How do you get to the Maldives?
The easiest way to reach the Maldives is by plane. The international airport is near the capital, Malé. From there, you continue to your chosen island by boat, seaplane or domestic flight.
From Bulgaria, you usually fly with one connection, most often via Istanbul, Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Several airlines offer the journey on one ticket. That does not mean a direct flight — simply that both flights are included in one booking, which is much more convenient if there are delays or connections to manage.
Unfortunately, Qatar Airways stopped flying between Sofia and Doha in February 2026. A shame, because it was one of the convenient options for the Maldives. Let's hope they return soon!
There is good news too: Bulgarian airline GullivAir has announced direct flights between Sofia and Malé for the 2026/2027 winter season. Check the current schedule and availability.
Sometimes you can find cheaper tickets departing from Istanbul, Bucharest or Belgrade. But you need to allow for getting to that airport, the extra time and a possible overnight stay. And if you buy separate tickets, leave plenty of time between flights: if the first is delayed, the second is not protected.
The flying itself usually takes around 9–11 hours, but with connections, the whole journey can be considerably longer.
Check flights directly with the airlines:
- Turkish Airlines — via Istanbul
- flydubai — via Dubai
- GullivAir — announced direct flights for the 2026/2027 winter season; check the current schedule
