{"id":2101,"date":"2022-02-06T22:22:56","date_gmt":"2022-02-06T11:22:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/paradise-is-open-heres-how-to-get-to-the-maldives\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T10:29:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T00:29:24","slug":"paradise-is-open-heres-how-to-get-to-the-maldives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/luxuryescapes.com\/inspiration\/paradise-is-open-heres-how-to-get-to-the-maldives\/","title":{"rendered":"Paradise Calls: Here\u2019s How to Get to the Maldives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There’s no time like the present \u2013 it\u2019s time to tick off the ultimate bucket-list destination, the Maldives.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Crystal clear lagoons, powdery white beaches and overwater villas \u2013 the Maldives has long been an island paradise for loved-up honeymooners, family reunions and friends searching for the ultimate luxury escape. This remote archipelago in the Indian Ocean is made up of 26 atolls and 1,200 islands, with only 200 occupied.\u202fDespite this, getting to and around the Maldives is now easier than ever<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With decadent, world-renowned cuisine, breathtaking snorkelling moments from your resort, plus unbeatable luxury accommodation<\/a> \u2013 what are you waiting for? Read on to discover how to get to the Maldives. <\/p>\n\n\n

For a limited time only, Luxury Escapes is offering Australia’s only direct flights from Melbourne to the Maldives aboard a A330-300 charter, on a weekly basis. Look out for special packages including direct flights*.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

How to get to the Maldives from Australia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Singapore Airlines and Emirates are the most popular airlines flying between Australian cities and Mal\u00e9 in the Maldives. Flights require a stopover in Singapore Airport (if travelling with Singapore Airlines), Dubai (if travelling Emirates), or Qatar (if travelling Qatar Airways). Flights are between 17 \u2013 22 hours in duration, depending on your departing city.<\/p>\n\n\n

And now there’s a shortcut to paradise, as Luxury Escapes has partnered with Maldivian Airlines to cut the journey time to less than 12 hours, on Australia\u2019s first and only direct flight from Melbourne to Mal\u00e9<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How to get to the Maldives from the US<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Qatar Airlines, Emirates and Turkish Airlines are the most popular carriers that fly between US cities and Mal\u00e9 in the Maldives. Flights require a stopover in Dubai (if travelling Emirates), Qatar (if travelling Qatar Airways) or Istanbul (with Turkish Airlines). Flights are between 18 \u2013 21 hours in duration, depending on your departing city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

How to get to the Maldives from India<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

IndiGo Airlines and Go First are the most popular airlines flying between New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru and Mal\u00e9 in the Maldives. There are direct flights available, taking two to four hours, depending on your departing city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get to the Maldives from the UK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

British Airways, Gulf Air, SriLankan Airlines and Emirates are the most popular airline carriers that fly between UK cities and Mal\u00e9 in the Maldives. Flights require a stopover in Dubai (if travelling Emirates), Bahrain (if travelling Gulf Air) or Colombo (if travelling SriLankan Airlines). If travelling British Airways, direct flights are available, taking approximately 10 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to connect to the Maldives’ islands from Mal\u00e9<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before you arrive in Mal\u00e9, be sure to arrange airport transfers. Maldives resorts are often located on their own private island, so airport transfers are so much more than a simple taxi-style pick-up and drop-off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guaranteed to become a holiday highlight, transfers can take the form of an exhilarating seaplane ride over the sparkling lagoon or a speedboat cruise past palm-fringed islands and overwater bungalows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Internal connecting flights between Mal\u00e9 and 16 other atolls are also available. Popular connections include Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport (DRV)\u202fon\u202fBaa Atoll, Maamigili or Villa International Airport (VAM)\u202fon Alif Dhaal Atoll\u202fand Maafaru International Airport (NMF)\u202fon Noonu Atoll. On average, these flights take 50 minutes or less from Mal\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the perfect chance to pack up and escape the rest of the world, with an island to suit every traveller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lily Beach Resort & Spa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lily Beach Resort & Spa offers convenient proximity to Mal\u00e9 (it’s reachable in just 25 minutes by seaplane), yet feels blissfully remote. It’s won multiple awards for its all-inclusive offering; the ‘Platinum Plan’ is generous with all-day premium drinks, activities and excursions in addition to dining. There’s plentiful choice, too, with Thai and Indian-inspired dining at Tamarind, teppanyaki, buffet-style world cuisine at Lily Maa and more. When it comes to accommodation, you can pick from jacuzzi suites, beach villas secluded in greenery and interconnecting villas that are perfect for families. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"Centara<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Also a short skip from Mal\u00e9 is Centara Grand Lagoon Maldives. This new resort offers sleek, modern villas, some with jacuzzis and private pools. SPA Cenvaree is a standout, offering Thai-inspired treatments using locally blended oils and herbs in combination with age-old practices. Dining takes you from the flavours of Asia at The Gallery to Mediterranean at the Bluefin beach club, with a swim-up bar and overwater sunset restaurant providing memorable moments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pullman Maldives Maamutaa is located in one of the best diving areas of the South Maldives, making it perfect for snorkelling and underwater adventures. Amid 18 hectares of tropical greenery, thatched villas are dotted along the beach, over the ocean and even under it (it was the first luxury resort to offer underwater bedrooms in its Aqua Villa category). It’s also renowned as one of the most generous all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives, with all-day dining, more than 130 tipples to choose from and a daily replenished minibar, amongst other perks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Standard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Embrace the glamour of The Standard, where quintessential Maldives features \u2013 overwater villas, a tranquil spa and adults-only pool \u2013 are given a unique spin, with disco balls in bathrooms and an overwater dancefloor. Rejuvenate by your private plunge pool, or dance the day away with the weekly pool parties and live music events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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