Filled with wild elephants, misty mountains, fascinating temples and kilometres of empty beaches, we’re sure the only thing separating us from Sri Lanka was the journey (and cost) of getting there. But Jetstar is about to change all that. The budget airline today announced a new direct flight connecting Australia to Colombo, with fares starting at just AU$315 each way.

While flights will first be taking off only from Melbourne, we’re hoping it will expand to other cities soon. However, you can connect from other cities, too.

The introductory price is just AU$315 each way from Melbourne (Tullamarine). This price will only be available for 24 hours from noon on 8 December.

Wondering whether this is a deal? By comparison, Sri Lankan Airlines, the only carrier to fly this route at the moment, charges more than double the price. Fares at the same time as Jetstar flights are due to take off are about AU$670 each way. (However, they are full-service flights).

The first flight is due to take off to the capital, Colombo, on 25 August. 2026, so there’s plenty of time to plan your Sri Lanka adventure.

Flights will be available three times per week, with the following schedule set from launch until 3 October, 2026.

Departures from Melbourne, operating as JQ5, will be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 12pm, arriving in Sri Lanka at 5:50pm.

Departures from Colombo, operating as JQ6, will also be on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Sri Lanka at 7:50pm, arriving back in Australia the next morning at 10am.

The flight from Melbourne to Colombo will be about 10 hours, 20 minutes, while the flight back to Australia from Sri Lanka will be about 9 hours, 40 minutes.

Jetstar’s upgraded, widebody Boeing 787s will be used on this route. While the route is long for a budget airline, these planes should make it more comfortable.