Gan International Airport
Addu Atoll benefits from Gan International Airport, one of the few airports in the Maldives outside of Malé that handles international flights. Built on the former British Royal Air Force base, Gan airport has a runway long enough to accommodate wide-body aircraft and receives direct flights from several international destinations, including services from Sri Lanka and seasonal charter flights from other origins. This direct international access means travelers can reach Addu without transiting through Malé — a significant advantage that saves time and money, particularly for visitors from South Asia and those who want to skip the capital entirely.
Domestic Flights from Malé
For travelers arriving in the Maldives through Velana International Airport in Malé, domestic flights to Gan operate multiple times daily. Maldivian Airlines is the primary carrier, with flights taking approximately 70 to 80 minutes — the longest domestic route in the country, reflecting Addu's extreme southern position. Fares are reasonable by Maldivian standards, typically ranging from 100 to 200 US dollars each way depending on booking timing and season. The flight itself offers remarkable aerial views of the entire Maldivian archipelago as the plane traverses from north to south, passing over atoll after atoll before reaching the equatorial waters around Addu.
Getting Around Addu
Once at Gan airport, getting around the southern connected islands is remarkably easy by Maldivian standards. The Link Road connects Gan to Feydhoo, Maradhoo, and Hithadhoo via causeway, meaning you can travel between these islands by taxi, motorcycle, bicycle, or even on foot. This is unique in the Maldives, where inter-island travel almost everywhere else requires boats. Taxis and motorbike taxis are available at the airport and throughout the connected islands. Bicycle rental is popular and provides the most enjoyable way to explore at a relaxed pace. For reaching the separate northern islands of Addu that are not connected by causeway, boat transfers are available.
Accommodation and Logistics
Addu offers accommodation ranging from a resort property on Gan to guesthouses scattered across the inhabited islands. Because the islands are connected by road, the choice of where to stay is less constrained by proximity to activities than in other atolls — you can base yourself anywhere along the Link Road and easily access the entire chain. Guesthouse hosts typically offer airport pickup services, and the short distances involved mean that transfers from the airport to accommodation rarely take more than 20 minutes. Shops, restaurants, and essential services are available in each of the main communities, making Addu one of the most self-sufficient tourist destinations in the Maldives outside of Malé.