Need a holiday? Too poor to do summer in Paris like those sinister ministers' kids on Instagram? Here's our list of the cheapest cities to fly to from Colombo (because we're just going to go ahead and ignore Mattala, the way flights do). To know which of these countries are visa-free, check out our previous post here.
These are return flight details and prices are over the next year, and are liable to change. We've collated the cheapest locations here, as of 02/06/2016:
1. Bandung, Indonesia
With its relatively cool climate and abundance of Dutch colonial architecture and art deco buildings, Bandung is a pretty popular locale for tourists in Jakarta. They also have a popular volcano, no surprise there!
*this flight price appears to have jumped considerably in a couple of days, so you might want to confirm the total you're getting.
2. Kuala Lampur, Malaysia
KL is a superb melting pot of Asian cuisine, whether it's at Chinatown or Imbi Market. You'd probably have to see the ginormous Petronas Towers too, one of Asia's biggest twin overcompensations.
3. Chennai, India
Shopping for saris? Shopping for jewellery? Shopping for pretty much anything involving a wedding? Chennai's your go-to spot. There's also quite a bit of culture if you choose to look for it.
4. Madurai, India
An ancient city in the deep South of India, Madurai is an inexhaustible site of historical sites and Hindu culture. If you or your family are Hindus or appreciate the historical significance of ancient Dravidan architecture, Madurai's temples are a must-see.
5. Male, Maldives
Pristine white sands, sparkling azure waters, and lush hotel-islands wherever you go, paradise via the Maldives is an easy peasy hour away. Flights are cheap, but posh hotels are not, so get ready to shell out there.
6. Singapore
Stellar fine dining, endless entertainment, impeccable luxury, and plenty to do. Singapore is arguably the region's most cosmopolitan city, if you've got the moolah to hold your own.
7. Doha, Qatar
Its undulating skyline and blindingly reflective skyscrapers make Doha the new Dubai. Check out the Souq Waqif, or one of the area's massive shopping malls, and get lost in what Doha has to offer.
8. Kuwait
Less bling than the other Middle Eastern states, Kuwait is equally oil-rich. There are plenty of museums and cultural sites to keep you occupied and out of the baking hot desert sun.
9. Bahrain
A kingdom-island, Bahrain has quite a few resorts that would put Asia's to shame. It's a lot more culturally open and less strict than its neighbours, so you may feel more at ease on a shopping trip here.
10. Kunming, China
Kunming is a hotbed for tourists, with lots of beautiful sites like the Stone Forest, Green Lake, and Dragon Gate. It's kinda difficult to get a visa though, unless you're on official Lankan government business.
11. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is one of Asia's craziest and most vibrant cities. The nightlife is incomparable, and the city's reputation for partying is well-deserved. It is also home to a lot of ancient culture and architecture though, so try and work in a balance.
12. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
With beautiful French colonial architecture, and heaps of quirky history to it, the city commonly known as Saigon is a lovely mix of culture, history, and excitement. It's around 6-7 hours away from Colombo, so this might be better suited for a longer stay.
13. Muscat, Oman
Muscat has a great mix of modern bling via lush malls, and ancient architecture like 16th century Portuguese forts.
14. Dubai, UAE
If you live in Sri Lanka, chances are you've already been to Dubai. The original pioneer of oil-rich fancypants architecture and luxury tourism, Dubai is the spot to go to if you're looking for incredible fine dining, and to gaze at swank cars.
15. Phuket, Thailand
With some of the world's most breathtaking beaches, Phuket is trying to shake off its strong party reputation with a lot more sustainable tourism. You'll still find some unspoiled beaches, and lovely views straight out of a James Bond movie.
These prices won't last too long, so get booking!
