Getting there & around

Flying To The Maldives

Velana International Airport (MLE), on Hulhulé island next to Malé, is the main international gateway. Airlines connect it with major cities across Asia, the Middle East, Europe and other regions, both directly and through hubs such as Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul, Colombo and Singapore.

Gan International Airport in Addu Atoll also receives some international and regional services.

From Velana, onward journeys continue by speedboat, seaplane, domestic flight, or a combination.

Velana International Airport

After immigration and customs, guests are usually:

• Met by a resort or guesthouse representative in the arrivals hall.
• Escorted to a speedboat jetty directly outside the terminal.
• Transferred by bus to the seaplane terminal on the other side of the airport.
• Checked in for a domestic flight at the domestic terminal.
• Collected by a local transfer provider or ferry operator.

Send your international flight details to your accommodation in advance and confirm transfer instructions before arrival.

Transfer Types At A Glance

Speedboat

Commonly used for: islands in North and South Malé Atolls and nearby areas

Typical journey: around 10 minutes to 1.5 hours

Operating hours: often into the evening, and in some cases 24 hours

Considerations: sea conditions affect comfort; shared and private schedules differ

Seaplane

Commonly used for: resorts in atolls such as Baa, Raa, Noonu, Lhaviyani, Ari and Vaavu

Typical journey: around 20 minutes to 1 hour or more, including possible stops

Operating hours: daylight only

Considerations: strict baggage allowances; waiting time at the seaplane terminal; shared flights may stop at other resorts; one of the more expensive options

Domestic flight + speedboat

Commonly used for: northern and southern atolls, and resorts beyond seaplane range

Typical journey: flight of around 30–75 minutes, plus a boat transfer

Operating hours: scheduled flights, some into the evening

Considerations: domestic baggage allowances; connection time at Velana

Public ferry / scheduled local speedboat

Commonly used for: local islands

Typical journey: varies widely; ferries are slow but very inexpensive

Operating hours: fixed timetables, and not every day on some routes

Considerations: reduced services on Fridays and public holidays; affected by weather

Speedboat Transfers

Speedboats serve most properties relatively close to the airport, and many leave from jetties right outside the arrivals hall.

Advantages:

• Direct travel from the airport in most cases.
• Often available late into the evening.
• No separate check-in or weighing of luggage.

Considerations:

• Sea conditions can make the ride bumpy, particularly during the southwest monsoon.
• Journey times vary widely.
• Private and shared transfer schedules differ.

Seaplane Transfers

Seaplanes provide aerial views of islands, reefs and lagoons and are used for transfers to many resorts outside speedboat range.

Key points to know:

• Seaplanes fly in daylight only. International flights arriving in the late afternoon or evening may miss the last connection.
• Baggage allowances are strict and weight-based. They are often around 20 kg of checked luggage plus a small hand bag, but allowances vary. Excess baggage is charged, and in some cases may follow on a later flight.
• Travellers and bags may be weighed at check-in.
• Flights may be shared and stop at other resorts.
• Waiting time at the seaplane lounge can be significant at peak times.
• Seaplanes count as flying for divers (see Dive Safety And Flying After Diving in Discover).

Domestic Flight + Speedboat

Properties farther from Malé are usually reached by a domestic flight to a regional airport, followed by a speedboat.

International airports

• Velana International Airport – Hulhulé, next to Malé (Kaafu). The main gateway.
• Hanimaadhoo International Airport – Haa Dhaalu.
• Maafaru International Airport – Noonu.
• Villa International Airport Maamigili – Alif Dhaal (South Ari).
• Gan International Airport – Addu City.

Domestic airports

• Hoarafushi – Haa Alif
• Kulhudhuffushi – Haa Dhaalu
• Funadhoo – Shaviyani
• Ifuru – Raa (also used for Noonu)
• Dharavandhoo – Baa (also used for Raa)
• Madivaru – Lhaviyani
• Dhaalu Airport (Kudahuvadhoo) – Dhaalu (also used for Faafu and Meemu)
• Thimarafushi – Thaa (also used for Meemu)
• Kadhdhoo – Laamu
• Kooddoo – Gaafu Alif
• Kaadedhdhoo – Gaafu Dhaalu (also used for Gaafu Alif)
• Maavarulu – Gaafu Dhaalu
• Faresmaathoda – Gaafu Dhaalu
• Fuvahmulah – Gnaviyani

Domestic flights make the far north and deep south accessible while still connecting through Velana, and many operate after seaplane hours. Airports classed as "international" outside Velana mainly handle domestic and regional traffic. Check which airport your property uses before booking flights.

Arriving Late At Night

If your international flight lands after the last seaplane or domestic connection, plan for either:

• An overnight stay at an airport-area hotel, often in Hulhumalé, with a morning transfer, or
• A late speedboat transfer, if your property offers one.

Confirm this with your accommodation before booking flights. Some resorts include an airport hotel night in their packages.

Public Ferries And Local Speedboats

Public ferries and scheduled local speedboats connect many inhabited islands. They are the most economical way to reach local islands.

Services may not run every day. Schedules often change on Fridays and public holidays and can be disrupted by poor weather, so check timetables carefully and allow a buffer before international flights.

Getting Around Greater Malé

Malé, the airport island of Hulhulé and Hulhumalé are linked by road via the Sinamalé Bridge.

• Buses run between the airport, Hulhumalé and Malé, including from the MTCC bus terminal in Maafannu. Fares are low, roughly MVR 10.
• Taxis are widely available and inexpensive, typically around MVR 75–100 between Malé and Hulhumalé. There is no Uber, but local taxi and ride-hailing apps operate.
• Villimalé is reached by a short public ferry (around 10 minutes) from the Villimalé Ferry Terminal in Malé. Services run every 10–20 minutes and fares are about MVR 10 each way.
• Malé itself is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Travelling Between Resorts

Moving between two resorts is not like changing hotels in a city. Depending on location, you may need to return to Velana or another transport hub before continuing to the next property, and connections depend on seaplane and flight schedules.

If you are planning a two-resort holiday, ask both properties how the transfer will work and what it will cost before confirming either booking.

Leaving The Maldives

• Confirm your departure transfer time with your accommodation. Seaplane departures may need to leave several hours before your international flight.
• Double-check whether your resort runs on "island time".
• If you are a diver, schedule your last dive well before your departure transfer (see Dive Safety And Flying After Diving in Discover).
• Collect any items held by customs on arrival, such as vapes or excess tobacco, at the departure terminal.
• Departure tax and the airport development fee are included in your airline ticket.