New Delhi to Colombo (DEL–CMB) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No scheduled airline flights on this route — it's flown by charter / private operators (). No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
Most recently operated nonstop flights — the month shown is when each was last scheduled. Most destinations remain reachable with a connection.
No discontinued nonstop flights on record for this route.
DEL–CMB is served by 3 airlines with nonstop service. Air India, SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo lead the route. The flight covers 1,488 miles in approximately 3h 35m. Beyond nonstop, 1-stop connecting options are also available.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AI Air India Also: SQ | 28 | 320, 321 | 3h25-3h35 | – | Star Alliance | SQ |
| UL SriLankan Airlines Also: JL | 14 | 320, 32A | 3h35 | – | Oneworld | JL |
| 6E IndiGo Also: KL | 6 | 32N | 3h30 | – | – | KL |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Travel Essentials
DEL: IST · CMB: +0530
When it's 6:00 PM in New Delhi, it's 6:00 PM in Colombo.
Indian passport holders need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to enter Sri Lanka. Apply at srilankaeta.gov.lk before travel. The ETA costs $50 for a 30-day tourist stay (double-entry), processed within 24 to 48 hours. An ETA on arrival is available at Colombo Bandaranaike Airport (CMB) for $60, but the online route is faster. Extensions up to 90 days are available at the Department of Immigration in Colombo for $25.
Required documents are minimal: a passport valid for at least 6 months, a return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds ($50 per day is the informal guideline). No hotel bookings or invitation letters are needed for the ETA application. The ETA form asks for your Sri Lankan address, so have at least the first night's hotel name ready.
Direct flights from Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kochi, and Tiruchirappalli to Colombo run 1 hour 30 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes depending on the origin city. SriLankan Airlines, Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet operate multiple daily frequencies. Sri Lanka uses the Sri Lankan rupee (LKR), trading at roughly 300 LKR per $1. No mandatory vaccinations for Indian arrivals. Indian rupees cannot be used in Sri Lanka, so exchange at the airport or withdraw from ATMs in LKR.
Delhi Metro Airport Express runs from New Delhi Railway Station to T3 in 18–20 minutes (₹60 one-way). From Shivaji Stadium (central Delhi) it takes 24 minutes. The line has four stations: New Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, Dhaula Kuan, and IGI Airport (T3). T1 (domestic) is not directly served; take the metro to T3 and the free airport bus shuttle to T1.Prepaid taxis from the terminal use a metered system with fixed rates; central Delhi costs ₹400–600. Ola and Uber operate widely and are often cheaper. Auto-rickshaws are not permitted on the expressway.
DEL–CMB Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from DEL to CMB
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB) are connected by nonstop service from Air India, SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo. With 68 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
DEL to CMB Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from DEL to CMB is about 3 hours 35 minutes gate to gate. The route covers a distance of 1,488 miles (2,395 km). There are approximately 68 weekly flights outbound and 62 return, totaling 130 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
1-stop connecting options are also available, commonly via Chennai, Kempegowda and Cochin. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs.