Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Malé Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.
Quick Links
I felt safe and wasn’t hassled by any of the numerous security/airport staff around. Well lit. Clean bathrooms. – Christopher
MLE Airport Overview
To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Malé Velana International Airport.
What to Expect
Malé Airport (code: MLE) is divided into three small terminals: International, Domestic, and Seaplanes. A new terminal is currently in the planning stages. Facilities include a few eateries and shops, though none are open 24 hours, and free showers in the departures area. WiFi is unavailable, but there are free internet kiosks in a few locations. Economy class passengers can pay to enter two airport lounges for added comfort while they wait.
Sleeping in Malé Airport
Based on reviews, this airport is open 24 hours. Due to uncomfortable seating, overnight campers often wind up on the floor – bring a blanket or sleeping bag. Temperatures can range wildly, and airport staff and cleaners may make noise, so dress in layers and bring earplugs or noise-cancelling headphones. For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer a shuttle service. See our Airport Hotels section below for locations.
Read the latest traveller airport reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Malé Airport Guide.
To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos.
In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.
Airport Hours
While it appears that this airport closes for a few hours overnight, we could not confirm the official hours of operation at the time of this update. If you know the airport hours, click here to update this airport guide.
Rest & Relaxation Zones
No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.
Cots
The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.
Airport Hotels
If sleeping in the airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near Malé Airport:
- Hulhule Island Hotel – Located on the airport island adjacent to the terminal. The hotel is about an 8-minute walk, or you can take the shuttle. The hotel also offers day-use packages; for example, about USD 53 provides access to hotel facilities (no guest room), including the swimming pool, shower rooms, a 10-minute massage, and boat and airport transfers. » Check Rates
For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels on Hulhule Island or in Malé, search for deals and read traveller reviews.
Airport Lounges
Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships
Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.
- Wellness Lounge – Location: International Arrival Terminal, Arrivals Hall, Landside. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.
- Moonimaa Lounge – Location: Domestic Terminal, Landside. Showers are available. Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Prepaid lounge pass • Lounge membership programs.
Drinking Water
A reader reports a drinking water fountain airside, to the right of Burger King. (October 2024)
Food & Drinks
Food concessions operate with varying schedules. At the time of this update, we could not confirm the availability of any 24-hour dining options.
Luggage Storage & Lockers
Luggage storage is available for a fee. Location: Baggage Storage Service office, in front of the Terminal Help Desk. Rates: approximately USD 6 for a small item or USD 12 for an oversized item, per 24 hours or part thereof.
Mobile Charging
A traveller (September 2019) reports charging outlets both landside (near the check-in desks) and airside (after security). If you know of additional locations, click here to update this airport guide.
Showers
Free showers are reportedly available in the Departures area opposite the Mariyaadu snack counter. Showers are also available in the Wellness Lounge and Moonimaa Lounge. See Airport Lounges.
WiFi/Internet
Free WiFi is available for up to 25 minutes after logging in. Connect to the “Airport WiFi” network and request a confirmation code sent by SMS.
Note: A local or roaming SIM card is required to receive the SMS code. SIM cards can be purchased in the concourse area. Internet kiosks are also reported near the Duty-Free area and departure gates 1, 2, and 3.
Security & Safety
Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:
- Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
- Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
- Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
- Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.
More Airport Information
Note: Locations, hours, and rates may change. Information is provided for general reference only.
ATMs / Cash Machines – ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limits when travelling internationally. Location: near the arrival exit gates in the arrivals plaza.
Baby Care Facilities – Mother Care Rooms provide a private space to feed and care for infants. Locations: Concourse Area • Pier Bridge • Domestic Terminal.
Baggage Trolleys – Baggage trolleys are available free of charge.
Currency Exchange – Locations: Duty-Free Area, opposite Dome Cafe • Arrivals area, left of the terminal exit door.
Information Desk – Locations: International Zone, inside the departure terminal • International Zone, landside outside the terminal • Domestic Zone. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Luggage Wrapping – Available landside in the check-in area. Rates: about USD 8 for a small bag, USD 10 for a regular bag, and USD 20 for oversized items.
Medical Services – A First Aid Post provides urgent and emergency medical care. Hours: Open 24 hours.
Pharmacy – Location: outside the First Aid Post or near the Bank of Maldives ATM. Hours: operates according to the daily flight schedule.
Postal Services – Post Office located near the Departure Hall entrance. Hours: approximately 6:00 AM – 1:00 AM, or until the last flight of the day.
Prayer Room – Location: Departure Terminal, 1st Floor. Two air-conditioned mosques are also located about 5–10 minutes’ walk from the terminal.
Shopping – Shops sell items such as spices, confections, liquor, tobacco, and perfumes. Duty-free shopping is available.
SIM Cards – Pablito tells us, SIM cards are available at the airport, but they are overpriced. At the airport the rate is from USD 40 (20gb) vs the town rate from USD 8 (5 GB)/USD 11 (10GB).” (March 2025)
Smoking – A smoking lounge is located on the 1st floor of the departure pier near the duty-free shops.
Last updated: 2026-03-12
This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.