Flying from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Cairns Airport (CNS): what you need to know
Cairns is four hours 30 minutes ahead of Colombo and observes the UTC+10 timezone.
To ensure you get on your CMB to CNS flight, allow plenty of time for things like check-in and baggage drop. Turning up two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
You'll likely experience longer queues in popular months such as February. Arriving up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours for a domestic departure will give you ample time for security and boarding.
If you want to add a stop to your trip, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Bandaranaike International Airport to Cairns Airport. These are the most popular stopovers between CMB and CNS:
Changi International Airport
Melbourne Tullamarine Airport
Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Cairns Airport (CNS)
$986 is currently the best price for a one-way Bandaranaike International Airport to Cairns Airport flight. Return flights start at $1,741. These prices can change based on availability and demand.
Don't leave everything to the last minute. You're more likely to find cheap tickets from CMB to CNS if you book early. Airlines often have some terrific early bird discounts.
Finding cheap flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Cairns Airport is more likely if you're flexible with your travel dates. Use the 'Whole month' search function to see the lowest fares across each month and land a great deal.
There's no need to check every day to find out if fares have gone down when you set up a Price Alert. We'll send you an update as soon as a special offer becomes available on cheap flights from CMB to CNS.
Tailor your trip with filters. Pick your preferred arrival and departure times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort the results by 'Best,' 'Fastest' or 'Cheapest' flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Cairns Airport.
Handy information about Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB)
Of all flights departing from Bandaranaike International Airport, 75.71% land on schedule at their destination.
To reach Bandaranaike International Airport from central Colombo, it'll take about 40 minutes if you're planning to drive. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 32 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Planning to catch public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 1 hour 30 minutes.
Get your journey off to a leisurely start by staying near CMB. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Cairns Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these stays are perfect:
Arriving at Cairns Airport (CNS)
The last thing you need is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a Bandaranaike International Airport to Cairns Airport flight. Book one of these accommodation options near CNS instead:
Get on the fast track to adventure by picking up a Cairns Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from simba car hire, Bargain Car Rentals or East Coast and explore beyond Cairns's usual tourist stops.
Lock in the best possible rate by reserving your ride from Cairns Airport about two weeks before your departure date.
Getting from Cairns Airport (CNS) to central Cairns
Cairns Airport is approximately 6 kilometres from central Cairns. The drive time takes around 10 minutes.
If you're taking public transport, expect a journey of around 1 hour 25 minutes.
When to fly to Cairns Airport (CNS)
July is the busiest month for flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Cairns Airport. To escape the crowds, head to Cairns in February.
When booking your flight from Bandaranaike International Airport to Cairns Airport, consider the type of weather you enjoy. January is the warmest month in Cairns, with the temperature ranging from 23ºC to 31ºC.
August sees average temperatures of between 16ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap tickets from CMB to CNS around that time if you'd rather travel in cooler conditions.
Explore more of Australia
You've visited Cairns, now it's time to discover more of Australia. Travel around 290 kilometres south to Townsville to tick off its leading sights. From The Strand Beach to Castle Hill and Big Mama Sailing- Magnetic Island & Townsville, you'll have a full itinerary ahead.
Around 434 kilometres south-east of Cairns, Bowen is another essential stop in Australia. Experience the best of this destination with a visit to Holbourne Island National Park, The Big Mango and Grays Bay.
