Overwater villas in the Maldives

Flights to
the Maldives

Every Maldives trip starts in Malé. We find the best route from the UK, then match your arrival time to your resort's seaplane or speedboat.

  • Flight timeAbout 10 hours direct
  • Time difference5 hours ahead of GMT
  • Main airportMLE (Malé)
  • CurrencyRufiyaa, US dollars widely used
  • Dry seasonNovember to April

Flights to the Maldives from the UK

Where you can land

International flights land at Velana Airport in Malé. From there, a speedboat, seaplane or domestic flight takes you to your island.

Malé International MLE

Malé

All international flights · Speedboats from the jetty · Seaplanes in daylight

~10h 30mnon-stop from London Gatwick

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Addu Atoll Domestic GAN

Addu Atoll

Short flight from Malé · Southern resorts · Quieter atolls

1 stopwe find the best route

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More places to visit

Fly into one of the main airports, then take a short domestic flight or travel on by road.

  • Baa Atoll
  • Ari Atoll
  • Lhaviyani
  • Maafushi
Get a quote for any city

Flight options

Compare flights to the Maldives

Sample return fares from the UK. Open any flight for baggage and onboard details, then get a quote and we'll confirm exact times for your dates.

5 flightsto the MaldivesTap a box to sort

Outbound

LHREvening departure

About 13h 30m1 stop, Doha

MLEMalé

Return

MLENight departure

About 14h1 stop, Doha

LHRLondon Heathrow

  • Economy
  • Return
  • 30kg
  • 7kg cabin bag
  • Meals and Wi-Fi

£000per person, return

Outbound

LGWAfternoon departure

About 10h 30mDirect

MLEMalé

Return

MLENight departure

About 11hDirect

LGWLondon Gatwick

  • Economy
  • Return
  • 23kg
  • 7kg cabin bag
  • Meals included

£000per person, return

Outbound

MANAfternoon departure

About 13h1 stop, Dubai

MLEMalé

Return

MLENight departure

About 14h1 stop, Dubai

MANManchester

  • Economy
  • Return
  • 30kg
  • 7kg cabin bag
  • Meals and Wi-Fi

£000per person, return

Outbound

LHRMorning departure

About 13h1 stop, Abu Dhabi

MLEMalé

Return

MLEMorning departure

About 13h 30m1 stop, Abu Dhabi

LHRLondon Heathrow

  • Economy
  • Return
  • 30kg
  • 7kg cabin bag
  • Meals included

£000per person, return

Sample fares are per person, return, in economy, and change with dates and availability. Journey times are approximate. Baggage and fare rules vary by airline and are confirmed in your quote.

Airlines

Who flies to the Maldives

Most routes connect once in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul, and there are seasonal direct flights from London.

Plan ahead

When to book

Christmas, February half term and Easter are the busiest. May to October is the wetter season, with lower prices.

Typical demand by month, UK to the Maldives

  • Quiet
  • Steady
  • Busy
  • Peak
  • Dry season
  • UK school holidays
  • Honeymoon favourite

A guide based on past years. Ramadan, Eid and other festivals move each year, so we check your exact dates.

Getting to the Maldives from the UK

Flights to the Maldives arrive at Velana International Airport on Hulhulé island, next to the capital Malé. Most travellers from the UK connect once in the Gulf or Istanbul, which brings the total journey to around 12 to 14 hours, with seasonal direct flights from London when available.

Seaplanes only fly in daylight, so your arrival time matters. We check your flight times against your resort's transfer, so you are not left waiting overnight in Malé.

When to fly

The dry season runs from November to April, with calm seas and clear skies. May to October brings more showers but warm water, quieter resorts and lower prices.

For honeymoons, let us know when you book, as many resorts offer extras for newly-weds.

FAQ

Flights to the Maldives

Quick answers about flying from the UK to the Maldives: airlines, airports, baggage and the best time to travel.

Overwater villas in the Maldives
Overwater villas in the Maldives
Still have a question?

Talk to our team about your trip to the Maldives. We'll answer it and check fares for your dates.

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Is there a direct flight from the UK to the Maldives?

There are seasonal direct flights from London. Most travellers connect once in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi or Istanbul.

How do I get from Malé to my resort?

Resorts near Malé use speedboats. Further atolls use seaplanes or a short domestic flight followed by a boat. We arrange this with your resort.

What is the best month to visit the Maldives?

December to April is the driest time. May to October is wetter but quieter and better value.

Can you book the resort as well?

Yes. We can plan flights, resort and transfers together as one holiday.

Which airlines fly from the UK to the Maldives?

Airlines we often book include Qatar Airways, British Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines. We compare them for your dates and explain the baggage and fare rules.

Which UK and the Maldives airports can I fly between?

Popular UK departures include London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester. In the Maldives, you can fly to Malé (MLE), Addu Atoll (GAN). We can quote other airports too.

Can I fly into Malé and home from

Yes. An open-jaw ticket lets you fly into one city and home from another, so you don't have to travel back to where you started. Ask us and we'll price it for your dates.