Travelling from Male Velana International Airport (MLE) to Nairobi: what you need to know
The timezone in Nairobi is UTC+3. The city is two hours behind Malé, where Male Velana International Airport is located.
To avoid missing your MLE to Nairobi flight, allow plenty of time for things like baggage drop and finding your gate. Arriving two hours before international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the standard rule.
You'll likely experience bigger queues in popular months like January. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will help ensure a smooth travel experience.
We make it a breeze to book plane tickets from MLE to Nairobi with a stopover. To see your options, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight offering a stop long enough to see the sights of your chosen city. Well-traveled stopover hubs include:
Dubai International Airport (DXB)
Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM)
Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH)
Travelling from central Malé to MLE takes around 20 minutes on public transport. If you ride-share, drive or grab a taxi, you'll cover the 3 kilometres in 15 minutes or so, depending on traffic.
In search of a hotel close to MLE? If you've booked an early flight from Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi, these stays set you up for a seamless send-off:
77% of flights leaving from Male Velana International Airport reach their destination on schedule.
How to find the cheapest flights from Male Velana International Airport (MLE) to Nairobi
R 6,571 is currently the lowest price for a one-way Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi flight. A return plane ticket starts at R 10,917. These prices can change depending on demand.
Don't leave things to the last minute. You're more likely to land cheap flights from MLE to Nairobi if you book ahead. Airlines often have some fantastic early bird deals.
Scoring cheap tickets from Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi is more likely if you can be flexible with your trip dates. Try using the 'Whole month' function to access the best prices throughout the month and bag a fantastic deal.
There's no need to check in daily to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll update you the moment there's an even better deal on cheap flights from MLE to Nairobi.
Save on your flight from Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi with the help of our filters. Select your ideal times, number of stops and airlines, then sort the results by 'Cheapest' to see the best deals.
Airports in Nairobi
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO)
Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is around 18 kilometres from the centre of Nairobi. If you're grabbing a taxi or a ride-share, the drive takes about 30 minutes.
It takes around 1 hour 5 minutes to get there by public transport.
Book a hotel near NBO if you're coming in on a late flight from Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi. Select one of these accommodation options and make your first night all about catching up on rest:
To get the lowest price, reserve your vehicle from Nairobi Jomo Kenyatta International Airport about three weeks in advance of your flight from MLE to Nairobi.
Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL)
After your flight from Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi has hit the runway, you can get to the city centre in about 20 minutes by car. Central Nairobi is roughly 10 kilometres from Nairobi Wilson Airport (WIL).
The trip will take roughly 35 minutes on public transport.
Hang up the 'Do not disturb' sign and rest at a hotel close to WIL. Here are a few options where you can kick back after your MLE to Nairobi flight:
In general, the sooner you book, the better the deals and selection of vehicles. Reserve your ride from WIL the moment you know your dates.
Best time to go to Nairobi
December is the quietest month for flights from Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi, while July is the busiest. Pick the best time to go to Nairobi based on whether you prefer a bustling atmosphere or a more laid-back vibe.
Book a Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi plane ticket with a departure in February if you want to visit the city during its warmest month. You can expect temperatures to range from 13ºC (55ºF) to 30ºC (86ºF).
July has average temperatures of between 12ºC (54ºF) and 24ºC (75ºF). Look for a cheap ticket from MLE to Nairobi around that time if you want to travel when it's cooler.
More about Nairobi
After booking your flight from Male Velana International Airport to Nairobi, choose a hotel that puts you where you want to be. Make one of these options your base for exploring Nairobi:
There are so many things to discover in this city it can be hard to work out where to begin. The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, Masai Mara National Reserve and Giraffe manor are top sights which should feature on any good Nairobi itinerary.
Explore more of Kenya
You've done Nairobi, now it's time to explore other corners of Kenya. Travel around 434 kilometres southeast to Mombasa to tick off its leading sights. From Mombasa Marine National Park to Fort Jesus and Mombasa Beach, you'll have a packed itinerary ahead.
If you're interested in discovering another corner of Kenya, head for Nakuru, about 145 kilometres northwest of Nairobi. Nakuru National Park, Lake Nakuru and Lake Nakuru View are key reasons to visit.
