How to Reach Sri Lanka

Most Indian travellers reach Sri Lanka by air, and the main gateway is Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) at Katunayake, close to Colombo. Flight times from India range from about 1.25 to 4 hours, depending on your city and whether the route is direct. This guide explains the main routes, what to expect at the airport and how to get around once you land.

Sri Lanka at a glance for travellers

• Main airport: Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB), Katunayake, near Colombo.
• Airlines on India routes: SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo, depending on the city.
• Shortest flights: Chennai and Bengaluru, with flight times of about 1.25 to 1.75 hours.
• Longest direct flight: Delhi, at about 4 hours. Pune and Ahmedabad usually connect.
• Time zone: UTC+5:30, the same as India, so there is no time change to plan for.
• Entry: Indian passport holders generally need an ETA or other valid entry permission before travel.

Direct flights from Indian cities

Direct flights run from several cities, but schedules vary by season, so check operating days before you book.

• Chennai: direct to Colombo, about 1.25 hours, with SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo. Check whether your fare includes baggage, because short international sectors can have restrictive fare families.
• Bengaluru: direct to Colombo, about 1.75 hours, with SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo. The short flight makes a one-week break practical, though border formalities still need airport time.
• Mumbai: a nonstop flight to Colombo of about 2.5 hours, operated by SriLankan Airlines. An evening arrival suits a Negombo or Colombo first night.
• Kolkata: direct to Colombo where scheduled, about 3 hours, with SriLankan Airlines. Allow flexibility, because operating days can vary.
• Hyderabad: direct to Colombo when operating, about 3 hours, with SriLankan Airlines. If the direct schedule does not fit, compare a connection through Chennai or Bengaluru.
• Delhi: direct to Colombo, about 4 hours, with SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo. Choose a morning flight to keep the first touring day intact.

Flights that connect

Some cities usually connect through a larger Indian hub. From Pune, the usual routing is through Mumbai or Bengaluru to Colombo, a total of about 4 hours of flying time, plus connection time. From Ahmedabad, the usual route connects through Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai or another regional hub, with a similar total. Compare a through-ticket connection with a domestic repositioning fare, which can reduce the risk of a missed connection. Protect the itinerary with a single ticket where possible.

What to expect at the airport

Allow time for immigration and for the ETA check, especially at busy periods. Carry your ETA approval, your passport, the return or onward ticket and your accommodation details. Your passport should be valid for at least six months from arrival. Arrange airport transfers in advance, because flight delays happen, and a flexible transfer arrangement keeps your first day on track.

Getting around after you land

Airport taxis and prebooked private cars are the easiest choice for multi-city tours. Trains are scenic and economical on routes such as Colombo to Kandy and Nuwara Eliya, and parts of the south coast. Observation-class seats need advance reservations. Public buses are inexpensive but slower and crowded, so they suit short routes or experienced travellers. Tuk-tuks work well for short urban trips, and you should agree the fare first or use a metered or app-based service.

Choose a route that fits the flight

Match your arrival to your first base. An evening arrival suits a first night in Negombo or Colombo. Avoid driving straight from the airport to the Cultural Triangle after a late flight, because the road day is long. A morning arrival lets you start the Cultural Triangle the same day, if your route allows it. For departures, leave enough time for the road to the airport, since traffic can slow the drive.

Which airport should you use?

Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the main international gateway for Sri Lanka, and it is the airport for nearly all Indian routes. Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI) serves limited southern access on some routes, but schedules and airlines differ. Most first-time visitors should plan around CMB, and confirm with your airline which airport your flight uses.

Planning your route from India

For a first trip, plan one arrival and one departure, with a route between them that runs in one direction. Use a private vehicle for the island circuit, and keep road transfers realistic. Our Sri Lanka Classic 6N and Sri Lanka Honeymoon 6N cover a route that starts in Negombo and moves through the hills to the south. Our Ramayana Trail 5N suits a shorter trip, and the Sri Lanka Wildlife & Beaches 7N adds a Yala safari.

How was this guide compiled?

This guide is compiled from published tourism, weather and transport information and traveller reports about Sri Lanka, and was last checked on 2 November 2026. Flight schedules, airline operating days and airport arrangements change, so confirm them with your airline before you book.

Where to go next

Plan your route in places to visit in Sri Lanka, pick your dates in the best time to visit Sri Lanka, and check costs in Sri Lanka trip cost. Before you book, read the Sri Lanka visa guide for Indians.