Hanifaru Transit Inn
Velana International Airport
Velana International Airport is the main International Airport of the Maldives located at Hulhule' Island just next to Capital City Male'. The airport code is MLE, so use this designator for finding flights from your home to the Maldives.
Here is a global map for visual
The airport consists of 2 main terminals which are International and domestic, both arrival and departure terminals of the international terminal are under one roof were separated by two buildings. Once you arrive at the airport and exit from customs, you will be in a large public area where there will be Money exchange facilities (which you may do for use in local shops on the island), ATM's, Helpdesk, public restrooms, pharmacy, clinic, and some well known fast-food chains like Burger King & Coffe Club and many more. Just a few steps away you will find two telecom shops where they sell sim cards for tourists and these sim cards can be used for mobile broadband and it is useful for you if you need internet connection wherever you go.
For those who chose the domestic flight option for transfer, you may proceed to the domestic terminal for check-in and boarding. After check-in, you may enjoy a meal at the waterfront building which hosts major outlets from Secret Recipe, Harvest Market, and KFC.
Immigration
Arrival to Maldives
While you are heading to immigration your luggage is being screened before you receive it at Baggage Claim. However, after immigration, you may be asked to do a second screening. It is an offence to have pork and pork products, alcohol, explosives, weapons, firearms, ammunition, pornographic material, materials deemed contrary to Islam including ‘idols for worship’ and bibles.
Immigration & Customs
Duty-Free Allowances. Items brought in by passengers for their own use when travelling to the Maldives. These items include:
Clothes, jewellery, watches, pens, portable gadgets, toiletries, books, magazines, newspapers and zero Alcohol. Bringing in any type of alcohol is strictly forbidden. 200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250g of tobacco & up to MVR 6,000 worth of other personal items.
All travelers are required to go through immigration clearance upon arrival. Tourist visas are granted for all nationalities, free of charge, on arrival. Inbound passengers must satisfy the following basic entry requirements before they can be considered for entry into the Republic of Maldives:
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No earlier than 24 hours prior to your date & time of departure to the Maldives (i.e. your home airport), you must complete the online health declaration.
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The Online Health Declaration form can be found here: https://travel.immigration.gov.mv/
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A passport or Travel Document with Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) with a minimum of 1-month validity after your departure.
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Proof of a Pre-Paid hotel booking/accommodation (Confirmed with payment on arrival are accepted in most cases but this is not guaranteed).
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Proof of Travel Insurance (TI) for the intended period of stay in the Maldives. If not covered in your own travel insurance policy, you can additionally purchase the Maldives Government-approved Tourist COVID-19 Insurance policy from Allied’s website here.
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Sufficient funds to last for the intended period of stay in the Maldives
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Confirmed onward/return tickets to the home country or a country of Resident (not applicable for valid Resident permit holders)
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Entry facilities to their onward destinations, e.g. visas.
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Completed Disembarkation/Embarkation Card approved by Maldives Immigration
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Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, if applicable
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Other vaccinations: Unless you are flying from tropical Africa there are no required by law vaccinations for the Maldives for entry or exit. However, for your own personal health, it is strongly recommended that travelers be covered against the main food and water-borne diseases (Hepatitis A and Typhoid) and Tetanus. Please check with your Foreign Office service to keep up to date with changes to vaccination requirements and or recommendations.
The maximum number of days granted on arrival will be 30 days unless agreed by any bilateral means or Treaty. The 30 days is not for the passenger to claim but lies at the discretion of the Immigration to grant any number of days less than or equal to 30. The period of stay granted is shown on the endorsement given on the passport. Passengers are advised to check their passports for the arrival endorsement and take note of the number of days stay given.
All Passengers Entering on a Tourist visa are not permitted to engage in any form of business, occupation, profession or paid employment while in the Maldives. It is a punishable offense to overstay in the Maldives beyond the number of days given. A fine of MVR 15750 will be imposed as an overstayed fee. and denial of re-entry is common for your lifetime.
Departure from Maldives
As you did prior to arrival & and no earlier than 24 hours prior to your flight departure time, you must complete the same Online Health Declaration, this time selecting 'Departure'. The Online Health Declaration form can be found here: https://travel.immigration.gov.mv/
It is important to note that unlike many other airports the security and ability to go back outside the terminal ends the moment you pass through the screening when entering the check-in hall.
Immigration & Customs
You & and your luggage will be screened before entering the check-in hall and once checked in, you and your carry-on luggage will be screened for a second time prior to passing through immigration.
When leaving the Maldives you should know it is an offense to depart with alcohol, turtle shell, and coral. Customs checks/baggage screening is very thorough so it is important you have all your receipts for items purchased during your stay, so as to avoid being inadvertently accused of attempting to leave with prohibited items or items which may incur export fees and so forth.
Transfers
We offer two options for transfer which are by Domestic flight or Speed boat. For both options, you can book directly with us as we have special arrangements with parties and you will get a better price option than booking on your own.
We will greet you on arrival to Dharavandhoo with a board of Hanifaru Transit Inn. The person will help you with baggage and escort you to the guesthouse by Taxi.
Both options will be charged on arrival to the guesthouse or if you prefer to pay in advance we can send you a payment link.
Domestic flight
Domestic flights are a reliable mode of transfer to Dharavandhoo as the island serves the domestic airport which has flights scheduled by 2 domestic airlines which are Flyme & Manta Air. We arrange flights for you according to the availability of flights and the schedule of your international connection flight.
Maldivian Airlines
Airfare for Adult (12yrs-above) is $250 for a round trip
Airfare for Child (2yrs-11yrs) is $125 for a round trip
Airfare for Infants (8days-1yr 11months) travels free of charge
Flight duration: 30 mins
Aircraft type: ATR72/42 Turboprop
Free baggage allowance Maldivian 20kg for check-in and carryon 5kg, excess baggage charges collected by the airline.
Dharavandhoo Domestic Airport (IATA Code: DRV)
The summer schedule is as follows:
MLE-DRV
Flight 1 STD: 11:30 am (check-in from 09:15 am to 10:30 am)
Flight 3 STD: 05:30 pm (check-in from 03:30 pm to 04:30 pm)
DRV-MLE
Flight 1 STD: 06:30 am (check-in from 04:30 am to 05:30 am)
Flight 2 STD: 03:45pm (check-in from 03:00 pm to 04:00 pm)
Flight 3 STD: 05:30pm (check-in from 03:30 pm to 04:30 pm)
*Flight times are subject to change and such changes will be informed prior to your flight.
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Public Speed boat
Speed boats are operated by local parties and there are several operators servicing Dharavandhoo. Please note that some operators are not in direct service and may have to change speed boats at one stop.
Speed boat departs from Male' city jetty near Republic Square or No.1 jetty. To reach Male' city from Airport you may take a ferry for 10 MVR and walk down the road to the jetty or take a taxi for 60 MVR.
Speed boat fare is $50 per person one way for Adults and children and infants below age 2yrs travel free of charge.
The schedule is as follows:
MLE-DRV
Speed 1 STD: 12:45pm (check-in 30 mins prior departure)
Speed 2 STD: 06:30am (check-in 30 mins prior departure)
DRV-MLE
Speed 1 STD: 08:00 am (check-in 30 mins prior departure)
Speed 2 STD: 02:00 pm (check-in 30 mins prior departure)
* Departure times are subject to change without prior notice.
* Speed boat may cancel or delay without prior notice due to weather or technical reasons.
* The operator or Guesthouse does not take any liability due to misconnection to international flights.
