Travelling from India to the Maldives

Travelling from India to the Maldives is a relatively easy and convenient journey. There are direct flights available from major cities in India like Delhi, Mumbai, and Chennai to the Maldives, with a flight duration ranging from 3 to 4 hours.

Airports in India with direct flights to the Maldives: Thiruvananthapuram, Cochin, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai
Airports in India with non-direct flights to the Maldives: Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Goa, Pune, Ahmedabad
Airlines offering direct flights from India to the Maldives: IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, Maldivian
Airlines offering non-direct flights from India to the Maldives: AirAsia, Sri Lankan Airlines, SpiceJet, Qatar Airways, Emirates, FlyDubai
International Airports in the Maldives: Velana International Airport, Gan Airport, Villa Airport, Hanimaadhoo Airport, Maafaru Airport

Airports in India with Direct Flights to the Maldives

For a quicker and more convenient journey, you can fly via a direct flight from the following Indian airports.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV)
Cochin International Airport (COK)
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR)
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL)
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM)

Airports in India with Non-Direct Flights to the Maldives

Travellers from these airports can opt for non-direct flights to the Maldives, which involve a layover or stopover at a major hub. Stopover points include cities like Dubai, Doha, Colombo, Singapore, and major metropolitan cities within India itself.

Chennai International Airport (MAA)
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (HYD)
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU)
Goa International Airport (GOI)
Pune International Airport (PNQ)
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (AMD)

Airlines Offering Direct Flights from India to Maldives

These airlines offer convenient non-stop flight options, cutting down on travel time and minimizing the hassle of layovers.

IndiGo: India's largest airline by market share, IndiGo operates direct flights to Malé from several major Indian cities.
Vistara: This full-service carrier, a joint venture between Tata Group and Singapore Airlines, offers direct flights to the Maldives from Delhi and Mumbai.
Air India: The national carrier of India, Air India provides direct flight services to Malé from metro cities like Delhi, and Mumbai, Bengaluru.
Maldivian: The national airline of the Maldives, Maldivian operates direct flights from various Indian cities.

Airlines Offering Non-Direct Flights from India to Maldives

Non-direct flights, which include layovers in hubs like Colombo, Doha, and Dubai, can take longer. However, they might offer cost benefits and additional scheduling flexibility.

Sri Lankan Airlines: Travelers can opt for Sri Lankan Airlines' flights, which typically involve a layover in Colombo.
Qatar Airways: This Middle Eastern airline provides non-direct flights from India to the Maldives, with connections in Doha. Qatar Airways is known for luxurious premium cabin options and excellent in-flight service.
Emirates: Passengers can take Emirates flights to the Maldives with a layover in Dubai.
AirAsia: The Malaysian budget airline provides non-direct connections from Indian cities to the Maldives. Stops are often in Kuala Lumpur or other Southeast Asian cities.
SpiceJet: This Indian low-cost carrier offers non-direct flights to Malé with layovers in hubs like Dubai or Colombo.
FlyDubai: Operates non-direct flights from India to the Maldives, with a stopover in Dubai.

Arrival in the Maldives

Upon arrival in the Maldives, tourists of any nationality (including Indians) can obtain a 30-day visa. You will need:

A valid passport
A return ticket
Proof of accommodation

The visa can be extended up to 90 days, subject to the discretion of Maldivian immigration and may require additional documentation.

Upon finishing the immigration process and getting your luggage, you will exit into the area where resort representatives will greet you with name signs. Then, you will be transported to your resort by speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight, depending on the resort’s location.

Time Difference between India and the Maldives

The time difference between major cities in India (such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Chennai) and the Maldives is 30 minutes. Maldives Time (MVT) is 30 minutes behind India Standard Time (IST). The time zones are:

India: Indian Standard Time (IST), GMT+5:30
Maldives: Maldives Time (MVT), GMT+5

A few resorts in the Maldives unofficially add an extra hour to their local time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the flight from India to the Maldives? Direct flights typically take 3 to 4 hours, while non-direct flights with layovers can take longer.

Which airlines fly directly to the Maldives from India? IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, and Maldivian offer direct flights from India to the Maldives.

When is the best time to book flights to the Maldives? Book 3-6 months in advance for the best deals, especially during peak season from December to April.

Are there any tips for finding cheaper flights to the Maldives? Book early, be flexible with dates, consider connecting flights, and look for sales and promotions.