Travelling from Colombo to Dubai: what you need to know
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is Colombo's main airport. Explore your options for reserving a flight from Colombo to Dubai leaving from here.
Hop off your plane in Dubai at Dubai Airport (DXB) or Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
A direct flight from Colombo to Dubai takes on average 4 hours 42 minutes. The timezone in Dubai is UTC+4, which is 1 hour 30 minutes behind Colombo.
With 79 flights a week between the two airports, Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Dubai Airport (DXB) is the most popular route. Board the earliest flight from Colombo to Dubai with flydubai at 01:35. If you'd like to make the most of your day before jetting off, the last flight from CMB to DXB is with Emirates at 22:05.
Give yourself enough time to catch your flight from Colombo to Dubai. A good rule of thumb is to arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months such as August, it's best to get to the airport well in advance. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during high season in general.
To visit United Arab Emirates for tourism purposes, you will need an e-visa if you have a passport from Sri Lanka. However, visa rules are subject to change and you may need other documents depending on the purpose and duration of your stay. Always check the latest guidelines before booking your cheap flight from Colombo to Dubai.
Flying from Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
You can reserve a direct flight from Colombo to Dubai leaving from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). Start your trip at CMB and touch down at Dubai Airport (DXB).
Pick from a variety of airlines operating direct flights from Colombo to Dubai leaving from CMB. Book your seat with one of these:
Consider adding a stopover to potentially find a cheaper flight from Colombo to Dubai. Just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for departures from Bandaranaike International Airport. Take a break from travelling at one of these airports:
Chennai Airport (MAA)
Muscat International Airport (MCT)
Cochin International Airport (COK)
The journey from central Colombo to CMB takes about 1 hour and 31 minutes by public transport. If you ride-share, drive or take a cab, you'll cover the 32 kilometres in 39 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Planning to catch an early flight from Colombo to Dubai? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and catch some extra z's) by choosing one of these stays close to Bandaranaike International Airport:
Arriving in Dubai
Dubai Airport (DXB)
Dubai Airport (DXB) to central Dubai is roughly 14 kilometres. It'll take you around 16 minutes to reach the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey of about 49 minutes.
Book a hotel near DXB if you have a late flight from Colombo to Dubai. Choose one of these options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)
Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) is around 56 kilometres from the centre of Dubai. Following your flight from Colombo to Dubai, allow for a drive time of approximately 45 minutes to reach the heart of the city.
Public transport will get you there in around 2 hours and 5 minutes.
After your flight from Colombo to Dubai, unwind at a hotel close to DWC. These are some comfortable accommodation options that'll help you slip into relaxation mode:
How to find the cheapest flights from Colombo to Dubai
Currently, C$231 is the best price we've seen for a one-way ticket from Colombo to Dubai. The cheapest price for a return flight is C$482. Bear in mind fares can change due to availability at the time of booking.
Book 10 months before your departure date. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap flights from Colombo to Dubai.
The cheapest month for tickets from Colombo to Dubai is June. Compare prices using the 'Whole month' tool and choose the date that offers the best deal.
Create a Price Alert for cheap flights from Colombo to Dubai. You don't need to check every day to see whether prices have fallen. We'll notify you as soon as there's a change in price.
Tailor your flights using filters. Pick your preferred departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Colombo to Dubai.
Best time to go to Dubai
It's time to figure out your dates for your flight from Colombo to Dubai. July is the most popular month for a trip to Dubai. If you want a more peaceful vibe, go in April.
Schedule your flight from Colombo to Dubai for July if you'd like to head to the city during its warmest month. Expect temperatures in Dubai to range from 30ºC to 42ºC.
If you like travelling in cooler conditions, lock in a cheap ticket from Colombo to Dubai in January when temperatures average between 14ºC and 25ºC.
More about Dubai
Start your Dubai trip off on the right foot by choosing the ideal place to stay. As soon as you've booked your flight from Colombo to Dubai, browse our range of accommodation options including:
Every great adventure has to include some sightseeing. Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall Heart and Desert safari tourism are attractions you won't want to skip in Dubai.
Complete your Dubai trip with a car rental
We use the same magic that helped you find your cheap flight from Colombo to Dubai to track down awesome deals on car rentals. Search for your ride in seconds and easily compare your options. Plus we give you all the info you need to drive in Dubai, from the most popular car type to the average daily price.