Chennai to Colombo with kids in 2026: IndiGo vs SriLankan Airlines, child fares, and what to do at BIA on arrival
By Priya Nair (Priya Nair covers India's beach destinations — Andaman, Lakshadweep, Goa, Kerala — with a focus on the practical bits: which gateway airport, which ferry connects to which island, the permits, the scuba seasons, the budget math.) · Published · 9 min read
Chennai to Colombo is one of the shortest international routes from India — about 75 minutes in the air. Two carriers dominate it for families: IndiGo on the budget end and SriLankan Airlines as the full-service option. The right choice depends more on baggage allowance, meal needs, and timing than on price alone.
TL;DR — which airline for a family?
For Chennai to Colombo, IndiGo is typically cheaper in base fare but charges extra for baggage, meals, and seat selection. SriLankan Airlines costs more upfront but often includes a checked bag and a meal, which matters for families travelling with kids' gear. If you are travelling with just cabin bags and the family eats airport food, IndiGo wins on price. If you have checked bags and toddlers who need inflight food, the total cost difference between the two airlines often narrows or even flips in SriLankan's favour — run the numbers for your specific dates on FlightGPT before booking.
The route: 75 minutes and why that matters for kids
Chennai International Airport (MAA) to Colombo's Bandaranaike International Airport (CMB) is a roughly 75–80 minute flight. In practical terms, this means:
- There is almost no cruise phase — the aircraft reaches altitude and almost immediately starts its descent into Colombo. Ear pressure on takeoff and descent is the main discomfort for infants and toddlers, not the duration of the flight. Feed infants on ascent and descent (sucking and swallowing helps equalise pressure); for toddlers, a snack or a juice box to sip solves this.
- You do not need a meal on board. At 75 minutes, food is a comfort item rather than a necessity. SriLankan will serve a snack; IndiGo charges for food. Feed the family before you board and carry familiar snacks — you will land before anyone is actually hungry.
- Short flights mean the full-service vs. budget distinction matters less in the air. The cabin experience is almost identical at 75 minutes. Where the difference shows up is at check-in, baggage collection, and in what is included in the fare.
- Both carriers operate from Terminal 1 at MAA for international departures. Arrive 2.5 hours before — MAA international departures can have slow immigration queues, and rushing with a pram and a toddler is unpleasant.
IndiGo on Chennai–Colombo: what families get
IndiGo operates the route at competitive frequencies — as of mid-2026, often multiple flights daily. They fly narrowbody A320-family aircraft on this route, which are clean, reliable, and perfectly adequate for 75 minutes.
What you get in the base fare on IndiGo international:
- 7 kg cabin baggage per person (one bag)
- No checked baggage — this must be added at booking. For international routes, IndiGo sells 15 kg, 20 kg, and 25 kg bags. Add this at the time of booking rather than at the airport — airport add-on rates are significantly higher. A family of four travelling for a week typically needs at least 2–3 checked bags (20 kg each); calculate what this adds to the total fare before comparing with SriLankan.
- No inflight meal included. Meals can be pre-ordered on the IndiGo website or app.
- Seat selection is chargeable for most seats. On a 75-minute flight with young children, you really do want to sit together — add seat selection at booking.
Child and infant fares on IndiGo international: infants under 2 (on lap, no seat) pay a small percentage of the adult base fare plus applicable taxes. Children aged 2–11 pay the full adult fare on IndiGo — there is no 'child discount' on IndiGo. This is worth knowing when you are budgeting — verify current policy on IndiGo's website as fare structures are updated periodically.
SriLankan Airlines on Chennai–Colombo: what families get
SriLankan Airlines is Sri Lanka's national carrier, a full-service airline, and a member of the oneworld alliance. Their Chennai–Colombo service is typically on narrowbody aircraft (A320 family).
SriLankan's economy fares on Chennai–Colombo generally include:
- 30 kg checked baggage allowance (vs. 0 kg on IndiGo's base fare). For a family of four, that is 120 kg of checked allowance — more than generous. This single difference can make SriLankan cheaper on a total-cost basis for luggage-carrying families.
- A light inflight meal or snack included.
- Seat selection — varies by fare class. Lower 'Saver' fares may restrict advance seat selection; full Economy fares usually include it. Check the fare conditions carefully.
- Infants under 2 (on lap) pay 10% of the adult base fare plus taxes on SriLankan, same as most full-service carriers. Children aged 2–11 typically receive a 25–33% discount on the adult fare on SriLankan — the exact percentage depends on the fare class and route. This can make a meaningful difference for families with multiple children. Verify on the SriLankan Airlines website.
SriLankan's connections at CMB are also smoother if you are continuing to a regional city in Sri Lanka or connecting onward — they are the home carrier and their staff at BIA know the airport well.
Comparison table: IndiGo vs SriLankan for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children)
| Factor | IndiGo | SriLankan Airlines |
|---|---|---|
| Base fare (economy) | Often lower | Usually 10–30% higher per seat |
| Checked baggage (per person) | 0 kg included; add-on costs extra | 30 kg included |
| Meal on board | Not included; can pre-order | Snack/light meal included |
| Child fare (2–11 yrs) | Full adult fare | ~25–33% discount (verify at booking) |
| Seat selection | Chargeable for most seats | Varies by fare; often included in Economy |
| Frequency (daily) | Multiple flights | 1–2 flights daily |
| Best for | Cabin bag-only travel, flexible dates | Families with checked bags, kids' discounts |
All figures are indicative — verify on the airline's official site for your specific travel dates.
At BIA (Colombo airport) with toddlers: practical tips
Bandaranaike International Airport is a mid-sized airport that handles its traffic reasonably well. For families arriving from Chennai:
- Immigration: BIA has a dedicated queue for families with young children at primary inspection — look for the 'Families with Children' lane sign. Queue times are typically 15–30 minutes; longer in the afternoon when multiple European and Middle Eastern flights arrive simultaneously. Your ETA is scanned at the counter — have it on your phone or printed.
- Baggage claim: Belts are clearly signed. Strollers and pushchairs checked at the gate in Chennai should appear at the oversized baggage carousel or at the gate-claim belt near the arrival hall — confirm with the handling agent at MAA which applies to your flight, as it varies.
- Baby facilities: BIA has baby care rooms in the arrivals hall — not luxuriously equipped, but functional. There is a nursing area with a changing table. It can be busy during peak arrival slots.
- SIM cards and taxi: Pick up a local SIM card (Dialog or Mobitel are the main operators) at counters in the arrivals hall — this is much cheaper than using your Indian number in roaming. Pre-book your Colombo transfer through your hotel, or use the fixed-rate taxi counter in arrivals (Kangaroo Cabs and PickMe app are both reliable; agree on the fare or use the meter). With luggage and small children, resist the unofficial 'taxi men' outside — they approach aggressively and rates are negotiable downward but unpredictably so.
Bottom line
For a Chennai to Colombo family trip, do the total-cost maths rather than just comparing base fares. Once you add 2–3 checked bags on IndiGo, the gap with SriLankan's all-inclusive fare often narrows significantly — and SriLankan's child discount adds further value if you have 2 children. That said, IndiGo's frequency advantage means you get more timing choices, which is useful for school holiday bookings. Compare both on FlightGPT with the add-ons included, then book directly on the airline's site. Also read our full India–Sri Lanka family itinerary guide for what to do once you land.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Chennai to Colombo flight?
About 75–80 minutes in the air. With taxi, takeoff, descent, and landing, block time is typically around 90 minutes. It is one of India's shortest international flights — shorter than many domestic routes.
Does IndiGo offer a child discount on Chennai–Colombo?
As of mid-2026, IndiGo does not offer a standard child fare discount on international routes — children aged 2 and above pay the full adult base fare. Infants under 2 on a lap pay a percentage of the adult base fare plus taxes. Verify this on IndiGo's website at the time of booking as policies can change.
Does SriLankan Airlines have a bassinet on Chennai–Colombo?
The Chennai–Colombo route is operated on A320 narrowbody aircraft, which do have bulkhead bassinet positions. However, for a 75–80 minute flight, airlines typically do not set up bassinets — the flight is so short that the boarding, takeoff, and initial climb consume the time before cruise at which a bassinet would normally be available. Request a bulkhead seat for the extra legroom and to be able to put your infant on your lap comfortably.
What terminal does IndiGo use at Chennai airport for Colombo?
IndiGo operates international flights from Terminal 1 (the international terminal) at Chennai airport (MAA). Allow 2.5 hours before departure — MAA international immigration and security can have queues, especially on peak morning and evening slots.
Is it better to buy Sri Lankan rupees in Chennai or at Colombo airport?
Exchange rates at Colombo's BIA arrival hall are better than Chennai airport rates for LKR. Change a small amount at Chennai or in your Colombo hotel for the first day's transport; then use an ATM in Colombo or exchange at a licensed money changer in the city for the bulk of your cash. Your Indian forex card or Visa/Mastercard also works at BIA ATMs and most Colombo hotels.
Can I take a stroller on the Chennai–Colombo flight?
Yes — a foldable stroller counts as a gate-check item on both IndiGo and SriLankan. It does not use up your checked baggage allowance on most fares (verify with the airline). You take it to the boarding gate, it is tagged and loaded in the hold, and retrieved at the destination either at the gate or at oversized baggage. Let the check-in agent know so it is properly tagged.