Travelling from Madurai Airport (IXM) to Colombo: what you need to know
Expect to be in the air for 55 minutes. On average, that's the time it takes for a direct flight from Madurai Airport to Colombo.
Madurai (the location of Madurai Airport) and Colombo follow the same timezone — UTC+5:30.
With six flights a week between the two airports, Madurai Airport (IXM) to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is the busiest route. Hop on SriLankan Airlines's 10:15 flight to get your trip from IXM to CMB underway.
Give yourself enough time to get on your IXM to Colombo flight. As a rule of thumb, arrive at least two hours before international departures and an hour ahead for domestic flights.
During popular months like August, you'll want to get to the airport earlier than usual. Arrive two hours before domestic departures and four hours ahead of international flights whenever you're flying during high season in general.
Begin your journey at IXM and fly straight to Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB). That's where you can expect to touch down when searching for Madurai Airport to Colombo tickets.
Book your favourite seat with SriLankan Airlines. This popular airline operates direct flights from Madurai Airport to Colombo.
Stopovers are the ideal opportunity to break up your journey and perhaps even visit a new city. When browsing for plane tickets from IXM to Colombo, deselect the 'Direct flights only' box to see where you can stop along the way. Some popular options include:
Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)
Chennai Airport (MAA)
IXM is around 10 kilometres from central Madurai. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take 30 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Want a hassle-free start to your holiday? Stay near IXM. Whether you have an early flight from Madurai Airport to Colombo or don't want departure day to feel hectic, these hotels are a convenient choice:
Of all flights leaving Madurai Airport, 71.91% arrive on time at their destination.
How to find the cheapest flights from Madurai Airport (IXM) to Colombo
ج.م. 6,365 is the lowest price we've seen for a one-way Madurai Airport to Colombo flight. A return flight ticket right now is ج.م. 13,245. Depending on when and how early you book, these fares may change.
Don't wait until the last moment. You're more likely to find cheap flights from IXM to Colombo if you book in advance. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird rates.
The 'Whole month' search tool will show you the cheapest tickets from Madurai Airport to Colombo across each month. It's an easy way to snap up a bargain if your plans aren't set in stone.
Save time searching for cheap flights from IXM to Colombo by setting up a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your flights with filters. Pick your ideal departure and arrival times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Cheapest,' 'Best' or 'Fastest' flights from Madurai Airport to Colombo.
Airports in Colombo
Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML)
The distance from Colombo Ratmalana Airport (RML) to central Colombo is roughly 16 kilometres. It takes around 40 minutes to get to the centre driving.
If you're using public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 15 minutes.
If you're coming in on a late flight from Madurai Airport to Colombo, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Grab your suitcases from the carousel and then be showered and resting soon after at one of these accommodation options near RML:
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is roughly 32 kilometres from central Colombo. Once you've disembarked your flight from Madurai Airport to Colombo, it'll take you around 40 minutes to reach the heart of the city in a ride-share or cab.
If you're catching public transport, it'll take around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Following your IXM to Colombo flight, tuck yourself in at a hotel close to CMB. These are some comfortable options that'll help you switch to relaxation mode:
Sr Rent A Car, Green Motion and Sixt make collecting a Bandaranaike International Airport rental car simple. These suppliers are located in or around the terminal and will have you ready to go in a flash.
Score the best price by booking your ride from CMB two weeks in advance. You can also expect to have a bigger selection of vehicles.
Best time to go to Colombo
Plan your trip to Colombo during the high season if you want a busy atmosphere, but remember that hotel prices are generally higher. Alternatively, book your flights from Madurai Airport to Colombo during the off-season when prices are cheaper and it's not as busy.
Before booking a Madurai Airport to Colombo plane ticket, think about what kind of weather works for you. March is the warmest month in Colombo, with temperatures ranging from 24ºC to 33ºC.
If you'd rather travel in cooler conditions, search for a cheap ticket from IXM to Colombo in January when temperatures average between 22ºC and 32ºC.
More about Colombo
When it comes to looking for somewhere to lay your head, you'll find the top stays in Colombo right here. Browse these hotels after locking in your flight from Madurai Airport to Colombo:
All great journeys should include some sightseeing. Independence Square & Independence Memorial Hall, Gangaramaya Temple and Viharamahadevi Park are must-visits when exploring Colombo.
Explore more of Sri Lanka
Colombo has plenty going for it, but there are so many other parts of Sri Lanka you should also see. Around 306 kilometres north of Colombo, a trip to Jaffna will keep you on the go. Start with leading sights like Jaffna Fort, Dambakola Patuna Sangamitta Temple and Jaffna Public Library.
Trincomalee is another essential stop in Sri Lanka and is around 241 kilometres north-east of Colombo. No journey is complete without dropping by Koneswaram Temple, Fort Frederick and Marble Beach.
