Flying from King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Velana International Airport (MLE): what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport and you'll be travelling for an average of 5 hours 25 minutes.
Malé is two hours ahead of Riyadh and is in the UTC+5 timezone.
Each week, there are six King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport flights. If you prefer to take off as soon as possible, go for the 06:15 Saudia flight. If you'd rather make the most of your time before you fly, the last flight is at 22:45 with BeOnd.
Arrive at the airport on time so you don't miss your RUH to MLE flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid any last-minute rush.
Travelling during a peak month like July? Major public holidays and other high seasons can result in longer lines at check-in and security. Play it safe and get there up to four hours ahead of international flights and two hours before a domestic departure.
Flying into Malé (and then exploring more of Maldives!) is a snap with BeOnd. This popular carrier offers direct flights from King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport.
BeOnd is the airline most travellers choose to fly with on this route.
Saudia is the most punctual carrier offering RUH to MLE flights.
We make it a breeze to book a flight with a stopover. To see all your options for tickets from King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport, uncheck 'Direct flights only.' Then, choose a flight offering a stop long enough to visit the city of your choice. Top stopovers between RUH and MLE include:
Dubai Airport
Bahrain International Airport
Bandaranaike International Airport
How to find the cheapest flights from King Khaled International Airport (RUH) to Velana International Airport (MLE)
Currently, $235 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is $607. Bear in mind that fares may change due to demand at the time of booking.
Get cheap tickets from RUH to MLE by booking six months ahead. Based on our research, that's the sweet spot for finding a bargain.
May is the cheapest month for flights from King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport. If you're looking to travel at a different time of year, the 'Whole month' tool will give you the lowest airfares for every month.
You don't need to check back in every day to see if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll send you an update the moment there's a new deal on cheap flights from RUH to MLE.
Secure the right flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter by departure and arrival times, airline, and number of stops.
Handy information about King Khaled International Airport (RUH)
86.76% of flights leaving King Khaled International Airport land at their destination according to schedule. Given its impressive on-time stats, you're unlikely to be delayed when jetting out of RUH.
King Khaled International Airport is around 40 kilometres from central Riyadh. If you're driving, catching a cab or ride-sharing from the centre, it'll take you 35 minutes or so to get there, depending on the traffic.
Catching an early flight from King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport? Avoid the hassle of rushing to the airport (and enjoy a little extra shut-eye) by picking one of these stays near RUH:
Arriving at Velana International Airport (MLE)
Consider booking a hotel close to MLE if you're catching a late King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport flight. Choose one of these accommodation options and avoid the hassle of a long transfer:
Getting from Velana International Airport (MLE) to central Malé
Velana International Airport is approximately 5 kilometres from central Malé. The drive time takes around 15 minutes.
When to fly to Velana International Airport (MLE)
January is the busiest month for flights from King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport. For smaller crowds, head to Malé in April.
Book your flight from King Khaled International Airport to Velana International Airport for May if you want to explore Malé during its warmest month. Expect temperatures of between 26ºC (79ºF) and 29ºC (84ºF).
January sees average temperatures of between 25ºC (77ºF) and 28ºC (82ºF). Look for cheap tickets from RUH to MLE sometime then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
Explore more of Maldives
Extend your Maldives adventure with a visit to Dhidhdhoo, located about 306 kilometres north of Malé. Dhidhdhoo is just one of the top attractions to put on your itinerary.
Another favourite destination in Maldives, Funadhoo is roughly 225 kilometres north of Malé. Be sure to visit highlights including Hathareskan Vaa.