Flying from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST): what you need to know
Around 8 hours 30 minutes is how long you'll be travelling on a direct flight from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
The timezone in Istanbul is UTC+3, which is two hours behind Malé.
Flights from MLE to IST start at 09:20 — the earliest with Turkish Airlines. The last departure is at 22:20 with Turkish Airlines. Overall, you can choose from eight weekly Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flights.
Your MLE to IST flight won't wait if you're late, so get to the airport with time to spare. Arrive up to one hour in advance for domestic flights and two hours ahead when you're travelling internationally.
Be prepared for bigger queues in popular months such as January. Arriving up to four hours in advance for international flights and two hours for domestic departures is a wise move.
Jetting into Istanbul (and then seeing more of Türkiye (Turkey)!) is easy with Turkish Airlines. This popular carrier has direct flights from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Most travellers choose to fly with Turkish Airlines on this route.
If you want to add a stop to your trip, simply deselect 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. Here are the top stopovers between MLE and IST:
Dubai Airport
Hamad International Airport
Muscat International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
265 € is the lowest price for a one-way Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Return flights start from 410 €. These prices can change depending on availability and demand.
Book six months before you travel. After crunching the numbers on our calendar, this is how far you'll want to book ahead to secure cheap tickets from MLE to IST.
The cheapest month for flights from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest airfares if you have flexible dates.
Getting your hands on cheap flights from MLE to IST is a cinch with Price Alerts. Simply set up one of these automatic alerts and we'll get in touch as soon as a lower fare pops up.
Tailor your flights with filters. Select your departure and arrival times, total journey duration and airlines. You can also sort results by 'Fastest,' 'Best' or 'Cheapest' flights from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Handy information about Velana International Airport (MLE)
Of all flights departing from Velana International Airport, 77.73% land on schedule at their destination.
Velana International Airport is around 5 kilometres from central Malé. If you're ride-sharing, catching a cab or driving from the centre, it'll take you 15 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
Get your trip off to a leisurely start by staying near MLE. Whether you have an early flight from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport or just don't like being rushed, these stays are ideal:
Arriving at Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
Reserve a hotel close to IST if you're catching a late Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport flight. Pick one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Explore without limits with an Istanbul Ataturk Airport rental car. Pick up a set of wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and see more of Istanbul and beyond.
Lock in the lowest price by booking your ride from Istanbul Ataturk Airport around two weeks in advance of your trip.
Getting from Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST) to central Istanbul
Istanbul Ataturk Airport is roughly 48 kilometres from the centre of Istanbul. Driving there takes about 50 minutes.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of about 1 hour 45 minutes.
When to fly to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (IST)
It's time to choose your trip dates for your flight from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport. April is the busiest month to head to Istanbul. If you prefer a more relaxed vibe, go in February.
The warmest month in Istanbul is August, with the temperature ranging between 20ºC (68ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Book your flights from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Ataturk Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
Look for cheap tickets from MLE to IST in January if you like travelling in cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) on average.
Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)
Ankara is just one of the many places in Türkiye (Turkey) waiting to be discovered once you've taken in the sights of Istanbul. Around 354 kilometres away to the east, its best attractions include Museum of Anatolian Civilizations, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Genclik Park.
Izmir is another sought-after destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No trip is complete without a visit to Kordonboyu, Kadifekale Castle and Konak Square.