Velana International Airport ground transport

Unlike most airports, MLE has almost no roads leading out of it — it stands on the reclaimed island of Hulhulé, and only Malé and neighbouring Hulhumalé connect to it overland via the Sinamalé Bridge. For those two the choice is a taxi across the bridge (5–15 min, MVR 80–160 / ~€5–10), a public bus (MVR 10–20 / ~€1) or, to Malé harbour, the constant MTCC airport ferry (~10 min, MVR 15 / ~€1). Everything beyond is on the water. The local islands popular with independent travellers — Maafushi, Gulhi, Guraidhoo, Thulusdhoo — are served by cheap, slow MTCC public ferries that sail from Malé (not the airport) on most days except Fridays, and by faster shared speedboats (~30–60 min, ~€23–37) that pre-book online and often collect you straight from the airport jetty. Resort guests are met by their resort's own staff and moved either by private speedboat (for nearby islands) or by seaplane from the dedicated seaplane terminal next to arrivals; seaplanes fly only in daylight, so a late landing usually means an overnight in Malé or Hulhumalé. This guide sets out the realistic options — road, ferry, speedboat and seaplane — for each destination, with current times and fares.