There are 3 ways to get from Colombo to Chennai by plane, bus, ferry, or train
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Chennai International Airport (MAA)CMB - MAA
2h 29m₹9,709–18,972Train, ferry
cheapest- Take the train from Colombo Fort to Kankesanturai
- Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinam
- Take the train from Nagappattinam to Chennai Egmore
19h 52m₹7,129–12,078Bus, ferry
- Take the bus from Pettah to Kankesanturai
- Take the ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinam
- Take the bus from Nagore to Thiruvanmiyur
15h 50m₹7,721–8,137
Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Chennai International Airport (MAA) flights
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Colombo to Chennai is to bus and ferry which costs ₹7,700 - ₹8,200 and takes 15h 50m.
The fastest way to get from Colombo to Chennai is to fly which takes 2h 29m and costs ₹9,500 - ₹19,000.
The distance between Colombo and Chennai is 699 km.
The best way to get from Colombo to Chennai without a car is to train and ferry which takes 19h 52m and costs ₹7,000 - ₹13,000.
It takes approximately 2h 29m to get from Colombo to Chennai, including transfers.
There are 987+ hotels available in Chennai.
What companies run services between Colombo, Sri Lanka and Chennai, India?
SriLankan Airlines and IndiGo Airlines fly from Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) to Chennai International Airport (MAA) every 4 hours.
- Website
- goindigo.in
Flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Chennai International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 27m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₹7,500–16,000
- Website
- srilankan.com
Flights from Bandaranaike International Airport to Chennai International Airport
- Ave. Duration
- 1h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- ₹8,500–14,000
- Phone
- +94 11 4 600 111
- Website
- seatreservation.railway.gov.lk
Train from Colombo Fort to Kankesanturai
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 4m
- Frequency
- 3 times a day
- Estimated price
- ₹390–3,800
- Website
- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk/mtktwebslr/
- 2nd Class Fare
- ₹390–550
- 3rd Class Fare
- ₹440–550
- Air Conditioned Saloon
- ₹850–3,800
- Phone
- 14646
- care@irctc.co.in
- Website
- irctc.co.in
Train from Nagappattinam to Chennai Egmore
- Ave. Duration
- 7h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₹230–1,800
- Website
- https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search
- Sleeper Class
- ₹230–280
- Third AC (3A)
- ₹600–800
- Second AC (2A)
- ₹850–1,100
- First Class (1A)
- ₹1,400–1,800
- Phone
- +94 76 714 8292
- ncgexpress@gmail.com
- Website
- ncgexpress.lk
Bus from Pettah to Kankesanturai
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 45m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₹782
- Schedules at
- https://ncgexpress.lk/
- Phone
- 9513948001
- commercial@tnstc.in
- Website
- tnstc.in
Bus from Nagore to Thiruvanmiyur
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 24m
- Frequency
- Hourly
- Estimated price
- ₹330–650
- Website
- https://www.tnstc.in/OTRSOnline/
- Website
- shipindia.com
Ferry from Kankesanturai to Nagapattinam
- Ave. Duration
- 3h
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- ₹6,500
- Schedules at
- shipindia.com
Want to know more about travelling around the world?
Rome2Rio's Travel Guide series provide vital information for the global traveller. Read our range of informative guides on popular transport routes and companies - including How do I get from Sydney to Melbourne, What documents do I need to cross Niagara Falls?, and Why you should take the train in the US - to help you get the most out of your next trip.