Malé-Velana International Airport (MLE)

Velana International Airport, also known as Male International Airport, is the main international airport in the Maldives. It is located on Hulhulé Island in the North Malé Atoll, near the capital, Malé. This air hub is the largest in the archipelago and serves multiple locations worldwide, therefore it is the main gateway into the Maldives for tourists. From the airport, you can take a speedboat or seaplane transfer to reach the islands and resorts nearby or far away. In the Maldives, two seaplane operators are currently available: Manta Air, the newest airline, and Trans Maldivian Airways, the country's oldest air transfer operator. The airport ferry connects the airport to Malé City. The ferry runs at regular intervals from early in the morning till late into the night.

• Web:

  www.macl.aero

• Address:

  Velana International Airport, Maldives

• Phone:

  +960 332 3506

Public Transport

The fastest, but also the most pricey way of getting around the Maldives is on board a seaplane. This mode of transportation which comes with an added bonus of enjoying birds-eye views of the archipelago. Seaplanes operate during daylight hours only. A cheaper means of transportation is a speedboat. Some are used as public transportation and connect the airport to the inhabited islands, but these run rather infrequently. Speedboats are available for hire, so prior arrangements of your transfer by the hotel may be beneficial.

• Web:

  www.transmaldivian.com

• E-mail:

  info@transmaldivian.com

• Address:

  Trans Maldivian Air Taxi

• Phone:

  +960 3315 201

Electricity

In the Maldives, the standard voltage is 230–240 V at a frequency of 50 Hz. Three-pin sockets of types G (same as the UK) and D are common, so an adapter may be necessary.

Pharmacy

Most resort islands will have a pharmacy or a first aid centre on their premises. Pharmacies in Malé: Dial Pharmacy Orchid Magu, Malé +960 332 2283 STO Peoples Choice Pharmacy Indhira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) +960 333 5335

Post

Maldives Post Limited is a government owned company with a network of 14 Atoll Post offices and 170 agency post offices across the island nation.

• Address:

  Maldives Post Office, 26 Boduthakurufaanu Magu, Malé, Maldives

• Phone:

  +960 331 5555

• Opening hours:

  Sat 9:45am–3pm, Sun–Thu 9am–3:30pm, Fri closed

Telephone

Country code +960, followed by area code (if necessary).