Travelling from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Colombo: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 1 hour 31 minutes. That's the average journey time for a direct flight from Velana International Airport to Colombo.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30. The city is 30 minutes ahead of Malé, where Velana International Airport is located.
The busiest route is from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Take your pick of 243 weekly services between these two airports. If you'd like to get going as soon as possible, the earliest flight from MLE to CMB is the 07:25 flydubai option. If you prefer to leave later in the day, the final departure is at 22:55 with Chongqing Airlines.
For a smooth journey, arrive at the airport two hours ahead of international flights and an hour before domestic departures. This ensures you have enough time to board your flight from MLE to Colombo.
During popular months like August, it's wise to get to the airport well in advance. Plan to arrive two hours before a domestic departure and four hours ahead for international flights whenever you're flying during peak periods in general.
You can book a nonstop flight from Velana International Airport to Colombo. Start your journey at MLE and arrive at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB).
Numerous airlines operate direct flights from Velana International Airport to Colombo. The most popular include:
Stopovers are the perfect opportunity to take a break from travelling — and perhaps even explore another city. When searching for flights from MLE to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
Cochin International Airport (COK)
Trivandrum International Airport (TRV)
You won't need a visa for Sri Lanka if you have a passport from Maldives and are travelling for tourism purposes. Visa and travel documentation requirements are subject to changes. So before organising your cheap tickets from Velana International Airport to Colombo, check with your airline and your destination country's local embassy or consulate for the latest information.
MLE is approximately 5 kilometres from central Malé. If you're catching a cab, ride-sharing or driving from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Looking for a handy hotel close to MLE? If you're boarding an early flight from Velana International Airport to Colombo, these stays will put you moments from your check-in counter:
How to find the cheapest flights from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Colombo
$226 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way ticket from Velana International Airport to Colombo. For a return flight on this route, the best price is $375. Depending on when you want to go and the availability, these fares can change.
Book 10 months before travelling. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from MLE to Colombo.
Schedule your trip for June. That's the cheapest month for tickets from Velana International Airport to Colombo. If you have flexibility with your dates, use the 'Whole month' tool to see the cheapest price across each month.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. We'll get in touch right away if there's a better deal on this route. It's simple to do, and it'll save you time searching for flight tickets from MLE to Colombo every day.
Take advantage of the filters to find your ideal journey. To see the 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Velana International Airport to Colombo, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to the centre of Colombo is about 39 minutes by car. It's approximately 16 kilometres away.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey time of roughly 1 hour and 16 minutes.
The last thing you want is a lengthy journey to your hotel if you're arriving on a late flight from Velana International Airport to Colombo. Stay at one of these accommodation options near RML instead:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). As soon as your flight from Velana International Airport to Colombo has landed and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of around 39 minutes.
You can expect the journey to take roughly 1 hour and 31 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and relax at a hotel close to CMB. Here are a few options where you can settle in after your flight from MLE to Colombo:
Best time to go to Colombo
Plan your trip to Colombo during the high season if you want a lively atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices tend to be higher. Or, schedule your flights from Velana International Airport to Colombo in the low season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Lock in your flights from Velana International Airport to Colombo in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Search for cheap flights from MLE to Colombo in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 22ºC and 32ºC on average.
More about Colombo
Start your Colombo trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. Once you've booked your flight from Velana International Airport to Colombo, browse our selection of hotels including:
Every great journey has to include a little sightseeing. Gangaramaya Temple, Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall and Viharamahadevi Park are essential stops on your Colombo itinerary.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Velana International Airport to Colombo to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and compare offers in one place. Plus you'll find all the info you need to know about car rentals in Colombo, from the most popular rental company to the best time to book.