Flying from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Colombo: what you need to know
Cairns Airport is located in Cairns. Operating on the UTC+5:30 timezone, Colombo is 4 hours 30 minutes behind Cairns.
To ensure you catch your flight from CNS to Colombo, allow plenty of time to check in and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak month such as July? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines at security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
A stopover is the ideal opportunity to break up your journey — and possibly even explore another city. When browsing flights from CNS to Colombo, uncheck the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport (SYD)
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport (MEL)
Changi International Airport (SIN)
To travel to Sri Lanka for tourism purposes, you will need an e-visa if you have a passport from Australia. However, visa rules can change and you may need further documentation depending on the length and purpose of your visit. Always check the most recent guidelines before booking your cheap ticket from Cairns Airport to Colombo.
Travelling from central Cairns to CNS takes approximately 1 hour and 26 minutes on public transport. If you drive, ride-share or get a cab, you'll cover the 6 kilometres in 10 minutes or so, depending on traffic conditions.
Have an early flight from Cairns Airport to Colombo? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays close to CNS:
How to find the cheapest flights from Cairns Airport (CNS) to Colombo
C$438 is the best price for a one-way ticket from Cairns Airport to Colombo. Return flights start from C$864. These fares can change based on availability.
Don't leave things to the last moment. You're more likely to get cheap tickets from CNS to Colombo if you book ahead. Airlines often offer some amazing early bird discounts.
Finding cheap tickets from Cairns Airport to Colombo is more likely if you can be flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' search function to show the lowest fares across each month and snap up a great deal.
Sign into your online account or use the app to set up a Price Alert. You'll be notified straight away if there's a better deal on this route. It's easy to do, and it'll save you time checking for cheap tickets from CNS to Colombo every day.
Tailor your trip with filters. Select your preferred arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Cairns Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo takes about 39 minutes by car. It's approximately 16 kilometres away.
It takes around 1 hour and 16 minutes to get there by public transport.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Cairns Airport to Colombo, few things beat the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Grab your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping not long after at one of these hotels near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Central Colombo is located around 32 kilometres from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). After your flight from Cairns Airport to Colombo has touched down and you've made your way through the terminal, expect a drive of about 39 minutes.
You can also opt for public transport, which will take roughly 1 hour and 31 minutes.
There are some great places to rest your head close to CMB. Settle in and get cozy after your flight from CNS to Colombo at any of these well-located options:
Best time to go to Colombo
Travel to Colombo during high season if you like a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are generally higher. Or, book flights from Cairns Airport to Colombo during low season when prices are cheaper and it's less crowded.
The warmest month in Colombo is March, with temperatures ranging between 24ºC and 33ºC. Book your flights from Cairns Airport to Colombo in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
January sees average temperatures of between 22ºC and 32ºC. Search for cheap flights from CNS to Colombo sometime around then if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
More about Colombo
After locking in your flight from Cairns Airport to Colombo, think about where to rest your head in this city. Make one of these accommodation options your base for exploring Colombo:
Gangaramaya Temple and Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall are just the start of the big attractions to put on your Colombo travel itinerary. Continue your sightseeing adventures at Viharamahadevi Park.
Complete your Colombo trip with a car rental
Finding you a cheap flight from Cairns Airport to Colombo isn't our only party trick. Check out our car rentals in Colombo and explore the city on your own terms. We search for deals from trusted car rental providers and put them all in one place. You can instantly compare rates and then book with no fees.