Chennai is the quickest international hop from Colombo — just over an hour direct on SriLankan Airlines or IndiGo — and one of the most affordable routes, popular for medical travel, business and family visits to South India.
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.