Chennai is the quickest international hop from Colombo — just over an hour direct — and one of the most affordable routes, popular for medical travel, business and family visits to South India.
Airlines on Colombo to Chennai
- SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo — frequent direct flights.
Fares and visa
Indicative fares start around LKR 38,000 return, among the cheapest international routes from Colombo. You'll need an Indian visa — an e-visa is available for many trip types, and we can advise. Chennai is also a strong connecting point for domestic flights across South India.
Colombo to Chennai ticket prices & the cheapest time to fly
Chennai fares from Colombo start from around LKR 38,000 return and move with the season. Here's how to get the cheapest Chennai ticket:
- Book 4–8 weeks ahead — that's when the lowest Chennai fares are usually released.
- Skip the peaks — the dearest dates are the April (Avurudu) and December holidays; May–June and September–October are typically the cheapest months to fly.
- Stay flexible by a day or two — mid-week departures often beat weekend prices.
- Let us compare every airline — we quote all carriers on CMB → MAA, so you see the genuinely lowest price, not just the first result.
Tell us your dates and we'll reply with the cheapest available Chennai fare — usually the same working day.