Quick answer
Delhi to Malé is about 2,740 km, and Air India's non-stop takes roughly 4 hours. Other options connect via Bengaluru, Kochi, Mumbai or Colombo. One-way fares start around ₹13,500 booked 3–6 weeks ahead in the May–October low season. Indians get a free 30-day visa on arrival with a confirmed resort booking. Land by early afternoon if your resort uses seaplanes.
Route facts
- Flight time
- 4h 00m
- Distance
- ≈ 2,740 km
- Starting fare
- ₹13,500 one-way
- Airlines
- Air India
- Cheapest months
- May–Oct (south-west monsoon), outside school holidays
- Entry
- Free 30-day visa on arrival with a confirmed hotel booking and onward ticket; file the IMUGA traveller declaration online within 96 hours before arrival.
Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Velana International Airport (MLE). Fares are typical starting one-way economy prices booked 3–6 weeks ahead outside peak dates — live prices vary by the hour.
Which airlines fly Delhi to Malé?
Air India runs the non-stop from Terminal 3 at Delhi. If it is full or the timing does not suit, connect through Bengaluru, Kochi or Mumbai on an Indian airline, or through Colombo on SriLankan Airlines. Gulf carriers via Dubai or Doha also work but take much longer.
What are the best flight timings?
The Maldives is 30 minutes behind India. Timing matters more here than almost anywhere: seaplanes fly only in daylight, with the last transfers usually mid-afternoon. If you land after about 3 pm and your resort is a seaplane ride away, you will spend the first night in Hulhumalé near the airport. Speedboat resorts can usually take later arrivals.
Baggage on the flight and the seaplane
Air India includes meals and checked baggage. The catch is the seaplane: allowances are often around 20 kg checked plus 5 kg hand baggage per person, with excess charged by the kilo. Honeymooners packing for photo shoots should check the resort's limit before flying.
Getting from Velana airport to your resort
Resorts arrange all transfers, and the cost is often added to your booking:
- Speedboat: 20–60 minutes, about USD 100–300 (₹8,800–26,400) return per person
- Seaplane: 30–60 minutes, about USD 500–900 (₹44,000–79,000) return per person
- Domestic flight plus boat: for distant atolls
Malé city and Hulhumalé are 10–15 minutes from the airport by road.
When to book
Book 4–8 weeks ahead for December–April, the dry peak season. May–October is cheaper but brings more rain and choppier seas. Avoid Diwali and Christmas–New Year if price matters.
Tips for families and seniors
- Seaplane boarding involves steps and floating platforms; seniors with mobility issues are better at a speedboat resort within 30 minutes.
- Fill the IMUGA declaration for every traveller, including children.
- Carry some US dollars for tips and small purchases.
See our Maldives visa guide, Maldives trip cost, things to do in the Maldives and more flight routes.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Delhi to the Maldives?
Can I take a seaplane if I land in the evening?
Do Indians need a visa for the Maldives?
What is the baggage limit on Maldives seaplanes?
How we checked this page
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Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.
