Chennai to Colombo (MAA–CMB) — Airlines, Schedules & Connections
No flights match your filters.
No nonstop flights on this route. connecting options below.
MAA–CMB is served by 4 airlines with nonstop service. IndiGo, SriLankan Airlines and Cathay Pacific lead the route. The flight covers 402 miles in approximately 1h 10m. Beyond nonstop, 22 hubs offer 1-stop connections.
Airline Landscape
| Airline | Freq/wk | Aircraft | Duration | Dep OTP | Alliance | Codeshares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6E IndiGo | 27 | 32N | 1h20 | – | – | – |
| UL SriLankan Airlines Also: AI | 21 | 320, 333 | 1h25 | – | Oneworld | AI |
| CX Cathay Pacific | 3 | 74Y | 1h20 | – | Oneworld | – |
| TK Turkish Airlines | 1 | 77X | 1h10 | – | Star Alliance | – |
Weekly Schedule Pattern
Connection Landscape
Other ways to reach Colombo from Chennai
| Metric | MAA→CMB | BLR→CMB | TRZ→CMB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distance from MAA | – | 166 mi | 183 mi |
| Nonstop airlines | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| Weekly flights | 73 | 45 | 8 |
| Flight time | 1h 10m | 1h 25m | 1h |
Travel Essentials
MAA: IST · CMB: +0530
When it's 6:00 PM in Chennai, 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.
MAA–CMB Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Flights from MAA to CMB
Chennai International Airport (MAA) and Bandaranaike International Colombo Airport (CMB) are connected by nonstop service from IndiGo, Cathay Pacific, Turkish Airlines and SriLankan Airlines. With 73 weekly departures, this is a heavily served route.
MAA to CMB Flight Duration and Schedule
Nonstop flight time from MAA to CMB ranges from 1 hours 10 minutes to 1 hours 25 minutes. The route covers a distance of 402 miles (647 km). There are approximately 73 weekly flights outbound and 62 return, totaling 135 flights per week in both directions.
Connecting Options and Alternatives
22 one-stop connections are available, with the fastest taking approximately 9 hours via MCT. Two-stop connections are also available via intermediate hubs. Nearby alternative airports include Bengaluru (BLR) and Tiruchirappalli (TRZ).