How much does a flight to the Maldives cost?

The Maldives is one of the most exotic tourist destinations in the world, consisting of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean. This is an island state and the only way to get to the paradise islands is by plane. International flights to the Maldives are operated by companies from all over the world. How much does a “ticket to heaven” cost?

Choose and book hotels in the Maldives catalog .

The Maldives has four major international airports.

Velana International Airport (MLE) in Male is the busiest as it receives the majority of international flights.
Ma'arafu International Airport (NMQ) is located on Ma'arafu Island and is the second busiest airport.
Gan International Airport (GAN) and Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ) are two alternative major international airports in the Maldives that open their doors to visitors to the Maldives from all over the world.

MLE is located on Hulule Island near Male , the capital of the Maldives. The airport serves as the main gateway to the Maldives for visitors. Passengers flying to the capital of the Maldives should consider using the MLE as it is located in the capital. This makes it easier to get to your resort.

If you are flying to the Maldives and your destination is Addu Atoll , you should consider booking your flight with GAN. The airport is the main airport serving Gan Island in Addu Atoll .

Asad Photo Maldives

The Maldives is connected by direct flights to 22 countries, including countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. There are currently no direct flights from Australia, Africa or America to the Maldives .

Countries with direct flights to the Maldives

Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Kazakhstan
Kuwait
Malaysia
Poland
Qatar
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Sri Lanka
Switzerland
Thailand
Türkiye
United Kingdom
United Arab Emirates

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How long does it take to fly to the Maldives ?

You can fly to the “paradise islands” on direct flights, but not from all countries. Therefore, as a rule, you have to fly with a connection. In any case, be prepared for a long flight: Male is located far from European capitals and the United States. It’s cheaper and closer to fly from Asia: the best prices are from India, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi .

Connecting flights have their advantages. As a rule, they are cheaper than direct flights. Connecting flights are also carried out in major hubs where Duty Free shops are located Free . And this is a good opportunity to purchase goods before flying to the Maldives at reasonable prices.

Another advantage of a connecting flight is that if you have enough time, you can see the country along the way. Take a stopover or leave a couple of days gap between flights to explore a new city. Just first you should take into account the visa nuances of visiting the transplant country.

Flights with transfers have their drawbacks: they extend the journey by 2-7 hours, which is inconvenient for travelers with children. A long connection is also possible, when you have to stay at a hotel. In some cases, the airline will accommodate you in hotels during a long layover.

But connecting flights are also a risk. You may not be able to catch the second flight, for example, if the first one is delayed. To avoid problems, it is better to issue a transit flight with a single ticket, rather than buying a ticket in separate segments.

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Flight to Gan Island

One of the flight options to the Maldives is the international airport on Gan Island . The most convenient way to fly is from Sri Lanka. A convenient option for those who are going to relax on nearby atolls distant from Male .

Flight to the Maldives from Asia and the Middle East

In Asia, travelers from Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka can fly directly to the Maldives . After a two-year hiatus, direct flights from China resumed on January 18, 2023. The Maldives is directly connected to Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Kazakhstan is the only Central Asian country with direct flights to the Maldives .

From Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia). Kuala Lumpur - Male . Cost: from $100.
From India ( Thiruvananthapuram , Mumbai , Kochi , Bangalore , New Delhi ). Cost: from $85.
From Colombo (Sri Lanka). Airline: SriLankan Aerolines . Colombo-Male : 1 hour 25 minutes, Colombo-Gan : 1 hour 55 minutes. Cost: from $125 and $250.
From Singapore. Airlines: Singapore Airlines . Singapore-Male : 4 hours 35 minutes. Cost: from $160.
From Istanbul (Turkey) . Airline: Turkish Airlines . Istanbul-Male : 8 hours. Cost: from $650.
From Saudi Arabia. Airline: Flynas . Riyadh -Male : 5 hours 55 minutes. Cost: from $240.
From Dubai (UAE). Airline: Emirates , Flydubai . Dubai-Male : 4 hours 20 minutes. Cost: from $800.
From Abu Dhabi (UAE). Airline: Etihad Airways , Wizzair . Abu Dhabi-Male : 4 hours 25 minutes. Cost: from $100.
From Doha (Qatar). Airline: Qatar Airways . Doha-Male : 4 hours 55 minutes. Cost: from $900.

Choose and book hotels in the Maldives catalog .

Asad Photo Maldives

Flying to the Maldives from Europe

European countries that fly direct to the Maldives include the UK, Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Poland, Austria and Turkey.

From Milan (Italy). Airline: Neos . Milan-Male : at 9 hours 20 minutes. Cost: from $400.
From Frankfurt am Main (Germany). Airline: Condor . Frankfurt am Main-Male : 10 hours 5 minutes. Cost: from $420.
From Zurich (Switzerland). Airline: Swiss . Zurich-Male : 9 hours 30 minutes. Cost: from $1000.
From London (the only UK airport that currently flies directly to the Maldives is London Heathrow Airport . British Airways flies here all year round, and Virgin Atlantic from October 2023. The average flight time is approximately 10 hours). London-Male : 10 hours. Direct flight - from $740, with a transfer through Abu Dhabi - about $350.
There are no direct flights from Amsterdam. With a transfer through Milan - from $600.
From Paris (France) - from $363.

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Flying to the Maldives from the USA

Since there are no direct routes to the Maldives from the US, the best route to the Maldives depends on your city in the US, and travel times to the Maldives from the US are usually long, averaging 20 hours with one stop.

From Los Angeles. If you're traveling from Los Angeles, the cheapest and fastest options are one-stop flights. For a return flight in economy class, prices range from $900 to $2,000, with an average of no more than $1,500. Route options for flying to the Maldives from Los Angeles with one transfer: Doha, Dubai , Istanbul, Hong Kong, Zurich, Abu Dhabi . Flights from Los Angeles International Airport to Velana International Airport in the Maldives can take between 23 and 35 hours.

Doha near Qatar Airways , Istanbul from Turkish Emirates Airlines and Dubai are some of the most affordable and convenient routes you can take . The Hong Kong route is one of the cheapest connections, the cost of which does not exceed $1,000 ( round trip , economy class). If you prefer a minimum duration, stop in Zurich with Swiss Airways is one of the fastest routes, taking 23 hours to reach the Maldives .

From New York. The average cost is from $950 to $1,500 in economy class , and travel time to the Maldives from the US can vary from 18 to 28 hours. Of course, it all depends on the airline and the route you take to get to the Maldives. From New York you can get to the Maldives from the USA via Dubai , Doha, Istanbul, Abu Dhabi . The fastest option is through Dubai , with Emirates . The trip will take about 18 hours with a stopover of 1 hour 30 minutes, costing about $1600 (round trip ticket, economy class) in January. Another ideal route to travel to the Maldives from the USA is via Doha on Qatar flight Airways . This route to the Maldives is usually cheaper than the Emirates route , but takes about an hour longer. Return tickets from New York to the Maldives via Dubai for about $1,000.

In any case, when traveling from the USA to the Maldives , it is better to choose one of the Middle Eastern flights: Dubai with Emirates , Doha via Qatar Airways and Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airways . Emirates offers generous baggage allowance, good food and entertainment, while Qatar Airways is considered the best option if you plan to travel business class .

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Tips for finding tickets to the Maldives

Prices for flights to the Maldives depend on many factors, in particular, the time of purchase of the ticket, the season and the airline.

Book at least 5 weeks before departure to get a below- average price .
High season is considered to be July and August. The cheapest month to fly to the Maldives is April.
Closer to the departure date, prices go up.
A direct flight is usually more expensive than a connecting flight.
Tickets for individual segments are often more expensive than a single ticket to the Maldives . But sometimes connecting on your own can be cheaper.
Flights on weekdays are traditionally cheaper than weekends. Also, flights from Dubai with Emirates are more expensive on Friday than during the week.
The cost of flights reaches its peak in the high season and during holidays such as New Year and Christmas.

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Preparing for your flight to the Maldives

Depending on how you fly to the Maldives - direct or with a transfer - you need to prepare differently for the flight. But in any case, you need to make sure that you have all the necessary documents, such as a passport, plane tickets and hotel reservations . Also be sure to pack all the essentials, including a travel pillow and enough baby food if you're flying with a baby.

If you are flying with a connecting flight, be sure to take with you in your hand luggage all the necessary things that you may need during a long wait at the airport. If you have a transit flight, you will not receive your luggage at the waiting airport.

Meals on board

Snacks and drinks will be provided on board the plane, but be sure to bring your favorite snacks and drinks as some airlines may not offer them on board. Also remember that liquids larger than 100 ml are not allowed in the cabin, so please pack them in your luggage.

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What to do on board the plane

Flying to the Maldives can be quite time-consuming, so prepare a variety of activities to keep you entertained during your flight. Many planes provide in-flight entertainment such as movies, games and TV shows. You can also take a book or guide to the Maldives with you . And don’t forget that it can be chilly on board the plane, so take a light blanket or sweater with you.

Asad Photo Maldives

What else you need to know about flying to the Maldives

If you are going to the Maldives , then in addition to the basic questions about preparing for the trip, it is important to know some details related to the flight itself. There are 11 airports in the Maldives , of which only three are international. However, about 99% of all flights arrive at Male's main airport Velana International , which is located on an artificial island. To further travel to the selected island, you must use boats, seaplanes or domestic airlines.

Most resorts in the Maldives do not have a runway for aircraft, and seaplanes, which take off directly from the water, are the main way to travel between islands.

If you are planning a trip to the Maldives , you should start looking for tickets in advance. By purchasing your ticket and booking your hotel yourself, you can save money compared to buying a tour package. Plan your trip in advance to get the best possible price on tickets and hotels in the Maldives !

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