Here are the best route options for traveling from Colombo (Bandaranaike, CMB) to Dubai, with pros/cons so you can pick by speed, price or convenience.

1. Nonstop to Dubai International (DXB) — fastest & most convenient

• Airlines: Emirates, SriLankan Airlines and flydubai commonly operate nonstop CMB → DXB.
• Typical flight time: about 4 hr 20–45 min (roughly 4.5 hours).
• Best if you want the shortest travel time and direct arrival into central Dubai (arrivals commonly at DXB terminals 1 or 3). (emirates.com)

2. Nonstop to Sharjah (SHJ) — usually cheapest direct option

• Airline: Air Arabia operates direct CMB → SHJ (low-cost carrier).
• Flight time: about 4 hr 25–45 min.
• Tradeoff: cheaper fares but Sharjah is outside Dubai — expect a 25–45 minute road transfer (longer in traffic) or a local bus/taxi to Dubai. Good if you prioritize price over door‑to‑door time. (flightconnections.com)

3. Nonstop to Abu Dhabi (AUH) — alternative arrival with good service

• Airlines: Etihad and some others operate CMB → AUH nonstop. Flight time ~4½–5 hours.
• Tradeoff: Abu Dhabi is farther from Dubai (drive ~1–1.5 hours), but might offer better fares or schedules depending on dates. (flightsfrom.com)

4. One‑stop connections (Doha, Muscat, Indian hubs) — flexible / sometimes cheaper

• Common connection airports: Doha (Qatar Airways), Muscat (Oman Air or Salam Air), and Indian hubs (Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai) with various carriers.
• Tradeoff: longer total travel time but more schedule and fare options, and sometimes lower fares or better availability. (flightroutes.com)

Quick guidance to choose:

• If speed and convenience matter: book a nonstop to DXB (Emirates / SriLankan / flydubai). (emirates.com)
• If cost is the priority: compare Air Arabia (to SHJ) and flydubai/other one‑stop options — watch baggage/ancillary fees and transfer time from Sharjah. (flightconnections.com)
• If you collect airline miles or want premium service: Emirates or Etihad nonstop/one‑stop codeshares are usually best. (emirates.com)

Practical tips

• Check both DXB and SHJ (and AUH) results when shopping — a SHJ arrival can be much cheaper but adds ground transfer time. (flightconnections.com)
• Flight schedules and frequencies vary by season — confirm exact times and prices for your travel dates.
• Verify visa/entry requirements for the UAE for your nationality before booking.

If you’d like, tell me your preferred travel dates, budget or priorities (fastest, cheapest, most comfortable) and I can pull specific flight options and prices for those dates.