Key hubs
Maafushi airport and railway station
- Airport
- Velana International Airport (MLE) near Malé. From there, a speedboat to Maafushi takes about 30 to 45 minutes; a public ferry takes much longer.
- Railway station
- None. The Maldives has no railway, so travel is by air and boat.
- Getting around
- The island is small and walkable; some guesthouses lend bicycles. Boat trips run from the harbour. International ride-hailing apps do not operate.
How to reach Maafushi by air
Velana International Airport (MLE) on Hulhulé, next to Malé, is the gateway. Air India announced daily Delhi and Mumbai flights to Malé in 2025; other carriers also fly from India, but check current schedules. Maafushi is then about 30 to 45 minutes away by speedboat.
How to reach Maafushi by train
There is no railway in the Maldives, so no station applies. Travel from India is by air, and within the atoll by boat.
How to reach Maafushi by road
There are no roads between islands. Malé and the airport are linked by the Sinamalé Bridge, but to reach Maafushi you take a boat from the Malé area. Ask your guesthouse to confirm the pier and the arrival meeting point.
Getting around Maafushi
Maafushi is small enough to walk. Some guesthouses lend bicycles. Boat trips depart from the harbour. Public ferries run on fixed days and are slow, while speedboats are faster and more flexible. International ride-hailing apps do not operate.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Maafushi
- Carry prescription medicines in their original packs with a doctor's note, and travel insurance with medical evacuation cover. Each island has only a primary health centre; Malé has the hospitals.
- Confirm your return transfer and the last boat, especially on Fridays when public ferries and many shops are limited.
- Keep a day spare for weather, and avoid booking a tight connection on the same day as your international flight.
- Dress modestly outside the tourist beach: cover shoulders and upper legs, and carry a light shirt for the walk to the sea.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.