Travelling from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB) to Dubai Airport (DXB): what you need to know
The average duration of a direct flight from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport to Dubai Airport is 4 hours 40 minutes.
Dubai is one hour 30 minutes behind Colombo and follows the UTC+4 timezone.
Flights from CMB to DXB start from 01:35 — the earliest with flydubai. The last departure is at 23:00 with flydubai. Overall, you can take your pick of 60 weekly Colombo Bandaranayake Airport to Dubai Airport flights.
To ensure you get on your CMB to DXB flight, leave plenty of time to navigate the airport and find your gate. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general rule.
Flying during a peak time like August? Public holidays and other popular periods can mean longer queues at airport checkpoints. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before domestic departures.
You can travel nonstop to Dubai, the United Arab Emirates. Take off with one of these carriers that offer direct flights from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport to Dubai Airport:
Most passengers choose to travel with Emirates on this route.
With 77.41% of its services arriving as planned, Emirates is the most punctual carrier operating CMB to DXB flights.
If you'd like to explore another city along the way, just uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport to Dubai Airport. Here are the most popular stopovers between CMB and DXB:
Chennai Airport
Muscat Airport
Kochi Airport
Handy information about Colombo Bandaranayake Airport (CMB)
69% of flights that take off from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport touch down at their destination on time.
Central Colombo to Colombo Bandaranayake Airport is around 32 kilometres. Depending on traffic, it'll take about 40 minutes to get there if you're ride-sharing, catching a taxi or driving.
Planning to take public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 50 minutes.
Get your trip off to a stress-free start by staying near CMB. Whether you're taking an early flight from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport to Dubai Airport or just don't like being rushed, these stays are perfect:
Arriving at Dubai Airport (DXB)
If you're coming in on a late Colombo Bandaranayake Airport to Dubai Airport flight, nothing beats the convenience of staying close to the terminal. Collect your bags from the carousel and then be showered and relaxing shortly after at one of these hotels near DXB:
Pick up a Dubai Airport rental car and explore Dubai and beyond with your own wheels. AMEX, Autostrad Rent A Car and Quicklease Car Rental are popular providers you can book with here.
To lock in the lowest price, book your ride from Dubai Airport around three weeks before travelling.
Getting from Dubai Airport (DXB) to central Dubai
Dubai Airport is roughly 14 kilometres from central Dubai. The drive time takes about 20 minutes.
It takes around 35 minutes if you're travelling by public transport.
When to fly to Dubai Airport (DXB)
December is the busiest month for flights from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport to Dubai Airport. For smaller crowds, travel to Dubai in March.
The warmest month in Dubai is July, with the temperature ranging between 30ºC (86ºF) and 42ºC (108ºF). Book your flights from Colombo Bandaranayake Airport to Dubai Airport in this month if you enjoy this type of weather.
Look for cheap tickets from CMB to DXB in January if you'd rather travel during cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest around then, ranging between 14ºC (57ºF) and 25ºC (77ºF) on average.
Explore more of the United Arab Emirates
You've seen Dubai, now it's time to explore other parts of the United Arab Emirates. Journey around 23 kilometres north-east to Sharjah to check off its top sights. From Rain Room to Al Noor Mosque and Adventureland, you've got a jam-packed schedule ahead.
If you're eager to discover another corner of the United Arab Emirates, consider Abu Dhabi, roughly 121 kilometres south-west of Dubai. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Mosque and Emirates Palace are key highlights.