The Maldives is a gorgeous tropical destination that isn’t too distant from the mainland that is now popular with Indian tourists. The Maldives are an ideal destination for a short getaway because of its central location in the Indian Ocean. When on vacation in the Maldives from India, there is a lot to look forward to!
From honeymoons to family vacations, this place provide a calm and refreshing setting for some of the most unforgettable days of your life. Maldivian Island offers intriguing chances for water sports and excursions that provide some excitement and thrill in addition to gorgeous natural landscapes and a laid-back atmosphere.
Distance from India
India is located about 2,000 miles away from the Maldives. There may be a few hundred km’ difference in distance depending on the Indian city you travel from. Despite its apparent enormity, this number is essentially insignificant when considering the duration of foreign flights. You’ll understand why India’s proximity to The Maldives is so great when you realise that travelling through much of the world can take up to twelve hours.
How Can I Get From India to the Maldives?
There are several routes one can take to get to the Maldives from India. Every one of these means of transportation has advantages and disadvantages of its own. If you’re among the tourists who have developed an addiction to this island nation, try using a different route or form of transportation each time!
Maldivian Aviation
The main airport that serves the majority of international flight traffic is Velana International Airport, located on the official airport island of Hulhulé in the Maldives.
The Haa Dhaalu Atoll’s Hanimaadhoo International Airport is noteworthy for offering the only direct flight to Trivandrum, in South India.
Numerous domestic flights are operated by all of the country’s main and small international airports to several atolls spread across the nation. Seaplane transfers are an incredible experience for guests on opulent Maldives travel packages! You may arrive in luxury at the Maldives resorts by seaplane, which can land right on the water.
Time of Flight from India to the Maldives
For direct flights, the travel time to The Maldives ranges from 2.5 hours to nearly 10 hours, depending on the length of the layover. The number of stops and the airline’s chosen route between the Indian city and the Maldives International Airport often determine how long the flight will take.
Flights from India to the Maldives
For your journey to The Maldives, choose from a variety of international and Indian airlines. Local Indian airlines offering great access to Malé International Airport include Air India, Indigo, Go Air, and SpiceJet. Additionally, it is simple to locate certain nonstop flights.
Indians can also travel to The Maldives on foreign airlines that operate fantastically configured aircraft. They frequently stop over in another nation, though. Bangkok Airways, Mega Maldives, Etihad Airways, Cathay Pacific, flydubai, Emirates Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, Mihin Lanka, SilkAir, Qatar Airways, and Saudia are a few of the alternatives.
Cities of Departure and Average Ticket Price
With departures to The Maldives available from most tier-1 and some tier-2 cities, India offers frequent and easy access to the islands. Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Goa, Pune, Cochin, or Trivandrum are the possible starting points for your trip. Actually, flights to Malé with stops in intermediate Indian towns are also available to other cities.
The cost of a plane ticket might vary depending on the airline, the amount of layovers, and the peak travel seasons. The Indigo direct flight from Kochi to Malé, which takes about 1.5 hours and costs about INR 5,000 one way, may have the lowest economy-class ticket.
The economy seats on high-end, full-service foreign airlines that have layovers from places like New Delhi can cost up to INR 20,000 per way. Flights between India and the Maldives typically cost around INR 10,000 for one-way tickets.
Cruise from India to the Maldives
One option is to take a full-length cruise from India to the Maldives. Riding the waves is an unparalleled experience, even though choosing the water route may need a much longer journey time than the airborne one. The Costa Victoria, a cruise ship owned and operated by Costa Cruises, is the only one that travels from India to the Maldives. Some other cruise lines had dabbled in the past, but they are no longer operating out of India.
Sea Route Length and Duration
A speed boat is sufficient for short-distance transportation inside The Maldives, as islands are only a few kilometres apart. But a bigger ship—like a cruise ship—is needed to go between this archipelago and India.
The two most well-known ports on India’s west coast, Mumbai and Kochi, are the departure points for cruises to The Maldives.
· Cruise to the Maldives from Mumbai, India
· Maldives Cruise from India’s Kochi
The overall distance from Mumbai to Malé, the capital city of the Maldives, is 1,657 km; however, the trip from Kochi to Malé is only 708 km, or less than half of that distance.
The number of port visits made along the route and whether or not internal touring is included in the India to Maldives holiday package will determine how long it takes to sail. The quickest trip from Kochi to Malé takes three days, while the longest cruise from Mumbai to Mormugao, Mangalore, Kochi, or Colombo might take up to eight days.
Cruise ticket from India to the Maldives
When you take into account the wonder that the cruise experience gives, the money you spend to see a paradise sprawled across the Arabian Sea and the Laccadive Sea is not much. The cruise fee for the shortest route is INR 25,000, while the 7-night extravaganza costs approximately INR 50,000. The prices are double-sharing per person and include port taxes at each port of call.
Accepted Currencies in the Maldives
The Maldives use the Maldivian Rufiyaa as their official currency, and India uses the Indian Rupee, indicated as INR. It should be mentioned that exchanging money outside of the home market is difficult for both the Maldivian and Indian currencies. Because of this, when travelling to The Maldives, one needs to have reserve or changeable currency.
The Maldivian Rufiyaa, the national money of the Maldives, is always accepted everywhere—from opulent resorts to seaside shacks. In addition to the MVR, US dollars are accepted at a lot of tourist destinations and private islands. Most other reserve currencies, such British pounds or euros, can be changed with ease.
Average Rate of Conversion
You may occasionally need to pay in USD or the local currency when you locally reserve activities in the Maldives or make any other kind of expense, including shopping or dining from a street cart on a public island. It is not feasible to exchange Indian rupees for Maldivian Rupies (MVR) or even purchase MVR in the Maldives from India.
As a result, before leaving India, you must have a reserve currency, such as the US dollar.
In The Maldives, the US dollar is arguably the most widely recognised foreign currency. There’s no reason to worry if you can’t find time to stop by a bank or exchange office in Malé before you head to one of the luxurious villas on the private island of the Maldives.
All of the top all-inclusive islands in the Maldives, as well as a few popular local islands, accept USD payments. You can also exchange your MVR for US dollars at the Maldives International Airport exchange counters when your trip is coming to an end.
Details of the Maldives Visa for Indian Citizens
Apart from its stunning lagoons, the nicest thing about taking a vacation in The Maldives is that Indians can visit the island nation without a pre-arrival permit. Likewise, obtaining a visa in advance is not necessary if you are travelling for pleasure. Simply choose to apply for a Maldives visa upon arrival.
Do Indians need to have a passport?
Like in any other foreign country, your Indian passport serves as your official identity document in the Maldives. To visit this collection of islands, one must have a valid passport in order to exit India. The immigration counters at Malé will verify your passport whether you arrive by ship or by plane. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months.
Visa Charge
Indian nationals travelling to The Maldives can obtain a tourist visa for free. Once your passport is stamped and you are given a free visa, you can stay for up to 30 days. But if you would like to spend more time on these coral islands, you can pay 750 MVR (around 3580 INR) to get a maximum of 90 days of admission.
Indian nationals can get a Maldives visa upon arrival.
It is straightforward for Indians to obtain a visa upon arrival in The Maldives. The IM01 application form must be completed at the Maldives International Airport. Make sure you have enough travel health insurance and your return tickets. It’s also necessary to have confirmation of your reservation at any of the hotels in The Maldives. Bring at least USD 50 per person for each day of your trip, plus an extra USD 100 to demonstrate your ability to pay for your stay in The Maldives.
Indian food is available in the Maldives.
The majority of Indians worry that they won’t be able to get Indian food when they travel overseas, even to nearby nations like the Maldives. This is especially true for vegetarians and Jains on a limited diet. But their worries are unwarranted. Numerous resorts in the Maldives situated on the water’s edge provide an exclusive Indian dining area on their premises.
Most Maldives hotels on the water have buffet tables that feature a variety of vegetarian delights in addition to Indian food. Take comfort in the special Jain counters available for breakfast, lunch, and supper daily, catering to those who follow the Jain diet that forbids subterranean produce in addition to being vegetarians.
Observe the culture and sentiments of the Maldives
Islam has a strong influence on the history and culture of the Maldives. Although visitors are not obliged to practise their faith, they must show respect for the feelings of the Maldivians. Additionally, there are cultural conventions that limit what you can carry, eat, and how you dress, particularly on public islands.
How to Act and How Not to Act
When you travel to this country in South Asia or go on day trips to the Maldives, keep the following in mind:
Nothing you bring with you that contradicts the beliefs of Muslims should be considered religious. It is likely that the officials at the airport or the guest houses in The Maldives will seize your holy books.
Alcohol, drugs, and pork are prohibited in the Maldives and are in violation of the country’s strict Islamic regulations.
Outside of the Maldives water bungalows, public displays of love (PDA) are not advised, particularly on public islands or in resort common areas. Keep your romance contained inside.
You won’t be allowed to eat or even drink water in public areas until dusk if your Maldives holiday package is scheduled during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. Make appropriate travel plans or limit your eating to in-villa meals during the hours of fasting.
What to Carry?
It will be a lot of fun to pack for this vacation, especially if you’re staying in a water villa in the Maldives with a pool and Jacuzzi. Because of the Maldives’ guaranteed endless summer, don’t forget to pack your best beach attire, sunglasses, and a hat. Remember to use a sunscreen lotion with at least SPF 40 as well!
You don’t have to worry about the sporadic downpours because most Maldives waterside cottages come with free umbrellas for on-site use. The nation is endowed with magnificent coral reefs and colourful sponges. Remember to bring an underwater video camera, such as a GoPro, and optional snorkelling gear, such as fins and mask, if you have scheduled any snorkelling tours in the Maldives.
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