Maldives is one of the popular destinations and a must-visit on everyone’s list. If you are planning, we know you are breaking your head on the question, How to go to Maldives from India. Don’t worry we got you covered in this blog.
Booming with its 1000+ Islands and welcoming people from different parts of the world gives you the exposure you must get in your lifetime. Planning a trip with your partner, taking your family, giving your kids a memorable time, or you just want to go on a solo adventure? Maldives is your place.
The Maldivian culture is fascinating, and the people will amaze you with their hospitality. If you visit during the time of Maldivian festivals, you can see the locals dancing and can look around at the Maldivian festive crafts. So now let’s dive in on the details of how to go to Maldives, flight details, costs and much more to make your travel easy.
How to go to Maldives from India
Are you in India and want to go to the Maldives?
It is the best, or I could say convenient, choice that can go perfectly. And the only way to visit the Maldives is by flight.
Being an Indian wanting to make that International trip with less travel time, just close your eyes and go to Maldives.
The Maldives’ distance from India is approximately around 2000 km. The time taken to travel would be around 4 – 12 hours, depending on the city you board.
Keep reading to know the detailed information on How much does it cost to go to Maldives and How to go to Maldives.
Note: You can not go to the Maldives by train, by road or by sea.
Travel Maldives by Air: Best flight options available
Male in Maldives has the one and only International Airport. The Airport is either called Male International Airport or Velana International Airport.
Major cities in India offer direct flights to Male International Airport. Also, a direct flight is the best hassle-free way to reach the Maldives. However, some cities do not provide direct flights.
How to go to Maldives from Chennai
Unfortunately, there is no direct flight from Chennai to Maldives. However, let me tell you how you can go.
Take a flight with one stop at either Bangalore or Colombo for less travel time. Look into the table on the top 3 convenient options.
| Flights | Departure | Layovers | Arrival | Amount | Total Duration |
| IndiGo | 08:40 Chennai | One stop Bengaluru Layover time 3h 35 mins |
14:40 Male | 10,500 Inr (approx) | 06:30 hrs |
| Srilankan Airlines | 15:55 Chennai | One stop Comombo Layover time 1h 35 mins |
19:45 Male | 12,200 Inr (approx) | 04:20 hrs |
| IndiGo | 07:30 Chennai | One stop Bengaluru Layover time 4h 40 mins |
14:40 Male | 10,500 Inr (approx) | 07:40 hrs |
Remember, a trip planned earlier gets you the best deals. While booking the flight, the time and stops are clearly mentioned on the flight you choose, so you can book the one at your convenience.
How to go to Maldives from Mumbai
There are direct flights from Mumbai Airport to Male Airport. So, no worries about Layover time. The cost of the flight can be from 9000 to 13000. The cost changes depending on the time you book and the seasons. The time to reach Maldives just takes up to 3 hours.
|
Flights |
Departure | Layovers | Arrival | Amount |
Total Duration |
|
Indigo |
10:40 Mumbai | Non Stop | 13:00 Male | 8,116 INR (Approx) |
02 hr 50 Mins |
|
Air India |
09:30 Mumbai | Non Stop | 11.50 Male | 8,950 INR (Approx) |
02 hr 50 Mins |
How to go to Maldives from Bangalore
With a direct flight to Male from Bangalore Airport, you can reach Maldives in just 2 hours. Can you imagine? Boarding a flight and taking a dreamy nap and within a few hours, you are in Maldives. And you will be ready to jump in the water and seek adventure.
The flights can cost around 14,000 approx. Remember, the flight cost varies each day. You might even get a better deal if it is planned better or earlier.
| Flights | Departure | Layovers | Arrival | Amount | Total Duration |
| IndiGo | 13:10 Bengaluru | Non-stop | 14:40 Male | 12,800 rupees approx | 02 hours |
How to go to Maldives from Kochi
The shortest international trip is from Kochi to Male. A direct flight takes you to Male in just 1 hour 30 mins. The flight can cost you approx 13000.
| Flights | Departure | Layovers | Arrival | Amount | Total Duration |
| IndiGo | 10:10 Kochi | Non Stop | 11:10 Male | 12,100 Inr (approx) | 01 hr 30 mins |
How to go to Maldives from Hyderabad
It’s too bad there is no direct flight to Maldives from Hyderabad. The duration can take up to 6 – 10 hours, depending on your chosen flight. It can cost you around 10000 to 16000. You do have options to choose a flight that fits your bill.
Take a look to know the best flight with a shorter duration.
| Flights | Departure | Layovers | Arrival | Amount | Total Duration |
| AirIndia | 06:15 Hyderabad | One stop Mumbai Layover time 1h 40 mins |
11:50 Male | 11,300 INR (approx) | 06 hr 05 mins |
| Indigo | 06:30 Hyderabad | One stop Mumbai Layover time 2h 25 mins |
13:00 Male | 12,000 INR (approx) | 07 hr |
| Indigo | 08: 35 Hyderabad | One stop Bengaluru Layover time 3h 20 mins |
14:40 Male | 13,000 INR (approx) | 06 hr 35 mins |
How to go to the Maldives from Pune
There are no straight flights from Pune to Maldives. But if you are still taking a flight from Pune, you do have to do a layover and can reach Maldives in around 12 hours. A flight from Pune can cost you around 11,000 – 20,000.
Take a look at flights with shorter travel durations.
| Flights | Departure | Layovers | Arrival | Amount | Total Duration |
| IndiGo | 07:25 Pune | One stop Bengaluru Layover time 4h 15 mins |
14:40 Male | 15,500 INR approx | 07 hr 45 mins |
How to go to Maldives from Delhi
There is a direct flight from Delhi to Male Airport. The time taken to reach would be 4 hours with the approx cost 18,000. But if you choose a flight with a one-stop, you can get your tickets for a few thousand lower, but you must go through the layover time.
| Flights | Departure | Layovers | Arrival | Amount | Total Duration |
| Air India | 09:55 New Delhi | Non Stop | 13:30 Male | 17,500 INR | 04 hr 05mins |
Note – Anywhere you board, choosing Indigo and Sri Lankan Airlines can offer a reasonable price. There is also Air India, but it’s pricey if no offers exist.
Should Indians have a Visa to visit the Maldives?
If you are an Indian passport holder, you don’t need a visa to go to Maldives. However, on arrival, you are supposed to get your on-arrival visa.
Visa on Arrival
You need not have a visa but must get one on arrival. And this visa will let you stay for a month and extend up to 90 days later on. To get one, you must have,
- Passport with six months of validity on your day of arrival.
- Have your return confirmation tickets.
- Proof of the hotel confirmation you booked in Maldives.
Make sure your passport is not damaged. There should be no missing pages, tears, or marks on your photo. If you find any of this, do apply for a new passport. Being carless on this could get you cancelled for onboarding or on arrival.
Travel Insurance on Arrival
Having travel insurance to go to Maldives is not mandatory, but it is a necessary step you must take. Having insurance can save you from a lot of unlucky events. Being cautious and preplanned on any trip is a must.
Maldives is the safest place, yet unfortunate events happen to everyone, like missing your luggage and losing your passport due to theft, trip cancellations or any health-related incidents. During such events, insurance can keep you from draining your pockets.
Make sure to enquire about your trip planner for any help with Insurance. If you are planning your trip, you can use trusted insurance platforms that provide travel insurance.
Here are a few Travel Insurance partners:
How to Travel Within Maldives?
While planning this trip, we all have this question: How can I reach Maldives from India? However, once you land, the real challenge is travelling around Maldives. You can move around the Maldives in a few different ways and pick one that suits you.
Travelling around the Maldives itself is an experience you can live for. It’s an Island, so you are basically moving around through water.
Sea Planes
The plane that flies over water is interesting, right? Picking seaplanes is best for faster reach to your destination. But the catch is it is much more expensive. However, don’t miss out on the experience. You must book the Sea Planes in advance or know if your resorts provide transfers when you land.
It can cost you approx 9000 MVR per person for a round trip.
Note: Seaplanes are available from 9:00 AM MVT to 3:00 PM MVT. You should book a flight that lands before 2 PM or around 1 PM. If you miss taking the last seaplane, you must stay at the Airport. Unfortunately, there will be no reschedules or refunds will be given by your resorts or if any activities are booked.
Speed Boats
If Sea Planes are not in your budget, speed boats are the best option you can pick. Travelling in a speed boat itself is a fun experience.
Make sure to have all this arranged before you land. The resorts you stay in mostly provide you with the transfer. Opting for the shared speed boats is much cheaper, but if you are in large groups, a private speed boat is the best option.
The shared speed boats can cost up to approx 3,000 MVR per person. The private speed boats can cost you approx 27,000 MVR. This cost is just for the one-way trip from the Airport to your destination or a one-way trip to the place you want to reach.
Note – Speed boats operating time is 9 AM – 3:30 PM MVT. Better to book a flight that lands before 3:00 PM so you can catch a speed boat to your resorts.
Public ferry
This is called Dhoni transfers and is most commonly used by the local people. Choose a ferry if you are to enjoy any mode of travel within the Maldives. It is much cheaper than speed boats, but travel speed will be much slower.
A one-way trip can cost you anywhere from 10 MVR to 60 MVR per person.
It’s always best to contact your resort or trip adviser to know if the ferries are operating on a particular day. If not, book a speed boat or use the transfer provided by your resort.
To get a ferry ticket or learn about availability, check out MTCC Ferry Booking.
Note: Taking a ferry can collapse your planned itinerary due to slow transport and the ferry having fewer scheduled trips in a day. If you have time, you can experience the ferry ride.
Bike around Maldives
Yes, you can take a Bike or Cycle. Ride around the beautiful place, inhaling the fresh air.
Use AtollRent to rent a bike or for any rental information.
The cost of renting a bike can start from 385 MVR to 800 MVR. This varies on the time duration you will be booking a bike and the type of bike you choose.
Essential travel tips for Visiting Maldives
Now you know how to go to the Maldives from India. But when you arrive there, you need a few travel tips to escape the uncomfortable situation in a foreign land.
Here are some tips to remember
Things to remember while packing: When packing for the trip, make sure you don’t pack alcohol, any religious products, or pork. The accessories you wear must be water resistant, or avoid wearing them in water. In the Maldives, you can jump in the water anytime or whenever you like. Be prepared!
Pack Bikinis accordingly: Ladies, you are carrying a lot of bikinis? Hold on a minute. Maldives is a Muslim country, and it’s important to show respect by following their culture. However, it’s not that strict, considering it’s the most famous tourist destination. If you are staying on private Islands and resorts, you can wear bikinis, but not on public islands unless it’s a Bikini beach.
Don’t stay in one place: While booking a resort, you can choose a split stay option. Some reports do offer you that option. You can book a water villa, a beach-facing villa, or a hotel on Maafushi Island for a reasonable stay. Planning an itinerary with two stays can give you a different experience. But changing a place more than that can be a bit of a hassle, and you may not enjoy the stay to the fullest if your stay is short.
Get a SIM card: Make sure to get a SIM card upon arrival. The cost can vary from 50 MVR to 150 MVR based on the plan you choose. You can get one at convenience stores or mobile network stores. You can also choose E-Sim if your device supports that. Check out Esim for activation and plans.
Conclusion
Most of your questions relating to How to go to Maldives are covered in this blog. Hope you got an idea for booking your flight tickets, visa information, and details on how to travel within Maldives and a few tips to help you out when you are in Maldives.
However, planning a trip to the Maldives can be confusing. When you start your research, you will get lost in the loophole of various pieces of information dumped on the internet. If you are planning on going and need exact information or a person to guide you on How to go to Maldives from India, feel free to look into Dimaak Tours for more information or Contact us for accurate booking details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to go to the Maldives?
The total cost can change spending on the trip you plan. A 4-6 day trip to Maldives can easily cost you up to 2 Lakh in approx. This includes flights, Stay, and the activities you do over there.
How expensive is it to go to the Maldives?
Your Maldives trip can be easily made to your budget and break the thoughts on Maldives, which are expensive and luxurious. A 5-day trip can easily touch 2 lakh in approx.
- Stay in Maafushi (Public) can be less expensive
- Private Islands stay can be an expensive stay
Choose one that fits your budget, or stay in both Islands, which can balance the experience.
How many days are enough for the Maldives?
To experience Maldives with satisfaction, 4 – 6 days is a must. There are different activities engaging you every night and various water activities during the day time. I am sure you would even want to go back again.
