Travelling from UAE to Maldives – A Complete Guide
Maldives lures tourists from all over the world. With exotic islands, sparkling beaches, unmatched luxury and a variety of activities, this gorgeous destination is particularly popular residents of the UAE. Planning a holiday there? We’ve got all the information you need to travel from the UAE to Maldives.
Major Attractions
Maldives is an island nation located in South Asia that has garnered a reputation for being a tourist hotspot. It’s currently one of the most popular destinations for those travelling from the UAE since it offers visas on arrival for the residents.
With turquoise waters, white sandy beaches, waterside villas and untouched nature, Maldives is known for its tropical charm and balmy coastal temperatures.
There is plenty to do on the island. You can go deep diving to watch the manta rays and sea turtles or enjoy a performance of the traditional Boduberu (a popular folk dance). Also, make sure to visit Vaadhoo Island in Raa Atoll. Often called the Sea of Stars, Vadhoo has an abundance of plankton that shimmer in the night, being swept onshore at the mercy of the tides, making the surrounding waters appear like they are filled with stars.
Visa Information
The first thing you need to consider when planning a trip from the UAE to Maldives is the visa requirements. Fortunately, travellers from the UAE don’t need a pre-approval of the visa as Maldives issues a 30-day visa on arrival to all nationalities.
To receive a visa upon arrival in the Maldives, you need to provide the following documents.
- A passport or travel document that is valid for at least one month.
- Sufficient funds for covering the cost of the stay in the Maldives. You can either show a confirmation of reservation in a Tourist Resort or a Hotel or USD 100 + USD 50 for each day of your stay.
- A valid ticket for your journey out of Maldives within the stipulated time frame.
Currency and Costs
The Rufiyaa is the currency used in the Maldives.
The travelling cost varies depending on the season, length of stay and type of accommodation. Staying in hotels and resorts can be expensive as it is a luxurious location. Guesthouses are a great alternative for those looking for budget-friendly lodging. The hotel stay can cost anything from AED 100 to AED 6,000.
The airfare also varies depending on the time of the year. You can also choose budget-friendly flight options. If you are flying with Emirates, the one-way ticket from Dubai and Male will cost you AED 2,120 onwards, while the flights via FlyDubai start from AED 2,750.
Flight Booking
The airlines offering direct and non-direct flights to the Maldives include Emirates Airlines, flydubai, Qatar Airways, SpiceJet and IndiGo. You can take a flight from the Dubai International Airport to Gan Airport in Gan Island or the Velana International Airport in Male. The flight duration from Dubai to Male is 4 hours and 10 minutes.
Accommodation
Some of the luxury hotels in the Maldives are:
- Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru
- Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
- Anantara Veli Maldives Resort
- Intercontinental Maldives Maamunagau Resort
- The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort
- Hard Rock Hotel Maldives
- Fairmont Maldives
There are many budget-friendly accommodation options in the Maldives. These include Ameera Maldives, Lagoon Villa Thoddoo, Crown Beach Hotel, TME Retreats Dhigurah and Liberty Guest House.
Getting Around
Depending on your mode of transportation and your location, the cost of transportation when visiting the Maldives can change. Here are three examples of available forms of transportation:
- Domestic flight: A domestic flight may be required if you’re moving between islands in the Maldives.
- Speedboat: Many hotels, resorts, and inns provide speedboat transportation from the airport to their locations.
- Public ferry – If you’re on a tight budget, you can take a public ferry between some of the Maldives’ islands. Although the price is typically lower, the journey duration may be longer and the schedules may be less frequent.
FAQS
HOW LONG IS THE FLIGHT FROM UAE TO MALDIVES?
The minimum flight time from UAE to the Maldives is 4 hours and 10 minutes.
IS MALDIVES AN EXPENSIVE DESTINATION?
Yes, the Maldives is considered to be an expensive option due to greater lodging costs and traveller taxes. However, during the wet season, from May to November, prices do drop significantly.
And this concludes our guide to travelling from the UAE to Maldives. Note that the island is one of the destinations UAE residents can visit without a visa. So what are you waiting for? Plan a Maldives trip from the UAE this summer!!!
If you want to travel to a destination a little close to your city, a trip from Dubai to Salala is a fantastic option.