How to get around in the Maldives?

Your holiday in the Maldives will start by arriving at Velana International Airport.
The main gateway into the Maldives for tourists. It is currently the only airport in the country offering international flights. The airport has an island of its own, Hulhule Island, located in the North Male Atoll, near the capital Island Male. Once you arrive at the airport, to get to other islands you have a couple of options: land transportation, local ferry, speed boat, and seaplanes. It all depends on your budget and how far away your destination is.

By land: Taxi/Bus/Shuttle

There are only two places you can get to by land from Velana International Airport: Hulhumale or Male. Hulhumale is an artificial island located north of the airport island, the two islands are connected to each other by a causeway, they are just 10 min away by land. The other place you can get to by land from the airport island is Male. Male is the capital city of the The Maldives. You can get to Male by crossing the Sinamale bridge, which is located just 10 min away from the air port, was opened in August 2018. If you are staying in Hulhumale or Male, your hotel can also arrange transportation for you. Land transportation can be anywhere between $10 - $40. If you are traveling with Visitor Maldives, we will arrange everything for you according to your budget.

Local Ferry

If you destination is close by, you can take a ferry. A ferry is usually the most economical method of transportation in the Maldives. They are usually slower boats, so it might take you a little bit longer to get to your destination, However in the Maldives enjoying a long ride on the ferry doesn't sound bad at all. A local ferry from Hulhule to Male (the closest island) can cost you less than $1USD and it'll take you around 15 min to arrive. If you are going to an Island located in another atoll, it can cost you anywhere between $1.5 USD to $10 USD, depending on how far you are going. Traveling on local ferries will take you a couple of hours to arrive to your destination, for that reason you might want to check the speedboats. Note that public ferries do not operate on Fridays.

Speed Boat

A speed boat is usually more expensive than a local ferry, but they are of course faster, you will be able to get to further away places in less time for a couple of extra bucks. A public speed boat can carry around 30 passengers. If you are going from the airport to MalÃe, a public speed boat will cost you around $2 and it will take you less than 5 min to arrive. If you are going from the airport to another atoll, depending on the number of people and how far you are going, a speed boat will cost you between $20 to $75. Private speedboats are mainly used by resorts, they start at $150 and up. We recommend you to stick to public speedboats.

Sea Plane

If your destination if far from Hulhule and you don't mind spending extra, a good option can be taking a seaplane. The most remote islands do not have a ferry connection at all, return flights are on average between $250 and $450. Seaplanes are the most expensive form of transportation in the Maldives but you will definitely arrive at your destination in no time plus you will be one of the few to enjoy the gorgeous views from above. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience.

The form of transportation you choose while in the Maldives depends on your budget, how far you are going, and how fast you want to get there. The Maldives is composed of different atolls, with different smaller islands. If you are going to a resort, they might arrange accommodation for you. If you are traveling on a budget, you might want to check the location of your hotel to choose the type of transportation that is better for your needs. If you are booking your Maldives experience with Visitor Maldives, you don't have to worry at all, we will take care of everything. We will arrange your holiday according to your budget. Just pack your bags, sit back, and relax, we will make your Maldives experience an unforgettable one.

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