Velana International Airport serves the Maldives, located on a separate island just minutes by ferry from Malé, the capital.
It is the unique entry point to the archipelago, from which visitors continue to resorts by speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight, depending on the distance.
How to get to Malé International Airport
By Car
By Train
By Bus
Average travel time to MLE
Parking near Malé International Airport
Parking, limited in size, is available for local staff; visitors typically proceed directly to the resort.
How to get to Male from MLE
By Train
By Bus
By Taxi
Need an airport transfer?
Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com
Car rental at Malé International Airport
Car rental options are virtually nonexistent, since travel between islands occurs by sea or seaplane.
Hotels near Malé International Airport
Hulhulé - airport island
About 950 meters from the terminal, 3 minutes by car; a free shuttle is available round the clock on request, or you can walk with your luggage.
Best for: Layovers of just a few hours or travelers who want the shortest possible transfer, staying on the same island as the terminals.
- The only hotel located on the same island as the terminals, also reachable on foot
- No ferry or speedboat crossing needed before reaching your room
- Just the airport around: for beaches and restaurants you still need to head to Malé or Hulhumalé
- More modest review scores than the properties in Malé, with rooms judged small
Malé
The public Malé-airport ferry takes about 10 minutes and departs every 10 minutes (10 MVR, about 1 dollar); the express speedboat costs about 2 dollars and departs every 15 minutes.
Best for: Travelers who want to see the world's most densely populated capital before or after a resort stay, with the ferry to the airport just minutes' walk away.
- A cheap and frequent public ferry, with no need to book a private transfer
- The fish market, mosque and Republic Square reachable on foot from the downtown hotels
- Malé is extremely dense and lacks the postcard beaches typical of the Maldives: no private lagoons
- The capital's hotels are designed for short stays, not a beach vacation
Recommended hotels
- Jen Maldives Male by Shangri-La In Malé's business district, just steps from the Old Friday Mosque and Republic Square; a free round-the-clock airport shuttle, a 7-10 minute ride. View availability
- UMET Seaview Hotel In central Malé, just minutes' walk from Artificial Beach and the ferry terminal to Hulhumalé; free airport pick-up and drop-off. View availability
- Riviera Cove A condo-style apartment on a main street in Malé, a 5-minute walk from the beach; a format also designed for transit stays. View availability
Private island resorts
Departure is by speedboat or seaplane from the airport jetty: the closest resorts in the North Malé Atoll are reached in 15-25 minutes by speedboat (the Sheraton Full Moon in about 15 minutes, the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru in about 25), while the farther ones require 45-50 minutes by speedboat or a daytime seaplane flight costing 200 to 450 dollars per person, as with the Ritz-Carlton Fari Islands.
Best for: Travelers booking an all-inclusive resort on a separate atoll and not passing through the city: the transfer is arranged directly by the resort.
- No stop in the city: the transfer is arranged by the resort right from arrival
- Private lagoons and secluded beaches that can't be replicated in Malé or Hulhumalé
- The speedboat or seaplane must be booked in advance through the resort, not improvised at the airport
- Seaplane flights operate only during the day: a night arrival forces a stopover night near the airport
Recommended hotels
- Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa About 15 minutes by speedboat from the airport, one of the resorts in the North Malé Atoll with the shortest transfer of all. View availability
- Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru About 25 minutes by speedboat from the airport, an island of just 350 meters entirely occupied by the resort, among the first to open in the North Malé Atoll. View availability
- The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands 45-50 minutes by speedboat from the airport (or by seaplane), a recently opened, contemporary-design property on the Fari Islands in the North Malé Atoll. View availability
Airport services
Shopping & Duty Free
Lounges & relaxation
Connectivity & Wi-Fi
Families & Children
Terminal guide
The terminal is modern, expanded in recent years to handle strong tourist traffic to the resorts.
Those flying international routes should plan for a 3-hour advance arrival.
Map of Malé International Airport
Frequently asked questions
Q. How do you get to the resort from the airport?
By speedboat (for closer resorts, 15-45 minutes) or seaplane (for more distant ones, a 20-45 minute flight): the transfer is usually arranged directly by the resort at the time of booking.
Q. Can you visit Malé before heading to the resort?
Yes, with a short public ferry (about 15-20 MVR/1 USD, 10 minutes, every 15-30 minutes) or a private speedboat; keep in mind that Malé is a conservative Muslim island, quite different from the atmosphere of the private resorts.
Q. Is alcohol allowed in the Maldives?
It is banned on inhabited islands like Malé, but available in private resorts with a special license, which is the norm for the vast majority of tourist properties.
Q. How much does the Maldives visa cost?
It's free on arrival for tourist stays of up to 30 days, for virtually all nationalities, provided you have a confirmed hotel booking.
Flight board
Real-time status of arriving and departing flights
