Cheap Flights from Malé (MLE) to Istanbul (IST)

Compare Velana International to Istanbul flight deals

Find the cheapest month or even day of the year to fly to Istanbul

Book the best Istanbul fare with no extra fees

Flight deals Cheapest month Find the best route Route info FAQs Tips and advice

Flight deals from Velana International to Istanbul

Looking for a cheap last-minute deal or the best return flight from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport? If you want to travel next month, return fares start from $655. Find the lowest prices on one-way and return tickets right here.

Istanbul.$655 per passenger.Departing Wed, 2 Sep, returning Fri, 11 Sep.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Wed, 2 Sep, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Fri, 11 Sep, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $655, select.

Istanbul.$723 per passenger.Departing Wed, 10 Mar, returning Sat, 20 Mar.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Wed, 10 Mar, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Sat, 20 Mar, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $723, select.

Istanbul.$727 per passenger.Departing Wed, 2 Dec, returning Sat, 5 Dec.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Wed, 2 Dec, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Sat, 5 Dec, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $727, select.

Istanbul.$728 per passenger.Departing Tue, 29 Dec, returning Tue, 5 Jan.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Tue, 29 Dec, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 5 Jan, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $728, select.

Istanbul.$739 per passenger.Departing Wed, 4 Nov, returning Mon, 16 Nov.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Wed, 4 Nov, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 16 Nov, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $739, select.

Istanbul.$742 per passenger.Departing Sat, 16 Jan, returning Sat, 23 Jan.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Sat, 16 Jan, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Sat, 23 Jan, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $742, select.

Istanbul.$759 per passenger.Departing Tue, 24 Nov, returning Tue, 8 Dec.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Tue, 24 Nov, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 8 Dec, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $759, select.

Istanbul.$803 per passenger.Departing Tue, 20 Oct, returning Tue, 3 Nov.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Tue, 20 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 3 Nov, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $803, select.

Istanbul.$844 per passenger.Departing Sat, 3 Oct, returning Thu, 8 Oct.Return flight with IndiGo.Outbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Velana International on Sat, 3 Oct, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 8 Oct, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $844, select.

Istanbul.$848 per passenger.Departing Sat, 29 Aug, returning Tue, 8 Sep.Return flight with Saudia.Outbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Velana International on Sat, 29 Aug, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Saudia, departs from Istanbul on Tue, 8 Sep, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $848, select.

Istanbul.$921 per passenger.Departing Sun, 27 Sep, returning Sun, 4 Oct.Return flight with IndiGo.Outbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Velana International on Sun, 27 Sep, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Istanbul on Sun, 4 Oct, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $921, select.

Istanbul.$923 per passenger.Departing Thu, 27 Aug, returning Mon, 31 Aug.Return flight with IndiGo.Outbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Velana International on Thu, 27 Aug, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with IndiGo, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 31 Aug, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $923, select.

Istanbul.$998 per passenger.Departing Wed, 10 Feb, returning Wed, 24 Feb.Return flight with Air Arabia.Outbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Velana International on Wed, 10 Feb, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Istanbul on Wed, 24 Feb, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $998, select.

Istanbul.$1,002 per passenger.Departing Sat, 20 Feb, returning Mon, 1 Mar.Return flight with Air Arabia.Outbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Velana International on Sat, 20 Feb, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Air Arabia, departs from Istanbul on Mon, 1 Mar, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,002, select.

Istanbul.$1,131 per passenger.Departing Thu, 10 Jun, returning Wed, 30 Jun.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Velana International on Thu, 10 Jun, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Wed, 30 Jun, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,131, select.

Istanbul.$1,136 per passenger.Departing Sat, 16 Jan, returning Thu, 24 Jun.Return flight with Etihad Airways.Outbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Velana International on Sat, 16 Jan, arriving in Istanbul.Inbound indirect flight with Etihad Airways, departs from Istanbul on Thu, 24 Jun, arriving in Velana International.Price includes taxes and charges.From $1,136, select.

Find the cheapest month to fly from Velana International to Istanbul

We’re always keeping an eye on fares, so you can find the best one in seconds. It looks like Velana International to Istanbul flights are currently cheapest in September.

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Direct flights from Velana International to Istanbul

Velana International to Istanbul: Alternative routes

Compare routes from Velana International to Istanbul below. You may find an airport to fly into that's cheaper, faster, or easier than Istanbul.

Istanbul Sabiha

30km from central Istanbul

Closest

from $970

Search flights

Istanbul

34km from central Istanbul

Cheapest

from $655

Search flights

Malé to Istanbul: Flight information

The things to know before you go.

Cheapest flight found	$655
Cheapest month to fly	September
Average flight time	8 hrs, 26 mins
Most popular airline	Turkish Airlines
Average flights per week	10

Finding cheap flights from Velana International to Istanbul: Frequently asked questions

How much are return flights from Velana International to Istanbul?

The best price we found for a return flight from Velana International to Istanbul is $653. This is an estimate based on information collected from different airlines and travel providers over the last 4 days and is subject to change and availability.

How long does it take to fly from Velana International to Istanbul?

8 hours and 26 minutes is the average flight time from Velana International to Istanbul.

Which airlines fly direct from Velana International to Istanbul?

Turkish Airlines flies direct from Velana International to Istanbul.

How many flights are there a week from Velana International to Istanbul?

As of August 2026, there are 10 flights per week flying from Velana International to Istanbul.

When is the cheapest time to fly from Velana International to Istanbul?

The cheapest month to fly from Velana International to Istanbul is usually September.

Which upcoming date is cheapest to fly from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport on?

After crunching the numbers on our flight calendar, we found that it's currently cheapest to fly from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport on Wednesday, 2 September 2026.

Can I get a direct flight from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport?

Yes – the average flight time is 8 hours and 26 minutes.

How can I find the best flight deal to Istanbul?

We show every price from over 1,200 airlines and travel agents, comparing them all so you don’t have to. If you know you want to fly to Istanbul but you’re not ready to book, set up a Price Alert. We’ll track prices for you, and let you know when they rise or fall.

When is the best time to book flights to Istanbul?

We crunched all the numbers in our flight calendar and it looks like the cheapest time to book a flight to Istanbul is around 40 days in advance, so don’t leave your flight to the last minute.

Which is the cheapest airline to fly from Velana International Airport to Istanbul with?

Currently, Saudia and Turkish Airlines offer the cheapest flight tickets to Istanbul.

Flying from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Istanbul 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 Airport.
Istanbul's timezone is UTC+3, which makes Istanbul two hours behind Malé.
Every week, there are seven Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport flights. If you prefer to be on board as soon as possible, opt for the 09:20 Turkish Airlines flight. If you'd rather make the most of your time before flying, the last departure is at 22:15 with Turkish Airlines.
To ensure you catch your MLE to IST flight, leave plenty of time to check in and drop off your luggage. Turning up two hours ahead of international departures and one hour before domestic flights is the general travel rule.
Travelling during a peak month such as December? School holidays and other popular periods can lead to longer queues at check-in and security. Play things extra safe and arrive up to four hours before international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Turkish Airlines has direct flights from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to see the sights in Istanbul — and maybe even more of Türkiye (Turkey) if your schedule allows.
Turkish Airlines is the most frequently booked airline on this route.
Think about adding a stopover when booking your ticket from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport. Simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' to break up your trip, or perhaps explore a new destination along the way. Here's where you can stop between MLE and IST:
- Dubai Airport
- Hamad International Airport
- Muscat Airport

How to find the cheapest flights from Velana International Airport (MLE) to Istanbul Airport (IST)

Right now, $449 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is $655. Keep in mind that fares may change due to availability at the time of booking.
It's usually smart to book as early as possible if you want to get cheap tickets from MLE to IST. That's because airlines change prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
May is the cheapest month for flights from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport. If you want to fly at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will show you the lowest prices for each month.
Cut down on the time spent looking for cheap flights from MLE to IST by creating a Price Alert. You'll get an email or notification through the app when a new low fare is offered.
Tailor your flights using filters. Select your arrival and departure times, airlines and total journey duration. You can also sort your results by 'Best,' 'Cheapest' or 'Fastest' flights from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport.

Handy information about Velana International Airport (MLE)

When it comes to Velana International Airport's on-time performance, data shows 77% of flights complete their journey on time.
To reach Velana International Airport from central Malé, it'll take around 15 minutes if you're going by car. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 2 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Planning to catch public transport? You can expect a journey time of around 20 minutes.
Get your journey off to a leisurely start by staying near MLE. Whether you're boarding an early flight from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport or just don't want to be rushed, these hotels are perfect:

Arriving at Istanbul Airport (IST)

The last thing you want is a long journey to your hotel if you're landing late on a Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport flight. Check in to one of these accommodation options near IST instead:
Fast-track your adventure by picking up a Istanbul Airport rental car. Grab your wheels from Hit, Avec car rentals or Eren Rent a Car and experience the lesser-explored corners of Istanbul and beyond.
Booking your ride from Istanbul Airport about two weeks in advance increases your chances of getting a good deal.

Getting from Istanbul Airport (IST) to central Istanbul

Istanbul Airport to central Istanbul has a drive time of around 45 minutes. It's approximately 40 kilometres away.
If you're travelling by public transport, expect a journey time of around 1 hour 10 minutes.

When to fly to Istanbul Airport (IST)

The quietest month for a flight from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport is March, while August is the busiest. Choose the best time to visit Istanbul based on whether you prefer a more relaxed vibe or a faster pace.
The warmest month in Istanbul is July, with the temperature ranging between 21ºC (70ºF) and 30ºC (86ºF). Lock in your flights from Velana International Airport to Istanbul Airport in this month if this is the type of weather you enjoy.
If you want cooler conditions, look for a cheap ticket from MLE to IST in January. Average temperatures are between 2ºC (36ºF) and 11ºC (52ºF) then.

Explore more of Türkiye (Turkey)

Istanbul is easy to fall in love with, but there are so many other corners of Türkiye (Turkey) just waiting to be explored. Around 354 kilometres east of Istanbul, a visit to Ankara will keep your itinerary busy. Start with attractions like The Roman Theatre, Kocatepe Mosque (Kocatepe Camii) and Museum of Anatolian Civilizations.
Izmir is another well-known destination in Türkiye (Turkey) and is around 322 kilometres south-west of Istanbul. No journey is complete without experiencing Aegean Coast, Smyrna Basilika and Ataturk Konak Square.