Flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Colombo (CMB)
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Flight prices are per adult in Australian Dollars, based on payment at qantas.com by BPAY made 7 days or more before departure, or PayID. A fee applies for other payments. Fares may not be available on all flights or days. Fares displayed may not always show the most up-to-date fare availability and may not apply on direct flights. Select a date and continue searching to view available seats with Qantas and our partner airlines.
Reasons to fly Qantas
Baggage included
Pack more into your trip with checked and carry-on baggage included in every fare.
Inflight entertainment
Visiting from Melbourne to Colombo
Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka is a big cosmopolitan city with a great mixture of modern life and architecture, beautiful old colonial buildings and temples. The Fort Area, the centre of the city is home to Colombo’s busy harbour, the Dutch Hospital and close to Beira Lake. It's a wonderful place to walk around or rent a swan boat. Be sure to explore the markets, take a tuk-tuk ride to see the sights, watch the sunset at Galle Face Green while enjoying some delicious Sri Lankan rice and curry. The city has plenty of charm, history and welcoming people.
Flight information
Fly Melbourne to Colombo (MEL to CMB)
The approximate time for a flight from Melbourne to Colombo is 11 hours and 45 minutes.
When to visit
The best time to visit Colombo is the dry season between January and March. This is the coolest time of the year, with less humidity making it an ideal time for sightseeing. Temperatures range from 22°C to 30°C. The monsoon season is from April to June and September to November, when heavy rains occur. Temperatures are still warm around 30°C and rather humid.
Arrival information
What is the main airport called?
Colombo International Airport (CMB). It is the main international airport serving Sri Lanka. It is located in a suburb of Negombo, 32.5 kilometres north of the nation's capital Colombo.
Arriving in Colombo
The helpful staff at Colombo Airport will greet you when you land and assist with your travel needs. Once you collect your bags from the arrivals area, there are various transport options available to get you on your way.
Getting into Colombo from Colombo Airport
Getting into Colombo is easy, with different transport options available depending on your choice. Select from taxis, ride-share, bus, train, shuttle, private driver or car hire. Taxi is a convenient option taking 35 minutes to get to the city centre, with ranks located in the arrivals lobby of both terminals. Alternatively, you could request a ride through Uber to take you to your destination. If you would like a private transfer, you can book a transfer to any destination in Colombo. There is an express shuttle bus between the airport and the city centre, travel time is about an hour and buses depart every 30 minutes. By train, you need to get to the nearest train station, which is Katunayaka South Station, about 1 km from Colombo Airport. The travel time is 1 hour to Fort Station in Colombo. You can get to the station by bus, tuk-tuk or taxi. It's possible to rent a car from the airport to explore Sri Lanka or you may wish to organise a hotel shuttle.
Getting around Colombo
There are many ways to get around Colombo, with different transport options available to explore the city. Some of the most popular means are train, bus, tuk-tuk, taxi, ride-share or renting a car with a driver. Train is a relaxed way to travel and a good way to see the scenery of Sri Lanka. Buses are the primary way to travel with routes connecting most destinations or there are private buses that you can take to get between villages. Taxis are available in the city, or organised through your hotel, otherwise you can request a car through Uber for a convenient way to travel. For short trips, tuk-tuks are very common in Colombo and you will find one on almost every corner. Another popular way to get around is to hire a car with a driver. They can suggest places to see, things to do and where to eat.
Departure information
Fly from Melbourne
Once you’ve got your tickets from Melbourne, there are a few things you should know to ensure you’re as prepared as possible for your flight.
What is the main airport called?
Melbourne Airport. Located 20 km (12.5 miles) from the city centre, Melbourne Domestic Airport (MEL), also known as Tullamarine Airport, is the main airport serving the state of Victoria. Qantas operates from two terminals in Melbourne T1 - domestic and T2 - international.
Baggage allowance
Passengers on Qantas flights from Melbourne are allocated checked baggage If you need more luggage, you can purchase an additional baggage allowance online prior to departure.
Checking in
Ensure you check-in online or via the Qantas App before you arrive at the airport from 24 hours before departure.
Important information
* Flight prices are per adult in Australian Dollars, based on payment at qantas.com by BPAY made 7 days or more before departure, PayID or Qantas issued UATP. For other payment options a percentage based fee applies, capped at a maximum per passenger of $22 for Domestic or $120 for International travel. Prices are not guaranteed until payment is made. Fares may not be available on all flights or days. Some flights are operated by partner or subsidiary airlines. Prices may fluctuate if taxes or foreign exchange rates change. Passengers booking Premium Economy may be seated in Economy on connecting flights. Check the fare rules for more details before booking. Inclusions vary between flights. All schedules subject to change, including last minute aircraft changes. QantasLink flights operated by Sunstate Airlines (Qld) Pty Ltd ABN 82 009 734 703, Eastern Australia Airlines Pty Ltd ABN 77 001 599 024, and National Jet Systems Pty Ltd ABN 11 008 279 203. Licence No per state: QLD - 407, NSW - 2TA000237, VIC - 30362, SA - TTA155, WA - 9TA52.
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