Imagine having a beach, on an island, all to yourself. White sand, lounging chairs, trees (and their shadow) are all yours to relax. Maldives makes this dream come true.
Maldives is an island country in the Indian Ocean with clusters of coral islands. Surrounded by turquoise lagoons and blue water, most of these islands have only one holiday resort. So, you can enjoy a private honeymoon or a family trip amongst shimmering white beaches and playful sharks in the ocean.
From sea-view rooms to beach-side cottages and over-water bungalows, resorts in Maldives leave no luxury out. You can spend a week away from the clamour of the city or try all the adventure water sports from your bucket list.
Maldives Map from Kochi, India
Distance between Kochi and Maldives
Maldives lies in the Indian Ocean, to the south-west of India. And Malé, its capital, is about 700 km away from Kochi. The standard time zone of Maldives is half an hour behind the Indian Standard Time.
How to reach Maldives from Kochi?
Kochi to Maldives by Flight
Duration
It takes an hour and 30 minutes to cover the 700 km Kochi to Maldives distance by flight, when you book a non-stop flight. Many one-stop flights from Cochin to Maldives are also available, which take 6-7 hours (or more) to Maldives.
Flight Companies
Indigo operates a non-stop flight from Kochi in the afternoon, which takes one and a half hour to reach Maldives. Indigo also has one-stop flights via Bengaluru and Chennai throughout the day, with a travel time of around 6-7 hours.
Emirates and Qatar Airways are other flight operators with regular flights between Cochin and Maldives. But those flights take over 10 hours to reach Maldives.
Average ticket price
The average ticket price of Kochi to Maldives Indigo flight is ₹8,000 per person. The tickets for other flights cost ₹12,000 and more.
Maldives Airport
Velana International Airport in Hulhule island connects Maldives to other countries in the world. It has flights from London, Dubai and many cities in India, including Kochi.
From the airport, you can board speed boats and seaplanes to reach your resort island. Speedboats are ideal for islands close to the airport (which take 30-40 minutes or less to reach). For faraway islands, seaplanes (and domestic flights) are the best choice.
Many resorts also have their own seaplanes and speed boats for their guests. And depending on your Maldives tour package, you can enjoy one or both modes of transfer.
Kochi to Maldives by Sea
Fare & Time
Kochi to Maldives cruise packages are available for those looking for a relaxed and luxurious trip. The Costa Victoria cruise is popular, with a 4-day/3- night Kochi Maldives cruise. The cabin prices start at around ₹25,000 per person on a double-sharing basis. Kids (below 18 years) get free stay.
On the trip from Cochin to Maldives in the Costa Victoria cruise ship, you can enjoy a variety of multi-cuisine dishes and cocktails on the sea. Costa Victoria also offers bars, pools and many onboard entertainment facilities.
The other options for Kochi to Maldives by cruise include Noble Caledonia and Jalesh Cruise from Mumbai. These cruises have a stop at Kochi.
A Kochi to Maldives ferry service is also available. It’s a passenger-cum-cargo ferry which operates to-and-fro between Kochi and Malé via Kulhudhuffushi. The travel time one-way is around 24 hours.
Distance
The total distance of Kochi to Maldives sea route is 700 km.
Kochi to Maldives by Road (possibility)
Maldives is surrounded by sea and there’s no road connectivity between Cochin and Maldives. But if you want to enjoy a road trip, drive to Bangalore or Mumbai. From there, you can take a flight to the Maldives. So, check the flight schedules and plan your trip accordingly.
India & Maldives Currency
Accepted currencies
Most hotels and resorts in Maldives accept US Dollars (USD) and Euros (EUR). Card payments through American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa are also accepted. But some local shops might accept only the national currency – Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR).
Average conversion rate
1 Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR) is about 5 Indian Rupee (INR). Then, 1 US Dollar (USD) is around 15.50 MVR, 1 Euro (EUR) is around 18 MVR, and 1 Pound Sterling (GBP) comes to around 21 MVR as per the current rates.
Is USD accepted in Maldives?
Payments in USD are accepted all over Maldives. You can pay using USD at the airport and all popular hotels and resorts. Restaurants and shops around tourist places also accept US Dollar payments.
Maldives Visa details for Indians
Is a passport required for Indians?
A visit to Maldives requires Indians to have a valid passport. And the validity of the passport must be at least six months.
Visa Fee
Indian travellers can get 30-day Maldives tourist visas for free. If you wish to extend your stay, you can get a tourist visa for up to 90 days, with a payment of 750 MVR (approx. 3,500 INR).
Visa on Arrival
For Indian travellers, Maldives has a Visa on Arrival facility. You’ll need your passport and other travel documents like booking confirmation of your resort and the confirmed onward/return ticket, among others. Show those at the arrival counter, and you’ll get your 30-day visa.
Availability of Indian cuisine in Maldives
There is no problem finding Indian cuisine in Maldives. Majority of the resorts and restaurants have Indian delicacies in their menu. Some resorts even have dedicated Indian restaurants, serving a variety of dishes from across India.
Whether you’re having breakfast or snacks, you can have plenty to choose from. From Indian starter dishes to main course and dessert choices, Maldives has them all.
Dress code
The Maldives doesn’t enforce any dress code. You can dress any way you wish in your resort. But in public places and religious places, dress modestly.
Among the few things to keep in mind are to wear clothes which cover the shoulders. And the bottom dress should reach below the knees. Also, men must not be shirtless. Some places also require you to cover your head with a scarf.
Maldives Tour Packages from Kochi
Kochi Maldives tour packages are as varied as the experiences in Maldives. Some are all-inclusive packages with accommodation, food and transport taken care of, while others only have accommodation and local transport. Then, some packages have Half Board meal plans (breakfast and dinner), while others include only breakfast.
A 3-4 nights Kochi to Maldives package with airfare starts at around ₹60,000 per person.
Maldives Honeymoon Packages from Kochi
Honeymoon packages include free upgrades and other special offers for couples. Romantic dinner arrangements, charming celebrations and exclusive arrangements are made to make the honeymoon vacation delightful.
Kochi to Maldives honeymoon packages are usually for 3-4 nights, and they start at around ₹80,000 per person.