The Maldives is a tropical paradise of 1,190 coral islands scattered across the Indian Ocean, renowned for its crystal-clear turquoise waters, vibrant coral reefs, and luxurious overwater villas. This island nation offers world-class diving, pristine white-sand beaches, and unparalleled marine biodiversity including manta rays, whale sharks, and bioluminescent plankton.
- Public
- Public ferries (MTCC) connect Male to surrounding islands but run 1-2 times daily; Male has a functional local bus network; Hulhumale connected by bridge with regular buses
- Taxi
- Male taxis available throughout city, no meters - negotiate fixed fare before getting in; Hulhumale has flat rate taxis; Raahi app available but limited
- Rental
- Car rental impractical outside Male/Hulhumale; bicycle rental excellent on local islands ($5-10/day); motor scooter rental available on some larger islands
- Walking
- Male is only 2km wide and walkable in 20 minutes; all local islands walkable in under 1 hour; resorts have designated paths; heat makes midday walking difficult
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- Ferry to Male - $1, 10 minutes, every 15 minutes
- Shuttle
- Taxi to Male/Hulhumale - $7-14, 8-15 minutes
- Bus
- Speedboat to resort - Pre-arranged, $50-500 per person
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
Public bus service available in Male and Hulhumale. Fare: 10-20 MVR ($0.65-$1.30). Buses run 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Alternatives
metro, taxi, rideshare, bicycle, ferry
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- Male: Base fare 25 MVR ($1.60), then 20 MVR per km ($1.30/km). Hulhumale: 75 MVR ($5) flat rate within city. No metered taxis - negotiate fare in advance.
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
Not available - no intercity bus network due to island geography
Flights
Maldivian (national carrier) and Flyme operate domestic flights between atolls. Prices: $80-300 depending on distance. Essential for reaching distant atolls.
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Airports
Velana International Airport
From centre: 2 km to Male
Options: Ferry to Male - $1, 10 minutes, every 15 minutes; Taxi to Male/Hulhumale - $7-14, 8-15 minutes; Speedboat to resort - Pre-arranged, $50-500 per person; Seaplane to resort - Pre-arranged, $200-600 per person; Bus to Hulhumale - $20 MVR ($1.30), 15 minutes
Gan International Airport
From centre: 478 km south of Male
Options: Domestic flights to/from Male; Taxi to local islands - $5-15; Resort transfers - Pre-arranged
Maafaru International Airport
From centre: 240 km north of Male
Options: International and domestic flights; Resort transfers - Pre-arranged; Speedboat connections
Villa International Airport
From centre: 125 km north of Male
Options: Domestic flights; Speedboat to resorts; Local island ferries
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Raahi
Local ride-hailing app for Male city - limited coverage but growing; comparable to Uber concept for Male taxis
MTCC Ferry App
Maldives Transport and Contracting Company app for checking public ferry schedules between Male and surrounding islands
Trans Maldivian Airways
Seaplane transfer booking app for resort transfers - essential for outer atoll resort bookings
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book seaplane transfers well in advance - they operate daylight hours only and sell out during peak season; transfers after dark require speedboat
Public ferries are the cheapest way to travel but check schedules - they run only 1-2 times daily on most routes
For Male city transport, negotiate taxi fare before getting in - typical Male ride should be 20-30 MVR ($1.30-2)
The Sinamale Bridge connects Male to Hulhumale - take bus #1 for $0.30 or walk 2km across it
Rent bicycles on local islands like Maafushi and Addu Atoll - it's the best way to explore and costs $5-10/day
Speedboats are faster than public ferries but cost 10x more - worth it for long-distance transfers to distant atolls