Flights to Maldives Information
Flights to Maldives are the best option for every traveler wanting to travel to Maldives, a small island located in the Arabian Sea of the Indian ocean.
There are about 4 international airports in the Maldives. Out of these, Male International Airport, also known as Velana International airport, is the main airport of Maldives. This airport connects the beautiful island of Maldives to various countries and ensures regularity in flights. This airport is managed and handled by the Maldives Airports Company Limited (MACL).
Visiting the Maldives is the best option for tourists looking for a vacation full of luxury and leisure. It is the perfect getaway from the hustle-bustle and overcrowdedness of the cities. According to the Maldives Immigration sector, about 1.7 million tourists from all around the world, visited the Maldives in 2019.
The name ‘Maldives’, in Sanskrit, means ‘Garland of Islands’. This is because there are about 1,200 beautiful islands. These islands are full of lush green vegetation, a fresh salty breeze for beach lovers, and clear and sparkling water, free from pollution.
Apart from being a spectacular tropical destination, the Maldives also has a rich and diverse cultural heritage to offer. However, airline tickets to the Maldives are more expensive than to other destinations. However, with proper planning, you can find cheap flights to the Maldives, too!
Airports of Maldives
The Maldives has four international airports - Velana International Airport, Hanimaadhoo International Airport, Gan International Airport, and Villa International Airport.
The region is a major base for sea-plans and speed boats. You will be escorted to your resort on a speed boat or a seaplane to give you beach feels.
Velana International Airport: The Velana International Airport, located in Male, Maldives, is one of the main international airports for all tourists. The airport is 2 km or about 1.24 miles away from Male.
This airport is also just about 5 to 20 kilometers or 3 to 12 miles away from all major resorts and vacation homes. The airport also provides ferry services to Male.
Various flights operate from the US to Male International Airport like Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Delta Airlines, Oman Air, Singapore Airlines, KLM Airlines, and SilkAir. However, you should note that there are not many direct Maldives flights from the US.
Velana International Airport also provides various facilities. These facilities include 24x7 health care, fully stocked pharmacy, and infant and mother care centers for the convenience of mothers. There are also free shower rooms, a smoking lounge, ATMs, and a post office.
For relaxation, there is a special wellness center with highly trained spa therapists. So, if you wish to rejuvenate and get pampered, head straight to the wellness center!
For food and shopping, Velena International Airport has many duty-free shops selling souvenirs, perfumes, confectionery, cosmetics, and authentic spices, too. If you’re hungry, you can go to any of the various food outlets and cafes the airport offers.
Hanimadhoo International Airport: Next on the list is Hanimadhoo International Airport located on Hanimadhoo Island. It is operated by the Maldives Airports Company Limited.
However, this airport is the hub for only Maldivian Airlines. No flights operate here from the US. So, this airport is better for traveling domestically in the Maldives to various Islands like Kadhdhoo, Maafaru, Thimarafushi, and other such domestic airports and islands.
The best feature of this airport is that it is much less crowded than the Velana International Airport.
Gan International Airport: The Gan International Airport is located on Gan Island. This airport has two terminals - one for both domestic and international travel, and the other one for Shangri-La’s spas and resorts guests.
This airport has regular flights from mainly two airlines - Maldivian Airlines and Srilankan Airlines. Maldivian Airlines offer domestic travel whereas Srilankan Airlines offers cheap plane tickets to the Maldives, from the US.
Gan International Airport has various facilities like easy transportation, shops, cafes and restaurants, and prayer rooms.
Villa International Airport: Located on the Maamigili Island in Alif Dhaalu Atoll, this airport is the last international airport of Maldives. It serves airlines like Flyme Airlines and other chartered seaplanes. It does not have a lot of flight traffic compared to other international airports.
The Male Island is about 108 km or 67 miles away from the Villa International Airport.
These are the list of the four International airports you should know about for international as well as domestic travel.
Some Pre-Booking Tips Before Going to The Maldives
There are some tips we would like to suggest if you’re planning your next vacation in the Maldives.
- Check the weather before planning the dates to avoid encountering closed beaches and other activities.
- Book flights and hotels online to get cheaper deals.
- Choose cheap transport and accommodation and spend more on adventurous water sports.
- Do not carry alcohol with you. Pork dishes and alcohol are not easily available.
- Bikinis are not allowed, so go for other swimwear.
- Plan one day at a luxury resort to make your vacation more lavish.
- No Visa is required.
- Watch out for hidden costs and taxes!
Best Places To Visit In Maldives
The Maldives is a country full of tropical attractions and cultural diversity. There are many local destinations you can visit to lose yourself in the beauty and serenity of the Maldives.
Tourism in the Maldives can be divided into two - Tropical Attractions and Cultural Attractions.
Tropical Attractions
Tropical attractions mainly consist of sparkling beaches and exciting water sports.
Sun Island: It is one of the best destinations for all beach lovers.
Located in South Ari Atoll, this island is full of clear beaches, lush green vegetation, colorful flowers blooming everywhere, and an atmosphere of tranquility amidst transparent skies.
Sun Island is best for couples and honeymooners. It also offers various water sports like diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and sauna and spa facilities.
The best time to visit this island is between November and April.
Banana Reef: Banana reef is the best location if you’re interested in scuba-diving.
It is located in North Mal-Atoll and is considered as one of the best diving spots in the world. It has a spectacular reef full of exotic marine life, along with colorful corals peeking out from the transparent water.
Apart from diving, you can go for activities such as snorkeling and jet skiing.
The best time to visit the Banana reef is from May to July.
Biyadhoo Island: This island is different compared to other islands. Along with beaches, it is also rich in vegetation and trees like banana trees, coconuts, mangoes, cucumbers, tomato, and cabbages.
So if you’re looking out for fresh organic items and vegetables, do visit this island!
Biyadhoo Island is also known as the ‘The Scuba-diving Island’ as it is full of water sports such as diving, snorkeling, and canoe-paddling.
The best time to visit this island is between November and February.
There are also many other beaches and islands like Alimatha Island, HP reef, Fihalhohi Island, Baros Island, and many others you can explore and discover!
Cultural Attractions
The Maldives is also rich in culture and heritage and has many cultural attractions if you wish to see the other side of the country.
National Art Gallery is a must-visit for people with an artistic side. This gallery displays various works from local painters and artists. It also hosts art events and shows.
It is home to some of the finest examples of Islamic architecture and art. To explore more, you can visit the biggest mosque in the Maldives, the Grand Friday Mosque. It is a part of the Male skyline and has unique minarets with modern Islamic architecture.
You can also visit Esjehi art gallery, Hukuru Miskiiy Mosque, National Museum, or even take a walk in the streets of Male and try the sea-food to get to know the real Maldives!
Best Time to Visit The Maldives
The best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April. The airfare to the Maldives might get more expensive in these months than others.
Summer Season: The summer season for the Maldives lies between December and April. It is the best time to visit this beach country.
There is no rain, and thus, all the water sport and tourism-related activities are in full swing. The perfect warm weather is great for sunbathing and relaxing.
You also get to experience the vigor and energy during the Christmas and New Year season. However, the prices will be high compared to other seasons.
Monsoon Season: The monsoon season in the Maldives starts from May and ends in November.
The airline tickets to the Maldives are less expensive in this season, there’s also the availability of hotel rooms, and deals are also common. The beaches are less crowded and, overall, there are fewer tourists in these months.
It is also a suitable season for scuba divers and surfers. However, due to the cyclone alerts and heavy rains, these months are not suitable if you’re going with children or aged people.
As the Maldives is located in the Equator region, it remains sunny throughout the year and does not have a proper winter season.
Getting Around in the Maldives
The Maldives is a major hub for seaplanes. Instead of taxis and cabs, seaplanes are used as a means of transport.
If seaplanes are not your thing, you can also opt for speed boats and ferries.
Remember that speed boats are only used for nearby locations, but for long distances, seaplanes are used extensively.
So, what are you waiting for? Drown all your blues in the clear and sparkling waters of the Maldives and enjoy your trip with us!