Travelling from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Velana International Airport (MLE): what you need to know
Around 7 hours 50 minutes is how long you can expect to be in the air on a direct flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport.
Malé is two hours ahead of Istanbul and is in the UTC+5 timezone.
Each week, there are eight Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport flights. If you prefer to jet off early, select the 02:20 Turkish Airlines flight. If you're eager to make the most of your time before you fly, the latest flight is at 22:20 with Turkish Airlines.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your IST to MLE flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid a last-minute sprint to the gate.
Travelling during a peak time such as April? Public holidays and other high seasons can mean longer lines and delays at security. Play things extra safe and get there up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport. Book with this popular airline, then get ready to tick off the sights in Malé — and maybe even more of Maldives if time allows.
Turkish Airlines has the highest passenger demand on this route.
If you'd like to break up your flight, just deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport. Here are the top stopovers between IST and MLE:
Muscat International Airport
Dubai Airport
King Khaled International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to Velana International Airport (MLE)
R 4,212 is the best price for a one-way Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport flight. A return flight starts at R 9,709. These prices may change based on demand.
Score cheap tickets from IST to MLE by booking at least seven months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding the biggest deals.
The cheapest month for flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport is June. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest prices if you have flexible dates.
Landing cheap flights from IST to MLE is a cinch with Price Alerts. All you need to do is create one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Secure the right flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Handy information about Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
To get to Istanbul Ataturk Airport from central Istanbul, it takes around 50 minutes by car. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 48 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
You can expect a journey time of about 1 hour 45 minutes when using public transport.
Taking an early flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport? Avoid the last-minute rush to the terminal (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays near IST:
Arriving at Velana International Airport (MLE)
If you're landing on a late Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport flight, nothing tops the convenience of being close to the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and sleeping shortly after at one of these accommodation options near MLE:
Getting from Velana International Airport (MLE) to central Malé
From Velana International Airport, Malé is approximately 5 kilometres away. It takes around 15 minutes to reach the centre driving.
When to fly to Velana International Airport (MLE)
It's time to pick your dates for your flight from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport. January is the most popular month to head to Malé. If you're after a more low-key vibe, go in April.
The warmest month in Malé is May, with temperatures ranging between 26ºC (79ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF). Book your flights from Istanbul Ataturk Airport to Velana International Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you like.
If you like cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from IST to MLE in January. Average temperatures are between 25ºC (77ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF) then.
Explore more of Maldives
Take your adventure further and explore more of Maldives. Dhidhdhoo is around 306 kilometres north of Malé and has no shortage of things to keep you busy, including Dhidhdhoo.
Where to next? Head for Funadhoo. It's around 225 kilometres north of Malé and home to highlights like Hathareskan Vaa.