Authorities announce special bus routes, ask hajj pilgrims to arrive 15 mins before departure

The Maldivian authorities have announced special bus routes for pilgrims who are set to depart to Saudi Arabia for the annual hajj pilgrimage on Monday, with the Islamic Ministry advising pilgrims to arrive at bus stops at least 15 minutes before departure to airport.

There are three bus routes for pilgrims departing from Male’ City, and two for Hulhumale’.

The bus routes for Monday are:

Male’ City:

Bus route 1 (Ameenee Magu):

1. 10:30 am: Noosandha
2. 10:35 am: MIRA
3. 10:40 am: STELCO

Bus route 2 (Majeedhee Magu):

1. 10:30 am: Social Center
2. 10:35 am: Color Bank
3. 10:40 am: Villa Mart
4. 10:45 am: Zikura Mosque
5. 10:50 am: Male’ Grand
6. 10:55 am: City Council Parking
7. 11:00 am: Heenaamaage Parking
8. 11:05 am: Dhamana Veshi

Bus route 3 (Orchid Magu):

1. 10:30 am: Gadi Buru
2. 10:35 am: VAMCO showroom

2025މެއި 26 ވަނަ ދުވަހުގެ ހެނދުނު 10:30 އިން ފެށިގެން ހައްޖުވެރިންގެ ބަސް ދަތުރުތައް ތިރީގައިވާ ޗާޓުގައި ފާހަގަކުރެވިފައިވާ މަގުތަކުގައި ކުރިއަށް ގެންދެވޭނެ ވާހަކަ ދަންނަވަމެވެ. pic.twitter.com/t9XSK2kQWW

— Maldives Police (@PoliceMv) May 25, 2025

Hulhumale’:

Bus route 1 (Hulhumale’ Phase I):

1. 10:30 am: N2 bus stop 5
2. 10:40 am: N2 bus stop 6
3. 10:55 am: SIFCO Hiyaa bus stop (Reethigas Magu)

ބަސް ރޫޓް - 1 ( ހުޅުމާލެ ފޭސް 1)
ޙައްޖުވެރިން އެއާރޕޯޓަށް ދިއުމަށް ބަސްދަތުރު ހަމަޖެހިފައިވާގޮތް.
ތާރީހް: 26 މެއި 2025 | ހޯމަ#mvhajj1446 #Hajj1446 pic.twitter.com/TAHrtYbLWY

— Maldives hajj mission بعثة ا لحج ا المالديفية (@hajjmission_mv) May 24, 2025

Bus route 2 (Hulhumale’ Phase II):

1. 10:30 am: Phase II bus stop 1, H12
2. 10:40 am: Phase II bus stop 2, H16
3. 10:45 am: Phase II bus stop 1, H9
4. 10:50 am: Vinares 4 (Sonee Sports)
5. 10:55 am: MPL bus stop
6. 11:00 am: STO bus stop
7. 11:10 am: Rain Crest (MHA Mart, Reethigas Magu)

ބަސް ރޫޓް - 2 ( ހުޅުމާލެ ފޭސް 2)
ޙައްޖުވެރިން އެއާރޕޯޓަށް ދިއުމަށް ބަސްދަތުރު ހަމަޖެހިފައިވާގޮތް.
ތާރީހް: 26 މެއި 2025 | ހޯމަ#mvhajj1446 #Hajj1446 pic.twitter.com/5cLEXZg70m

— Maldives hajj mission بعثة ا لحج ا المالديفية (@hajjmission_mv) May 24, 2025

Pilgrims have been asked to arrive at bus stops at least 15 minutes prior to departure.

Hundreds of Maldivian hajj pilgrims will begin departing for Saudi Arabia on Monday, and will continue to depart for the annual pilgrimage in batches until the end of Friday.

The Velana International Airport and the roads leading to Hulhule’ is expected to face heavy traffic as pilgrims make their way to the airport. The police have issued an advisory asking vehicle drivers to follow instructions by police to ensure a smooth traffic flow.

This year, hajj pilgrims will be receiving an extra USD 1,750 allowance on debit cards by the national bank, on top of the existing dollar limit of USD 250.

But with the additional allowance, hajj pilgrims will be able to make USD 2,000 in transactions.

They will also have access to the USD 500 available for sale from BML at the bank rate for outbound Maldivian travelers.

The Maldives has also been added to the Makkah Route Initiative this year, which means pilgrims can complete immigration procedures of both countries at the Velana International Airport before leaving for Saudi Arabia.

This eliminates waiting time at Jeddah airport and allows pilgrims to directly go to their hotels with their luggage.