
You can fly direct with SriLankan Airlines and Jetstar. Average duration is 10h 32m
Direct flights
+1
Direct flights
+1
Avoid delays
Most punctual • 74% on-time
Best time • Fewest delays
Insights
Insights
When to book
in advance
Our data shows that travellers who book at least 23 weeks in advance save around 17% compared to booking last minute.
Insights
Insights
When to travel
Cheapest • 18% price drop
Most popular
Good to know
+1
Good to know
+1
Top stopover airports
Cheapest • Avg £466 (return)
Shortest trip • 15h 18m (one-way)
Insights
Insights
Start a new search
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We hope you enjoy your trip to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport!
Flight Deals
Booking Insights
Expert advice
Flight Deals

Cheap Flights from Melbourne to Colombo (MEL-CMB)

 
Discover the best prices for you by selecting your travel dates on KAYAK.

Recent return flight deals from Melbourne to Colombo

Sat, 10 Oct - Sat, 24 Oct
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£403Jetstar
Sat, 26 Sep - Sat, 24 Oct
Jetstar Logo
12:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£403Jetstar
Thu, 29 Oct - Thu, 5 Nov
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£403Jetstar
Tue, 27 Oct - Tue, 3 Nov
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£404Jetstar
Sat, 17 Oct - Sat, 24 Oct
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£421Jetstar
Sat, 10 Oct - Sat, 17 Oct
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£421Jetstar
Sat, 17 Oct - Sat, 31 Oct
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£422Jetstar
Thu, 15 Oct - Sat, 7 Nov
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£422Jetstar
Thu, 5 Nov - Thu, 19 Nov
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£442Jetstar
Sat, 31 Oct - Sat, 7 Nov
Jetstar Logo
13:00 - 17:50MEL  Melbourne-CMB Colombo Bandaranaike Intl
10h 20mdirect
Jetstar Logo
19:50 - 11:00CMB  Colombo Bandaranaike Intl-MEL Melbourne
9h 40mdirect
£450Jetstar
Booking Insights

Price, demand, and travel trends for Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights

Use KAYAK data on prices, travel dates, airlines, and seasonal trends to compare options and book flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport with more confidence.

How much is a return flight from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

Return flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport start at £403. Prices are below average for this route right now, with typical return fares ranging from £563 to £815. The lowest price found in the past 5 days was £403 on Jetstar.

What's the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

Tuesday is the cheapest day of the week to fly from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport and is 3% cheaper than the average day. Thursday is the most expensive day with flight prices 1% higher than average. Based on deals found by KAYAK users in the last 12 months.

What is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

  • October is the cheapest month to fly from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport at £544 return.
  • December (£991) and June (£722) are the most expensive months.
  • The price difference between flying in the cheapest and most expensive months is 82% on average.
This is based on KAYAK aggregated and averaged internal data over the past 12 months.

When are prices from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport the cheapest?

Flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport are cheapest 23 weeks before departure. Booking in this window typically costs about 17% less than the average last-minute fare (within 2 weeks of the flight), based on KAYAK data.

Expert advice

Expert advice for your flight from Melbourne to Colombo

 
KAYAK teamed up with top travel experts to share the best tips for your journey.
Our travel experts
Ramsey Qubein

Ramsey Qubein

Expert on MEL and CMB

An avid traveller and aviation expert who has visited 173 countries, all 50 states and seven continents, Ramsey Qubein flies nearly 400,000 miles a year. As a North Carolina-based freelance journalist for publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Forbes, USA Today and Bloomberg, among others, he explores the latest trends in aviation, hospitality, cruises and business.

Key details for Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights

Low season

September

Cheapest flight

£184
Best time to beat the crowds (8% less expensive on average)
Most popular time to fly (50% more expensive on average)
Flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport

When to book flights from Melbourne to Colombo

Are your dates flexible? Find out the best times to travel from Melbourne to Colombo based on our flight data from the last year. Discover the cheapest month and even day to fly.
Estimated return price

Your Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flight questions, answered

Find helpful route details based on KAYAK data, including flight times, airports, airlines, and booking questions.

  • What’s a good way to navigate Melbourne Airport?

    While Melbourne Airport is efficiently designed and well signed, unfamiliar airports can still be daunting. Melbourne Airport has its own app, which is free to download to any smartphone or device with an app store; simply called Melbourne Airport App. It contains maps, flight updates, exclusive sales and offers and even a parking tracker and calculator.

  • How can I easily get to Melbourne Airport?

    If you’re not driving your own vehicle or want to save some money on a taxi fare, the SkyBus is a popular and convenient option. Running roughly every 15min from three locations in Melbourne City, a one way ticket will cost you about A$ 15, or A$ 28 return. From Southern Cross Station, the journey usually takes around 25min, but this could take longer if there is heavy traffic.

  • Which airlines offer extra legroom and free seat selection on Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights?

    Among airlines operating Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights:

    • SriLankan Airlines: offers free seat selection

    Extra legroom and free seat selection availability depends on fare class and route.

  • Which airlines are available on the route from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    2 airlines operate flights between Melbourne Airport and Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport. The airlines offering direct flights on this route include:

    • SriLankan Airlines
    • Jetstar

  • Which airports can I use when flying from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    Flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport usually depart from Melbourne (MEL) and arrive at Colombo Bandaranaike Intl (CMB).

  • Which airlines include bags at no extra cost on Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights?

    Here are some options for this route, based on selected ticket types and cabin classes:

    • SriLankan Airlines: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Jetstar: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class
    • Qantas Airways: a cabin bag and a checked bag in Economy class

    Bag allowance can vary by ticket type, cabin class, route, and airline, so travellers should check the fare details before booking.

  • Which cabin classes can I book on flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    Only Economy class is available on flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport.

  • How much can I save by having a stopover when flying from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    On this route, stopover flights are cheaper than direct options on average. Stopover fares average £466 return via Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Intl (BOM), compared with £676 for direct.

  • What is the standard checked bag allowance on flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    There is no standard. Checked bag policies vary by airline on this route. Most carriers charge £26–£74 for the first checked bag in Economy. Premium fares and elite status bookings typically include a free checked bag.

  • Which aircraft model is used most often on flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner family is used most often on this route, operated mainly by Jetstar and Qantas Airways. Other aircraft seen on the route include Boeing 777-300ER variants.

  • Which airports do connecting flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport pass through?

    One-stop flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport most commonly connect through:

    • Kuala Lumpur Intl (KUL) – 44% of one-stop connections
    • Singapore Changi (SIN) – 41% of one-stop connections
    • Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) – 9% of one-stop connections
    • Shanghai Pu Dong (PVG) – 3% of one-stop connections

    Kuala Lumpur Intl (KUL) handles the largest share of one-stop connections on this route.

  • Can I save money by using flexible dates for flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    Yes. Being flexible with your travel dates can save you up to 4% on the Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport route. Tuesday is the cheapest departure day at £647 return on average, while Thursday is the most expensive at £674, a difference of £27. KAYAK's flexible dates feature shows options up to 3 days before and after your selected dates, making it easier to compare nearby fares.

  • At what point is a flight considered delayed on the route from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    A flight is considered delayed when it departs 15 minutes or more after its scheduled time. This is the standard used by the US Department of Transportation and most airline industry reporting. On the Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport route, 26% of flights were delayed in the past 3 months, with delays averaging 1 hour 59 minutes.

  • How are flight departures from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport spread across the day?

    Afternoon is the busiest departure period on Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights, with 50% leaving in that window. Evening departures account for 50%, Morning flights for 0%, and Night flights for 0%.

  • What are the earliest and latest flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    These are the earliest and latest flight times available from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport:

    • Earliest: departs at 07:10 and lands at 17:42
    • Latest: departs at 17:30 and lands at 04:02.

    The flight takes about 10h 32m.

  • How expensive are last-minute Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights?

    Last-minute fares on this route (booked within 2 weeks of departure) run 9% above the route average of £661. Book 23 weeks before departure for the lowest fares.

  • How long is a flight from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    A direct flight from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport takes 10h 32m, covering 5,190 miles.

  • Do I need a passport to fly from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    Yes, a valid passport is required for this international route. Many destinations require at least six months of validity beyond your travel dates. Check your passport expiry well before booking.

  • Have flight prices from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport changed much recently?

    Yes. Based on fares seen in the past 5 days, return flight prices on this route showed a wide range, from about £403 to £3,762. That means the highest observed fare was about 9x higher than the lowest one.

  • How are flight prices from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport looking right now?

    One-way fares from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport are currently lower than usual. Average one-way flight prices are about £223, which is 44% below the typical average for this route.

  • How does SriLankan Airlines's on-time performance compare to other airlines on Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights?

    SriLankan Airlines is the only airline operating Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights. 74% of its flights are on time.

  • How do delay rates compare for morning and evening flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    Night flights have the fewest delays on this route. Delays tend to pile up throughout the day as one late flight pushes the next, so earlier departures are usually more reliable.

  • How much time can I save by choosing a different stopover airport from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    Flying via Bangkok Suvarnabhumi (BKK) gives the shortest average 1-stop total travel time of 15h 18m, compared to 15h 37m via Singapore Changi (SIN) and 15h 38m via Kuala Lumpur Intl (KUL).

  • What is the time difference between Melbourne Airport and Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport?

    Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport is 4 hours behind Melbourne Airport (India Time vs Eastern Australia Time). Plan for the time shift when scheduling connections or first-day activities.

  • Which car hire options are available at Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport (CMB)?

    Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport (CMB) hosts 5 major car hire companies, with daily rates starting from around £16 for economy cars. Top options include:
    • GREEN MOTION
    • Ace
    • AcaRent
    • Xdrive Mobility
    • SR RENT A CAR

  • How much should I expect to pay for a Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flight?

    Return flights from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport range from £563 to £815, with an average of £661 over the past 12 months. Anything below £563 counts as a good deal.

  • Which airlines offer Wi-Fi on Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights?

    Air Seychelles is the only airline on the Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport route offering in-flight Wi-Fi. Pricing depends on fare class.

Your guide to booking Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport flights

Get tips on when to book, when to fly, and what to know before your trip.
  • If your dates are flexible, aim for a Tuesday departure instead of Thursday. On this route, Tuesday flights average £647 – about £27 less than Thursday (4% savings) based on the last 12 months.
  • For the best chance at a low fare, aim to book around 23 weeks before you fly. On this route, that window historically saves about 17% versus last-minute pricing (KAYAK booking data, last 12 months).
  • If you can choose when to travel, plan your Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport trip for October. Fares historically average £544 return in that month – typically £447 less than the most expensive month, which is December (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you have the time, taking a 1-stop flight through Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji Intl Airport (BOM) can be cheaper than flying direct. The cheapest stopover option averages £466 return on this route – about £209 less than direct flights (based on the last 12 months).
  • If you’re visiting friends or family overseas, why not pick them up an Australian souvenir from one of the Australian gift stores at Melbourne Airport (MEL)? Across multiple stores, you will find a selection of Australian made or themed goods and snacks.
  • Those travelling from Melbourne Airport with children will find a play area opposite Gate 15B of Terminal 2 and many baby changing facilities across both terminals. Just follow the signs to find them or ask one of the staff at the service desks.
  • Those needing a snack, substantial meal or just a beverage before boarding their flight will find an extensive selection at Melbourne Airport, including bars featuring local breweries, such as Stomping Ground Brewery, or the classics you can expect worldwide, like Subway, McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, with plenty of other options such as sushi and Vietnamese.
  • If you need any assistance once you have arrived at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), you will find an information desk located in the arrivals area that can assist and direct you as needed.

Prefer to fly direct from Melbourne to Colombo?

 
Find which airlines fly direct from Melbourne Airport to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl Airport, which days they fly and book direct flights.

Direct departures

Melbourne to Colombo Bandaranaike Intl

Monday

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines

Tuesday

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Wednesday

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines

Thursday

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Friday

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines

Saturday

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Sunday

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines

See more direct flights

Direct returns

Colombo Bandaranaike Intl to Melbourne

Monday

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines

Tuesday

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Wednesday

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines

Thursday

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Friday

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines

Saturday

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Jetstar,SriLankan Airlines

Sunday

SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines

See more direct flights

More options for your flight from Melbourne to Colombo

Complete your trip to Colombo with a hotel stay or car hire