Quick answer: Dubai to Colombo averaged about AED 1,658 return over the past 12 months, but Sharjah to Colombo averaged about AED 1,376, roughly AED 280 less. November was the cheapest month from Dubai (about AED 1,403) and July the most expensive (about AED 1,957). For Sinhala and Tamil New Year 2027, book by the end of December 2026.
Table of Contents
Short answers
- Sinhala and Tamil New Year (13 and 14 April 2027)? Book about 15 weeks ahead, so by the end of December 2026 for a flight around 10 April.
- Summer 2027? July is the most expensive month. For early July, book by mid March 2027 from Dubai, or by mid January from Sharjah.
- Cheapest month: November from Dubai, October from Sharjah.
- Cheapest day: Sunday from both airports.
- Lowest fares overall: Sharjah to Colombo with Air Arabia, about AED 280 below the Dubai average.
- One stop through Bahrain averaged about AED 386 less than flying direct from Dubai.
Fares at a glance
| Detail | Dubai to Colombo | Sharjah to Colombo |
|---|---|---|
| Average return | AED 1,658 | AED 1,376 |
| Typical range | AED 1,419 to 1,934 | AED 1,274 to 1,636 |
| Cheapest month | November (AED 1,403) | October (AED 1,289) |
| Most expensive month | July (AED 1,957), then August (AED 1,840) | July (AED 2,023) |
| Cheapest day | Sunday | Sunday |
| Best time to book | About 15 weeks ahead, around 11% cheaper than last minute | About 25 weeks ahead, around 14% cheaper |
| Direct flights a week | flydubai about 21, Emirates about 21, SriLankan Airlines about 10, plus FitsAir | Air Arabia about 20 |
| Direct flight time | About 4 h 25 min | About 4 h 25 min |
Sources: KAYAK route data for Dubai to Colombo and Sharjah to Colombo, prices for the past 12 months and flight counts for the past 3 months, checked 11 November 2026.
Sharjah is the budget choice on this route
Of all the routes we track from the UAE, Colombo shows one of the biggest gaps between Dubai and Sharjah. Over the year, Sharjah averaged about AED 1,376 return against about AED 1,658 from Dubai. The exception is July, when Sharjah averaged about AED 2,023 against AED 1,957 from Dubai, so summer travellers should compare both.
- Living in Sharjah, Ajman or the northern emirates? Sharjah is usually the cheaper and closer option.
- In July, check Dubai as well: it was slightly cheaper than Sharjah.
- Sharjah fares rewarded early booking more: about 25 weeks ahead was the sweet spot, against about 15 weeks from Dubai.
When fares rise and fall
| Season | Dates | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Sinhala and Tamil New Year | 13 and 14 April 2027 | Many families travel home; book by the end of December (expected peak) |
| UAE school summer | From 2 July 2027 | July was the most expensive month from both airports; August next from Dubai |
| Low season | October and November | Cheapest months: October from Sharjah, November from Dubai |
| Christmas and New Year | December 2026 to early January 2027 | Busier around the UAE winter break (expected) |
Seasons without a fare figure are our expectation based on the holiday calendar, not measured data.
Direct or one stop?
From Dubai, one stop tickets through Bahrain averaged about AED 1,280 return against about AED 1,666 for direct flights, a saving of about AED 386. Before you take a connection, compare it with Sharjah to Colombo direct: at about AED 1,376, it is close to the one stop price and gets you there in about 4 and a half hours.
Airlines on the route
flydubai and Emirates each run about 21 direct flights a week from Dubai, and SriLankan Airlines about 10. FitsAir also flies direct, and Air Arabia flies about 20 times a week from Sharjah. Fare types differ in checked baggage, so compare the total price with the bags you are carrying. Read our FitsAir guide for more on that airline.
Workers: check your SLBFE registration before you fly home
Sri Lankan workers in the UAE must be registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. Registration is valid for two years, and renewals can be done at the Sri Lankan Embassy; renewing with the same sponsor costs about AED 50. Check your registration date before you book, so you are not delayed when you leave Sri Lanka to return to the UAE. Source: Embassy of Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi.
Paying monthly for your Colombo ticket
If a return ticket comes to AED 1658, the average fare above, that can be four Tabby payments of about AED 415. UAE residents can also use Tamara, or a 3 to 12 month plan on a UAE credit card from Mashreq, ADCB, RAKBANK, HSBC, FAB or Emirates NBD. We only need your phone number to send the payment link. Get a Dubai to Colombo quote on WhatsApp. Our office WhatsApp, +971 4 220 2133, answers 24 hours a day.
Questions travellers ask us about Dubai to Colombo
Is Sharjah to Colombo cheaper than Dubai to Colombo?
Yes, by about AED 280 on average: AED 1,376 return from Sharjah against AED 1,658 from Dubai. July was the exception, when Dubai was slightly cheaper.
When should I book flights to Colombo for Sinhala and Tamil New Year?
About 15 weeks ahead from Dubai. New Year falls on 13 and 14 April 2027, so book by the end of December 2026.
Is a one stop flight to Colombo worth it?
From Dubai, one stop tickets through Bahrain averaged about AED 386 less than direct. But Sharjah to Colombo direct costs almost the same as the one stop fare and is much shorter.
Do I need to renew my SLBFE registration before going home?
Registration is valid for two years. If yours has expired or is about to, renew it at the Sri Lankan Embassy before you travel.
Which month has the cheapest flights to Colombo?
November from Dubai (about AED 1,403) and October from Sharjah (about AED 1,289). July was the most expensive from both.
Can I pay for my Colombo ticket in installments?
Yes. UAE residents can book through us and pay with Tabby, Tamara or a 3 to 12 month bank card plan.
More route fare guides from the UAE: Manila, Kochi, Kathmandu, Lahore, Dhaka, Cairo, London.
Fare data from KAYAK, checked 11 November 2026. See all airlines you can pay for monthly.
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