Flying from Muscat International Airport (MCT) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB): what you need to know
Around 4 hours 15 minutes is how long you can expect to be travelling on a direct flight from Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport.
The timezone in Colombo is UTC+5:30, which is one hour 30 minutes ahead of Muscat.
Flights from MCT to CMB start at 22:25 — the earliest with SalamAir. The latest departure is at 22:25 with SalamAir. In total, you can take your pick of nine weekly Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flights.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are travel rules worth sticking to. Get to the airport on time to catch your MCT to CMB flight.
You'll likely experience longer lines in popular months like July. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures will give you ample time for security and boarding.
SalamAir offers direct flights from Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to discover the sights in Colombo — and maybe even more of Sri Lanka if you have time.
The airline with the highest booking volume on this route is SalamAir.
We make it a breeze to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to tour your chosen city. Stopovers between MCT and CMB include:
Dubai Airport
Velana International Airport
Chennai Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Muscat International Airport (MCT) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The cheapest price we've seen for a one-way Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flight is £64. A round-trip fare is currently £137. Depending on the availability when you book, these fares may change.
Book six months before flying. After looking at the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you should book ahead to find cheap tickets from MCT to CMB.
The cheapest month for flights from Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have flexible travel dates.
Save time searching for cheap flights from MCT to CMB by setting up a Price Alert. We'll send you an email or push notification on the app when a special offer becomes available.
Find the perfect flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, use the 'Sort by' function. You can also filter results by airline, arrival and departure times, and journey duration.
Handy information about Muscat International Airport (MCT)
Muscat International Airport earns top marks for on-time performance. 85.46% of flights that take off from MCT land on time.
Muscat International Airport is around 7 miles from central Muscat. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a cab from the centre, it'll take 10 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Expect a trip time of about 1 hour 50 minutes when using public transport.
Have an early flight from Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport? Avoid the stress of rushing to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by choosing one of these stays close to MCT:
Arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
If you're getting in on a late Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport flight, nothing tops the convenience of being near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping shortly after at one of these hotels near CMB:
Follow your own route with a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car. Pick up your wheels from Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion or Sixt and chase adventure across Colombo and beyond.
Lock in the lowest price by reserving your ride from Bandaranaike International Airport about two weeks before your travel date.
Getting from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to central Colombo
Bandaranaike International Airport to central Colombo has a drive time of around 40 minutes. It's approximately 20 miles away.
Travelling on public transport will take you roughly 1 hour 30 minutes.
When to fly to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
The quietest month for a flight from Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport is April, while February is the most popular. Pick the best time to visit Colombo based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
When booking your flight from Muscat International Airport to Bandaranaike International Airport, think about the kind of weather you enjoy. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with the temperature ranging from 24ºC (75ºF) to 33ºC (91ºF).
Look for cheap tickets from MCT to CMB in January if you want to travel in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 22ºC (72ºF) and 32ºC (90ºF) on average.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
You've visited Colombo, now it's time to discover other parts of Sri Lanka. Travel around 11 miles south to Moratuwa to check off its must-visit sights. From Boat House to Angulana Beach and Dilmah Conservation One Earth Arboretum, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
Jaffna is another well-known destination in Sri Lanka and is around 190 miles north of Colombo. No journey is complete without visiting Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.