maldives island trip cost

How Much Does A Maldives Trip Cost in 2024: Detailed Budget Breakdown

Written By: ThePlanetD Team

Updated On: January 5, 2024

A Maldives vacation is one of the most luxurious things you can think of. The classic image of the Maldives is a group of beautiful private islands in the Indian Ocean with overwater bungalows, deluxe speed boat transfers, and scuba diving excursions. The Maldives is one of the most famous honeymoon destinations , and considering all of this, it is no wonder why people wonder, ‘Is the Maldives expensive for a holiday’. Estimated costs can rocket into tens of thousands of dollars.

Yet, these are some of the most popular islands visited in the world – so how exactly do people budget for this trip of a lifetime? In this guide, we’ll break down the average Maldives trip cost and how you can tweak your vacation to best fit your budget.

Table of Contents

Maldives Trip Cost in 2024

Are you ready for a full Maldives trip cost breakdown? Let’s really unpack how much it costs to take a trip to the Maldives. It is easy to write off budget destinations as just incredibly expensive. However, with a proper understanding of the budget breakdown, the Maldives is suitable for all travel styles.

Cost of Maldives Airfare

There’s no way around it; plane tickets to the Maldives are usually expensive. Of course, the question of ‘how much does it cost to fly to the Maldives’ does vary depending on a few factors. For instance, where you are flying from, when you are flying, and if you can snatch any discounts from frequent flyer programs. As a whole, though, these are the most competitive flight prices you should expect to fly to Malé International Airport from different destinations around the world:

• $1,000 round trip economy flight tickets from the US
• $800 round trip economy flight tickets from the UK
• $800 round trip economy flight tickets from Australia
• $500 round trip economy flight tickets from Dubai

The price of flight tickets to the Maldives can vary substantially depending on where you fly from. You can use these guidelines to budget for your main international flights. If you want a cheaper experience, you may want to consider adding a detour to the Maldives onto an existing holiday to take advantage of cheaper flight routes.

Remember that you’ll likely need domestic flights or airport transfers on top of your main international airfare. There are four to five major international airports in the Maldives (with Malé International Airport being the most popular) and approximately eight domestic airports. However, since there are around 1,200 islands in the Maldives, you may find yourself on resort chartered seaplanes, too – especially if you book a luxury vacation. Seaplane transfers are the norm if you choose a luxury Maldives resort. Otherwise, there are still multiple airlines for domestic flights, and travel insurance should cover you for any flight hiccups.

You should budget an extra $300 for domestic flights in the Maldives and check transfer policies for your resort beforehand.

Maldives Accommodation Prices

The Maldives offers plenty of luxury resorts, and that’s no secret. It is known as  the  destination for those craving an all-inclusive package. Maldives resorts have a reputation for being expensive, which isn’t unjustified, especially if you want a romantic getaway to an overwater bungalow with private plunge pools. There’s a reason why it is one of the  best honeymoon destinations.  Think all-inclusive meal plans, an infinity pool, full board, room service, and cycling to your bungalow aesthetically on a beautiful wooden boardwalk – this version of the Maldives is a place of dreams. Many resorts offer this experience, including the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort and The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru. However, this doesn’t mean you won’t find a cheap travel package.

How much accommodation in the Maldives will cost depends on your travel style and when you visit. After all, you can find the best deals in low-season periods. As a whole, though, these are the rates you should budget for per accommodation type:

• Guesthouse: $80+ per night
• Double Room: $120+ per night
• Luxury Double Room: $200 per night
• Luxury Beach Villa: $1,000+ per night
• Overwater Bungalow: $2,000+ per night

As you can see, the type of accommodation you choose for your trip to the Maldives can massively impact your overall Maldives trip cost. This could be your most significant expense, so if you want a budget-friendly trip, opt for a guesthouse or double room stay in a lowkey hotel. These accommodation types usually offer a cheap travel package, a half-board meal plan, and a private pool. Similarly, consider lesser-known resorts if you want a luxury beach villa or overwater bungalow. These average prices can rise to $2000 a night at the most popular resorts. 

Maldives Transportation Costs

As mentioned earlier, it is wise to ask ‘how much does it cost’ when considering airport transfers. The Maldives has more than 1,200 islands, and whether you want airport transfers or day trips, you’ll have to factor in transportation at some point when calculating your Maldives trip cost. The good news is that local transportation doesn’t have to be the most expensive part of your trip to the Maldives. Let’s break things down.

Not factoring in your round trip airfare and initial airport transfers – be that domestic flights or shuttle services on speed boats – you should allow around $100 for transport. This is so low because if you book a day tour, transportation will likely be included. Furthermore, most resorts offer a complimentary shuttle service to nearby towns and busier islands, especially if they are set in a remote location.

If you carefully choose your resort and book mainly guided excursions and day tours, the only time you will need to factor in local transportation is if you decide to head out independently. Or if you choose to visit multiple islands in the Maldives, you can stay a few nights on each.

For these instances, you can catch the public ferry to cut costs, as local ferries are much more budget-friendly than private transport options. Or you can splurge on a more efficient short boat ride by speed boat. The speed boats run more reliably in low season, while local ferries are a great idea in peak season when the weather is good. The average price for these transport options is $5 for the local ferry and $35+ for the speed boat transfer. So, you can clearly see why you won’t need a vast public transportation budget. On individual islands, you can get around for free or extremely cheaply on foot or by bike.

Maldives Food Cost

Nothing screams ‘relaxing vacation’ like having an all-inclusive food and drink plan. Most resorts include a full board for those who choose to splurge on a luxury hotel or resort, meaning you’ll pay nothing for food or drink once you arrive. This is one way of wiping out one of the significant travel costs. Many people find it more cost-effective to book all-inclusive, especially if they aren’t planning long day trips requiring them to eat out and about.

However, for those who haven’t booked full or half board, how much does it cost to eat and drink in the Maldives? Food bills can quickly add up, particularly if you are taking a family trip with many mouths to feed.

Let’s break things down by travel style. A budget travel style involves groceries, street food vendors, and lowkey cafes and eateries. A mid-range travel style involves all the above, plus one or two fancy meals at luxury restaurants. And finally, a luxury travel style involves predominantly fancy meals at luxury restaurants. This is what you should budget per day, depending on your style:

• Budget: $25
• Mid-range: $50
• Luxury: $100

As a rough guide, a local restaurant meal should cost around $10, a luxury meal out can cost from $20 to $100, and street food costs around $5 per meal.

Cost of Tours and Activities in the Maldives

There are so many  things to do in the Maldives , and why visit a country if you miss out on experiencing its best qualities and attractions? You should budget around $500 on tours and activities in the Maldives as an absolute minimum. The average snorkeling excursion costs around $40, while island hopping and sunset cruises cost more than $100. You want to experience amazing things like  scuba diving  and island hopping around local islands on your Maldives vacation. Definitely, factor in as big a budget as you can for activities and tours into your overall Maldives cost; things like diving excursions and immersions in local culture provide you with a totally different experience of this tropical paradise.

To cut costs, you can always bring your own snorkeling gear. It is also worth noting that things like  sunset fishing experiences  can cost more upfront but work out cheaper when traveling to the Maldives in a group. Many tours operate on availability and group size basis, meaning it isn’t necessarily the most budget-friendly destination for the solo traveler, who will likely face additional single supplement rates. Remember this when planning your trip and budget extra for your overall Maldives cost.

Overall Maldives Trip Cost

Phew. We have covered a lot of ground. Overall, the main costs to consider for your trip to the Maldives are airfare, accommodation, and tours and activities. You can also check out our Maldives  travel tips  for more inspiration.

Let’s take a quick look at the average Maldives trip cost to give you a final summary and total.

Airfare: $1,300 round trip economy flights from the US, including domestic flight transfers

Airfare is one of your significant expenses when visiting the Maldives. The cost of round trip flights is around $1,000 from the US, plus approximately $300 in necessary domestic flights or relevant airport transfers to your resort or hotel’s island.

Accommodation: $80 per night on a budget, $200 per night mid-range, and $1500 per night for luxury

These are the average rates per night. Expect $80 per night for a guesthouse or basic hotel room option, $200 per night for an upscale double room – potentially with ocean views – and over $1,500 for a luxury ocean villa or overwater bungalow. Luxury resort prices can rise as high as or sometimes more than $20,000 per night.

Transport: $100, not including airport transfers and any domestic flights

If you are staying at a hotel that offers shuttle services or are booking guided day tours, chances are you won’t need to spend on public transportation. Keep $100 aside just in case, though, which should cover a roundtrip speed boat transfer and around four public ferry services.

Food: $25 per day if you are on a budget, half-board, or full-board

If you are on a budget and self-catered, sticking to $25 per day is easy. The average street food meal in the Maldives is just $5, and local restaurants have tons of options under $10.

On half board, you can easily budget a lunch at $25, even if you choose an upscale restaurant. And if you are on full board, you will barely need to eat out, so $25 per day won’t be an issue.

Tours and Activities: $500 minimum

You should budget $500 as a minimum for tours and activities in the Maldives. This budget should allow for 3-4 days of activities, with an extra budget required for more luxurious experiences like helicopter rides and fishing excursions.

Money Saving Tips

With all that in mind, you could save money and knock off some of that estimated Maldives trip cost. If that’s the case, this section is where you’ll find all the top tricks and secrets to reduce the cost of your trip to the Maldives. Why should you pay more than you have to? Adventure is for everybody. So, if you want to make your Maldives trip cost just a bit more financially accessible, these are the 10 things to save when visiting the Maldives.

1. Visit in the Low Season

Visiting in the low season is an incredible hack for the hardy, non-fair-weather travelers. The low season has cheap hotel rates and even free upgrades and transfer deals as hotels try to entice travelers to fill their empty rooms. The one catch? The low season is the wettest period to visit the Maldives. While it is still warm, you can expect an hour or two of rain most days. It is still worth visiting the Maldives in the low season, especially if you can stay longer or work remotely. In fact, the wet weather can make it an even more romantic destination.

The low season runs from May to November in the Maldives, with the official monsoon season from May to August. May until August is the rainiest time to visit the Maldives, with August to November still getting regular showers. August to November is your safest bet, and you still get cheaper rates than high season.

2. Choose Between Half Board and Full Board Carefully

The age-old question of how expensive the Maldives is massively stems from people browsing through the luxury resorts with all-inclusive packages. And when it comes to looking at packages, you should pay attention to half board vs. full board. Half board typically includes breakfast and dinner, while full board includes three meals daily.

Consider your eating style and the activities you will be participating in. Will you be going out on lots of day trips? Do you want to sample lots of local cuisine? If you answered yes to those questions, choosing a half-board option is likely more economical – especially as you’ll be missing lunch at the resort anyway.

3. Skip the Popular Islands – at Least for an Accommodation Base

You should really skip the famous islands if you are budget-conscious. The local islands are much lighter on your pocket and have more varied accommodations, not just luxury hotel and resort options. Plus, you’ll spend more sustainably and contribute more to economies off the beaten tourist track. On the famous islands, most of your spending gets taken straight back into the profit of corporate offshore companies and international chains.

4. Don’t Forget Transfers

At the same time, remember transfer costs. Finding  slightly  cheaper accommodation on a remote island is all well and good. However, you should remember that you need to fund getting there. The most popular transfers in the Maldives are via seaplane, speedboats, public ferries, and private planes. Consider your options, and always reference and compare the ‘how to get here’ sections when researching hotels.

5. Avoid Exchange Costs

If you travel regularly, you should already have a brilliant travel credit or debit card. One of the best things you can find on a credit or debit card is a no exchange rate charge. Many cards offer low charges when you use your card in a foreign country, but having no charge or exchange fee is the best way forward. Check out card companies such as Monzo, and if you still need to find your ideal card match, don’t delay your search. Hit the ground running in the Maldives and set yourself up for saving success by not taking on any unnecessary fees.

6. Check Out Free Activities

Next, you should always (always, always) research free activities when you want to cut costs on a trip. And if you want to cut your Maldives trip cost, this is one of the best solutions that requires minimal sacrifices in the way of entertainment. You could window shop at markets, bring your own snorkeling gear to enjoy cost-free snorkeling, or plan a sunset picnic experience on the beach. If you are staying at a resort, see what activities they offer for free. Who says you can’t have a fun itinerary on a budget?

7. Sign up for Rewards

Whether you bag rewards for a resort chain or frequent flyer points, you should always use reward systems. Reward programs are a little like penny falls games in an arcade; they build up suddenly, and you suddenly get a payout. But if you travel regularly, it is well worth keeping in mind. For instance,  Booking.com  has a tiered loyalty program system that can bag discounts and upgrades at participating properties.

8. Take the Public Ferry

One brilliant way to save money in the Maldives is to take a public ferry rather than a private or speedboat transfer. Yes, it will likely take longer, and you won’t be guaranteed as comfortable a crossing. But it can successfully help you cut costs. If you want to avoid spending extortionate private transfer fees, it is one of the best Maldives travel hacks. Public ferries run frequently between most destinations, with private islands being the slight exception to this rule.

9. Don’t Shop for Souvenirs on Male

Avoiding souvenir shopping in Male might sound overly cautious. Still, this island is one of the Maldives’ most touristy, and it has the highest souvenir prices. To cut costs, try to buy souvenirs from more local islands. You can take a day trip to more remote islands or choose an accommodation option in one of the less touristy areas in the Maldives. Either way, these quieter islands are where you should prioritize buying souvenirs. The profit goes to different communities, providing more sustainable tourism, and you save money on souvenir prices.

10. Guesthouses Rather than Luxury Resorts

Guesthouses are often more relaxing and authentic places to stay in the Maldives. If you aren’t desperate for the overwater bungalow experience, consider staying in a guesthouse to reduce your Maldives trip cost. Guesthouses usually offer half board and sometimes even cooking facilities. They tend to be authentic accommodation choices run and owned by island residents, and for solo travelers especially, it can be the perfect idea for a sociable place to stay with a supportive atmosphere. And even if you just want a short overwater bungalow experience, you could always spend one night in a luxury resort before heading off to a guesthouse on a different island.

To Conclude

The Maldives is actually suitable for a pretty impressive range of budget types. It isn’t just a high-budget destination for luxury-seeking travelers. However, you will have a fantastic time if that’s what you want. Have a beautiful holiday in the Maldives, and invest in some day trips and cultural activities – no matter how aesthetic and comfortable your resort is.

Travel Planning Resources

Looking to book your next trip? Why not use these resources that are tried and tested by yours truly.

Flights: Start planning your trip by finding the best flight deals on Skyscanner

Book your Hotel: Find the best prices on hotels with these two providers. If you are located in Europe use Booking.com and if you are anywhere else use TripAdvisor

Find Apartment Rentals: You will find the cheapest prices on apartment rentals with VRBO . 

Travel Insurance: Don't leave home without it. Here is what we recommend:

• Allianz - Occasional Travelers.
• Medjet - Global air medical transport and travel security.

Need more help planning your trip? Make sure to check out our Resources Page where we highlight all the great companies that we trust when we are traveling.

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3 thoughts on “How Much Does A Maldives Trip Cost in 2024: Detailed Budget Breakdown”

This comprehensive guide on the Maldives trip cost is incredibly informative, helping travelers plan their dream vacation while being mindful of their budget. The detailed breakdown of expenses and money-saving tips make it easier for anyone to explore this stunning destination without breaking the bank. A fantastic resource for wanderlust adventurers!

I am really fascinated by your travel adventure in the Maldives! Your breathtaking photos took me to that beautiful place. I am incredibly grateful that you shared this adventure.

“Wow, your Maldives travel experience is absolutely enchanting! Your vivid descriptions and stunning photographs have transported me to the very heart of the destination. It’s evident that you not only visited a place but truly immersed yourself in its culture and essence. Your blog is a treasure trove of inspiration for fellow travelers like me, and I can’t thank you enough for sharing your adventures.

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Your Maldives Vacation

The Maldives is the ultimate paradise destination, the one we all dream of visiting. Renowned for its spectacular beaches and luxurious hotels, it’s a bucket list destination for a reason. In the heart of the Indian Ocean, this tropical archipelago is of thousands of islands, clustered into larger atolls. Most Maldives travel packages start and end in the capital, Male, where you can hop aboard a water plane or speedboat to head to your idyllic island getaway. The Maldives resort vacation packages all but guarantee an incredibly special vacation, so you just need to choose: barefoot luxury, all-out glamor, family-friendly fun, or another version of bliss.

Top destinations in Maldives

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Maldives Romantic Vacation Packages

Celebrate your new life as a married couple by booking a romantic vacation package to the idyllic Maldives. With tropical beaches, crystal clear lagoons and secluded resorts, this dazzling archipelago in the Indian Ocean is a honeymoon hot spot in particular. Experience one of those emblematic overwater villas the Maldives is famous for at the 5-star Hurawalhi Island Resort in Lhaviyani Atoll . Add this indulgent stay to your Maldives vacation package and spend your days as newlyweds enjoying couples spa treatments and dining at the incredible glass undersea restaurant.

Meeru Island Resort & Spa will also sweep you off your feet. Rated 4.5 stars, it’s the only resort on Meerufenfushi Island and features an adults-only infinity pool, a day spa and beach dining. If you’re flirting with the idea of a Maldives honeymoon, find more inspiration in our list of Maldives Honeymoon Resorts & Hotels . Then, add some cool activities to your honeymoon package in the Maldives. A Night Snorkeling Experience in Dhiffushi Island and Maafushi: Sunset Fishing with BBQ Dinner are favorites!

Adults-Only Packages in the Maldives

Leave daily worries behind (and the kids!) for an unforgettable adults-only vacation. Just picture the two of you taking well-earned time out in paradise away from the real world. Now picture yourself at the 5-star Komandoo Maldives Island Resort on Komandoo Island! Offering candlelit dinners on the beach, a diving school and a day spa, this chic resort is all about the grown-ups and the perfect addition to your Maldives package deal.

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Resort is also irresistible. Take advantage of the swimming pool, spa and dive center at this 4-star getaway in Kooddoo . For more ideas about where to stay, check out these Adults Only Resorts & Hotels in Maldives and start building your Maldives vacation package today.

Where to Stay in the Maldives

Made up of almost 1,200 islands, you’ll easily find a slice of paradise to call your own. Here are our top picks to consider for your Maldives tourist package:

• Malé : Stay in the lively capital of the Maldives to experience dreamy beaches, historical landmarks, busy markets and colorful buildings.
• Huvafen Fushi : Indulge, relax, repeat! That’s the order of the day at Huvafen Fushi, an island known for its spa experiences and luxurious overwater bungalows with private plunge pools.
• Finolhas Island : Cast yourself away on this picture-perfect island with a reputation for fine food. Dine under the stars and savor local and international dishes while listening to the lapping waves.
• Nika Island : Love to dive? Stay on this island in the North Ari atoll for easy access to exciting dive sites.

Top Things to Do

Turquoise waters and glistening white sands are only part of the Maldives’ charm. To help you plan your Maldives vacation package, check out this list of cool things to see and do:

• Nature : When it comes to natural beauty, few destinations compare to the Maldives. Addu Nature Park , Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve and Chicken Island Reef are unmissable.
• Beach : Find your perfect piece of paradise among the soft, white sands and swaying palm trees of Hulhumale Beach , Paradise Island Beach and Olhuveli Beach .
• Food : Sample the rich tastes and flavors the Maldives is known for. Dine at top restaurants like Aragu at Velaa Private Island, Shades of Green on Soneva Fushi and Subsix at Niyama Resort.
• Adventure : Hear that? That’s adventure calling. A Maldives Adventure Trip , a Maafushi: Discover Scuba Diving in Maldives experience and a 2-Hour Maldives Submarine Tour from Male will keep you busy.

Check out our Things to Do in Maldives guide to get even more inspired while planning your Maldives vacation package!

How to Find Cheap Deals

Our all inclusive Maldives vacation packages are a great way to save. While inclusions will differ, accommodations, meals, snacks, entertainment and activities are typically included in the hotel price. The cherry on top is knowing you’ve landed an amazing deal on Expedia!

Maldives Essential Information

Prepare for your maldives vacation with our essential travel info, maldives hotel deals.

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Frequently asked questions, discover the most popular places to visit in maldives, paradise island beach.

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Paradise Island Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Lankanfinolhu. Stroll along this relaxing area's seaside, or simply enjoy its restaurants.

Gili Lankanfushi Beach

If a restful vacation is part of your travel plans, Gili Lankanfushi Beach might be the perfect place to seek out during your trip to Lankanfushi Island. While you're in the area, stroll along the seaside.

Hulhumale Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Hulhumale Beach during your travels in Hulhumalé? Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

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Most popular the maldives flight and hotel deals, all inclusive vacation packages to the maldives, search by stars, search by review score, search by board, search by price, search by freebies, when to book a vacation in the maldives, tips for finding the maldives package deals.

• There are loads of types of vacations in the Maldives and the cost will depend on what type of trip you’re taking and for how long you’d like to stay. Here are the latest prices for a 3 night trip for 2 travelers: Top vacation $1,417; Family vacation $1,063; Romantic vacation $1,549; Luxury vacation $1,781; Budget vacation $610.

Why should you book a vacation package to the Maldives?

When should you book a vacation package to the maldives.

The high season for travel to the Maldives runs from December to March, when the weather averages in the mid- to high-eighties daily, and Maldives flight and hotel prices are at their highest. Monsoon season extends from May to October, with peak rainfalls between May and November in the northern atolls, and November to March in the southern atolls. You can find cheap Maldives vacation packages from April to May, and in November, as well as during the rainy months.

Where should you stay in the Maldives during your vacation?

For any vacation type in the maldives:.

LUX* South Ari Atoll is the quintessential tropical island paradise, with two miles of white beaches and private villas on stilts above the lagoon. The all-inclusive resort is located on Dhidhoofinolhu Island, a short speedboat ride from Malé International Airport. Hotel Jen Malé is located in the capital city of the Maldives, just a seven minute speedboat ride from Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. Located in the busy city center, it offers an urban edge to your tropical adventure, with the beach just a short walk away.

For family vacations in the Maldives:

Maldives vacation deals like the Family Getaway Experience at the Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort bring a kid-friendly vibe to your tropical getaway. Families of four to six people can stay in a private villa with a pool, with two hours of complimentary babysitting per day. The rate includes combined transfer by seaplane and speedboat from Malé. Kurumba Maldives is an award winning luxury resort located on a private island in the North Malé Atoll. The airport is only a 10 minute speedboat ride away. Maldives vacation packages give you the best value for your travel dollar.

For romantic vacations in the Maldives:

The Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu Resort is accessible via a 30-minute seaplane ride from Malé International Airport. Located in the waters of the Baa Atoll, it offers a romantic escape in a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve, where you will sleep in a villa over the azure waters. You'll arrive at the Soneva Fushi resort on Eydhafushi Island via a traditional dhoni boat transfer from Malé Airport. Shoes are optional in the relaxed property where you'll stay in a traditional villa made from local materials. Look for Maldives travel deals for your romantic getaway.

For luxury vacations in the Maldives:

Gili Lankanfushi resort offers the ultimate in tropical luxury on a private island, where you can stay in your choice of villa, suite, or residence set on the pure white sands of Lankanfushi Island on the North Malé Atoll. Velana International Airport and Malé City are both accessible by speedboat. The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is a private island resort that combines sleek modern design with local touches. Located on Vommuli Island, it's a 45 minute seaplane ride south of Malé International Airport.

For budget vacations in the Maldives:

Maldives getaways don't have to break the bank. Located on the South Malé Atoll, Isle Beach Inn is just a few minutes' walk from the beach, with garden or sea view rooms. The Inn is located on Maafushi Island, just a half hour by speedboat, or 90 minutes by ferry from the Malé International Airport. Paradise Island Resort brings you the relaxing seclusion of the Maldives at an affordable price. Located on Lankanfinolhu North Malé Atoll, the resort will arrange airport transfers at no additional cost with prior arrangement.

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Find out flight prices to the Maldives, cost of hotels, resorts, attractions and simulate instantly what will be the total cost of your trip!

A tourist paradise, the Maldives is the dream of those who enjoy nature, especially close to gorgeous beaches. The destination is famous for its great luxury and sophistication, but those who have been following Live More, Travel More since 2018 have already known that it’s also possible to travel to the Maldives on a budget . But after all, how much does it cost to make this dream come true in 2024 ? If you want to get to know this Indian Ocean paradise, here you will find the prices for a trip to the Maldives Islands .

In this article we’ll share from the costs of the flight tickets to estimated costs for accommodation , tours and much more, plus a calculator where you can simulate the total price of the trip. Of course, always keep in mind that the costs of any trip are directly related to the traveler’s profile. Who are you on the plane to the Maldives? The one who travels in economy , comfort or luxury style? We’ll talk about costs for all of you!

If you prefer, go straight to the point of interest:

What are the prices of flight tickets to the Maldives?

How much does it cost to travel within the maldives, what’s the price of a night in a hotel or resort in the maldives, what’s the estimated cost of food in the maldives, what are the prices of attractions in the maldives, other costs, but after all, how much does your dream trip to the maldives cost.

The price of plane tickets to Maldives (round trip) varies according to your location and cabin class. To give you a more realistic idea of the costs, we’ve searched for the cheapest fares on Skyscanner . Before sharing the prices, you need to know that, although it’s sunny all year round, the best time to visit the Maldives is between November and April because the chances of rain are lower. Therefore, we conducted our search based on the month of November 2024 .

Flight tickets from Los Angeles to the Maldives

Going from Los Angeles (LAX) to Velana International Airport (Malé) , which is the main airport in Maldives, the search engine indicates the lowest fare of US$ 1,088 (round trip) for a route with only one stop, considering the Economy Class of an Turkish Airlines flight and US$ 5,036 considering Business Class with Singapore Airlines. For the Premium Economy category, British Airways offers some options for approximately US$ 2,958 and US$ 10,619 First Class (round trip).

Flight tickets from New York city to the Maldives

From New York (JFK) to Male, we can find fares starting from US$ 820 (round trip) in Economy Class with Air India or US$ 4,268 considering Business Class with Qatar Airways. First class options are available with British Airways for around US$ 8,944 (round trip).

Fox Tip 🦊: Take a combined trip!

A tip for those who want to visit the Maldives is to combine the trip with another destination that has a direct flight to the islands, this way you’ll be able to visit another country and save money on the trip as a whole, whether in economy or luxury mode.

Leaving from the United States, you’re able to find flights with connections in Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Mumbai, Istanbul, London or Singapore, for example.

Just to have an idea, when I went to the Maldives I was traveling around India . In 2018, I paid around US$ 100 one way, leaving from Kochi (COK) . Other destinations in Asia that also have direct flights to Maldives are Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

Summary: Airfare prices from the USA to the Maldives Islands

To move around from one island to another in the Maldives, the options may vary according to the islands visited. Among the options are:

• National flights

Ferry is the Maldives public transport and, therefore, the most economical way to move around, however not all islands are accessible via ferry and due to the time it takes to reach some places, it may not be worth it. The price of the ferry boat can cost from US$ 0.65 to US$ 5 a trip per person, but it depends on the distance between the islands. You can find the exact cost of each route on the MTCC website.

The speedboats are usually offered by private islands’ resorts, or by private companies. Again, the cost depends on the distances between islands. A round trip by private speedboat can cost up to US$ 1,000. There are also speedboats on routes similar to those offered by ferries, with the capacity to transport up to 30 people, but completing the journey in a much shorter time. A trip from Male to Maafushi , for instance, costs around US$ 30 per person, to Rasdhoo or Dhigurah it’s around US$ 35.

The third option to move around in the Maldives, normally used when the resorts are too far from Male, is the seaplane . As in all other cases, prices vary by route, but we’ve already mentioned that you’ll probably pay something around $ 500 for this trip.

If your idea is to save as much as possible in the Maldives, the tip is choosing islands closer to the capital Malé and using a ferry or speedboat.

Summary: Travel cost in the Maldives

In the past, tourism in the Maldives meant only resorts on private islands. But since 2009, the country has given the opportunity for its local islands (where the natives live) to offer options such as guest houses and, since then, they’ve started to receive a greater diversity of travelers.

Guest Houses

At a simpler guest house, like Alaika in Maafushi, you can find rates starting at $ 50 (taxes included). Of course, this cost rises depending on the level of sophistication and comfort. White Sand Dhigurah on Dhigurah Island , which is a more upscale hotel, for instance, offers fares starting at $ 135 (taxes included), and Endheri Sunset on Dhangethi Island has rooms with a beautiful view to the sea for $ 145 (taxes included).

If you feel like staying in a resort , just know that you can find rates staring from $ 230 (including breakfast) and all-inclusive options from $ 540 at Kandima Maldives , and overwater bungalows from $ 825 at Centara Ras Fushi . For those who are adept of conscious luxury , it’s worth checking out the accommodation options offered by the SONEVA group, which has 2 resorts in the Maldives: Soneva Fushi , and Soneva Jani , with room rates from $ 6,175 to $ 34,000.

Other accommodation options on Booking.com

Check out options of accommodations for all categories:

Booking.com

Summary: Accommodation prices in the Maldives

Breakfast is usually included in the hotel rates. Resort restaurant prices, as well as accommodations, vary according to the level of sophistication. At the cheapest resorts , you can have a meal for 40 dollars. At more expensive resorts, the price per person exceeds 60 dollars.

The cheapest options are on the local islands, where you can pay between 15 and 30 dollars for a meal. For those who are planning to save as much as possible, you can always stop by the supermarket though.

Summary: Cost of food

There are loads of interesting attractions in Maldives , such as snorkeling, picnics on the sandbanks, dolphin watching, seeing bioluminescent plankton, diving with whale sharks and manta rays and so on. Even though resorts and local agencies offer similar options, their prices can vary a lot! Besides, the type of tour and its duration also impact the costs.

The cheapest attractions start in the range of 25 dollars per person. Scuba dives typically run around $ 100, and a resort’s day use can cost up to $ 200, depending on the resort.

Below you can see some comparisons to help you clarify the costs at the Maldives :

Summary: Costs of attractions in the Maldives

There are still other expenses that should be considered, such as taxes, fees and travel insurance:

Taxes and fees in the Maldives

Watch out! Taxes and fees are often not included in the initial prices for accommodations, attractions, packages, etc. To give you a better idea, the accommodations charge the three rates mentioned below:

• 10% Hotel Service + 12% GST (Goods and Services Tax) + USD 6 Green Tax per person, per night.

If you use a credit card, many establishments charge an additional fee of 3.5% to 5%. All this without even mentioning your bank foreign transaction fees.

Travel insurance

Traveling without insurance is one of the biggest mistakes a traveler can make, especially when it comes to international destinations. We did a brief price analysis so you don’t forget to consider this item, and here’s the result:

Considering an 8-day trip to Asia, we found costs starting at US$ 76 with World Nomads , US$ 25 with Nomad Insurance by SafetyWing , and US$41 with Travelex . Be sure to check the details of each coverage option to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need.

There are those who prefer to get travel packages for the Maldives , and we understand how easy it is not having to solve most of the things, especially the logistical part. But we are here to help you plan your trip and make that dream come true.

Travel cost simulator for the Maldives Islands

Now here’s something cool! Based on everything we’ve talked about so far, we’ve been able to put together a calculator where you can estimate your travel expenses according to your traveler profile, whether it’s economy mode, comfort mode, or luxury mode.

Fill in the details below 🤗

Summary: How much does a trip to the Maldives cost

Considering a trip of 8 days and 7 nights, with 3 attractions included, we estimate that the final price of a trip to the Maldives Islands in 2024 is approximately:

Important! We emphasize that all expenses reported here were based on our survey on February 21st, 2024, and may change at any moment.

Coupons and discounts

Did you know that Live More, Travel More followers have discounts to travel to the Maldives and all around the globe? #SaveMoneyTravelMore. Check out the discounts we got for you below.

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Join our Telegram group to find out about discounts and news.

So, are you already packing your bags? Comment below if this post helped you or if you have any questions.

Travel safe!

Did you like the post? Save it for future review 😊

• 9 Best all-inclusive resorts in the Maldives
• 8 affordable resorts in the Maldives
• A complete travel guide to the Maldives
• Maafushi Island: How to travel to the Maldives on a budget
• Dhigurah Island, Maldives
• Rasdhoo: A nice island to stay for about a week in the Maldives

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January 29, 2022

How much would it cost to go to Maldives from Uk for two weeks holiday

February 1, 2022

Hi Linda, you can still use the calculator to get an average cost if you are flying from the UK. All you need to do is to add the flight cost difference from your country at the end result. The round trip cost per person used in this calculator is considering economy flight from the US (NY) with a cost of USD700, I checked prices from the UK and it is about USD1100 so a difference of USD400. You can select the number of people in your trip, the number of nights, tours, etc… At the end of the result you add USD400 x the number of people going in this trip. I hope it helps =) Cheers,

February 10, 2022

Looking to have a 7 day holiday in Maldives going from Adelaide in August from 15th August this year for 2 people nice hotel want an estimated price accommodation airfare package

March 21, 2022

How much does it cost from Nigeria to Maldives. I want to spend a week there.

July 2, 2022

Hi sir, I’m interested how much willl cost me for my wife and I and my 2 kids 3 years and 1,5 Yers Thank you

July 11, 2022

This is lovely, hopefully I will be there soon

Cancel reply

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How much does a trip to the Maldives Cost?

How much money should you budget for your trip to the Maldives?

• How much does a one-week trip to the Maldives cost?
• How much does a two-week trip to the Maldives cost?
• How much does a one-month trip to the Maldives cost?
• Hostel Prices
• Hotel Prices

The Cost of a Trip to the Maldives

For a trip to the Maldives, you should plan for daily costs anywhere between $123 to $724. If there's two of you traveling, your daily expenses could range from $246 to $1,447. These price ranges are based on the average daily spending of $303 (MVR4,623) per person which comes from the travel expenses of other visitors. These costs include food, accommodation, sightseeing activities, and getting around locally. Keep in mind, though, these figures can vary somewhat based on your individual travel style, level of luxury, and chosen activities. Destinations across the country, such as , might might vary somewhat from the overall average price, but they usually stick close to this range. Read on for a breakdown of travel typical expenses as well as a comparison of tour prices versus Independent travel.

If you're traveling independently in the Maldives, budget travelers should plan to spend around $123 (MVR1,876) a day for their trip. This includes stays at budget hotels or hostels, affordable food options, local transportation, and low-cost activities. For those on a mid-range budget, plan for around $303 (MVR4,623) a day which would cover the cost of a typical hotel, normal restaurants, and a variety of major attractions. Higher-end luxury travelers should allow for $724 (MVR11,037) per day, which allows for luxury hotel stays, nice restaurants, and private tour options. These price ranges are based on our extensive travel cost data for the Maldives from other travelers along with hotel and tour data from travel companies.

How much does a one week trip to the Maldives cost?

On average, visitors to the Maldives spend between $861 and $5,066 for their week-long adventure, with the average being $2,122. This covers sightseeing, local transportation, food, and accommodations. With a duration of one week, you'll have the opportunity to explore one, two, or even three locations within the Maldives, depending on the level of depth you desire for your visit. Some of the most popular places to consider exploring are . It's important to note that these figures are averages and can vary based on personal preferences and choices. Ultimately, the goal is to create a memorable and enjoyable experience tailored to your specific interests.

How much does a two week trip to the Maldives cost?

With two weeks, you should budget between $1,722 and $10,132 for your trip to the Maldives. The average price for a two week trip is $4,244. Two weeks will allow you enough time to visit between three and five places. If you're on a budget, you might want to consider some of the more affordable places such as smaller towns.

How much does a one month trip to the Maldives cost?

With a month-long trip to the Maldives, expenses can be anywhere from $3,690 to $21,711 with the average being $9,094. The cost of travel is dependent on your overall style of travel. If you have a full month, you'll likely want to stay at a vacation rental with a kitchen during at least part of your trip so that you can prepare your own meals. Backpackers often prefer hostels for the same reason. Hostels also offer a more social atmosphere at a very affordable price range.

Should you do an organized tour or travel independently in the Maldives?

Organized tours and independent travel are essentially the two main ways to plan a trip to the Maldives. Organized tours offer a convenient and hassle-free experience, with travel experts handling all the logistical details and the added benefit of an expert guide imparting valuable insights. This option is favored by those who appreciate the convenience and ease provided by tours that often include transportation and expert guides.

On the other hand, independent travel provides a different set of advantages, allowing for greater freedom and flexibility in customizing itineraries and exploring at one's own pace. This option appeals to individuals who value spontaneity and control, enabling them to immerse themselves in local culture on a deeper level.

Ultimately, the choice between organized tours and independent travel depends on personal preferences and travel style, considering factors such as convenience, guidance, and flexibility.

Comparing Trip Costs in the Maldives

When we compare the prices of organized tours to the average costs of independent travelers, we can see that sometimes the prices are fairly even.

Tours vs. independent Travel: Pros & Cons

Organized tours.

• An expert guide familiar with the culture
• Convenient transportation
• Fellow travelers to socialize with
• Well researched activities
• Efficient and thought out itinerary
• The security of have a trip leader if something goes wrong
• Limited options
• Usually not customizable
• The fast pace often means you can’t visit one place in depth
• Usually more expensive than independent travel
• There may be limited time to interact with the local culture and community

Independent Travel

• Completely customizable
• Opportunity to visit off-the-beaten-path destinations
• Can fully immerse yourself in the local culture
• Freedom to move at your own pace
• Flexibility to change your itinerary at any time
• More affordable
• Challenging to plan an efficient itinerary
• Transportation may be challenging or inefficient
• Booking and trip planning can be a hassle
• Popular sights may sell out well in advance
• If something goes wrong, you're on your own

Are organized tours more expensive than independent travel in the Maldives?

Organized tours average $306 per day in the Maldives, and are generally all-inclusive with one large payment. Independent trips usually average $303 (MVR4,623) per day, and include individual payments to hotels, local transportation, food, and sightseeing. When compared, organized tours and independent trips each come with their own set of challenges and benefits. It's important to understand all aspects of both types of trips to make a fair comparison. You can see our thorough analysis of tour prices in the Maldives here .

Here are a few sample tours in the Maldives:

• Maldives Island Hopping ($1,490) 8 days, 4 destinations more details
• Maldives Dhoni Explorer ($2,149) 7 days, 3 destinations more details
• Maldives: 7 day tour! Rasdhoo + Island Hopping! ($1,990) 7 days, 2 destinations more details
• Luxury Maldives beach and water villa experience, ALL INCLUSIVE ($5,876) 7 days, 1 destinations more details
• Marine Wildlife of the Maldives ($4,200) 7 days, 5 destinations more details

More for the Maldives

If you're planning a trip to the Maldives, check out these other informative travel guides.

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works .

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How Much Does a Maldives Trip Cost? 5 Budget Breakdowns

With its untouched white-sand beaches, crystal clear water, and incredibly luxurious hotels and resorts, it’s easy to see why the Maldives is one of the top bucket list destinations for travelers. But how much does a Maldives trip cost?

The price tag that comes with spending a few days living in the lap of luxury can oftentimes be enough to give even a luxury traveler a bit of sticker shock. While it’s certainly possible to visit the Maldives on a budget – even as a backpacker! – it’s important to know what you’re getting into before jumping in feet first to plan your Maldives vacation.

In this breakdown of the cost of a Maldives trip, we share five budget breakdowns to help you plan your travels, whether you opt for a budget-friendly trip or an ultra-luxury trip of a lifetime.

This post contains affiliate links that may reward me monetarily or otherwise when you use them to make qualifying purchases – at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please read our  disclosure policy .

Is Maldives Expensive?

Traveling to the Maldives is, for the most part, expensive. In many ways, Maldives travel is designed to be expensive, as it’s a destination prized for secluded island retreats and the ultimate in luxury at some of the world’s most over-the-top resorts – this is part of what draws travelers to this remote island vacation destination!

But what makes the Maldives trip cost such a high one? These two main factors contribute to the high Maldives trip cost most travelers pay: the price of the luxurious resorts the islands are known for and the cost of transportation around the country by seaplane or speedboat.

While you can’t mitigate all of these factors, there are a few key ways to keep your Maldives trip cost down. Yes, there are ways to visit the Maldives on a budget! While you probably shouldn’t count on staying in an overwater bungalow or luxurious villa, you can still enjoy a lovely tropical escape on a white-sand beach by making a few smart travel choices.

Read More: Maldives on a Budget: 6 Easy Travel Tips to Save Money

How Much is a Trip to Maldives?

For a six-day, five-night trip to the Maldives, you can plan to spend anywhere from $567 all the way to $30,900 for a stay in a standard room. This is a big range, leading to surprisingly affordable Maldives travel experiences and incredibly high Maldives trip costs – and it does not take into account your airfare from home to the Maldives.

Generally, if you’re looking to stay at a nice mid-range to luxury hotel in the Maldives, plan to spend around $3,500 – $7,000 for an all-inclusive six-day, five-night trip for two travelers.

Below you’ll find our specific budget breakdowns outlining budgets for five types of travel: backpacking, budget travel, mid-range travel, luxury travel, and ultra-luxury travel.

Plan a Trip to the Maldives

• 6 Easy Tips for Visiting Maldives on a Budget
• 10 Best Maldives Resorts (For Every Budget)
• Best Time to Visit Maldives: Month-by-Month Breakdown

Maldives Vacation Cost

Remember that a few key factors can make two similar trips to the Maldives differ drastically in cost. If you’re looking to save money on your trip, take these into consideration:

• Travel high season vs. low season costs: Traveling in the low season (May to November) means you can find prices for resorts, tours, and excursions drop by up to 50% or more. You won’t be guaranteed sunny skies, but you’ll have an unforgettable trip for a fraction of the cost.
• Transportation costs from the international airport: From the international airport, you’ll need to determine how to make it to your resort. The further you stay from the international airport, the most expensive transportation can be – even a short seaplane or speedboat ride can get pricey! Consider choosing a resort on an island closer to the airport for a more affordable stay.

Of course, your flight tickets to get you to the Maldives will be an additional expense, highly dependent on where you’re traveling from and when you’re traveling. Make sure to consider this factor when considering Maldive trip cost and planning your experience.

Read More: Best Time to Visit the Maldives: Month-by-Month Breakdown

Maldives Budget Breakdown

Our budget breakdowns will help you better understand the Maldives trip cost you might be expecting. We’ve chosen a standard five-night trip for each budget breakdown, highlighting Maldives resorts that fit within each budget category.

Prices reflect current realities at the time of the last article update and are for standard rooms in each hotel or resort.

You’ll also see accommodation prices for March, during the high season, and September, during the low season. This will give you an idea of how similar trips may vary in price seasonally.

Backpackers Budget Breakdown

You may be shocked to learn that backpackers can actually have a great time in the Maldives without blowing their budget. How? It’s all about traveling off-season, choosing hotels or guesthouses on populated islands rather than hard-to-reach private islands, and trimming transportation costs by using ferries when possible.

Here’s a budget breakdown for backpackers staying on Maafushi Island – a backpackers’ favorite island in the Maldives – at a great, budget-friendly guesthouse.

Five Nights at Stingray Beach Inn

A favorite on Maafushi Island, Stingray Beach Inn is a great choice for budget travelers. Offering private rooms with private bathrooms, a beautiful patio, and just steps from the white-sand beaches, you’ll love this place. For a five-night stay at Stingray Beach Inn during the high season, expect to pay $446 (for all five nights) for a standard room with double occupancy . During the low season, the price for the stay would fall to $247 for the same room over five nights.

Food and Drinks

Staying on a populated island, you’ll have your choice of where to eat, choosing from an array of restaurants and cafes on the island. Though this makes it challenging to plan how much you’ll spend over the course of a vacation, budget anywhere from $25-60 per person per day for food.

Transportation

You’ll have your pick of options for reaching Maafushi from the international airport in Malé. The most economical option is taking the public ferry, just $5 per person each way for the 1.5-hour journey. Alternatively, you can take a 40-minute speedboat ride for $37 per person.

Maafushi has a number of tour and excursion operators, offering everything from scuba diving and snorkeling trips to water sports and more. Depending on your interests, you may want to budget up to $100 for excursions per person, though this is up to personal discretion.

For a five-night vacation on Maafushi and stay at Stingray Beach Inn during the high season and with added expenses like excursions and nicer meals, two travelers can expect to pay up to $1,514 in total. During the low season and choosing cheaper meals and fewer excursions, you could pay as little as $567 for the same trip.

Budget Travel Budget Breakdown

Budget-friendly hotels and resorts do exist in the Maldives! You can enjoy some nice spots with impressive amenities, beautiful beaches, and excellent excursion options. If you can travel during the off-season, you’ll save even more on your Maldives trip cost, or have the option of choosing an even nicer resort.

Five Nights at Reethi Beach Resort

Reethi Beach Resort is one of the most budget-friendly resorts in the Maldives. Here you’ll find a great mix of amenities if you’re traveling on a budget, and rates get even more budget-friendly if you travel during the low season. While you’ll need to factor in the cost of a seaplane or domestic flight from Malé’s international airport, overall this is a great choice for budget travelers.

For a five-night stay at Reethi Beach Resort during the high season, expect to pay $1,090 for a standard room directly on the beach with a private patio or balcony. During the low season, the price for the stay would fall to $677 for the same room. You can also choose from cottages of overwater villas.

Reethi Beach Resort is most easily accessible via a 40-minute seaplane flight from Malé’s international airport. Alternatively, you can select a domestic flight to a nearby airport, followed by a 15-minute speedboat ride. Seaplane rides are $420.00 per adult or $252.00 per child.

You’ll also need to factor in the cost of all-inclusive meal plans, which are quite affordable compared to the a la carte food and beverage prices at the resort. While these rates aren’t available online, consider factoring in at least $100 per person for food and beverage at the resort.

Make sure your Maldives trip cost budget includes any excursions, experiences, or activities you’d want to take advantage of at the resort – at least $150 per person, though this depends on your interest level.

For an all-inclusive five-night stay at Reethi Beach Resort during the high season, two travelers can expect to pay $3,430 in total. During the low season, the cost for the same trip would be $3,017.

Mid-Range Budget Breakdown

If you’re a relatively budget-conscious traveler able to opt for a mid-range resort, you’ll start to enjoy some seriously plush amenities, special resorts, and incredible experiences that will really set your trip apart.

Whether you’re a budget traveler able to push your budget by traveling in the off-season or looking for that high-season crystal-clear skies, you’ll find some great options in this price range, even if you’re willing to push your Maldives trip cost just a little higher.

Five Nights at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa

For a traveler on a mid-range budget, you won’t find a better deal in the Maldives than the Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa . With perks like transportation included and an array of room styles and options to choose from, it’s a great choice customizable to your budget and preferences.

For a five-night stay at Sheraton Maldives during the high season, expect to pay $1,940 for a standard room directly on the beach with a private patio or balcony. During the low season, the price for the stay would fall to $1,150 for the same room. You can also choose from cottages with private pools or overwater villas with the works.

A major benefit of Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa , and a reason why we love to recommend it is that it offers a complimentary speedboat ride for all guests. Located just 15 minutes by speedboat from the international airport in Malé though it feels just as remote and private as any other Maldives resort , this complimentary transportation saves travelers a huge expense.

For an all-inclusive five-night stay at Sheraton Maldives Full Moon Resort & Spa during the high season, two travelers can expect to pay $3,540 in total. During the low season, the cost for the same trip would be $2,650.

Luxury Budget Breakdown

There’s no lack of luxury resorts in the Maldives to choose from! You’ll find a huge range of resorts that fit the luxury travel category, so whether this Maldives resort is calling your name or another, you’re sure to have no trouble finding what you’re looking for.

The Maldives trip cost for a luxury vacation can vary widely , but this is a good budget estimate to help you plan your budget.

Five Nights at Amilla Maldives

A fantastic yet relatively affordable Maldives luxury resort, Amilla Maldives checks all the boxes for luxury travel. Located on a naturally lush, green island in the Baa Atoll, you’ll love the incredible snorkeling and diving options nearby, as well as the

For a five-night stay at Amilla Maldives during the high season, expect to pay $4,536 for a standard overwater villa with a private pool. During the low season, the price for the stay would fall to $3,276 for the same villa.

Seaplanes to the resort from the international airport in Malé cost $650 per adult and last about 30 minutes. Alternatively, a flight from Malé to the nearest airport, then a 10-minute speedboat ride, is also available for the same cost.

If you’re looking for a luxury travel experience, but the ticket price scares you, remember – choose a resort close to Malé and save on transport big time.

Meal plans are offered for either $250 per adult per night, all-inclusive, or $150 per adult per night, full board. With either plan, you’ll get an array of dining options to choose from. The all-inclusive plan also includes a 20% discount on services and excursions.

Amilla Maldives offers an array of incredible experiences, from private meals and picnics to diving excursions, watersports, fishing, and even over-the-top experiences like chartering a yacht. While certain experiences are included for all guests, such as non-motorized water sports, you’ll want to budget at least a few hundred dollars per person for these add-ons.

For an all-inclusive five-night stay at Amilla Maldives during the high season, two travelers can expect to pay $8,836 in total. During the low season, the cost for the same trip would be $7,076.

Ultra-Luxury Budget Breakdown

Looking for a once-in-a-lifetime trip or have some money to burn? The Maldives is certainly the place for it. With its ultra-luxurious resorts home to out-of-this-world amenities, the Maldives is a favorite travel destination for the rich and famous. Here’s a breakdown of what you could expect to spend on this type of experience.

Five Nights at Soneva Jani

Known for its over-the-top amenities like immense overwater bungalows with waterslides and private pools, private butlers, and what seems like infinite dining options, Soneva Jani is one of the most iconic ultra-luxury resorts in the Maldives.

For a five-night stay at Soneva Jani during the high season, expect to pay $16,850 for a standard overwater villa with a private pool and waterslide. During the low season, the price for the stay would fall to $8,880 for the same villa.

A shared seaplane from the international airport in Malé is available for guests, with a cost of $1,100 USD per adult or $550 USD per child, roundtrip. Prices during the low season are slightly less. Alternatively, a flight from Malé to a nearby airport and a 15-minute speedboat ride to the resort costs $550 USD per adult and $225 USD per child in high season.

Soneva Jani can also organize private flight transfers from the airport in Malé.

Soneva Jani offers an exclusive, all-inclusive package, including unlimited access to dining and drinks, experiences at the spa, and excursions like diving and snorkeling. This unlimited package costs $920 per person per day – pricey but well worth it , and you won’t have to worry about paying for the duration of the stay.

For an all-inclusive five-night stay at Soneva Jani during the high season, two travelers can expect their Maldive trip cost to reach $30,090 in total. During the low season, the cost for the same trip would be $16,600.

Maldives Trip Cost

While your Maldives trip cost can range anywhere from ranging from x all the way to x, the average Maldives trip cost tends to be quite expensive. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket list trip for most travelers, but it’s well worth it!

Whether you’re looking forward to blowing your own budget out of the water on a luxury experience or hunting for a budget-friendly way to enjoy the Maldives, you’re sure to have an unforgettable vacation in the paradise islands of the Maldives.

Carley Rojas Avila

Carley Rojas Avila is a bilingual New York-based travel writer, editor, content marketer, and the founder of the digital travel publications Explorers Away and Home to Havana. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. Her writing has appeared on the Associated Press wires and in Travel + Leisure, Yahoo, MSN, Euronews, The Weather Channel, and more. When she's not writing about her travels, find her front row at a Bad Bunny concert, befriending street cats, and taste-testing every pizza in Havana.

OUR MALDIVES TRIP COST

31 May 2023   ||    MALDIVES

The Robinson Crusoe idyllic island dream, conjured up by images of the Maldives, is a bucket list experience for many. However, the eye-watering Maldives trip cost is often just too steep to consider. 

I’m not going to lie; our initial thought wasn’t ‘isn’t the Maldives expensive?’.

It was, in fact, not a thought at all. It didn’t occur to me to even consider a trip to the Maldives, because I simply assumed it was out of our budget. However, as budget travellers, we managed to spend two weeks in paradise without totally bankrupting ourselves. This means that it is not an impossible destination to visit on a budget!

Having spent two weeks in the Maldives hopping around six different islands , we’ve recorded every penny spent on accommodation, food, sim cards, transport and more so you can see how to experience the glistening blue oceans and white, sugary beaches while keeping your Maldives trip cost at a fraction of a resort price.

IN THIS GUIDE //

Maldives Trip Costs

Currency in the maldives, cash or card in the maldives, maldives trip cost.

– TRANSPORT

– Activities

– FOOD AND DRINK

– Accommodation

– Miscellaneous

MALDIVES TRIP COST: OUR EXACT BUDGET

HOW CAN YOU TRAVEL CHEAPER?

Final Thoughts – MALDIVES TRIP COST

The currency in the Maldives is called the Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) and is sometimes denoted RF. It is further split into 100 laari per one rufiyaa.  The rufiyaa is available as 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 notes. Coins are available as 1 and 2 rufiyaa and 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 laari.

The currency in the Maldives is closed, so MVR cannot be purchased outside of the country like euros or dollars.

The Maldivian rufiyaa (and laari) are super cute and feature numerous island themed representations including conch shells, dhoni boats, early Dhivehi scripture and scenes of island life.

Currently, these are the exchange rates in 2023 (but you can check xe.com or Google for up-to-date rates):

1 GBP = 19 MVR

1 USD = 15.3 MVR

1 EURO = 16.5 MVR

1 INR = 0.2 MVR

1 RUB = 0.19 MVR

In this post, if we specific a price in MVR, we have also given the rough equivalent in U.K. pounds using the exchange rate we had in 2023.

Many hotels or restaurants on the more touristy inhabited islands of the Maldives will accept credit card. There are also ATMs on some islands outside of Malé. However, there is often only one machine per island, so it is always best to have cash (in U.S. dollars) in case of any malfunction.

There is an official Bank of Maldives money exchange at the airport and other currency exchanges can be found all over Malé and Hulhumalé. If you use the Bank of Maldives money exchange at the airport, retain your receipt. Without it, they will not convert leftover rufiyaa back at the end of a trip.

In the Maldives, dollars are widely accepted along with the national currency. Speedboats and water-based activities are often priced in dollars, along with food in touristy restaurants. Shops and regular restaurants will advertise in MVR. We (nearly) exclusively used MVR.

FLIGHTS TO THE MALDIVES

We exclusively book our flights through Skyscanner . It’s the cheapest way to book flights from anywhere in the world.

If you book your flights to the Maldives through our link below, we make a tiny commission that helps to keep this site running, at zero cost to you. Thank you!

Here, we provide some detail about all the specific things that went into our Maldives trip cost total during our two week trip.

⋅ Maldives Trip Cost - Transport ⋅

Transport in the Maldives is where you’ll most likely be pleasantly surprised – it is incredibly affordable (mostly). Public ferries, buses and short speedboat trips are amazingly good value. However, we did not get any seaplanes or particularly long distance or private speedboats. These can destroy a Maldives trip cost budget very quickly. 

Public Ferries

We bounced between four different atolls and took a lot of ferries! The most we ever paid for a ferry journey was 53 MVR (£2.80) per person for a three-and-a-half-hour journey. Some routes were as cheap as 22 MVR (£1.16). For more information on organising your transport, check out our ferries guide with all the schedules.

The buses in Malé and Hulhumalé are well-priced and very modern, clean and safe. The price for a single ticket ranges from 5 MVR (£0.26) to 15 MVR (£0.79). We used several of the buses to go between Malé, Hulhumalé and Velana International Airport. We mention more about the buses in our Maldives ferries post.

Public Speedboats

Maldives public speedboats were the most expensive form of transport we took between islands (but also the fastest and most regular). The cheapest speedboat we took was 25 USD per person and the most expensive was 50 USD. Some longer speedboat routes will cost a lot more than this.

The prices for taxis within, and between, Malé and Hulhumalé are set by the government and, in theory, are the same for specific journeys. The most expensive trip should cost 85 MVR (£4.50). We took two taxis during our trip.

⋅ Maldives Trip Cost - Activities ⋅

Outside of accommodation, activities will likely be the largest chunk of your Maldives trip cost – they are not cheap! Depending on the island, there are options to snorkel, dive, island/sandbank hop, go on fishing tours and even visit resort islands as a day trip. Activities vary from one hour to full day excursions.

Prices for activities vary hugely from island to island and also depend on if you organise through your accommodation or with a tour operator (these vary widely).

On Ukulhas, for example, a six and a half hour snorkelling and island-hopping tour cost 50 USD, whereas a one-hour snorkelling tour on Fulidhoo cost 25 USD.

We’ve written individually about Thulusdhoo , Ukulhas , Maafushi and Thoddoo and included some excursion prices if you are curious.

We did not do any excursions while on the islands, snorkelling the house reefs were fine for us and kept our Maldives trip cost down.

⋅ Maldives Trip Cost - Food and Drink ⋅

In our experience, food in the Maldives was extremely reasonable on the local islands. This is especially the case for food that would normally cost a massive amount in European countries! Typically, meals are (unsurprisingly) seafood-based, with fresh tuna an extremely popular and affordable option (tuna is cheaper than vegetables and potatoes).

There are also fried snacks (once again made of fish, although you may be told they are vegetarian). These are sold everywhere and are great value.

Below is a list of some typical prices across the capital Malé and adjoining Hulhumalé, plus some of the inhabited islands we visited.

Alcohol is illegal on the inhabited islands, so we spent no money on this. There are a few ‘booze boats’ which we did not visit, however a representative price is more than five U.S. dollars for a small, basic beer.

Street/Snack Food Costs in the Maldives

A number of cafes, restaurants and shops sell little affordable snack food items, or ‘hedhikaa’, which can be sweet or savoury. Here are a few of the things we purchased:

♦  For a long ferry journey commencing in Malé, we bought four large masroshi (spicy tuna inside fried dough), some small cake slices and two kavaabu (spicy fish fritters) for 37 MVR (about £2).

♦ During  another Malé ferry transfer day, we bought a whole bag of potato and tuna snacks for 28 MVR (£1.50).

♦  Hulhumalé had masses of Indian style snacks; we bought loads for 27 MVR (£1.45).

♦  On Thulusdhoo, we bought veggie, fish and prawn street bites for 30 MVR (£1.60).

These snacks are incredibly affordable (and decent portion sizes too). Each of the purchases described above constituted a two people lunch or large snack. However, they are often fried and not the healthiest (but we are on a budget and they are cheap!). Be aware, many snacks are described as vegetarian even though they are clearly made with fish.

Restaurant Costs in the Maldives

With Indian and Sri Lankan influence, a typical Maldivian local restaurant is likely to serve various styles of simple curry accompanied by paroti-type bread. These were commonly the most affordable items on any menu. Here are some local (and non-local) meal choices we made across some islands, with total prices for two people:

♦  Hulhumalé : absolutely enormous, superb smoked tuna pizza – 225 MVR (£11.90)

♦  Maafushi : tuna burger and tuna koltha – 165 MVR (£8.70); pumpkin curry, lentil dhal and two large breads – 160 MVR (£8.45)

♦  Thulusdhoo : two dhals, a fish curry and four breads – 140 MVR (£7.40); pumpkin melt, kale pesto toast and a date pudding ball – 240 MVR (£12.70); two vegetable curries and a dhal and four breads – 175 MVR (£9.25); dhal, vegetable masala, four breads – 170 MVR (£9.00)

♦  Ukulhas : fish and veg curry with rice, a variety of Indian snacks and breads – 172 MVR (£9.10); 2 vegetable curries with rice and fries – 268 MVR (£14.15)

♦  Thoddoo : gigantic tuna burger and tuna koltha 145 MVR – (£7.65)

Some hotels offer a full-board option. We utilised this in Fulidhoo as it’s a tiny island with almost no restaurants and it seemed like a good deal at the time. It’s the first time we’ve ever been full board and personally, we hated it. We dislike eating late in the evening (mosquitos are out in force) and there were very few vegetarian options. This option may suit some people, but on the busier islands, we’d recommend finding your own dinner!

Market and Shop Prices in the Maldives

As moderate budget travellers, we spend a fair amount of time in markets and shops. (It’s also the only place you stand a chance in hell of definitely getting budget vegetarian food in the Maldives!). These are some example prices of foods on various islands that we saw:

♦  Supermarket on Malé: a small ‘pot noodle’ was 15 MVR (£0.79) and a pre-sliced large loaf of bread was 11 MVR (£0.55). 

♦ A n upscale bakery in Hulhumalé: cupcakes were 12 MVR (£0.63) each and a blueberry cheesecake slice was 40 MVR (£2.11).

♦ A  shop on Ukulhas: a large pot noodle was 25 MVR (£1.32), a large box of cookies was 40 MVR (£2.11) and a large chocolate milk was 30 MVR (£1.59).

♦  Cans of Coke/Pepsi/iced coffee were typically around 15 MVR (£0.80) on Malé and Hulhumalé. Large bottles of water were available for under 10 MVR (it is not recommended to drink water on the inhabited islands). Very few hotels had free refill drinking water unfortunately.

Prices on the islands were often a little more than on the mainland for most shop items (Coke/Pepsi was 20 MVR rather than 15 MVR on most islands we visited). Chocolate and anything needing refrigeration will likely be the most expensive thing in any shop except sunblock (195 MVR for 100 ml (£10.30)).

There is minimal fresh fruit and vegetables on the islands. Each island has some in at least one shop, but the variety leaves you with few choices, especially without the use of a kitchen. Naturally, Thoddoo was the best island we visited for fresh food, as it’s an agricultural island!

⋅ Maldives Trip Cost - Accommodation ⋅

Our largest expense in the Maldives was accommodation. Every place we stayed had breakfast and on-island transport to the hotel included (staff meet guests at the ferry port with an electric golf buggy to help with luggage). The breakfasts were decent sized (tuna based, obviously), sometimes even buffet style, so we ate the equivalent of three meals worth of food each morning. The guesthouses often also had free bicycles and snorkelling gear.

We booked our accommodation, at most, about three days in advance during high season (January). It is possible to save a huge amount of money by booking further ahead. In the Maldives, we used booking.com; it was the cheapest, always.

We also chose mid-range (ish) accommodation that was not the cheapest on each island. Our rooms had quality aircon (the Maldives is HOT and I was recovering from dengue fever), comfortable beds and reliable hot water. Depending on your preferences, you could easily spend a lot less than us.

We’ve discussed our accommodation choices at length on the individual posts about Thulusdhoo , Thoddoo , Ukulhas and Maafushi if you’re interested in our recommendations.

⋅ Maldives Trip Cost - Miscellaneous ⋅

We didn’t spend anything in the Maldives other than on two sim cards for miscellaneous expenses. Other expenditure could include sunblock, insect repellent and medication (bring these with you, they’re expensive!).

Never buy sunblock in the Maldives, just on principle. Small tubes are around £10.

SIM Card Prices in the Maldives

There are two Maldives SIM card providers for tourists arriving at Velana International Airport: Ooredoo and Dhiraagu.

Ooredoo and Dhiraagu offer similar deals, so we chose Ooredoo as we’ve used them before in other countries. We bought two Ooredoo 30-day Tourist SIM cards for an eye-watering 35 USD each. These both came with 17 GB of data. (This stung as we arrived in the Maldives from Thailand where unlimited super-speedy data was less than £5 a month!).

A better option in the Maldives is an e-sim if you have a compatible phone (we only found this deal out after we left). Airalo offer an Ooredoo 30-day tourist e-sim for 30 USD for the same 17 GB of data, which is five dollars cheaper and you don’t have to wait in a sweaty queue at the Ooredoo airport stand! We’ve used Airalo in other countries (most recently in Tunisia ) and thoroughly recommend them. Check out Airalo sims if you’re interested.

We recommend having a data package in the Maldives if you need to stay connected – Wi-Fi was not always reliable or fast.

MALDIVES TRIP COST - OUR EXACT BUDGET

Below is the total of our costs for two people across all the categories above, broken down into sections. We spent a total of 28,100 MVR (£1480) for two weeks in the Maldives. This means we spent £105 a day , which is £52.50 per person .

Speedboats  – 3850 MVR (£202.60)

Ferries  – 475 MVR (£25.00)

Taxis  – 240 MVR (£12.60)

Activities – 0

Food & Drink  – 4460 MVR (£234.70)

Accommodation – 18000 MVR (£947.40)

Miscellaneous  – 1078 MVR (£56.70)

MALDIVES TRIP COST - How can you be cheaper?

Although we were reasonably happy with our expenditure on the Maldives trip cost pie above (since resorts can be upwards of £350-500 a night), you can be much, much cheaper. Below are some of our suggestions for lowering your Maldives trip cost.

⋅ Plan Your Route Carefully ⋅

As you can see from the Maldives trip cost chart above, a big chunk of our costs were from speedboats.

We messed up and had to get a speedboat because we misread a ferry schedule. This would have been easily avoidable and saved nearly 100 USD on the total above!

We also wanted to explore lots of islands and only decided which ones several days before, meaning there was no choice but to take a speedboat to the North Ari Atoll because of ferry scheduling.

If you’re travelling within certain atolls, the ferries operate daily, so it’s rarely necessary to catch a speedboat. With less popular routes, you’ll need to pre-plan and choose your route in advance to avoid the expensive transport.

For a full guide to planning your route, check out our Maldives public ferries guide.

⋅ Pre-Book Your Accommodation ⋅

We only booked around 1-3 days in advance. From our Maldives trip cost chart, it’s obvious we spent a tonne on accommodation!

Pre-booking where you will stay through apps like agoda, hotels.com or booking.com can help lower your Maldives trip cost below ours significantly. 

We also stayed during the expensive time of year – accommodation prices reduce in the down season. So if you want to reduce costs further, consider visiting in a less popular month.

⋅ Eat Local and Pay in MVR ⋅

We were actually pretty cheap with food in the Maldives. If you want to reduce your costs below ours, then choosing only local food will make your bill significantly cheaper. This means avoiding pizza, burgers, fries and anything that sounds a bit western. Mexican and Italian cuisine was noticeably more expensive, and meat (not seafood) dishes too. We found curries and kothu roshi dishes to be the cheapest in restaurants.

Our most expensive food was a colossal pizza in Hulhumalé and vegan sandwiches in Thulusdhoo, so avoid stuff like that.

Restaurants attached to hotels (which often have a giveaway of advertising prices in dollars) were generally more expensive than independent places too.

Look for prices quoted in MVR, if you pay in USD your meal will definitely cost more (the exchange rates used are not favourable).

⋅ Choose Your Islands Well (also local reefs can be great) ⋅

Each locally inhabited island in the Maldives will have different prices for basically the same activities. Have a think about what activities you may be interested in before choosing your islands to try and minimise this trip cost.

For example, if you’re a surfer, choose an island closer to the surf breaks (we would recommend the North Malé Atoll for surfing). If you want to ride a jet ski, for example, find islands with the best rates; Maafushi was far more reasonably priced than Fulidhoo where one hour on a jet ski was $140! 

House reefs are normally pretty decent for sea life sightings (sharks, turtles, fish etc.) and snorkelling gear is often free with your guesthouse (no guarantee on quality though). If snorkelling is an activity you love, choose islands with great house reefs (we were told Omedhoo has an amazing one!).

FINAL THOUGHTS - Maldives Trip Cost

Well, the Maldives islands aren’t exactly cheap, but they’re not so expensive either. For an epic, secluded beach retreat in the middle of the Indian Ocean, a Maldives trip cost of £100 a day for two people isn’t bad.

We think that our costs are actually really high, and you could easily get it down to £70 a day or less (mainly by booking ahead and not messing up the ferries!).

I’ve written it in other posts already, but the Maldives is more than just a beach destination. It’s a fantastic country with a culture that, until recently, was off limits to foreigners (local islands have only been open for tourism since 2009). I’m so happy that this fascinating little country is now affordable for more travellers who can experience it for themselves, taking the emphasis off high-end tourist-only resorts.

If you want to learn more about what a budget trip to the Maldives is like, check our post on backpacking in the Maldives . There are tonnes of interesting things to learn about this unique island nation!

We hope you have an amazing (and affordable) trip!

Hi, thanks for visiting our blog! If this post has been of help to you, or you’ve just enjoyed our random ramblings and musings, say thank you by buying us a coffee ! It helps keep The Restless Beans blog up and running without ads.

Thank you, Claire + Nick

5 thoughts on “Our Maldives Trip Cost – What to Expect in 2023”

Thank you! Lots of information that will help us with our up and coming trip 🙂 when booking accommodation on Booking.com for example, they display taxes and fees, do you pay anything else on top of these ? Thank you again, we really enjoyed reading your blog 🙂

Thanks so much, so glad we could help! We didn’t pay anything extra on top of the Booking dot Com fees for hotels. We always tried to prepay on the app/website too in order to avoid having to carry around lots of cash – so all we paid was the amount debited initially via Booking. Hope that answers your question! Have an amazing Maldives trip 🙂

Great, that makes things easier, we will definitely follow your advice, your blog is now our Maldives guide book! thank you again :-))))

Great blog. Thanks for all the infos and prices, came in very handy.

Montréal,Canada

So happy to be of help.

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The Ultimate Guide to the Cost of Traveling to the Maldives: Tips and Tricks for Planning Your Dream Vacation

by Trip.com

February 20, 2023

Sun Island Resort & Spa

The cost of a trip to the Maldives can vary depending on the time of year, length of stay, and type of accommodation. Generally, it is considered a luxurious destination, and the cost of resorts and hotels can be high. However, there are also more affordable options available such as guesthouses on local islands. Flights, food, and activities can also add to the overall cost of the trip.

How much does it cost for flights when travelling to Maldives?

Male Island

The cost of flights to the Maldives can vary depending on a number of factors such as the time of year, airline, and departure location. Typically, flights from major cities such as New York, London, or Sydney can range from $500 to $1500 or more per person round-trip. However, prices can fluctuate based on availability, promotions, and other factors. It's recommended to book flights in advance and compare prices from multiple airlines to find the best deal. Additionally, some resorts and hotels offer packages that include flights, which can be a convenient and potentially cost-effective option.

Cheap Flights from New York to Maldives

• Sort by: Lowest Price
• Sort by: Earliest Flight

Crossed out prices are calculated based on the average price of the corresponding route on Trip.com.

How much does it cost for hotels when travelling to Maldives?

Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi

The cost of hotels and resorts in the Maldives can vary significantly depending on the level of luxury and the location. Generally, the Maldives is considered a high-end destination, and many of the resorts and hotels are designed to offer an exclusive and luxurious experience. Prices for accommodations can range from $100 to $50,000 or more per night depending on the type of room, amenities, and level of service. For travelers on a budget, there are also guesthouses and hotels on local islands that offer more affordable options. It's recommended to research and compare prices and amenities before booking to find the best option for your budget and preferences.

Here are the average prices for the hotels and resorts I mentioned earlier:

• Soneva Fushi - Prices start at around $2,000 USD per night.
• Baros Maldives - Prices start at around $700 USD per night.
• COMO Maalifushi - Prices start at around $1,000 USD per night.
• Adaaran Club Rannalhi - Prices start at around $300 USD per night.
• Malahini Kuda Bandos Resort - Prices start at around $200 USD per night.

** REMINDER** : Please keep in mind that these are average prices and can vary depending on a number of factors, including the time of year, length of stay, and room type. Additionally, some resorts and hotels offer special packages or promotions that can affect the overall price.

Airport pickup service

Swimming pool

Check Availability

Soneva Fushi

Sheraton maldives full moon resort & spa, how much does it cost for food when travelling to maldives.

The cost of food in the Maldives can vary depending on where you eat and what type of cuisine you choose. Generally, the resorts and hotels in the Maldives offer a range of dining options, including international cuisine, local dishes, and seafood. The prices for meals at these establishments can range from $20 to $100 or more per person per meal, depending on the level of luxury and the type of restaurant.

However, if you're on a budget, there are also local eateries and street food vendors that offer more affordable options. A meal at a local restaurant can cost around $5 to $15 per person. It's important to note that some resorts offer all-inclusive meal plans, which can be a convenient and potentially cost-effective option.

How much does it cost for souvenirs when travelling to Maldives?

• Local handicrafts such as wooden carvings, woven baskets, and coir ropes - prices range from $5 to $50 or more depending on the size and intricacy of the item.
• Shell and coral jewelry - prices range from $10 to $100 or more depending on the design and quality of the item.
• Maldives t-shirts and beachwear - prices range from $10 to $30 or more depending on the design and brand.
• Maldives postcards and fridge magnets - prices range from $1 to $5 depending on the design and quality.
• Local spices and teas - prices range from $5 to $20 depending on the type and quantity of the item.

** REMINDER** : Please note that these are average prices and can vary depending on where you purchase the items and whether you bargain or not. It's important to support local artisans and businesses when buying souvenirs and to avoid purchasing items made from protected species such as black coral and turtle shell .

How much does it cost for transportation when travelling to Maldives?

• Domestic flight - If you are traveling between islands in the Maldives, a domestic flight may be necessary. The cost can range from $100 to $500 USD per person, depending on the distance and airline.
• Speedboat - Many resorts and guesthouses offer speedboat transfers from the airport to their properties. The cost can range from $25 to $200 USD per person, depending on the distance and the type of boat.
• Public ferry - If you are traveling on a budget, public ferries are available between some islands in the Maldives. The cost is usually less than $5 USD per person, but travel time can be longer and schedules may not be as frequent.

How much does it cost for sightseeing when travelling to Maldives?

• Snorkeling - prices range from $30 to $100 or more depending on the location and duration of the tour. Some resorts and hotels also offer complimentary snorkeling equipment and guided tours.
• Island hopping - prices range from $50 to $150 or more depending on the number of islands visited and the duration of the tour. This is a great way to experience the diversity of the Maldives and explore different local communities.
• Sunset cruises - prices range from $50 to $200 or more depending on the type of boat and the length of the tour. This is a popular activity for couples and families, and it offers a beautiful view of the Maldives' stunning sunsets.

** REMINDER** : Please note that these are average prices and can vary depending on the specific tour operator, the time of year, and the size of your group. It's recommended to research and compare prices before booking to find the best option for your budget and preferences. Additionally, some resorts and hotels offer complimentary or discounted sightseeing

How much does it cost for WiFi & communication when travelling to Maldives?

• Wi-Fi: Many resorts and hotels in the Maldives offer complimentary Wi-Fi access to their guests, although the quality and speed of the connection may vary. Some properties may also charge a fee for premium Wi-Fi services or for using Wi-Fi in public areas. If you require a reliable and fast connection, you may need to purchase a local SIM card or a portable Wi-Fi hotspot.
• Local SIM cards : If you plan to use your mobile phone in the Maldives, you can purchase a local SIM card from one of the major telecom providers such as Dhiraagu or Ooredoo. The cost of a SIM card can vary but is generally around $10 to $20. You will need to provide your passport and some basic personal information to activate the SIM card, and you can then purchase data and calling plans as needed.
• International roaming : If you prefer to use your own mobile phone and plan to roam on an international network, be aware that the cost of data and calling can be very expensive. It's recommended to check with your mobile provider before travelling to the Maldives to find out what options are available and what the costs will be.

Overall, the cost of Wi-Fi and communication in the Maldives can add up, especially if you require fast and reliable access. It's important to plan ahead and research your options to find the best solution for your needs and budget.

How much does it cost for passport when travelling to Maldives?

If you're travelling to the Maldives, you will need a valid passport that's valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. The cost of a passport can vary depending on your country of citizenship and the type of passport you require (e.g. regular or expedited service).

In general, the cost of a new passport can range from $50 to $200 or more , depending on your country of origin. It's important to apply for a passport well in advance of your trip to ensure that you have all the necessary documentation and to avoid any unexpected delays or costs.

How much does it cost for insurance when travelling to Maldives?

Club Med Kani - Maldives

Here are some points about the cost of insurance when traveling to the Maldives:

• It is highly recommended to purchase travel insurance before traveling to the Maldives to protect yourself in case of unexpected events such as medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or lost luggage.
• The cost of travel insurance can vary depending on factors such as your age, length of trip, and coverage limits.
• On average, travel insurance for a one-week trip to the Maldives can cost between $50 to $150 USD per person.
• Some credit cards may offer travel insurance coverage, so it's worth checking if your credit card includes this benefit before purchasing additional coverage.
• When purchasing travel insurance, be sure to carefully review the coverage details and exclusions to ensure that it meets your needs and covers any activities you plan to participate in while in the Maldives.

How much does it cost for 2 nights & 3 days when travelling to Maldives?

Ayada Maldives

• Arrival at Malé International Airport
• Transfer to a local guesthouse on Hulhumalé island or nearby
• Check-in and relax on the beach
• Dinner at a local restaurant or guesthouse
• Estimated cost: $100-$150 for guesthouse accommodation, $40-$100 for dinner
• Breakfast at the guesthouse
• Half-day snorkeling tour to a nearby coral reef
• Lunch on the boat or at a local restaurant
• Afternoon visit to a nearby local island for shopping and sightseeing
• Estimated cost: $80-$150 for snorkeling tour, $10-$20 for lunch, $50-$100 for shopping, $40-$100 for dinner
• Transfer back to Malé International Airport for departure
• Estimated cost: $5-$10 for transfer to the airport
• Total estimated cost for two nights and three days: $300-$500

** REMINDER** : Please note that these are estimated costs and can vary depending on your travel style and preferences. It's recommended to research and compare prices for accommodation, activities, and transportation to find the best deals and options for your budget.

How much does it cost for family, couples or single when travelling to Maldives?

Hurawalhi Island Resort

• Family: The cost for a family trip to the Maldives can be higher due to the need for larger accommodations and activities suitable for children. Family-friendly resorts may offer special packages or discounts, but expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $1000 per night for a family room or suite.
• Couples: The cost for a romantic getaway to the Maldives can also vary depending on the level of luxury and privacy desired. Resorts offering overwater villas and private pools can cost upwards of $1000 per night, while more budget-friendly options may be available starting at around $300 per night.
• Solo: The cost for a solo trip to the Maldives can be similar to that of a couples' trip, depending on the type of accommodation and activities desired. Some resorts may offer single occupancy rates, while others may require a supplement fee. Budget-friendly options like guesthouses or hostels may also be available starting at around $50-$100 per night.

Overall, the cost of a trip to the Maldives can be high due to the remote location and the luxury offerings of many resorts. It's recommended to plan ahead and research your options to find the best deals and options for your budget and preferences.

Methods to save money when travelling to Maldives

• Travel during the low season (May-November) when prices are typically lower.
• Look for package deals that combine flights and accommodation for a better price.
• Consider staying at a guesthouse or budget hotel instead of a luxury resort.
• Book activities and excursions directly with local tour operators for better prices.
• Shop for groceries and snacks at local markets instead of eating out for every meal.
• Use public transportation or local ferries to get around instead of private transfers.
• Bring your own snorkeling gear instead of renting it at the resort.
• Book spa treatments during happy hours or special promotions for discounted rates.
• Look for discounts on travel websites or through credit card rewards programs.
• Avoid expensive activities like seaplane transfers and opt for speedboat transfers instead.
• By using these tips, you can enjoy a memorable and budget-friendly trip to the Maldives without breaking the bank

Tips for travelling to Maldives

• Weather : The Maldives has a tropical climate with two main seasons: the dry season (December-April) and the wet season (May-November). The weather is generally hot and humid year-round, with average temperatures ranging from 26-30°C (79-86°F).
• Clothing tips : Dress code is generally casual and lightweight clothing is recommended due to the warm climate. Swimwear is acceptable on the beaches and at resorts, but should be covered when walking around local islands or in public areas. It's also a good idea to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect against the strong sun.
• Best time to go : The best time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season (December-April) when the weather is sunny and dry. However, this is also the peak season with higher prices and larger crowds. The shoulder season (May-July) and low season (August-November) can offer lower prices and fewer crowds, but there is a higher chance of rain and humidity during this time.
• Island-hopping : Consider visiting multiple islands during your trip to experience the local culture and cuisine. You can easily travel between islands using local ferries or private transfers.
• Snorkeling and diving : The Maldives is known for its world-class snorkeling and diving opportunities. Consider bringing your own gear to save money on rental fees and explore the stunning underwater world.
• Respect local customs : The Maldives is a Muslim country, and it's important to respect local customs and traditions. Avoid public displays of affection, dress modestly when visiting local islands, and refrain from drinking alcohol in public areas.

By following these tips, you can have an enjoyable and respectful trip to the Maldives while experiencing the best of what this beautiful island nation has to offer.

Is it safe to travel to the Maldives?

Yes, the Maldives is generally a safe destination for travelers. However, it's always important to take common safety precautions like securing your belongings and being aware of your surroundings.

Do I need a visa to visit the Maldives?

Most visitors to the Maldives do not require a visa if they are staying for less than 30 days. However, you will need a valid passport with at least six months validity and a return ticket.

What is the currency used in the Maldives?

The currency used in the Maldives is the Maldivian Rufiyaa (MVR), but US dollars and Euros are also widely accepted at most resorts and tourist areas.

Can I drink alcohol in the Maldives?

Alcohol is not widely available on local islands due to the country's Muslim culture. However, most resorts and private islands have bars and restaurants that serve alcohol to guests.

What is the best way to get around in the Maldives?

The best way to get around in the Maldives depends on your destination and budget. Local ferries and public transportation are the most affordable options, while private transfers and seaplane transfers are faster but more expensive. Many resorts and guesthouses also offer airport transfers for guests.

Exploring the Expenses: Maldives Travel Cost

• 1. How much does it cost for flights when travelling to Maldives?
• 2. How much does it cost for hotels when travelling to Maldives?
• 3. How much does it cost for food when travelling to Maldives?
• 4. How much does it cost for souvenirs when travelling to Maldives?
• 5. How much does it cost for transportation when travelling to Maldives?
• 6. How much does it cost for sightseeing when travelling to Maldives?
• 7. How much does it cost for WiFi & communication when travelling to Maldives?
• 8. How much does it cost for passport when travelling to Maldives?
• 9. How much does it cost for insurance when travelling to Maldives?
• 10. How much does it cost for 2 nights & 3 days when travelling to Maldives?
• 11. How much does it cost for family, couples or single when travelling to Maldives?
• 12. Methods to save money when travelling to Maldives
• 13. Tips for travelling to Maldives

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The Maldives Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 17, 2023

The Maldives is one of the most sought-after luxury destinations in the world, conjuring images of lavish resorts and jet-set honeymooners lounging in beachfront villas and swimming in sapphire waters. While the Maldives is home to all of those things and is known as a luxe destination for splashing out, it’s also possible to visit here without entirely breaking the bank.

Located in the Indian Ocean, this remote country of 1,192 islands and 26 coral atolls is bursting with world-class diving and snorkeling. There are a plethora of opportunities to explore outside the hotel resort bubble and take in the beautiful remoteness of this tropical paradise. Thanks to a greatly improved boat transfer system and the opening up of independent guesthouses, the Maldives is evolving into a (slightly more) budget-friendly vacation spot.

This travel guide to the Maldives can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this gorgeous tropical getaway!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on the Maldives

Top 5 Things to See and Do in the Maldives

1. Explore Malé

The Maldivian capital, while small, has plenty of things to see and do. Seet the country’s 17th century mosque (Hukuru Miskiiy) and get a historical overview of the country at the National Museum. Be sure to grab a coffee and watch the world go by in one of the charmingly chaotic cafes too.

2. Go diving

The Maldives is one of the best diving destinations in the world. See hammerheads in Rasdhoo Madivaru (aka Hammerhead Point) or free dive with whale sharks. There are also lots of mantas and sea turtles here too. Single-tank dives start at 775 MVR.

3. Relax on the beach

Outside the private resorts, Omadoo (on the South Ari Atoll) and Ukulhas Island (on the Alif Alif Atoll) are two of the best beaches in the country. Manadhoo is another great place too. Just make sure you’re on a designated ‘Bikini Beach’ (a beach specifically for westerners).

4. Enjoy the food

The seafood here is beyond delicious and incredibly fresh. Most of the restaurants in Malé offer outdoor dining areas. Some of the more popular places to go include The Seagull Café, Symphony, Royal Garden Café, and Irudhashu Hotaa (for quick meals).

5. Do some watersports

Banana boats (inflatable boats pulled behind a speedboat), parasailing, water skiing, jet skiing, snorkeling, and kayaking can all be found here. Prices range from 380 MVR for snorkeling to 2,000 MVR per person for tandem parasailing.

Other Things to See and Do in the Maldives

1. treat yourself to a spa day.

Even when you’re on a modest budget, it’s wonderful to indulge in an extra dose of R&R. Expect to pay at least 1,000 MVR for a 30-minute massage. Some of the larger hotels offer discounts for early-morning/late evening bookings so inquire with your hotel, Airbnb host, or guesthouse to find out about deals.

2. Go fishing

Seafood is an integral part of Maldivian cuisine. Most hotels and guesthouses rent poles, bait, and provide a guide for around 775 MVR. Skipjack and yellowfin tuna, wahoo, mahi-mahi, bigeye scad, and mackerel scad are all commonly found here. If you’re an experienced angler, some of the best game fishing in the world can be done here. Expect to pay at least 3,000 MVR for a half-day shared charter.

3. Snorkel in the Baa Atoll

The Baa Atoll is a 1,200-square-kilometer (463-square-mile) UNESCO Biosphere Reserve brimming with manta rays and whale sharks. On a clear day, you can see them swarming below the surface. It’s only a five-minute boat ride from Dharavandhoo Island but visiting the area is strictly regulated and there is an 80 person capacity so as not to disrupt the precious ecosystem. Admission is around 550 MVR, which gives you 45 minutes in the water and a certified snorkel guide. Profits go towards the Baa Atoll Conservation Fund.

4. Tour the National Art Gallery

Established in 1999, there’s no permanent gallery here so be sure to check the website in advance as the space is left empty if there is no visiting exhibition on display. The temporary exhibitions at the gallery, which range from traditional paintings and local textiles to international modern artists, are well worth a visit.

5. Dive the Maldive Victory

In 1981, this 100-meter-long (328-foot) cargo ship hit a reef and sank. It’s now an incredible dive site for experienced divers. Resting between 15-31 meters (50-100 feet) below the surface, there are strong currents here that keep the tropical fish flowing through the shipwreck — but they also make it a challenging dive site. There are all kinds of coral, fish, and sponges here. It’s accessible all year around.

6. Visit the Malé Fish Market

Come here and catch a glimpse of Maldivians living out their daily routine in the commercial center of Malé. Select a fish (if you can muster your way through a purchase as most fishermen don’t speak English) and have it cooked at your guesthouse for dinner.

7. Wash up on a sandbank

These tiny mounds of sand in the middle of the Indian Ocean are the closest you can get to feeling like you’re on your own private island. Private trips can be arranged to any one of the hundred different banks dotted around the islands (many of which are attached to/affiliated with resorts). Tours usually last 2-3 hours and cost 900 MVR.

8. Skip Maafushi

Maafushi, once a sleepy little island, is now the victim of uncontrolled development. There are hotels going up left and right, boats making frequent trips to Malé to pick up tour groups, and an increasingly-crowded and overbuilt beach. The few restaurants on the island cater mostly to tourists and outside the area cleaned up for visitors, it’s one trash-covered dump. Skip it!

9. Do all the watersports

Diving and snorkeling to see the life under the water is what the Maldives are famous for but there’s plenty more to do. Most resorts have kayaks, paddleboards, and paddle boats that you can borrow for free. Others offer surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing packages for both beginners and experienced surfers (May-October is the best time for this). Then you’ve got things like banana boating, tubing, jet skiing, sailing, parasailing, and flyboarding which are all also often available.

10. Stay on a local island

Most people stay in the high-end resorts when they go to the Maldives but there’s so much more to the islands than this. Local islands give you the chance to get to know the Maldives as a country rather than just seeing a resort and a ton of biodiverse marine life. The local islands are where you can find guesthouse accommodation which is cheaper, and there is more variety in terms of tour operators, restaurants, and other things to do. Fulidhoo, Ukulhas, Rasdhoo, and Thinadhoo and some of the most popular choices. Generally speaking, the further away from the capital you get the more laid-back and quiet the islands are.

Maldives Travel Costs

Accommodation – Private rooms at guesthouses are going to be your cheapest option in the Maldives, with prices starting around 625 MVR per night.

Resorts start at 6,000 MVR per night (not including the private speed boats or seaplane transfers you need to arrive there). They can cost upwards of 30,000 MVR a night, making this an ideal place to use any hotel points you have saved up.

Airbnb is available around the islands with private rooms starting at 700 MVR, though 1,200 MVR is more common. For an entire home/apartment, prices start at 1,500 MVR but can go as high as 6,000 MVR or more! Entire homes/apartments are far less common so be sure to book in advance if you prefer one.

Wild camping isn’t possible as all land around the islands is owned. Your only real camping option is to ask to pitch a tent in someone’s back yard, however, this isn’t a reliable solution so skip camping here.

Food – Traditional cuisine in the Maldives is based on fish, coconuts, and rice. Tubers like taro and sweet potatoes are also common staples. Aside from all kinds of fish and seafood soups and stews, be sure to try favorites such as gulha (fried fish filled dough balls), kuli (spicy fish cakes), and dessert treats like bondi bai (Maldivian rice pudding).

Most traditional meals cost less than 70 MVR at casual local restaurants though most resorts and hotels include meals since restaurants here are rare.

For a three-course meal of traditional food at a budget-friendly hotel, expect to pay around 300 MVR with a drink.

Alcohol is generally prohibited but can be found at the more luxurious resorts. Expect to pay a premium for it: beer costs upwards of 125 MVR while cocktails are double that. A latte or cappuccino costs 35 MVR while a bottle of water is 5 MVR.

If you’re looking to cook your own food, make sure you stock up at the STO trade center in Malé. Shopping here can save you a little extra money, especially if you are staying somewhere with a kitchen. Prices here are often more competitive than street vendors and there is a great assortment of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other daily essentials.

For a week’s worth of staples like rice, produce, and seafood, expect to pay around 700 MVR.

Backpacking the Maldives Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking the Maldives, my suggested budget is 1,100 MVR per day. This assumes you’re staying in a budget guesthouse, cooking all of your meals, not drinking alcohol, taking public ferries to get around (but mostly sticking to one island), and doing free and cheap activities like snorkeling and relaxing at the beach.

On a mid-range budget of 4,300 MVR, you can stay in a budget hotel or private Airbnb, eat out for most of your meals, take some guided tours, go diving, do some water sports, visit a couple of islands, and take the occasional private water taxi to get around.

On a “luxury” budget of 9,500 MVR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, drink alcohol, eat out for all your meals, island-hop, and do more activities and guided excursions such as fishing charters and parasailing. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in MVR.

Maldives Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

The Maldives is a challenging place to save money so non-resort travel is fairly new to the country. There are only a few things you can do to lower your budget here:

• Bring plenty of cash – Though the Maldives has its own currency (MVR), US dollars are widely accepted — and you often get a better price if you pay in USD. This varies from one restaurant or shop to another, so carry both and pay with whatever gives you the best rate. There are only ATMs in Malé.
• Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is not safe to drink so make sure you have a reusable bottle with you. To stay safe, bring a water filter like LifeStraw to ensure your water is clean and free from bacteria. It saves you money and saves the environment too!
• Island hop by ferry – The Maldives’ islands are served by a series of ferries from Malé. They run on opposite days (to Maafushi on Monday, back to Malé on Tuesday) and rarely on Friday (the Muslim sabbath). You can jump from Malé to an atoll’s capital island then to smaller, nearby islands in the chain. Ferries cost between 55-150 MVR depending on the distance. Plan ahead and research the ferries beforehand so you can avoid paying for a private speedboat.
• Consider all-inclusive packages – The taxes and import fees on food and drink means that you really don’t have many restaurants to choose from. Some hotels offer great rates which include food, drinks, and even premium amenities such as watersports, free yoga classes, or spa treatments.
• Use a travel agent for resort stays – This might seem counterintuitive for a budget traveler but agents who specialize in Maldives travel often have access to better deals than you can find on the internet. Their prices generally include speedboat or seaplane transfer costs and you may even find that you get upgrades on arrival.
• Book in advance – While most budget travelers figure out their plans on arrival, booking in advance has several benefits. For starters, Airbnbs, guesthouses, and hotels can get booked up in peak seasons so your options may be limited. If you have booked in advance, your hotel or friendly villa/guesthouse owner can help facilitate transfers and arrange activities.

Where To Stay in the Maldives

Hostels are virtually non-existent in the Maldives so people on a budget mostly stay in guesthouses and small hotels. Here are a few suggestions to help you get started and save money:

• Dream Inn (Thulusdhoo)
• Sands Exotic Hotel (Thulusdhoo)
• Hanifaru Transit Inn (Dharavandhoo)

How to Get Around the Maldives

Boat – The unreliable but reasonably-priced public ferry is a no-brainer for independent travelers, with ferries starting at 55 MVR depending on the route. If you’re looking to visit an island farther away from Malé, you need to do some island hopping via the ferry system. This might require you to stay overnight on an island along the way as the ferries do not run daily or regularly. Most ferries also do not run on the weekends.

Many of the islands further afield can only be accessed by private boat or plane. Check the ferry schedule well in advance and plan accordingly (I didn’t and it threw off my whole itinerary).

The island ferry schedule can be found here .

Private speedboats cost around 385-1,500 MVR per person depending on the distance from Malé.

When to Go to the Maldives

The Maldives is a year-round destination with temperatures hovering between 23-31°C (74-89°F). The high season runs from December to April, when airfare and hotel prices increase dramatically (especially around Christmas, New Year, Chinese New Year, and Easter). Book in advance if you want to visit during this period.

Don’t be too nervous about booking during the monsoon period, which runs from May to October. You can enjoy fewer crowds, better rates, and plenty of sunny days in between the few-and-far rainy spells.

Diving is spectacular throughout the year. For other watersports, such as surfing, the best breaks are from mid-February to November.

How to Stay Safe in the Maldives

The Maldives is an incredibly safe destination for tourists. Keep an eye on your belongings in public areas in Malé, which is more prone to petty crime (although at a very low level). On the other islands, especially the resort-focused islands, it’s highly, highly unlikely anything is going to happen to you or your stuff. That said, it’s always a good idea to avoid leaving any valuables on the beach while you swim.

Solo female travelers should feel safe here, though the standard precautions apply (always keep an eye on your drink when out, never walk home alone at night, etc.)

With the exception of the 2004 tsunami, large-scale natural disasters are rare. However, climate change has led to an uptick in increased rainfall, storm surges, and minor coastal floods. Make sure you have travel insurance when you visit.

Respect the Muslim customs by adhering to dress codes, especially in the capital, where resort wear isn’t common. Do not drink alcohol outside your resort as fines are possible.

While scams here are rare, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here if you’re worried about getting ripped off.

If you experience an emergency, dial 119 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Maldives Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Maldives Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling the Maldives and continue planning your trip:

My In-Depth Guide to Experiencing the Maldives on a Budget

How to Spend a Week in the Maldives for Less Than a Night in a Resort

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How to Take Your Dream Trip to the Maldives on a Budget

A trip to this remote island paradise doesn't have to cost a fortune.

The mere mention of the Maldives conjures up images of overwater bungalows, pristine seas, and perfectly powdery sand. The islands are, in a word, idyllic. Many budget travelers might use another word to describe this dream destination: impossible.

How much does a typical Maldives trip cost? Flights to the archipelagic state in South Asia often top $1,000, with luxury resorts charging that much — or more — for each night’s stay.

“The Maldives is so expensive because it’s a country that relies on tourism for the majority of its GDP and has branded itself as an intimate, private getaway to attract luxury tourism dollars,” said travel expert Anthony Berklich .

What’s more, “the Maldives are very geographically isolated — several hundred miles from mainland Asia — and therefore need to have everything imported,” said Alanna Smith, a former editor at TravelPirates .

When you finally get there, getting around can put a dent in your savings, too. “The 1,192 islands of the country are spread out over 35,000 square miles,” she added. “To get between them, travelers have to take long boat rides or seaplane flights.” Those transfers “can tack hundreds — if not thousands — of dollars onto a vacation.”'

The good news is that you can travel to the Maldives on a budget and still have an amazing time. Keep in mind that your experience won't include five-star hotel service, overwater bungalows, private beaches, comfortable transfers between islands, fine dining, and some amenities such as alcohol — which is prohibited everywhere but in those expensive resorts. But the crystal-clear water, amazing snorkeling, fine white sand, and beautiful bioluminescent plankton are available to all — regardless of budget.

How to Save on Flights to the Maldives

From even the largest airports in the U.S., flights to the Maldives’ main airport in Malé can top $1,500. Flight prices tend to be at their highest during the dry season (December to March) so if you want to save money, visit during the shoulder season months of November and April. You can expect a higher chance of rain but you'll likely still enjoy plenty of sunshine and warm temperatures that range between 82 and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. Prices are at their lowest during the rainy season between May and October, but you're more likely to encounter thunderstorms, high winds, and heavy rains during those months.

When looking for flights, your best bet is to use Skyscanner or Google Flights to find the cheapest options. If your schedule is flexible, you can also fly to a Southeast Asian or Middle Eastern country and then catch a separate regional flight to Malé, Smith says, adding that flights from cities like Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, and Bangkok are often fairly affordable.

“From those cities, you can catch cheap flights for $200 to $300,” Smith said. “This might make your journey a little longer, but think of it as a way to see two countries for the price of one.”

How to Find Affordable Maldives Hotels

Those beautiful overwater bungalows come with more than just a view — they come with a hefty price tag, too. But if you don’t want to drop $2,000 a night or more on paradise, there are more budget-friendly options to be found that are just as beautiful.

While most of the archipelago comprises private islands owned by resorts, local islands are increasingly welcoming tourists thanks to legislation that opened the door for more affordable accommodations. In 2009, the Maldives began allowing locals to open their own guesthouses on inhabited islands, These establishments range from simple bed-and-breakfasts to larger family-run inns with restaurants. “Guesthouses can cost $50 to $120 a night, which, compared to a $1,000 a night for an overwater bungalow, is quite the bargain,” said Smith. She suggests Maafushi and Fulidhoo as great islands with low-cost guesthouses. (These local islands are also close to Malé, making transportation from the airport less expensive, too.) On these islands, you’ll find picturesque bikini beaches where you can don your two-piece suit freely. But unlike at a resort, you won’t be able to indulge in alcohol in this Muslim country.

Out of the three islands, Maafushi is the most touristy, with a mix of simple guesthouses and affordable hotels (rooms at the 4-star Arena Beach Hotel Maafushi are often available for less than $150 a night). The island has four main beaches including Bikini Beach, Public Beach, Water Sports Beach, and Coral Beach. Near Bikini Beach, you’ll find several restaurants including Caviar Café & Restaurant, which has live music throughout the week, as well as local restaurants specializing in Maldivian seafood and curries. While alcohol is banned on the island, if you’re craving something stronger than a mocktail, take a free speedboat from the ferry terminal to Floating Bar & Safari. The yacht moored in the Maafushi Lagoon is one of the only places that legally serves alcohol and is located just a few minutes from the shore.

Those looking for something quieter will find tranquility on Fulidhoo, a tiny island with fewer than 400 inhabitants and just a handful of guesthouses and inns. The island has just a few beaches including one designated bikini beach but its main draws are in the water. Fulidhoo is surrounded by some of the best dive sites in the Maldives, including a couple of places where you can go night diving with nurse sharks. Most of the restaurants on Fulidhoo are located inside guesthouses but are open to non-guests as well, so don't be afraid to try something beyond your own hotel. While you won’t find any alcoholic drinks here, you’ll definitely enjoy delicious local seafood and freshly squeezed fruit juices. 

A bit further from Malé, Thoddoo is a local island known for its pristine beaches and fruit and vegetable plantations. The bikini beach on the island's southern coast is the most popular among tourists thanks to its powdery white sand and turquoise waters, as well as hammocks, swings, and beach chairs. For the best restaurants, head to the area around Thoddoo Beach, where you'll find atmospheric eateries like Black Anchor Restaurant, which was designed to resemble the deck of a ship and specializes in seafood, and Priani Cuisine, an Italian restaurant in a plant-filled space. With Thoddoo growing in popularity, more hotels are popping up, but you can still find rooms for under $100 a night.

If you must stay at a resort, event planner Aviva Samuels, who specializes in group travel for weddings and events, suggests the  Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma , which is “less than 22 miles from Malé and reachable by speedboat.” Rates there start at $291 per night.

How to Save Money on Maldives Transportation

If you book a stay at a private island, your choices may very well be limited to the transportation options your hotel provides. (And fair warning, they’ll be very pricey.) But if you stay on a local island, Smith suggests using the ferry system to get from Malé to your slice of paradise.

“The Maldives has a pretty extensive and affordable ferry system,” Smith said. “Tickets only cost a few dollars, and as long as you’re prepared to wait for your ferry, you can save a lot of money.”

However, you'll pay for these savings in time. It takes about five hours to reach Thoddoo from Malé by public ferry, while a speedboat can reach the island in about 45 minutes. If you can’t wait to start your vacation, “you may also be able to find local speedboat owners who can take you where you need to go for less than a resort would charge,” Smith said.

How to Save Money on Food

When you’re not booking an all-inclusive hotel, food in the Maldives does not have to break the bank.

“If you’re staying at a guesthouse on a local island, you’ll find that many guesthouses offer affordable dinners for around $10 to $15,” said Smith. “These may even be included in your nightly hotel rate.” If meals aren’t included, then “eating traditional Maldivian food is the cheapest way to eat. It consists of a lot of fish, curry, coconut, and rice.”

Some typical Maldivian dishes include mashuni (a breakfast dish consisting of tuna, onion, coconut, and chili paired with freshly baked roshi flatbread), kulhi boakibaa  (spicy fish cakes), and gulha  (fried fish-filled dumplings). 

How to Save Money on Activities

A trip to the Maldives wouldn’t be complete without enjoying some water sports like snorkeling, diving, or surfing — and most guesthouses can arrange these activities for you at an affordable price. Snorkeling excursions on reefs near the island can cost between $25 to $35 per person, while specialty experiences like scuba diving or snorkeling with manta rays, turtles, or dolphins can cost more. If you’re an avid diver, it's often more cost-effective to book a liveaboard trip, which includes dives, accommodations, and meals. Amba is one of the cheapest options at around $1,600 per person (not including flights) for an eight-day trip with two to three dives per day.  

One of the perks of staying at a private island resort is that some activities are included in the rate. While most 5-star hotels in the Maldives charge thousands of dollars per night, many of them also offer day passes to non-guests. These packages range from $100 to $200 per person and typically include boat transfers from a nearby local island, lunch, a beach cabana that you can use for the day, and access to guest amenities like the pool, equipment rentals, and even some activities like sailing, kayaking, or snorkeling. Most guesthouses and tour operators sell day passes to nearby resorts, so be sure to ask your host about options. If you're traveling frugally, splurging on a resort day is a perfect way to experience the luxurious side of the Maldives without blowing your budget.

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Your Trip to the Maldives: The Complete Guide

Made up of nearly 1,200 coral islands strung north to south in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is one of the most popular beach destinations on the planet. Known for world-class diving, miles of empty white-sand beaches, and resorts oozing with luxury, the Maldives isn’t always the most budget-friendly destination (though bargains can be found). But if you’re looking for mind-blowing sunsets, sugary sand, and the most turquoise water you’ve ever seen, break out your credit card and book a flight. Read on for our complete Maldives visitor’s guide, and learn the best places to stay, eat, dive, and explore in this spectacular tropical locale.

Planning Your Trip

Best Time To Visit: In true tropical island style, temperatures in the Maldives average 83 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius) year-round, and there are only two main seasons; dry and wet. The dry season comes in fall and winter, from November through April, with temperatures ranging from 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) to 89 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius). The low, monsoon season runs from May through October, with the wettest month usually falling in June. Temperatures in the rainy season range from 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius) to 87 degrees Fahrenheit (30 degrees Celsius).

Getting Around: As an island nation spread across hundreds of miles of the ocean, it’s only natural that boats are the country’s transport mainstay, so prepare your sea legs (or Dramamine). For those staying near the capital or attempting a more budget holiday, ferries are offered between some of the more populated islands in the Malé Atoll capital area. Speedboat taxis can be hired for short-distance island hopping, and private resort speedboats whisk guests away to properties in the immediate vicinity. For resorts set in distant atolls, further transport will be via seaplane or a domestic flight to one of the more far-flung airports followed by speedboat transfer to the resort.

Travel Tip: Many visitors to the Maldives must travel by seaplane to reach their final destination, so it’s important to note that seaplanes only operate during daylight hours. If your flight arrives after dark, consider staying at a nearby hotel on either Hulhulé Island or in nearby Malé city.

Things to Do

This is a country surrounded by water, water, and more water, so it's only natural that water sports have emerged as the leading activity in the Maldives. Landlubbers can bask in the sun on deserted sandbanks, or perhaps spend the day in one of the dozens of spas dotted at upmarket resorts throughout the nation.

• Diving: Some of the world's best diving can be found in the Maldives' coral atolls. Spot whale sharks and manta rays from May through November in the Baa Atoll UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, or dive deep with octopi and reef sharks to explore some of the area's famed shipwrecks.
• Water sports: Snorkeling, stand-up paddle, surfing, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, and every other water sport imaginable are available year-round. Most resorts include access to non-motorized water sports equipment, and the larger populated islands generally have water sports rental facilities.
• Spa experiences: The Maldives is home to some of the most indulgent hotel spas in the world. These havens of tranquility offer everything from Thai massages set in overwater villas, to underwater treatment rooms, to complete detox, rejuvenation, or restoration packages. Most resorts have a spa on the property, so it's only a matter of choosing which will best suit your budget and relaxation desires.
• Nothing: Perhaps the ultimate activity of all in the Maldives is doing absolutely nothing. This definition of "nothing" means laying on a sun lounger on one of the country's best beaches , staring into the sea-green distance while sipping ice-cold coconut water and reading a novel.

What to Eat and Drink

Maldivian cuisine borrows mainly from India and Sri Lanka, which both highlight hot, spicy flavors. But in the Maldives, what you’ll eat largely depends on where you stay. High-end resorts offer a variety of a la carte local and international fare in a host of luxurious settings, including in overwater and underwater restaurants .

Budget resorts are more likely to provide buffet meals with both Western and Asian options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There are also small local eateries and cafes on many of the inhabited islands, purveying specialties such as fish cakes, soups, and curries.

Alcohol is prohibited in the Maldives (except for tourists at licensed hotels and resorts), so don’t expect to wash down your curry with a beer in any of the local establishments. Many of the more upmarket resorts, however, have full bars, and even wine cellars with hundreds of vintages to choose from.

Where to Stay

If visitors stay in the city of Malé, it’s rarely for more than one night, as there’s not much going on in the capital other than commerce, a few restaurants, and a museum or two. Most visitors stay in one of the dozens of resorts, which are often set on private islands in one of the country’s myriad coral atolls.

Accommodations vary widely in the Maldives, from rustic local guesthouses to some of the world’s most expensive resorts. If you’re on a budget, there are a handful of guesthouses and small hotels in many of the inhabited islands, such as in the North Malé Atoll or Ari Atoll.

There are also a variety of all-inclusive resorts, which range widely in quality. Check out Adaaran Prestige Vadoo , which is only 20 minutes by speedboat from the airport and has overwater villas with private pools, or the chic design and five restaurants at LUX* South Ari Atoll .

The Maldives’ lineup of five-star resorts are the stuff holiday dreams are made of. Postcard-perfect beaches, overwater villas, serene spas, and private butlers are only a taste of what to expect should you choose to splurge. Some of the most popular (and expensive) options include chains such as the Four Seasons , St. Regis , and the Six Senses , plus properties like Soneva Jani , which features massive overwater villas with private pools and waterslides, or Huvafen Fushi Maldives which has the world’s first and only underwater spa.

Getting There

The gateway to the Maldives is Velana International Airport (MLE), formerly Malé International Airport, which is set on an island adjacent to the capital city of Malé. Upon arrival, the best transport mode depends on where you’re staying. A bridge connects the airport (on Hulhulé Island) to adjacent Malé city, or there are taxis, speedboat taxis, and regularly scheduled (though not always on time) ferries.

The Maldives’ seafaring past and Indian Ocean location means the remote country has been heavily influenced by its closest neighbors, India and Sri Lanka, as well as Indonesia, Malaysia, and Africa. Many visitors will only see the surroundings of their chosen resort, but the Maldives possesses cultural treasures on the local islands and in Malé that are also worth exploring.

• One of the oldest mosques in the Maldives is the Malé Hukuru Miskiy, or Old Friday Mosque, which was built from ornately carved coral in 1658. The mosque is set on Hulhulé Island, an easy taxi ride from the airport.
• The Maldives National Museum in Malé is a compact yet illuminating repository for the country’s prized artifacts. Displays range from ancient to modern times and contain everything from religious carvings to whale skeletons to lacquered wood boxes handmade by Maldivian craftspeople.
• Across Sultan Park from The Maldives National Museum is The National Art Gallery. Established in 1999, this relatively new museum houses collections of Maldivian art from both past and present.

Money-Saving Tips

• May through October is monsoon season in much of Southeast Asia, and the Maldives is no exception. Although summer can sometimes bring heavy rainfall and severe storms, most often there are only afternoon showers, and risking a visit during these monsoon months (particularly June, considered the wettest month) means deep discounts compared to visiting the country during the peak season.
• Since alcohol is heavily taxed and marked-up in the Maldives, a drinks bill at the end of your trip can pose a hefty surprise. To keep the holiday stress-free and the umbrella drinks coming, consider choosing an all-inclusive package if you plan to indulge in adult libations during your stay.

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How to Plan a Maldives Itinerary [Islands, Transport & Budget]

You could spend a lifetime here in the Maldives, exploring the 1,192 islands of this, Asia’s smallest nation by landmass.  But there are a few ways in which you can narrow down the islands you plan to visit and the things to see and do while you’re on your trip to the Maldives.  And so in our guide planning the perfect Maldives itinerary, we’ll cover arriving in the Maldives, transport, accommodation, activities, and paying for things here.  We’ll give you the highlights of specific islands, consider whether a resort island trip is for you, and cover internet connectivity and, of course, the public ferry system. 

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN  OUR DISCLAIMER

Book Your Hotels NOW!

One of the best ways to save money planning your Maldives itinerary is to book your accommodation ahead of time – you’ll get the best rates – and the best choice of accommodation.

While the non-resort islands of the Maldives have been open to travelers since 2009, it wasn’t until 2014 that visitors started to come here.  As travel has opened up since the beginning of the pandemic, these islands are a lot easier to visit for the independent traveler.  Our Maldives itinerary takes in 6 islands, and a resort island and uses a variety of transport – public ferries, shared speedboats between islands, and a resort island speedboat too. You can see the specific two week itinerary that we put together here.

What to Know About Planning a Maldives Itinerary

There are two types of islands in the Maldives. Those designated as resort islands and those designated as local islands.  If you’re wanting a resort island vacation, then this is NOT the article for you.  If you’re wanting a local experience, then keep reading.  We spent time on 6 different local islands and we also stayed on a resort island.  We stayed in the capital city of Male too, as we never truly feel that we’ve visited a country unless we’ve visited the capital.  But that’s us.  Here are a few more things you need to know about planning a Maldives itinerary.

3 Key things to planning a Maldives Itinerary

• Plan your trip around the activities that you want to do (e.g. snorkeling from the beach, diving with Whale Sharks, seeing rays from the beach)
• Plan your Maldives trip based on both the time you have available and also the budget you have available.
• Plan your Maldives on a budget trip around the specific days of the week that the public ferries run (read my guide to Maldives public ferries here )

Arriving in the Maldives

You’re going to arrive in the Maldives at the Velana International Airport on the island of Hulhulé.  This is where 99% of international visitors arrive. And when you arrive you will NEED to complete the Maldives IMUGA, aka the digital immigration form.  It’s here .

You have to do this within 96 hours of your arrival in the Maldives.  Even, if like us, you were first off the plane (after our fabulous flight here with Saudia Airlines ), you’ll have to go back and complete it.

If you forget to fill it in, like we did don’t worry, there’s free WiFi at the airport and also a whole load of QR codes to scan to complete the details.  You will need

• A photo of the photo page of your passport
• The details of your passport (number, expiry, country of residence)
• Your inbound flight number and the PNR from your flight
• Your date of arrival, and port of arrival (there’s a drop-down)
• The island on which you’ll be staying (pick the first one) + the name of the guesthouse, there’s a drop-down menu for this
• Your duration of stay and your next destination after the Maldives

Note that there is a form to complete to LEAVE the Maldives too.  It’s at the same link.

After you’ve got through immigration you’ll need to know where you’re going.  This is NOT a rock-up-and-wing-it type place for the following reasons.

•  The Maldives are a 100% Muslim country.  (Citizenship depends on this) – therefore the Friday religious holiday is rigidly enforced.  That means that public services do NOT operate on Friday.  That means that your main mode of transport – the public ferries do not operate on a Friday.  (There are other boat transport services)
• If you haven’t figured out how to get to an island, then you’re going to be staying in Male – the capital city that’s also the island of Male.  And while that’s not a bad thing –and you can easily spend a day in Male – it’s just another city.  Albeit in an island nation of 1,192 sand islands and coral reefs.
• Traveling the Maldives on a budget isn’t the South East Asia budget type of travel.  It’s more expensive.  You’ll want to book your accommodation in advance to get the best prices.  These sand islands are of limited size.  This means there’s limited accommodation, which generally means that it’s a seller’s market. Find a great place, and book it early.

How long to visit the Maldives?

Any itinerary for the Maldives depends on how long you have to spend here.  You’ll find 5 day Maldives itineraries, 7 days itineraries, 10 day itineraries for the Maldives.  We decided to spend 14 days in the Maldives and think it was the perfect amount of time for an independent Maldives itinerary.  Why?

• We got to visit 6 different local islands.
• We traveled mostly using public ferries, but we also used publicly bookable speed boats and a resort island speed boat.  We also took a car transfer back to the airport from Male, which was included with our hotel, the UMET Seaview (we recommend this place, they were great!)
• In Male City, we walked everywhere
• We spent 2 nights on a resort island to see how different it was from the local islands.  We took this resort island trip in the middle of our local island visits and it was a great way to do this. Read about our visit here
• We stayed in Male, the capital city for one night, right at the end of our trip.

Our recommended 2 week Maldives itinerary is here.

How to Plan a Maldives Itinerary

When you’re planning an itinerary for the Maldives you’ll need to put a stake in the ground and figure out how long you’re going to stay.  The primary consideration for this will be budget.

Budgeting for a Maldives Itinerary

If you’re planning on staying only on local islands in the Maldives and staying in basic, but good accommodation with private bathrooms (there are no hostels in the Maldives),  and using the public ferries to travel between the islands then you can figure on spending a minimum US$33 per person per day on accommodation based on two sharing a room with a private bathroom.  Our average accommodation cost on the local islands was US$69 a night (for both of us)

Add in a resort stay in the Maldives and the sky is the limit.  We picked our resort island stay in the Maldives based on its proximity to Male (and therefore a shorter speedboat trip) and the reviews.  The Malahini Kuda Bandos Resort, was for us, a great place to stay.  You can check out our review here – and here’s what other people think of it too.

We paid US$1,025 (gulp!) for two nights all-inclusive at the Malahini Kuda Bandos resort.  That’s a heck of A LOT more than the cost of the local islands.  It’s also by far the cheapest we could find.  That did include our return (mandatory) speedboat transfers to the island from Male airport.

If you want to visit a resort island but don’t want to stay overnight, then you can book a day visit – this option from Klook is relatively cost-effective.

The islands in the Maldives are sand islands.  The main attractions of visiting the Maldives are in and under the water.  So you’ll need to budget for seeing them.  Sure there are house reefs on all the islands, or close to them.  But the best reefs and snorkeling tend not to be near to the local islands.  They usually involve a boat trip.  Or a visit to another island.

Including all the costs, but NOT our resort island trip – so public ferries, the speedboat to Maafushi on a Friday, when the public ferries weren’t running, all our food, our accommodation, food and drinks, our 12 nights of local island exploration in the Maldives cost US$120 a day for the two of us. (US$60 per day each).   That includes all our accommodation, food, drinks, and transport (apart from the resort island which I covered separately.)  Our costs on the local islands also included US$170 each for a two dive trip in Fulidhoo.  It costs US$85 per person per dive including all equipment.

That does NOT include any inbound or outbound flights.

And US$1,025 for a two-night stay on the Malahini Kuda Bandos Island Resort – which included US$85 per person for a roundtrip shared speedboat.

Finally, on budgeting your Maldives itinerary, let’s talk about alcohol.  Alcohol is NOT illegal in the Maldives, it’s just heavily regulated.  That means generally that you can obtain and drink it on the resort islands.  Outside of that, there are floating bars (aka boats) moored “offshore” some of the local islands where you’ll pay US$10 and up for a boat ride of 2-3 minutes and US$6-10 for a beer or alcoholic drink.

So, generally, you’re going to save on not drinking alcohol.  Unless you want to visit a resort or a floating bar.

You’ll find floating bars off the island of Maafushi and Thulusdhoo.

Understanding the Maldives Geography and the Maldives Atolls to Plan a Maldives Itinerary

There are 1,192 islands in the Maldives.  Only 187 of them are inhabited.  This includes 160 resort islands.  The island nation of the Maldives is the smallest in Asia, with the islands covering a land mass of 298 square kilometers (115 square miles).  However, it’s spread over a total area- including the ocean between the islands of 90,000 square kilometers (34,749 miles).   The Maldives stretches for 871 kilometers from north to south.

All these islands are geographically arranged into 26 different atolls. However, for administration by the Maldivian government, they are arranged into 20 administrative atolls.

So why is that important?

Well, if you’re using the public ferries they are MOSTLY arranged around the atolls, which means that if you want to travel between the atolls you (usually) need to return to Male, the capital before transiting to another atoll.

TLDR?  Plan your Maldives itinerary around visiting islands in the same atoll. (Or a small number of them) and also read my guide to the Maldives Public Ferries here.

Map of the Maldives

The BEST map for the Maldives, when you’re planning a Maldives itinerary is actually the ferry map from the MTCC (the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company), which runs all the public ferries in the country.  This will help you to understand how to get between the islands.

You can download the map of the Maldives and the ferries from the MTCC here.

How to get around the Maldives

In a nation with 1,192 islands, your primary mode of transport for a Maldives itinerary is going to be a boat.  There are several types of boat transport available in the Maldives.  The BEST (IMHO) way to travel around the Maldives is to use the Public Ferry Transport system.  (Reminder, my full guide to the Maldives public ferries is here )

However, we used the Maldives public ferries in conjunction with a privately booked speedboat transfer and also a speedboat to a resort island too.  We also took a transfer back to the airport from our hotel in Male, the UMET Seaview , (where we spent one night and where we recommend)

We arrived in the Maldives on a Friday, despite knowing that the only public ferry that was running was the airport ferry ( more on that here ).  This was deliberate.  It coincided with the fabulous Saudi Transit Visa that we used to explore Jeddah .

Transport in the Maldives

If you’re staying on a resort island in the Maldives, then you’ll generally be transported from the airport to the resort by either a private speedboat or by seaplane, depending on how far from the airport your resort island is.

If you’re traveling to what are generally known as the local islands (which are all other islands apart from the resort islands), then you (may) have a choice of public ferries or speedboats. There are two types of speedboats to the local islands in the Maldives

Shared Speedboats

These run at set times and set prices.  You can book these shared speedboats through your hotel or guesthouse, or you can book them online here .  If you book via your hotel then you’ll need to pay for the speedboat part of your bill in cash.  (and you’re going to want to read more about cash and ATMs in the Maldives here )

These speedboats run at different times on different days – if they’re going from the airport to an island, then they cluster the boats around inbound flights. 

Are these speedboats expensive?  Well, they start from US$25 upwards for about an hour-long trip.  I’ve just booked an hour-long trip from Langkawi to Koh Lipe (Malaysia to Thailand) and that’s costing me US$40, and that’s the standard price.  So no.  These speedboats in the Maldives are not *that* expensive.  They’re really not.  But they’re a lot more expensive than one of the local Maldives public ferries, which come in at US$2.41 for the same trip.

Private Speedboats

Of course, there are also private speedboats available too.  You can book them online here  – and if there are 6 of you, then this could be a cost-effective option.  Check out the costs for private speedboats here.

Using the Maldives Public Ferries for a Maldives Itinerary

If you’re planning a budget Maldives trip , then you’ll want to use the public ferries here in the Maldives.  They’re extremely cost-effective, aka cheap, but they don’t run every day, and they also don’t always run point to point.  You may have to route your travel back through Male.  We used a combination of public ferries and shared speedboats for our Maldives itinerary, although our primary mode of transport was public ferries.  The public ferry timetable should be your key consideration for transport when looking at a Maldives itinerary. 

Best Local Island Maldives Itinerary

The best Maldives itinerary for you is going to take into account your

• Time available

For us, we wanted to explore several different islands.  We set a timeframe of 2 weeks – for a 14 day Maldives Itinerary, so we could see a variety of islands.  We wanted to experience local islands, see the capital city, try different forms of transport, and also stay on a resort island. 

Best Time to Visit the Maldives

The best time to visit the Maldives is during the dry season, outside of the monsoon season.  This is between November and April. You’ll get little rain and lower humidity during this time.  December and January are peak season, which means that prices are higher.  You’ll get lower prices, and wetter weather from May to October, so that’s the time to visit if you want to go to the Maldives on even more of a budget.

Tips for Visiting the Maldives

Here are a few tips that will help your trip to the Maldives.

• The Maldives is a Muslim country.  There are rules about what to wear on the local islands, so if you want to wear a bikini on the beach, you’ll need to go to a specific beach for that. 
• You’ll need cash to use the public ferries
• US dollars are generally accepted here alongside the local currency, the Rufiyaa.
• There might be 96 ATMs in the Maldives, but there are 187 inhabited islands.  You won’t find an ATM on all the islands, read our guide to ATMs and cash to find out where they are.
• The sale and drinking of alcohol is heavily regulated. If you’re traveling to a local island then you’ll need to take a speedboat to visit a floating bar to drink. 
• You must complete the digital immigration form – aka the IMUGA form in the 96 hours before you arrive in the Maldives.  Don’t forget to fill in the form to leave too.
• The sun is super, super strong here, wear hats, sunnies, and good – reef safe – sun protection
• There are mosquitos on the local islands.  This is NOT a malarial area, but dengue fever and chikungunya are present.  Take avoiding action.
• The only foodstuff that the Maldives is self-sufficient in is fish.  Expect fish on all dishes, but the menus here are remarkably diverse – you can pretty much get everything.  So if pizza and pasta are your thing you’ll find it here.  Burgers too.  Noodles, rice, curries. 

What’s the Best Itinerary for the Maldives?

While the Maldives may have 1,192 islands, most of the attractions of this Asian island nation lie underwater.  So if you’re a diver or a snorkeler, then it’s best to take a look at what it is that you want to see.  If you want to see reef sharks or take a dive vacation, then Fulidhoo is a great option.  The possibility of seeing Whale Sharks?  Then you want to head to the South Ari Atoll.  There are rays right by the jetty in Fulidhoo, they’re one of our 6 reasons to visit Fulidhoo Island.

And we also got THIS close to a ray while snorkeling off the beach on the Malahini Kuda Bandos resort, just 10 minutes from Male!  And no.  There is NO zoom used on that shot.

If you’re looking at a general overview – which was our plan – different islands, snorkeling, a dive trip, and a visit to the capital, then our 14-day Maldives itinerary, is a great way to get a superb overview of the country.

Which Maldives Islands to Visit on a Budget

A budget Maldives itinerary means sticking to the local islands and using public ferries to get between them.  You’ll have to avoid traveling on a Friday when the public ferries don’t run, but that just means planning your travel around here. 

Getting yourself a local SIM card will help with finding the best options for ferry times, places to stay and eat while you’re here. The best option is a Maldives eSIM ( buy it here ), it means you can be online from the moment you arrive.

For details on phyiscal SIMs, then my guide is here.

And don’t forget that you’ll need a power adapter in the Maldives. My guide on everything you need to know about power in the Maldives is here.

Here are the most popular – and easy to reach – local islands around which to plan a Maldives budget itinerary.

Maafushi was the first island to introduce tourism.  It’s the biggest and busiest.  If you’ve traveled at all in Asia, then it’s very similar to Malaysian, Indonesian, and Thai islands.  Aside from the fact that there’s no alcohol.  (Although you’ll also find that in parts of Langkawi for instance).  This is one of the cheapest islands to visit in the Maldives.  Our guide to the island of Maafushi is here.

There’s a lot of choice of accommodation, the biggest choice of water sports and a lot of places to eat that are open until – in some cases – midnight.

There’s a specific bikini beach here and a house reef to snorkel on (it is not part of the bikini beach, so cover up)

Stay at the Sun Shine Villa on Maafushi – good breakfast, great owners, excellent selection of snorkeling equipment to use on the house reef here.

Eat at the Sun Beach Café right on the beach – great staff here, the cheapest food we found, excellent dhal curry, short eats, and the juices are superb. You can pay with a card here.

There’s a floating bar moored off the island.  Ask your hotel to book the speedboat to get to it.

There’s an ATM on Maafushi.

Fulidhoo is a much quieter island than Maafushi.  There’s a great dive school here, a bikini beach, and several places to eat.   It’s a great island for watching the sunset, for chilling out, and for diving.  The dive school here is excellent and dives cost US$85 per dive, plus you can also do your certifications here.  The bikini beach signage is difficult to spot but it’s a great beach. Our guide to the island of Fulidhoo is here.

Stay at the Malas Island View for a great room, good breakfast, and laundry at 100 MVR per load.

The Dream Hut café is a great place for Lavazza coffee, filling meals, and good service (cash only)

There is NO ATM on Fulidhoo and several cafes do NOT accept cards.

Lots of water sports trips here and a bigger island, you might want to rent a bicycle to get around, although walking is good too.  Great for a sunset walk.  The Coca-Cola factory here also allows short tours (arrange with your hotel).  There’s a floating bar that you can get to by speedboat.  There’s a bikini beach here, with probably the best signage on the islands. Our guide to Thulusdhoo is here.

his known for surfing (and the Coke factory).  They’re building a new breakwater and jetty, so there’s a LOT of construction going on at the moment.

Stay at the Batuta Surf View for great views of surfing breaks, a super location, and great staff.  Breakfast is amazing here.

Eat at the Canopus Retreat down from the Surf View for a great view and selection of food.  Eat super budget at the RG Restaurant in the middle of town.

There is an ATM on Thulusdhoo. The harbor, where all the ferries from Male and the speedboats come in feels a bit like its in the middle of nowhere.

Fabulous bikini beach, the best we’ve seen.   A great harbor here and lovely places for sunset.   There’s a house reef here, but you’ll need to wade out about 100 meters (in calf-deep water) to get to it.  Our guide to Dhiffushi and the reasons for visiting this local island is here.

Stay at the fabulous Isla Dhiffushi – gorgeous rooms, a great breakfast and seating area inside the hotel, and lovely staff.

There is an ATM on Dhiffushi.

Male is the capital city of the Maldives.  It’s here you’ll find the administration, public services, and museums of the Maldives.  There are historic mosques, a rather lovely park, and several food courts too.  There’s a tsunami memorial (for the 2004 Tsunami , which killed 82 Maldivians and caused damage estimated at a massive 62% of GDP.  The fish market, vegetable market, and stingray feeding point are worth a visit.

Stay at the UMET Seaview , with free transfers to AND from the airport, great A/C, excellent breakfasts on the rooftop, and a super location.

Eat at the Ebb & Flow, City View, and also check out the Harbor Food Court for a good selection of cheap eats in Male. There are lots of ATMs in Male and they’re all marked on Google maps. Our one day Male itinerary is here.

What budget do you need for a Maldives Itinerary?

We spent on average US$60 per person in the Maldives – NOT including the resort island that we went to.  This included two dives, it got us a double room with A/C.  We ate out every day, although all our accommodation provided breakfast as well.  We used public ferries and one speedboat.  You will be able to find cheaper accommodation than that if you need to, but book early to secure it.

Traveling the Maldives For Cheap

The cheapest way to plan a trip to the Maldives on a budget is to travel to the local islands.  You’ll want to book your accommodation well in advance to get the best rates.  And plan to use the public ferries for transport.  Food and drink don’t have to be expensive and pick islands that have house reefs so that you can snorkel for free, without taking expensive day trips.

Eating on a Budget in the Maldives

We travel a lot for food.  It’s a big part of the time that we spend in a place.  So I was disappointed to read so many reviews about how bad the food was in the Maldives.  People!  You’ve been eating in the wrong places!  There is great food available in the Maldives and you don’t have to pay a fortune for it.  I wrote about the food of the Maldives in more detail here.

But for now. You can get rice dishes, noodle dishes, and fresh vegetables.  Salads. Soups.  You can get freshly cooked fish, preserved and dried fish.  There is easy food to be got on a budget in the Maldives.

Accommodation in the Maldives

There’s a huge variety in quality and value for accommodation in the Maldives.  If you’re staying on local islands, then you’ll get the best prices by booking early.  You are unlikely to get a last-minute deal for a better price.

There are currently no hostels in the Maldives, but there’s a reasonable supply of air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms.  Here’s where we stayed in the Maldives.

Sun Shine Villa , Maafushi (excellent place to stay, great host and super snorkel gear)

Malas Island View , Fulidhoo (friendly, great room, huge bathroom, laundry service for 100 MVR)

Malahini Island Resort (our resort island in the Maldives.  Gorgeous, fabulous food, great room, stunning snorkeling)

Batuta Maldives Surf View , Thulusdhoo (right on the beach, great location, excellent breakfast, our room was comfortable but we didn’t get the room with a view!)

Isla, Dhiffushi, Dhiffushi (the best room of the local islands, fabulous room, great location)

UMET Sea View , Malé (great location, good, if small room, lovely staff, and a free transfer to AND from the airport)

Note that we also had another night on Maafushi, at the Arora Inn, which we’d booked before we stayed at the Sun Shine Villa.  It was the cheapest place we stayed at in the Maldives. The staff were excellent, but the room, unfortunately, was not.  The drain smell that permeated not just the bathroom but the whole room was just awful and the room was right next to reception, which meant it was noisy.  If you can get a room there for a good rate, just make sure it’s not room 101 (that’s the room we had.)

Tips for Traveling the Maldives

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation, and more.
• Looking for an affordable Maldives Resort? Read our review here.
• Read about ATMs, cash and payments in the Maldives
• Get the right power adapter for the Maldives – this is what you need
• Get an eSim for the Maldives to make life MUCH easier.
• Wondering about mosquitoes in the Maldives?
• Book Speedboats between the local islands with 12GoAsia
• Save money in the Maldives with a Wise debit card
• Book accommodation in the Maldives with Booking

Final Words on Planning a Maldives Itinerary

With 1,192 islands you might think you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to planning a Maldives island-hopping itinerary.  You can narrow it down somewhat when you look at only the inhabited islands, that brings it down to 187.  However, the easiest way to start planning a Maldives itinerary is to look at the flights in and out.  Then to work out how long you want to stay, and what is it you want to do and that will drive a lot of your itinerary.  Then you can take a look at transport between the islands.  Here’s to planning a great Maldivian island itinerary!

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

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Sarah Carter

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How much is a vacation to the Maldives?

Date: January 23, 2023 By Adam Categories: Travel Planning No comments

So you are dreaming of getting away to the tropics of Maldives and calculating the Maldives vacation cost; imagining the white sandy beaches, and the crystal clear waters of the lagoon. No doubt, the Maldives is a destination perfect for couples, families, and friends; a paradise loved by holidaymakers around the world. Leisure travelers are met with exquisite water villas, charming local island guesthouses, and wonderful experiences for a memorable holiday experience.

Before booking a flight and jetting off to make your dreams a reality, the ultimate question remains. How much is a vacation to the Maldives? This article intends to cover everything excluding flights to Maldives. From stays at resorts and public islands to transfers to hidden taxes, this is everything you should know about vacation to Maldives cost before booking a holiday.

Table of Contents

Where to vacation in the Maldives – Resorts vs Public Islands

A trip to Maldives cost depends on your budget. One of the biggest factors one should consider when booking a Maldives holiday is where to stay in Maldives. There are mainly two categories of accommodation scattered across the beautiful archipelago. The single island private resorts, and the guesthouses of the local islands. There is a drastic price difference when it comes to resorts vs local island stays in the Maldives.

Maldives is known for its one island one resort concept. An entire private island operated by a hotel group, promising tranquil tropical nature combined with flawless luxury. This is a concept that makes Maldives loved by travelers around the world. Here, you will find multiple beach villas and water villas along with restaurants, spas, dive centers, and opportunities for entertainment scattered all across one island. On the other hand, guesthouses are built on local islands where normal Maldivian residents reside. You may find multiple guesthouses operated by different groups on a single local island. Resorts offer a more private and luxurious experience when compared to guesthouses with standalone villas instead of normal in-hotel rooms.

There is a drastic difference in the experience you will get when booking a resort vs guesthouse, which is also reflected in the cost of Maldives holiday. To compare, Maldives price per night of a guesthouse ranges from $65 to $150 while a beach villa in a Maldives resort cost double or triple the price depending on the resort. Water villa stays, which are only available in resorts, are even more expensive than beach villas. A Maldives trip cost per night is around $300 per night for a beach villa while the cheapest Maldives water villa price starts from $500 for 2 adults.

Choosing the Right Meal Plan for your Maldives vacation

A vacation cannot be complete without food. After all, it is more than just filling your stomach or satisfying your cravings. Experiencing dishes and cuisines are also ways that you can truly get to know the culture and lifestyle of a destination. The same applies to the Maldives. From the local seafood cuisines to the charming settings, meal plans is a important factor when deciding your trip to Maldives costs.

When comparing resorts vs local island guesthouses, the quality of the stay is also reflected in the food. A meal in a resort offers more exquisiste cuisines made by professional chefs while a guesthouse blesses travalers with a more genuine Maldivian dining experience. A meal in a resort will cost anywhere from $60 to $100++ per person (cheaper for kids and free of charge for infants) while a meal at a resort will be around $20 per person. Moreover in a resort you will be dining from the restaurants operated by the resort with the one-island, one-resort concept. Meanwhile, a local island exposes you to different restaurants operated by different individuals.

The cheaper option when booking a Maldives resort would be to take the full board option that includes breakfast, lunch, & dinner from selected restaurants. If you are keen on staying in a guesthouse, it’s recommended that you select the breakfast-only option or the half-board option (breakfast & dinner) as you can explore more restaurants around the island without worrying about the Maldives trip cost exceeding your expected budget.

Transfer Options

As a country made of small isles surrounded by ocean, there are three main ways for airport transfer in Maldives. Boat transfer, seaplane transfer, and a combination of domestic flight + speedboat transfer. For resorts and local islands that are close to the airport, you will mostly find direct speedboat transfers. This is the cheapest type of transfer option you will find in the Maldives. The price ranges from $40 to $200 for a return speedboat transfer per adult. Local islands also have the option of a slow ferry for as cheap as $3 per person, however, with the hefty cost of long transfer duration of hours.

The seaplane transfer is exclusive to resorts. You can fly over the atolls and land directly at the jetty of the resort for a quick and easy transfer. With an average flight time of 30 to 45 minutes from the Velana International airport to resort islands in distant atolls, the seaplane transfer is the most expensive option with the Maldives transfer price ranging from $400 to $700 per person.

Lastly, the domestic transfer option is available to both resorts and Maldives local islands and is usually combined with a speedboat transfer. The domestic flight flies guests to the nearest local airport, followed by a speedboat to the hotel. As it is in combination with a speedboat ride, this transfer option takes 15 to 20 minutes longer than the direct seaplane route but is approximately $200 cheaper depending on the resort.

For children, the Maldives transfer cost for all options is usually halved while infants can travel for free. While some properties provide choices for transfer, other properties are exclusive to only one possibility. Hence, it is important to check the Maldives transfer options beforehand as it greatly affects your budget.

Maldives Activities and Excursion Prices

From visiting secluded sandbanks to diving beneath the depths of the Indian Ocean; from thrilling water sports to relaxing cruises, you can experience plenty of everlasting adventures in the tropics of Maldives. These attractions in Maldives are available both on local islands and resorts. However, there is a significant difference in price that you must take into account for your trip to Maldives cost. You will find that resorts are more expensive that local islands. Visiting a sandbank at a Maldives resort costs around $20 while the same excursion costs more than $100 in some resorts. The best practice would be to clarify Maldives activities and excursion prices beforehand or to book a Maldives All-Inclusive vacation package.

Book Maldives Vacation Packages & Take Advantage of Maldives Offers

Booking Maldives special packages and taking advantage of Maldives offers can be a game changer when it comes to booking a Maldives holiday. Not only is it much cheaper to book a package, but is also much hassle free. You will find that packages have everything laid out for you. A Maldives 1 week trip cost can include stay, meals, return transfers, activities and more. It allows you to have an organized overview of all the inclusion you will get for your holiday.

If you do not find a Maldives vacation package suited to your requirements, you can always craft your custom Maldives holiday plan and take advantage of some of the Maldives offers available. Early birds can get up to 40% discount on rooms and longs stays can bless you with free seaplane transfer. There are seasonal offers as well from Maldives summer packages to peak season offers. Multiple Maldives resorts offer exciting Maldives resort packages and offers that lets you get the best out of your Maldives trip price.

Seasons vs Prices

Perhaps one of the aspects that will significantly impact your trip cost to Maldives, after the resorts vs local island factor, is the season. From peak to low, the season you book the holiday impacts your total Maldives holiday price. A villa in the high season can cost triple the price of the same villa in the low season.

The Maldives’ off-season typically lasts from April, right after Easter, to October. Although it varies from property to property, the low season for the majority of resorts and hotels in the Maldives occurs between these months. May to July would be your safest bet if you want to be 100% certain that you are booking the cheapest months to travel to the Maldives.

The Maldives’ peak travel months typically last from October to the first half of December, as well as the final weeks of January until April. The busiest and most expensive time to travel to the Maldives is during the holiday period, which includes Christmas and New Year, also known as the peak season.

Taxes and Visas in Maldives

Once you have planned your perfect holiday and finalized your trip to Maldives cost, it’s always advisable to check if all the taxes are included in your Maldives holiday price. Taxes include 12% TGST, 10% service charge, and a green tax of $6 per person per night in resorts and $3 per person per night.

As for Maldives visa requirements, tourists from around the globe will receive a 30-day free Visa on arrival, provided that they have a legitimate booking for Maldives.

Vacation to Maldives cost

The cost of a vacation in the Maldives can vary greatly depending on a number of factors such as the time of year, the type of accommodation, and the activities you plan to do. Some estimates suggest that a basic Maldives vacation can cost around US $2,000 per person for a week, while a luxury vacation can cost US $10,000 or more per person for the same period. It is also important to consider the additional cost of airfare to the Maldives, which can be quite high depending on your country of residence.

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How Expensive Is The Maldives? Trip Cost Breakdown.

Now that I’ve travelled to the Maldives twice, once on a budget and once staying in luxury resorts, I find the most commonly asked question is “How expensive is the Maldives?” Everyone knows it is a dream destination, especially popular with couples on their honeymoon, but no one really knows how much things cost…be it in resorts or on local islands.

First off it’s important to note that I have divided this post into TWO sections. The cost of a trip to the Maldives if you plan to stay on local islands only and then the cost of a trip to the Maldives if you plan to stay in luxury resorts on private islands. It should also be noted that there are over 200 luxury resorts, and the prices vary enormously depending on how exclusive or upmarket it it.

I will try give some examples of family friendly, affordable luxury and super luxury properties to give you an idea of prices. If you are tight on cash, I suggest you read my  Maldives On A Budget post  and consider using Airbnb to plan your trip ( free sign up credit here ).

How Expensive is the Maldives? 

Cheapest flights to the maldives.

The thing that seems to put most people off visiting this tropical paradise is that they think it’s too far and too expensive to get to. The reality is that flights to the Maldives are actually quite cheap, especially if you can fly to an Asian hub first. Many budget airlines have started daily or weekly flights from places like Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Manila while the flight from Colombo in Sri Lanka is also inexpensive as well as short and sweet.

I always use Skyscanner to search for cheap flights…you can download the App here to make your life easier. Here are some examples of the cheapest flights I could find to Male International Airport. If you are coming from Australia, it’s best to fly via Singapore or Kuala Lumpur for the cheapest deals. From Europe, flying to Dubai or India will result in the cheapest deals, as shown in the screenshots below.

NOTE:   There’s only one international airport in the Maldives (located in Male) so you will need to take a speed boat, ferry or seaplane to your final destination from here which can cost $$$. 

READ MORE:   How To Travel The Maldives On A Budget

Cost to travel to the local islands in the Maldives

There are over 200 local islands in the Maldives where the majority of the 300,000 plus population lives. Expect to find schools, universities, shops, cafes, restaurants and slowly but surely some local hotels and Airbnb hosts to ensure you can enjoy the Maldives on a budget.

NOTE:   Alcohol is not sold on the local islands so if you’re looking for a boozy break, you need to check yourself into a resort island instead.

Ferries to these islands start from just $2 for a one way ticket, and while slow, the view is incredible en route! You can find prices and timetables  here .

Food and drink costs in the Maldives local islands

Breakfast in a local cafe  – $5

Breakfast in my guesthouse  – $5

Lunch in my guest house  – $8

Dinner in a beachside restaurant  – $15

Dinner in my guest house  – $10

Ice-cream at local Gelato Shop  – $2

Water from the shop  – 30 cent

Water from your hotel  – $1

Small packet of Pringles  – $2

Packet of sweets from shop  – $1

Soft drinks  – $1

Chocolate milkshake  – $3

Accommodation costs on local islands in the Maldives

Airbnb on local island with AC:  $25 – $50

Guesthouse on local island:  $35 – $50

3 star beachfront hotel:  $60 – $100

Activity costs on local islands in the Maldives

Remember, although it might look like pretty beaches and crystal clear water, there are so many amazing things to do in the Maldives so bring lots of energy! My friend went  diving with Manta Rays  in some of the best waters in the world, and it only set her back $65.

Half day snorkelling trip –  $35

One day of diving –  $65 – $100

Sand bank excursion –  $20

Trip to an All Inclusive resort island including all food and drink–  $70 – $150

Cost to travel to the resort islands in the Maldives

The Maldives is home to over 200 drop dead gorgeous resort islands, with dreamlike turquoise waters, perfect white sand beaches and water villas so magical you won’t believe they’re real.To get to these beautiful resorts can cost quite a lot, and must be factored into your budget.

If you book a package through a travel agent, transfers to your hotels should be included but it’s best to confirm this when booking. If you plan to just book your flights and resort separately, be sure you have contacted your resort to ask about the cost of a transfer.

Speed boat transfer within Male Atoll:  $90 return per person

Speed boat transfer to resorts in another Atoll:  $150+ per person

Seaplane transfer:  Between $350 and $500 return per person

Food and drink costs on resort islands

Most hotels will give you the option to go half board, full board or All Inclusive. Considering you will be on a private island and wont have any choice but to eat in the hotel restaurants, going Full Board or All Inclusive is your best bet for value. Only upgrade to All Inclusive if you are a big drinker, otherwise Full Board should cover what you need.

If you are All-Inclusive, food and drink won’t cost you anything extra. If you have chosen with Room Only or Half board, then meals will quickly add up. Expect to pay anywhere between $15 (for a pizza) or $40 for a meal at an A La Carte restaurant in your hotel. A meal at the buffet restaurant will normally set you back $30+ plus the cost of any drinks you order INCLUDING bottles of water! Meals in a 5 star resort can cost even more, from $50 per person per meal.

A beer will set you back anywhere between $9 and $12 while a cocktail can be anywhere between $12 and $20.

NOTE:   Tax and service charge is always added on at the end and can amount to an extra 22%!! Keep this in mind when budgeting for drinks, meals and activities.

Accommodation costs on resort islands

When people ask how expensive is the Maldives, what they usually mean is “how expensive are those fancy resorts?”! How much you spend on accommodation REALLY depends on what type of resort and what type of room you book. A standard room with beach, pool or garden view will set you back as low as $150 a night in some resorts and as much as $400 in more luxury resorts.

Once you start looking for upgrades to Garden Villas, Rooms with private pools and jacuzzi villas or the jackpot of an Overwater Villa (with or without private swimming pool or hot tub) you can expect to pay anywhere between $400 a night and $2,000 for the creme de la creme of Overwater Bungalows! On a budget? There’s even a  Holiday Inn  with it’s own private island…only in the Maldives!!

Let’s look at some examples to show you the price differences..

Bandos Maldives

A standard Double or Twin room in  Bandos Maldives , with direct beach access, will cost you $210 per room, including breakfast for up to two people. Upgrade to a Full Board package for the night and it will cost just $287.

Paradise Island Resort

Looking for a taste of luxury, one of the best beaches in the Maldives AND budget prices? Check out  Paradise Island Resort . I didn’t stay here, just visited for a day trip, but was blown away by the beauty. Then when I searched online I discovered they have some of the  cheapest water villas in the Maldives – less than $500 a night! If you are REALLY on a tight budget but want to stay on a resort island, standard rooms here are less than $200 a night. Not sure you will find any cheaper.

Kandima Maldives

For something more luxurious, an Aqua Villa with Jacuzzi in  Kandima Resort  will cost you $673 per night while a water villa with private swimming pool will cost  $738. Both include breakfast, early check in and late check out. If you don’t mind been on the beach instead of overwater, you can have a Beach Pool Villa with private pool AND private jacuzzi for $505 a night.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Yulia 👧✈ Miss Tourist (@misstourist)

Like stated at the beginning of this post, when people ask “How expensive is the Maldives?” or “How much does it cost to travel to the Maldive?” My answer is always “It depends!”. It depends on how long you plan to stay where you are flying from, whether you want to stay in resort islands or local islands and most importantly (cost wise) what type of room you want to stay in.

What IS expensive in the Maldives?

• Overwater bungalows and villa.
• Meals at fancy resorts
• Snacks at fancy resorts ($6 for a coke?!)
• Seaplane rides
• Speedboat transfers
• Spa treatments (think $150 PLUS tax!)

What ISN’T expensive in the Maldives

• Accommodation on local islands
• Standard rooms on resort islands
• Snorkelling trips
• Food on local islands
• Flights to the Maldives
• Ferries to get around

If I have missed anything or your have specific questions about your trip, leave a comment and I’ll do my best to respond and update this article! At the end of the day, whatever type of trip you decide to do, it will be one of the best trips of your life as Maldives is an incredibly unique destination that everyone should visit at least one!

Looking for more Maldives travel advice? Check out my other Maldives blog posts below.

How To Travel To The Maldives On A Budget

My solomoon in a luxury resort, airbnb maldives – a new way to travel in paradise, free airbnb coupon code.

Welcome to the sunny side of life!

Last updated on October 13th, 2023 at 01:17 pm

Maldives On A Budget – Backpacking, Airbnb and Budget Resorts

Top 3 Things To Know About The Bioluminescent (Glowing) Beach In The Maldives

10 Things to do in the Maldives in 5 days

Best Maldives Island

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10 Stunning Maldives Island Trip Cost Breakdowns

Perusing the '10 Stunning Maldives Island Trip Cost Breakdowns,' we uncover a wealth of information on navigating the expenses of a Maldivian getaway. From analyzing airfare variations to scrutinizing accommodation costs, this breakdown dissects every aspect of the journey.

With insights into dining expenditures, transport outlays, and potential splurges, this breakdown equips travelers with the tools to plan effectively. Join us as we dissect the intricacies of budgeting for the mesmerizing Maldives islands.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Maldives travel costs vary widely, from affordable guesthouses to luxurious overwater bungalows.
• Transportation expenses include seaplanes, domestic flights, speedboats, and public ferries.
• Food budgets can range from economical street food to lavish dining at resorts.
• Activities like snorkeling, scuba diving, spa treatments, and water sports add to vacation expenses.

Maldives Airfare Cost Breakdown

When planning a trip to the Maldives, the cost breakdown of airfare is a crucial consideration that can vary significantly depending on your departure location and preferred class of travel. Round-trip flight tickets to the Maldives can range from $500 to $1500. Opting for economy class round-trip tickets from the US would typically cost around $1,000. However, if you're departing from the UK, Australia, or Dubai, prices can range from $500 to $800, offering some cost-saving opportunities.

For those seeking a more luxurious travel experience, business class fares from Los Angeles to Male start at US$6,587. If business class isn't within reach, premium economy options start at US$2,996, providing a balance between comfort and cost. Moreover, for travelers looking to indulge in ultimate luxury, first-class fares from Los Angeles to Male can start at US$23,799, pampering passengers with top-notch services and amenities throughout the journey.

Understanding the cost breakdown of flight tickets to the Maldives is essential for budgeting your overall trip expenses. By assessing the various options available and considering factors like departure location and preferred class of travel, you can make informed decisions that align with your travel preferences and financial capabilities.

Accommodation Expenses for Maldives Trip

Exploring accommodation expenses for a Maldives trip reveals a range of options to suit different budgets and preferences. Guesthouses in the Maldives offer a budget-friendly option starting at $80 per night, providing a comfortable stay for travelers looking to save on accommodation costs. Double rooms are also available, with prices starting at $120 per night, ideal for those seeking a bit more comfort during their stay. If you're looking for a more upscale experience, luxury double rooms can be found for around $200 per night, offering a higher level of amenities and comfort.

For those seeking a truly luxurious experience, beach villas in the Maldives provide the ultimate retreat, with prices starting at $1,000 or more per night. These villas offer a premium stay with stunning views and exclusive services. Overwater bungalows are another popular choice among visitors, known for their unique and upscale accommodation options. Prices for overwater bungalows can range from $2,000 or more per night, making them a top choice for those looking to indulge in luxury during their Maldives trip.

Transportation Costs in the Maldives

Delving into the diverse transportation costs in the Maldives unveils a range of options suited for various budgets and preferences. When exploring the stunning Maldives islands, travelers have a variety of transportation methods to choose from, including seaplane transfers, domestic flights, speedboat transfers, public ferries, and private yacht charters. Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly option or a luxurious experience, there is something for everyone when it comes to getting around the Maldives.

Here is a breakdown of the transportation costs in the Maldives:

From budget-friendly public ferries to luxurious private yacht charters, the diverse transportation options in the Maldives cater to a wide range of preferences, making island hopping a seamless and enjoyable experience.

Food Budget for Maldives Vacation

As we consider the food budget for a Maldives vacation, it's essential to understand the range of dining options available to suit various preferences and budgets on the stunning islands. For budget travelers, food costs can be as low as $25 per day, making local cafes and street food appealing choices with meals priced around $5 each. On the other end of the spectrum, luxury travelers can expect to spend around $100 per day on food, especially if dining at high-end restaurants where a single meal can range from $20 to $100 depending on the dining venue.

All-inclusive resorts in the Maldives are a popular option that often includes food and drink in their packages, which can be a cost-effective choice for those looking to streamline their expenses. Additionally, opting for full board meals is a convenient way to eliminate individual food costs during your Maldives vacation, allowing you to indulge without worrying about the price tag attached to each meal.

Whether you prefer the casual charm of local eateries, the convenience of all-inclusive resorts, or the sophistication of luxury dining venues, the Maldives offers a diverse array of meal options to cater to every taste and budget.

Tours and Activities Pricing in Maldives

Let's dive into the pricing of tours and activities in the Maldives to discover the range of exciting experiences available to travelers.

Snorkeling trips in the Maldives typically range from $50 to $150 per person, offering the chance to explore vibrant coral reefs and encounter a variety of marine life.

For those seeking more adventurous underwater exploration, scuba diving experiences come at a cost of $80 to $200 per dive, allowing divers to discover the mesmerizing depths of the Maldivian waters.

If relaxation is on your agenda, indulge in spa treatments with an average cost of $100 to $300 per session, where you can rejuvenate both body and mind in luxurious island settings.

Thrill-seekers can engage in water sports like jet skiing and kayaking, with prices ranging from $50 to $150 per hour, providing an adrenaline-filled experience against the backdrop of stunning tropical scenery.

For a more laid-back yet equally captivating experience, sunset cruises offer a tranquil way to witness the Maldives' breathtaking sunsets, with prices ranging from $100 to $300 per person.

Whether you're seeking underwater adventures, spa indulgence, water sports excitement, or serene sunset views, the Maldives activities pricing caters to a range of preferences and budgets.

Overall Trip Cost Breakdown for Maldives

Exploring the overall trip cost breakdown for a vacation in the Maldives reveals the expenses involved in accommodation, meals, local transportation, and various activities, offering insights into budget planning for travelers. The average Maldives trip cost is around $300 (MVR4,623) per day, with a one-week trip for two people totaling approximately $4,202 (MVR64,719), inclusive of accommodation, food, and transportation. While package tours in the Maldives can amount to $335 per day, opting for independent travel provides affordability, freedom, and flexibility, allowing travelers to tailor their experiences to suit their preferences.

When considering a trip to the Maldives, it's essential to factor in the top atoll groups for tourism, such as Lhaviyani, Raa, Baa, Kaafu, and Alifu. These atolls offer a range of activities including staying in water bungalows, scuba diving in vibrant coral reefs, snorkeling in crystal-clear waters teeming with marine life, and surfing on renowned waves. Moreover, comparing travel expenses in the Maldives with other countries in Asia can assist in budget planning and making informed decisions regarding the overall cost of the trip. Whether indulging in luxurious water bungalows or seeking thrilling adventures like scuba diving and surfing, understanding the average expenses for a trip to the Maldives is crucial for a well-rounded travel experience.

Budget Breakdown for Maldives Backpackers

For budget backpackers exploring the Maldives, daily expenses typically range from $50 to $100, covering accommodations, meals, and local transportation. Opting for guesthouses on local islands can provide budget-friendly accommodation options starting at $50 per night, allowing travelers to immerse themselves in the local culture.

Local transportation costs for budget backpackers can be around $10 to $20 per day, depending on the chosen mode of transport, such as ferries or public buses. To keep food costs low, enjoying street food and exploring local cafes can help keep daily expenses around $15 to $30, offering a taste of authentic Maldivian cuisine.

Engaging in affordable activities like snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, beachcombing along pristine shores, and exploring the vibrant local culture can enhance the budget backpacking experience in the Maldives. These activities not only provide a glimpse into the natural beauty of the Maldives but also offer opportunities to interact with locals and learn about their ways of life.

Mid-Range Travel Budget for Maldives

Within the vibrant tapestry of the Maldives' travel landscape lies a mid-range budget option that offers a balance of comfort and affordability for discerning travelers. When planning a mid-range trip to the Maldives, it's essential to consider the various components that make up the overall travel budget breakdown.

Here's a breakdown of what mid-range travelers can expect in terms of costs:

• Food Expenses : A mid-range travel budget for the Maldives typically ranges from $50 to $100 per day for food expenses, depending on dining preferences and choices of eateries.
• Accommodation Costs : Mid-range travelers can find comfortable accommodation options in the Maldives averaging around $120 per night for a double room. These options provide a good balance between amenities and cost.
• Local Transportation and Activities : Local transportation options for mid-range travelers can cost approximately $100 for the duration of the trip. Additionally, budgeting around $50 per day for activities and excursions would allow travelers to experience the beauty of the Maldives without breaking the bank.

Luxury Travel Expenses in Maldives

As we move from discussing the mid-range travel budget for the Maldives, the realm of luxury travel expenses in this tropical paradise unveils a world of opulence and indulgence for discerning travelers. In the Maldives, luxury overwater bungalows redefine extravagance, with prices soaring above $2,000 per night for a truly lavish experience suspended over crystal-clear waters. Those seeking a premium stay can opt for high-end beach villas starting at $1,000 per night, where every comfort is meticulously catered to in the lap of luxury. For a more modest yet still luxurious option, double rooms in the top resorts may provide a sumptuous accommodation experience for around $200 per night.

For travelers with an appetite for the finest things in life, ultra-luxurious resorts in the Maldives offer an unparalleled level of opulence, with nightly rates surpassing $10,000 for exclusive services and amenities that redefine the meaning of luxury. When it comes to the luxury travel style in the Maldives, setting aside around $100 per day for dining and entertainment expenses is a reasonable estimate to indulge in the exquisite culinary offerings and premium entertainment options available in this tropical paradise. Whether it's indulging in a gourmet dining experience or relaxing with bespoke entertainment, luxury travelers in the Maldives can expect nothing short of perfection in every aspect of their stay.

Ultra-Luxury Maldives Trip Budget

Indulging in an ultra-luxury Maldives trip promises a realm of opulence and extravagance beyond compare, with accommodations exceeding $10,000 per night for a truly lavish experience. Here's a breakdown of what you can expect when budgeting for an ultra-luxury trip to the Maldives:

• Accommodations: Prepare to splurge on luxurious overwater bungalows that may cost $10,000 or more per night, offering unparalleled views of the crystal-clear waters and direct access to the ocean for a truly indulgent stay.
• High-end Dining: Delight your taste buds with exquisite dining experiences at luxury resort restaurants, where meals can cost around $300 per person. Enjoy a fusion of international cuisines prepared by world-class chefs in stunning settings overlooking the ocean.
• Exclusive Activities: Treat yourself to private yacht charters that range from $1,000 to $10,000+ per day, allowing you to explore the Maldives in ultimate luxury. Relax with spa treatments priced between $100 to $300 per session and indulge in exclusive excursions like private sunset cruises, adding an extra $100 to $300 per person to your luxury trip budget.

Experience top-notch relaxation and create unforgettable memories during your ultra-luxury Maldives escapade.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost of a trip to the maldives?.

The average cost of a trip to the Maldives is $300 per day, with expenses for meals at $78, local transportation at $139, and hotels at $235. For a one-week trip for two people, the total comes to $4,202.

Organized tour packages average $335 per day. Independent travel offers affordability, freedom, and flexibility. Budget-friendly accommodations, excursion expenses, food prices, transportation options, and various activities contribute to the overall trip cost.

How Much Money You Need for a Trip to Maldives?

We need to budget wisely for a trip to the Maldives. The costs for luxury accommodations, food, transportation, activities, souvenir shopping, currency exchange rates, hidden fees, tips, and travel insurance can add up quickly.

It's essential to plan ahead and account for all these expenses to ensure a stress-free and enjoyable vacation. A detailed breakdown of each cost category will help us manage our finances efficiently during our trip.

How Much Does a 7 Days Package Cost for a Couple in Maldives?

Budget planning for a week-long couple's package in the Maldives is crucial. Our 7-day package includes luxurious accommodations, local cuisine, water activities, romantic sunsets, cultural experiences, shopping for souvenirs, spa retreats, beach relaxation, and private excursions.

With an average cost of $4,202, this comprehensive package offers a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for a memorable Maldives getaway.

How Much Does 4 Days in Maldives Cost?

When planning a 4-day trip to the Maldives, budget breakdown is key. For budget travelers, expect to spend $300 to $500 per day. Luxury resorts can push costs to $1,000 or more daily.

Local cuisine, water activities, and transportation add to expenses. Shopping, cultural immersion, hidden gems, eco-friendly options, and nightlife round out the experience.

In conclusion, these 10 stunning Maldives island trip cost breakdowns provide a comprehensive guide for planning your dream vacation. From affordable accommodations to luxurious overwater bungalows, diverse dining options, and exciting activities, the Maldives offers something for every traveler.

Whether you're a budget backpacker or seeking ultra-luxury experiences, the Maldives has it all. So pack your bags, prepare for paradise, and let the mesmerizing Maldives memories multiply!

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How Much Does A Trip To The Maldives Cost?

If you are dreaming about having a memorable, relaxing vacation, surrounded by luxury, pristine white-sand beaches, and crystal-clear waters, the Maldives is one of your best destinations. 

Whether you are dreaming about a honeymoon in an all-inclusive Maldives resort or you are thinking about having a less expensive escape, this post will help you prepare to know what a trip to the Maldives is going to cost.  

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Is The Maldives Expensive?

The Maldives is generally considered an expensive destination, especially for tourists aiming for luxury resorts and overwater bungalows, which the country is famous for. Several factors contribute to the cost of a trip to the Maldives:

• Accommodation : Luxury resorts, particularly those on private islands, tend to be pricey. However, there are budget options available on local islands, which have become more accessible to tourists in recent years.
• Transport : Getting to and from the islands often involves seaplane transfers or speedboat rides, which can add a significant amount to your travel costs.
• Food and Dining : If you’re staying at a resort, you’ll likely be dining there as well, where meal prices can be high, especially for international cuisine and alcoholic beverages. Options on local islands might be more affordable.
• Activities and Excursions : Water sports, diving, snorkeling, and other excursions are popular in the Maldives. While these offer incredible experiences, they can also be expensive.

It’s worth noting that the cost can vary widely depending on the type of accommodation you choose, the time of year you visit (with peak season being more expensive), and how much you decide to do. Budget travel is possible by staying in guesthouses on local islands and eating at local cafes, but the quintessential Maldives luxury experience comes with a higher price tag.

How Much Do Resorts Cost In The Maldives?

With roughly 200 inhabited islands, 90 resort islands, and 900 uninhabited islands, the Maldives offers a great variety of accommodations and a huge variance of resort prices per night. And, no matter where you choose to stay, your vacation in the Maldives will bring you right to the middle of the islands’ beautiful nature. Incredible coral reefs, abundant aquatic life, and idyllic vegetation are some of the things waiting for you in the Maldives. 

High-End Resorts

If you want to stay in a high-end resort, Baros , a stunning, tranquil, hotel, located less than half an hour from Malé, is a fantastic choice. With luxurious rooms, private decks, open-air bathrooms, and outdoor rainfall showers, as well as an infinity pool, a spa, a beach, and many more surprises, Baros promises you natural heaven combined with all the luxury you need to feel like royalty. The high-end resort prices begin at around $ 1, 000 per night, but depend on your stay. 

Constance Moofushi Maldives is another fantastic choice for a similar price. For about $ 900 per night, you are promised a lavish holiday in an upscale all-inclusive resort in the Indian Ocean, on a gorgeous private island, with many luxurious inclusions, like boat excursions, yoga, gym, amazing restaurants, and many others. 

Another perfect choice for those of you who don’t have a limited budget is Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru . You may have to pay around € 1,903 to stay in this luxury resort, located on an island in the Baa Atoll. Whether you choose the gorgeous land villas or you want to enjoy the overwaters bungalows , your vacation is going to be full of relaxing and pampering. If you want to completely spoil yourself, check out the resort’s upgraded villas with a private beach. 

Mid-Cost Resorts

If you want to enjoy the spectacular beauty of Maldives in style, but you don’t want to spend too much of your savings in a few days, Cinnamon Dhonveli Maldives is a fantastic choice. Located on a private island in Kaafu Atoll, a 25-minute speedboat ride from the island of Male, this gorgeous resort offers you the chance to spend romantic moments in its garden and beach villas, as well as in its sensational water bungalows, which have lagoon access and Jacuzzis. The prices for a night in this lovely resort start at $ 254, but like in all cases, it depends on your stay. 

Another budget luxury private resort, located in North Male Atoll is  Paradise Island Resort & Spa . With rooms starting at $ 259 per night, this super-private retreat is a perfect place for solo travelers, honeymooners, or families on a budget. The gorgeous beachfront villas and overwater bungalows equipped with state-of-the-art modern amenities, welcoming restaurants, the outdoor pool, and the relaxing spa are only some of the amazing things waiting for you are Paradise Island Resort & Spa. 

If you are traveling with kids, maybe you will find Kurumba more suitable, thanks to its fantastic kid’s club. Also, the high-end seafront resort promises to pamper its guests with 11 different eateries/bars, two outdoor pools and a swanky spa, a gym, and stylish rooms for prices that start at around $ 327 per night. 

Budget Accommodation Ideas

If you want to have the amazing Maldives experience, but you prefer finding your local accommodation, instead of staying in a resort, you should start searching for your favorite one on Airbnb. There are plenty of beautiful apartments,  villas , bungalows, and  private rooms  available and, depending on your dates and preferences, you can pay between $ 25 and $ 100+ per night. 

The apartments available on Airbnb are spread throughout the inhabited islands, so you can find something gorgeous no matter which Maldivian island you want to stay on. 

The Cost of Food, Local Transportation, and Guided Tours

If you are on a budget, you are probably worried about the prices of living in the Maldives. Everything depends on the type of spender you are. For instance, according to other travelers, you should spend around $ 60 daily in the Maldives. 

Though meal prices vary, it seems like you should spend around $ 15-$30 per day on food. Keep in mind that breakfast meals are a bit less expensive than lunches and dinners, and, as you can imagine, street food prices are lower than in sit-down restaurants. 

If you don’t plan to spend all your days relaxing on the beach and indulging in delicious foods, add local transport to the spending list, and expect to pay around $ 7 daily. 

There are plenty of things to do in the Maldives, like snorkeling, scuba diving, sunbathing, swimming, and other outdoor fun activities, but multi-day tours are also a great way to see the highlights of the islands. If you want to enjoy these tours, you have to get ready to spend somewhere between $ 100 and $ 150+ per day, but also to have some amazing fun and discover incredible parts of the Maldives. 

When is the Best Time to visit the Maldives?

No matter when you choose to travel to the Maldives, you are promised to find hot and sunny weather all year round, with average temperatures of 23ºC-31ºC. There is, however, the best time to visit the Maldives, between November and April, when you are welcomed by the dry season.

The high season is between December and March, and the best time to visit this charming place on a budget is between April and June. The weather might not be as amazing as during the dry season, and you will probably encounter rainfall, but the prices are much friendlier than during the peak season. 

How Do You Get Around In The Maldives?

Regarding the price of the plane tickets from the USA to the Maldives, it naturally depends on the dates and the airport you are flying from. You can use Skyscanner to find the best deals across all of the airlines. 

Once you land in Malé International Airport (MLE) , you can use either a ferry, seaplane or speedboat to get to your accommodation. Since there are only a few causeways connecting the islands, road vehicles are not the best ways of transportation in the Maldives. 

Running a regular service 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the ferries to Malé center leave every 10 minutes for most of the day. If you want something quicker than a ferry and you are going to a resort closer to Malé, opt for a speed boat. For the more far-flung islands, seaplanes are used. Prices depend on the type of transportation you choose and your destination but keep in mind that many hotels and resorts in the Maldives arrange your airport transfers.

More Useful Tips

To make everything easy during your vacation in the Maldives, make sure you have cash with you. There are, however, ATMs in Male and the bigger inhabited islands, and resorts and most guesthouses accept credit cards.  

Also, keep in mind that tipping is different in the Maldives than in the USA. Almost everything has a 10% to 12.5% service tax added, but it’s nice to leave a tip for your room staff, even if leaving a tip is not customary on local islands and at independent restaurants. 

He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club. Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.

2 thoughts on “How Much Does A Trip To The Maldives Cost?”

I’ve always wanted to visit the Maldives because of its unique mix of things to do. I’ve heard a lot about the seaplane ride and was wondering what the average cost of a seaplane, ferry and speedboat are. 🙂 May go sometime next year.

Eu quiero ir a maldives

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Best Maldives Tour Packages in 2024

An escapade to the heaven of blue hues: holidays in maldives.

The Maldives is a land of the unparalleled beauty of nature and the infinite views of the crystal blue waters and white sands. Read further to know why Maldives tour packages from India should be the next best decision of your lives!

Literally derived from the words “garland of the island” and rightly so, Maldives consists of a total of about 1,192 coral islands, out of which approximately only 200 islands have inhabitants.

A Maldives trip beholds the title of an ultimate destination and with the right Maldives packages, you can experience the heavenly world of serene beaches, sparkling turquoise waters, action-packed sports, candle-light dinners, romantic strolls, and in the end, diving and snorkelling, achieve the ultimate nirvana.

Check Other Packages in Maldives:   Maldives Romantic Packages | Maldives Family Packages | Maldives Packages from Delhi

Quick Facts About Maldives

Maldives trip: best time to visit.

The dry season is the  best time for a Maldives trip to experience the land, owing to fewer rains and pleasant winds. It ranges from November to April, with its peak season from December to March that attracts tourists from all around the world, especially from India to the Maldives.

Maldives Visa for Indians

For a trip to the Maldives, Indians do not require a pre-arrival visa. They are provided with a tourist visa, free on arrival from India to the Maldives, at the Male Airport. So, you can go with your Maldives tour packages without any worry about the visa.

Maldives Tourism: Top Attractions

Male island.

Known for its vibrant infrastructure and mosques, Male is the capital of the Maldives. The  best places to visit in Male , generally included in various Maldives trip packages, are Grand Friday Mosque, Tsunami Monument, Hukuru Miskiy, Sinamale Bridge, Hulhumale, the artificial beach, the national museum, local markets, and the Banana Reefs. A city tour of Male is available in numerous Maldives tour packages from India.

Fua Mulaku Island (FuvahMulah)

A beautiful land comprising two freshwater lakes and the best of scuba and tropical vegetation, Fua Mulaku hosts a good deal of water sports activities, with its serene seashores and beaches, making it a must to include in your Maldives tour packages for couples or even regular Maldives tour packages. You can include a visit to Aruffanno, known to be a traditional harbour, or take a dive in the waters (with sharks too!) or visit Thundi and relax at the beach filled with white sands, all in the Maldives packages for couples or general Maldives tour packages!

Mirihi Island

Mirihi will be a good addition to your Maldives tour packages, especially if you are travelling with your partner. Seemingly like a lover's paradise, Mirihi is a small island, which will surely take you away to a dreamy world, with its over-water villas and suites, adding just a bit to your Maldives trip cost from India.

Lying in the spaces of Alif Dhaal Atoll, this island can be reached by seaplanes, which come included in many Maldives tour packages from India. Enjoy snorkelling, wine-tasting, and relax in the lavish over-water bungalows at Mirihi, all with Maldives packages for your loved ones.

Como: Cocoa Island

Pamper yourself with luxury at Como Cocoa Island with your next Maldives package!

Offering breathtaking views of the turquoise lagoons and shining sands, this place is the perfect spot to have romantic dinners at the sandbanks, usually available with the Maldives trip packages. Shell out a few more bucks while choosing your Maldives tour packages including this island, and you surely won't regret your decision!Take it up a notch by including the wellness and spa facilities in your Maldives packages to give you the ultimate relaxing holiday!

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Maldives Tourism: Local Dishes to Try

A traditional snack of the Maldives, eaten throughout the day, Masroshi consists of a stuffed and fried dough, cooked till it becomes golden brown.

Since the Maldives is all about waters, fish and that too 'tuna', consists a major part of its cuisines. Find and relish this dish in the majority of big and small restaurants in Male.

Bis Keemiya

Resembling a bit like our Indian samosa, Bis Keemiya is a popular dish of the Maldives and is a must to have whenever you book your Maldives package.

Again, a dish made with tuna/substituted with an egg put together as a pastry, Bis Keemiya is a delectable dish to be savoured on your next trip to the Maldives.

A clear fish broth, known to be one of the most basic and traditional dishes of local Maldivian culture, is savoured by locals as well as tourists. The broth of Garudhiya is based on the species of tuna, a dish enjoyed by the locals almost every day.

One of the two national drinks of the Maldives, the other being Sai (tea), Raa is a typical traditional Maldivian drink.

It is a toddy, tapped from the upper part of the trunk of the palm where coconut grows. Many a time, it is left for fermentation too.

Make sure to try a 'Raa', which sometimes is served as a complimentary drink at resorts and hotels with Maldives tour packages.

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Check International Tourism Packages:  America Tourism   | Bhutan Tourism | Dubai Tourism | Nepal Tourism | Bali Tourism | Sri Lanka Tourism | Singapore Tourism | thailand tourism | switzerland tourism

Things to Do on Your Maldives Trip

Diving and snorkelling: reach the ultimate nirvana.

Experience the unknown and dive into a world full of thrill and splashes of water (literally) with Maldives tour package s !

Various Maldives tour packages offer you the experience of a surreal world of coral reefs, marine life, and zero silence. Yes, with snorkelling and scuba diving, you find and lose yourself at the same moment, going to a heavenly space underwater.

Water Sports: A World of Thrill and Wonders

The Maldives is one of the most popular hubs of water sports, with most Maldives tour packages offering these activities.

Experience an array of water sports from jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat riding, kayaking to windsurfing, flyboarding, and much more with Maldives holiday packages! Try to get these sports already included in your Maldives tour packages, which surely will be cheaper for you.

Dolphin-Whale Watching: Experience the Aquatic Marvels

Dolphin-Whale Watching is one of the must-to-dos, usually covered in the Maldives holiday packages, for there is a rich variety of species found in these waters, and you can't miss one of the world's most intelligent beings, in action, right in front of you!

You can choose Maldives tour packages including this activity or buy one at your expense near the site.

Take a Relaxing Massage: Unwind with Spa and Wellness

Enjoy specially designed couple packages consisting of couple massages and many other activities at the resort, helping you spend some relaxing time together, all-inclusive in various Maldives tour packages for couples.

Plan an Exotic Evening: Romantic Sunset Dinner at the Beach

For all the lovebirds out there, this surely has to be on your list while choosing your Maldives package.

Make your partner feel special with a dreamy candle-light dinner at a pier overlooking the beach, decorated with natural hues of blues, oranges, and reds of the surroundings, and a stroll on the beach by the end of the night is just the cherry on the cake! Yes, all this is possible with Maldives trip packages!

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Souvenirs to Look Out For:

Keep some time off for shopping to make the best of your Maldives tour packages. Maldivian handicraft items such as traditional carpets and mats, pieces of jewellery, sarongs, organic beauty products, seashell items, lacquer work products, and fridge magnets are some souvenirs to look out for, so make sure to add them up to your expenses in your Maldives trip cost from India!

So, what are you waiting for? End those countless nights scrolling through those Maldives vacation packages and mark your dates now, packing your bags to the ultimate dream destination of the Maldives!

Do away with your mundane life and take an exciting trip to one of the world’s most sought-after tourist destinations. Plan your trip to the Maldives and experience a fascinating holiday. Whether it’s a family vacation, a solo trip, or a trip with friends, MakeMyTrip Maldives holiday packages offer a variety of options to choose from. You can explore this spectacular island nation donned with beautiful coral reefs. Get bedazzled by the crystal blue waters, white sand beaches, blooming reefs and luxurious water villas, and so much more on your Maldives trip . While selecting from Maldives vacation packages, do opt for the one with adventurous activities like scuba diving and snorkelling. Honeymooners can indulge in relaxing couple massage in spas and wellness centers, followed by a romantic sunset dinner. Make sure to include dolphin-whale watching, one of the must-to-do activities, in your Maldives holiday package . Take advantage of the thrilling water sports like jet skiing, parasailing, banana boat ride, kayaking, windsurfing, flyboarding and more. Avail unbeatable offers and discounts on your Maldives package and make your tour memorable. Well-curated MakeMyTrip Maldives holiday packages are available and customized just for you! So, what are you waiting for? Book a trip now with MakeMyTrip and enjoy a perfect holiday that you have been waiting for.

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Villa Nautica Maldives - Perfect...

Starting from :  Maldives

3 Activities

• Speedboat Transfer

Taj Maldives - Twin Paradise Exp...

6 Activities

• Non-Motorized Water Sp...

Plan an exotic getaway to the Maldives with your loved ones! Marvel at the sprawling...

Cinnamon Dhonveli- Incredible Mal...

2 Activities

Embark on a Surfing Adventure with Access to Pasta Point

Taj Exotica Resort - Dreamy Maldi...

5 Activities

Capture Memories with a FREE Photo Session

Medhufushi Island Resort Package

4 Activities

• Dolphin Quest Cruise

Get Set for a Holiday with the Best Deal

Grand Park Resort -Breathtaking M...

• Honeymoon Freebies

Centara Ras Maldives - Refreshing...

• Snorkeling Equipment

Meeru Island Exclusive Deal Packa...

• Sunset Cruise

Free Airport Transfers by speedboat for Nov and Dec trips.

Exotic Water & Beach Villa Stays

Choose from our exquisite water & beach villa options for a memorable holiday!

Adaaran Hudhuranfushi With Water...

No Food Worries with Premium All-Inclusive Meal Plan

Incredible Grand Park Maldives Va...

Enjoy Exclusive Deals & Discounts

Medhufushi Maldives With Water Vi...

The ultimate beach escape for all kinds of travellers!

Discover the original Maldivian culture all around the island including a visit to ou...

Meeru Island Resort With Water Vi...

Taj coral reef resort with water....

Free Airport Transfers: Exclusively for You!

Villa Park Sun Island Resort Pack...

• Domestic Flight Transfer

Complimentary Meals and Stay for a Child

Centara Ras Fushi With Water Vill...

Adults-only retreat ideal for couples

Cherish your stay at these romantic retreats with your beloved!

Lux South Ari - A Romantic Getawa...

Get 40 Free Experiences At Lux South Ari Maldives

Velana Beach Exclusive- Mesmerisi...

Complimentary Bed Decoration For Honeymooners

Meeru Island- Soulmate Special Ma...

The ultimate Maldivian escape for you and your soulmate!

Adaaran Hudhuranfushi- Relaxing M...

Take an indulgent holiday to the Maldives with our curated luxury packages.

Exclusive Deal Kandima Resort Pac...

Capture memories with a FREE photo session

Lux South Ari Atoll Stay - Heaven...

Get 40 complimentary experiences at Lux South Ari!

Taj Exotica - Magical Maldives Va...

Indulge in Free Non-Motorised Water Sports

Grand Park Kodhipparu - Maldives...

Frequently asked questions about maldives tour packages, ques. how much will a maldives trip cost.

Ans. Are you looking for ideal Maldives package within your budget online? If yes, don’t worry! You will find a wide range of Maldives tours online with varying budgets. For instance, there are budget tours at ₹ 73,471 per head for 3 nights and 4 days. At the same time, there are slightly costlier tours at ₹ 1,03,540 per person for 4 nights and 5 days in Maldives. Check the available options and book as per your desired taste and preference.

Ques. Is 5 days enough in Maldives?

Ans. There are numerous Maldives tour packages for 5 days that are usually enough to explore most places in the region. Here are some of the areas that you can include in your 5-day travel itinerary: Male Island- It is the capital and main city of the Maldives, offering abundant attractions for visitors. You can also shop to your heart’s content here. Baros Island- This Island is a favourite haunt for honeymooners. It offers several charming attractions like the Lighthouse Lounge Bar, Piano (dining in the heart of the lagoon) and a lot more. The views all around are simply magnificent, to say the least. Mirihi Island- You will love the snorkelling opportunities with mantas and whale sharks swimming beside you. You can also explore the beautiful atolls here. Sunset cruises are great ways to make the most of your time here. Huvahendhoo Island- The Island is known for its ultra-luxurious resorts and abundant snorkelling spots. There are several nightclubs that you can also explore. Rangali Island- Rangali Island has the very first underwater hotel in the world called Muraka. It lies 16 feet below the Indian Ocean with several fabulous amenities. There are many other floating villas here with astounding views.

Ques. Which is the best month to visit Maldives?

Ans. It is advisable to book your Maldives package for the period between December to April. These are the summer months in the region, offering reasonably good weather conditions. It mostly remains dry with little rainfall, thereby making outdoor excursions more feasible. The off-season is the monsoon period between the month of May and August, which are synonymous with heavy showers. However, if you just want to relax, enjoy a pampering spa treatment and explore the island, you can visit the region during monsoons also.

Ques. How can I go to Maldives from India?

Ans. If you are browsing through Maldives tour packages, then you should know the ways in which you can reach the islands from India. The Male International Airport is the main connectivity lifeline in the area with connecting flights from several countries including China, India and Sri Lanka. You can take a flight to reach the airport and then reach your hotel through local transportation. Maldives offers a relaxed visa policy, providing free visas on arrival to all tourists for 30 days. You may extend this up to 90 days upon furnishing proof of funds and other necessary documents.

Ques. Is passport required for Maldives?

Ans. While there are Maldives tour packages to suit every need and budget, a few universal rules are applicable for all travellers. You will need a valid passport to visit the country along with your return/onward travel ticket and proof of sufficient funds in your account. Free visitor visas are issued to tourists for 30 days upon arrival in the Maldives. The passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the departure date from the region. There should be adequate blank pages on your passport for entry stamps.

Ques. Is food expensive in Maldives?

Ans. Book your Maldives package carefully, making sure that you have sufficient time to visit local eateries for some delicious treats. However, food is moderately costly in the Maldives. Prices of meals in the region usually vary from one place to another, although approximate costs hover around MVR964 per day. Travellers can expect to spend around MVR386 for a meal at a decent restaurant.

Ques. Which currency is used in Maldives?

Ans. Booking a Maldives package anytime soon? You should know more about the currency of the country, which is the Maldivian Rufiyaa. It is sub-divided into 100 Laari. The Bank of Maldives counter at the arrival hall is the sole foreign exchange point on the islands. The only option is to get money exchanged at banks that are based in Male, although you can anticipate longer queues here. The currency is not convertible and hence you cannot buy the same ahead of your trip. It comes with 500, 50, 100, 20, 5 and 10 denominations. You can also use the U.S. dollar widely throughout the region. You may get back change in MVR and hence have smaller denominations in hand.

Ques. Which are the popular attractions of Maldives?

Ans. Besides charismatic beaches and wonderful adventure activities, Maldives also offers many beautiful tourist attractions. Make sure to add the following attractions to your Maldives tour packages for a memorable trip: Alimatha Island tour Male fish market Grand Friday Mosque Male local market Bikini Beach Atoll transfer National Museum

Ques. What kind of food is available in Maldives?

Ans. You must take out some time in your Maldives package to taste the delicious local food in the region. Some of the top options include the following: Sea fish, including tuna Fish curry which is readily available almost everywhere Fresh Noni Fruit Japanese Teppanyaki Italian delicacies Thai and Chinese dishes Coconut flavoured dishes Frigate, Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tuna along with Mahi-Mahi and others Garudhiya, a fish broth that comes with chilli, lime, onions and rice Mas Huni, a shredded and smoked fish dish served with onions and grated coconuts.

Ques. What kind of clothes to wear in Maldives?

Ans. When booking Maldives tour packages, make sure that you dress suitably while exploring the islands. Here are some clothes that you must pack: T-shirts Short-sleeved cotton shirts Shorts Dresses Trousers Skirts Sarongs Swimwear and Bathing Suits for both men and women Remember that light and comfortable clothing is the best option while exploring the Maldives. You should also dress conservatively as much as possible while venturing outdoors in local areas and also in the evenings.

Ques. What is the best time to visit Maldives?

Ans. Maldives has an easy climate and is good for travel all year round. The peak season for Maldives travel is the Christmas – New year season of December and January, after which pleasant weather continues till well into April. May to October is the wet season, but since the rainfall is only periodic and evenings are still pleasant, and one has the added advantage of off-season discounts, this period can also be good for a relaxed and budget-friendly Maldives holiday.

Ques. Is Maldives a good place for family travel?

Ans. Maldives is an island paradise and it is ideally suited for all kinds of travellers, be it families or couples. Since this destination works on a “one island, one resort” concept, what you need to consider while looking at your options is whether the resorts you are shortlisting are more suited for couples or for families. A lot of family friendly resorts are available in Maldives, which welcome families with children of all ages and also organize a variety of activities to make their holiday enjoyable. MakeMyTrip makes things easier for you by selecting the best family-friendly resorts for Maldives packages.

Ques. How many days should I spend in Maldives?

Ans. Most people book a single resort stay in the Maldives. 4 or 5 days is sufficient for this kind of a trip, unless you are looking to specifically engage in a particular activity such as a week-long diving course, for instance.

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GUIDE TO ISLAND HOPPING MALDIVES

Want to find out about island hopping Maldives? Wondering how to plan island hopping in Maldives?  Looking for a Maldives island hopping itinerary? Here is our complete guide to all things Maldives island hopping!

At Indulge Maldives we are industry experts in island hopping Maldives. We specialise in creating unique and one-off Maldives island hopping itinerary for our clients, including for Insta-famous Aussie-German Travel Couple  Marie & Jake (1 mil Instagram) and ‘The World’s Most Influential Island Influencer of 2020’ Salty Luxe (425K Instagram).   Island hopping in Maldives is remarkable – everyone should experience once in their lifetime if they can, whether it be on a special honeymoon vacation , family holiday, solo trip or on one of our incredible Maldives island hopping retreats  which we’ve been operating since 2017. Below is our complete guide to Maldives island hopping and moving between tropical isles.  

CAN YOU ISLAND HOP IN MALDIVES?

Yes! Island hopping in Maldives is one of the best ways to truly experience the spectacular natural beauty of the Maldives. You just need a little know how as moving between islands needs to be planned in advance.

WHAT IS ISLAND HOPPING MALDIVES?

As Maldives has 1,190 islands, it can be hard to choose just one island to visit. Tourists generally like to island hop Maldives and split their precious vacation time over multiple islands. Every island offers a unique holiday experience so combining multiple islands really ensures you get to experience the most of Maldives.

There are four different ways to experience island hopping in Maldives.

1. Staying at multiple budget friendly local islands

2.  Staying at multiple luxury resorts

3. Sailing between islands on board a liveaboard vessel

4. Combining the above ways of island hopping Maldives to really help stretch the holiday budget, maximise travel days and experience all this beautiful tropical nation has to offer.

HOW DO YOU TRAVEL BETWEEN ISLANDS IN MALDIVES?

To travel between islands in Maldives, we would suggest reading our most popular post on how to book Maldives island transfers . It outlines the best methods of island hopping Maldives – how to travel between islands, and the cost of speedboat, domestic flight or seaplane transfers. The mode of transport you need to take for island hopping or resort hopping in Maldives will depend on the distance of your intended holiday island from Malé Airport.

ISLAND HOPPING IN MALDIVES COST

Most people don’t realise how widespread Maldives is  and that the island hopping in Maldives cost can be expensive, with some transfers costing up to $900pp for a return 30min journey. That’s at the extreme end however it is important to take into consideration the cost of expensive transfers when planning to island hop Maldives. You should start with selecting your   local island or resort accommodation   and consider the cost of transfers to each particular island before making your accommodation reservation. The last thing you want to do is end up paying more for transfers than your accommodation itself. Staying at islands close together is also a great tip to reduce cost of Maldives island hopping and will also mean less travel time transiting to the airport and moving between islands, if you can co-ordinate this.

MALDIVES ISLAND HOPPING ITINERARY

Here at Indulge Maldives we are experts in island hopping Maldives, we have been doing it for years and have been refining our Maldives island hopping itineraries as tourism continues to develop. As travel experts living here in Maldives, we are updated daily with current speedboat, domestic flight & seaplane timings. Did you know it’s not possible to arrive at the airport in Maldives & take a speedboat or ferry? Unfortunately Maldives does’t work this way – all transfers between islands must be pre-booked in advance, accordingly to the limited daily transfer schedules. Let Indulge Maldives help plan your own special and unique Maldives island hopping itinerary, to ensure a smooth, worry-free and unforgettable holiday experience! We don’t charge you anything, simply all our fees are covered in commissions we receive from the hotels, and by booking with us, your are helping to support the economy of Maldives and local Maldivian families. We also donate 1% of each Maldives island hopping itinerary to help feed Maldivian families in need.

ISLAND HOPPING EXCURSIONS MALDIVES

When it comes to island hopping excursions in Maldives, many locals islands offer the exact same excursions as the luxury resorts, however at a fraction of the price. If you plan to split your Maldives island hopping across both resorts & local islands, our best advice would be to save the excursions for the budget island part of your stay. You will visit the very same dive sites, surfing points, sandbanks etc.

ISLAND HOPPING IN MALDIVES DURING COVID-19

At Indulge Maldives, we understand booking future travels during COVID-19 can bring uncertainty, that’s why we are here to re-assure and support you in making booking your future Maldives travels as easy & flexible as possible. Our COVID-19 policies ensure you won’t lose out on your precious holiday savings. Over the past year and a half, we have successfully been assisting our clients who are unable to travel to Maldives due to COVID-19 factors, by offering free re-schedule of their travel dates, by working closely with our partner hotels and resorts. We’ve also lowered the deposit rate to just 10% & offer free cancellation on some packages. Read more here about our COVID Cancellation Policy & here for the latest up to date COVID travel info & requirements for Maldives.

ISLAND HOPPING PACKAGES IN MALDIVES

3N: WHALE SHARK & MANTA PACKAGE – US$450p.p.

4N: MALDIVES ADVENTURE US$399p.p.

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INDULGE MALDIVES

Indulge Maldives Holidays is an exclusive Maldives Travel Agency. We specialise in both affordable & luxury vacations to Maldives, group style island hopping retreats & surfing holidays. Our Australian Founder & Travel Specialist Kristie has lived in Maldives for almost 8 years & has travelled to over 50 Maldives islands. She works alongside Maldivian locals & takes exceptional care of her clients'​ needs, from planning to departure. Indulge Maldives proudly partners with over 30 local island hotels & 60 Maldives resorts. Our holiday packages start from as little as US$50 per night. Contact Kristie today & let her help you create your dream Maldives vacation, no matter your budget!

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How to travel between islands in the Maldives – 5 ways to get around

Exploring the magical beauty of the Maldives is an unforgettable experience. With over 1,200 islands scattered across 26 atolls, you can easily get lost in its stunning white-sand beaches and turquoise waters. But how do you make your way around this paradise? Well, I wondered the same before I went there and used both a private ferry and a private speedboat to get to the islands. But hey, at least now I know and can help you as well.

How to travel between islands in the Maldives? From ferries to seaplanes and speedboats, there are many ways to travel between the different islands – each one offering unique experiences that will stay with you long after your trip ends. Read on for all you need to know about transportation in the Maldives!

Yes, it’s true guys, there might be affiliate links in this awesome, free post. This means that if you decide to buy something that you find here, and you use one of my links to do so, I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I plan to use this money on ice cream, chocolate, and to travel more so I can write these useful guides for you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

A bit about the maldives.

The Maldives is made up of 26 atolls, which are giant coral formations that have fragmented into countless islands. Each atoll has a traditional Dhivehi name as well as a code name like Baa (which is just an abbreviation of the Dhivehi alphabet) and an easy name for tourists to remember.

The specificity of the country will, of course, affect the means of transportation available. As everything happens on the water, there are just a few options available for most situations. It’s not like you can just walk, you know?

Now let’s get business and find out how you can get around the Maldives.

Are you overwhelmed by all the resort options? Discover your perfect island match below!

With this nifty tool, you’ll get from a list of 100+ resorts that look great and no idea where to start to a short list of islands that fit your wishes and desires. And yes, it also has the links for Booking and Agoda so you can book your stay straight away.

Check it out below !

Maldives transportation from the airport

Getting to the Maldives is pretty much done by air, as the area cannot be easily covered by boats. If you’re flying into the country, the main gateway to the island nation is Velana International Airport in Male. From here, you need to find a solution to get to your final accommodation, and this will depend greatly on where you’re staying. Check out each item below to see what would be your best option to travel between islands in the Maldives.

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Getting around in the maldives.

If we don’t take into account how you get here (by plane, most probably, as most boats cannot get close enough) or how you can get around on islands where there’s road infrastructure, you have these options travel around in the Maldives.

• Internal flights
• Scheduled speedboat

Private ferry

Public ferry.

Internal flights: For the more remote islands or atolls, internal flights are a great option. There is an extensive network of domestic airlines that make it easy to explore even the furthest corners of the country.

Seaplanes: If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious and romantic, seaplanes are an amazing way to get from one island to another. They offer spectacular views of the islands as you fly by, and it’s a great way to enjoy your journey. Plus, they will take you straight to your resort so you can enjoy your vacation right away.

Scheduled speedboats: How about a fast and exciting ride? Scheduled speedboats are an excellent way to get from one island to another at a fairly reasonable price. The downside is that they can get a bit cramped, so it’s best to book your tickets well in advance. Read below how you can do this.

Private ferry: For bigger groups or those who want more privacy, private ferries are an excellent option. You can either rent the entire boat or just charter one for a few hours and enjoy being on the water with your own group of friends or family.

Public ferry: Finally, there is the public ferry system which offers a cheap and easy way to get around. The downside is that it can be slow and uncomfortable, but this also means you have plenty of time to appreciate your surroundings and mingle with the locals.

No matter how you’re traveling between islands in the Maldives, you’re sure to enjoy the experience. Whether it’s hopping on a seaplane for some aerial views or taking a leisurely ride on a public ferry to appreciate the beauty of this magical land, there are plenty of options available. So don’t wait any longer and start planning your visit!

And remember – with careful planning and a bit of research, you can make the most of your trip and experience the best that the Maldives has to offer, and maybe even come back home with both your kidneys.

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Can you take shells, sand, and dead coral from the Maldives?

Internal flights in the maldives.

There are just a few companies that run internal flights in the Maldives, namely Maldivian Airlines, Trans Maldivian Airways, FlyMe, and Manta Air. You can book your tickets using Skyscanner , or straight from each company’s website.

If you’re going to stay in a resort, they will most probably handle everything for you, and you’ll pay at departure. If you have booked your Maldives trip with a travel agency, you’ll just receive all the reservation details from them.

Airports in the Maldives

The main international airport in the Maldives is Velana International Airport (also known as Male International Airport). As mentioned before, it’s the main gateway to the country, and it’s most probably your airport of arrival and departure.

Other international airports are Gan Airport (GAN), Hanimaadhoo International Airport (HAQ), Maafaru International Airport (NMF), Maamigili International Airport (VAM), and Kadhdhoo International Airport (KDO). You can use these airports if coming from Sri Lanka or India.

As far as domestic airports go, they’re scattered all around the country so you can easily get to any part of it. Check out the list below and the very helpful map, to have an idea of how good the coverage is.

• Hoarafushi airport
• Huvarafushi airport
• Kulhudhuffushi airport
• Funadhoo airport
• Ifuru airport
• Madivaru airport
• Dharavandhoo airport
• Dhaalu airport
• Thimarafushi airport
• Kooddoo airport
• Kaadedhdhoo airport
• Maavarulu airport
• Fuvahmulah airport

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Seaplane transfer in the maldives.

The most exciting way to get from one island to another in the Maldives is by seaplane! There are three main companies that offer this service: Trans Maldivian Airways , Maldivian Seaplane , and Manta Air , the latter being the newest company, flying since 2019.

These seaplanes leave from the TMA terminals at Velana International Airport and usually take around 20 to 45 minutes. The prices vary depending on the distance between islands, so make sure to check before booking your tickets. As a rough idea, the price is usually at least $200 per person per leg, and oftentimes it’s even higher than that.

Seaplane transfers are usually taken care of by the resort or the travel agency you booked your trip with, so you shouldn’t need to book them yourself. If you’re traveling DIY, you can book the flights yourself on their website, but please be aware that your inbound flight might be delayed and you’ll miss your booking, so plan for this as well.

Unfortunately, seaplanes cannot operate once the sun goes down, so if you arrive at the airport after sunset, it’s best to spend the night in Malé City, Hulhumalé, or a hotel in Hulhule. To avoid this, you can book a private transfer from your hotel, which is more expensive but much faster and more convenient. In any case, take this into account if you’re going to need late-night or early-morning transportation from Male.

Scheduled speed boats

For those who are looking for a more affordable way to travel between islands, there are scheduled speed boats operated by several companies in the Maldives. Atoll Transfer and ICom Tours , offer transfers from Velana International Airport to various resorts and islands around the country.

They also provide day trips to nearby islands for people staying on local islands but wanting to taste a bit of the luxury from nearby resorts. ICom Tours has a wide list of day trips you can try, all of them having a starting point in Maafushi.

Again, if you’re going to a resort island, this will be taken care of for you. If you’re booking everything yourself, you can easily book the transfers online from their website or buy them at the ticket desks at the airport, if you’re brave enough. The prices vary depending on the destination, so make sure to check before you buy. A rough estimation of the cost is between $50 and $150 per person per leg, so a bit cheaper than a seaplane, but still not an amount to ignore.

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Charter speedboats.

If you need to get anywhere, anytime, charter speed boats are the way to go. They are much faster than public ferries and they’ll leave when they’re full. This is how you will need to get around if visiting any resort islands.

Charter speedboats come in all shapes and sizes depending on the quality of the resort you stay in. The more luxurious resorts can have large enclosed motor cruisers with drinks and food, while the lesser resorts may have open-sided boats.

The booking is handled by the resort, as it’s basically the resort’s boat you’re getting on. You cannot book this yourself so communicate efficiently with them before you arrive (you have to tell them your scheduled flight number and planned date and time of arrival).

As an alternative to speedboats, there are private ferries that run from Malé to Maafushi and other nearby islands. This is a great option if you want to save some money and don’t mind a slower journey. The ferries usually leave once they are full, so you may need to wait a while before they depart.

Getting information on these ferries is a challenge as they are run by and for locals, and hence their little need to put any information on the internet. The best way to find out more about them is to ask locals at the jetty directly – they will be able to tell you when they depart and how many people they can take.

The booking process is not easy either. The only website I could find where there’s an available ferry schedule is this one , but even they say they cannot know for sure what is going to happen as they all depend on the weather and various other factors. This means of transportation is perfect for laid-back travelers who don’t care that much about being on time or have a busy schedule.

Finally, there are public ferries operated by the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC). These are ideal for those on a budget, as they tend to be cheaper than speed boats, the price being about $1-$5 per way. However, these services can be very slow, so it is best to check the schedule before you commit. Getting to the further atolls and islands can take up to a day, as they also stop at various places along the way, so be prepared to enjoy a long ride.

Public ferries only run 3-6 times weekly, with no service on Friday. This means that if you are trying to travel over the weekend (Saturday and Sunday), you may need to look for other transport options as the public ferries will not run. You can find here the most up-to-date ferry schedule .

Since these ferries are extremely irregular and the information available online is not very up-to-date (they are aimed at local transportation so even if there is information online, it’s not in English), using them for island-hopping can be a challenge, but not at all impossible. The major difficulty is to move from one atoll to the other by ferry, as the ones that spread across multiple atolls are few and far between.

If you’re planning to use public ferries to do island hopping in the Maldives, start by booking your guesthouses (even with free cancelation, if it suits you best). Then, ask the owners how can you get there, and they will tell you all the options. The next step then is to connect the dots by discussing with all the guesthouse hosts who will gladly help you.

Some resorts even allow you to get there by public transportation (sort of). You can, for example, reach Olhuveli Resort from the airport by public ferry until Maafushi ($2 per person) and then get a speedboat transfer with ICom. You will save some money like this, and maybe get to know a bit of the local culture as well.

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Faq about traveling between islands in the maldives, how do you get to the maldives.

Most people reach this tropical paradise by transcontinental flight to the Velana International Airport. Some smaller airlines also use one of the other 5 international airports located all around the archipelago, but these are mostly coming in from Sri Lanka or India.

How many airports are in The Maldives?

There are 6 International airports in the Maldives, and the most important one is known as Male Airport. The islands also have 13 domestic airports where both normal planes and seaplane land and depart.

How much does it cost to travel between islands in the Maldives?

This will depend greatly on the means of transportation available. If you’re using a seaplane transfer, this can cost even more than $500 per person. A private speedboat can cost anything between $50 and $150, and a local ferry ticket is usually around $1-$3 per way. Of course, not all options will be available between every two islands, so keep this in mind when planning your trip.

Can we do island hopping in the Maldives?

Definitely, with proper planning. While it is not as easy as in other countries, island hopping in the Maldives can be done, especially between inhabited islands. If you want to reach resort islands as well, you’ll have to book one of the pricier options though, so keep this in mind when budget planning.

Can you travel between resorts in the Maldives?

Unfortunately, no. Most resorts will only provide you with transportation to and from Male. So if you want to change resorts, you’ll have to use Male as your hub, even if the two resort islands are close to each other. The only other hub that you might make it work with is Maafushi, a local island that’s been intensively visited by tourists lately.

How to travel between islands in the Maldives – The takeaway

Navigating the Maldives can be tricky, but with a bit of research and planning it is possible to find ways to island hop without breaking your budget. From using private ferries operated by locals, to public ferries run by MTCC, or speedboats from resorts – there are plenty of options available depending on what you need.

With this guide in mind and some help from local guesthouse owners, you should have no problem getting around the islands at an affordable price. I hope that now you know how to travel between islands in the Maldives and that it doesn’t feel complicated anymore. Just remember that each option has its advantages and disadvantages so make sure you choose one that best suits your needs!

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I love “How To” posts, they are so helpful! You’ve really simplified the process, so thank you

A great article full of useful info travelling around the Maldives! Hope to visit one day 🙂

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The clever ways to visit the Maldives on a budget – with £4 meals and lesser-known local islands

• Ryan Gray , Travel Reporter
• Published : 15:01, 2 Jun 2024
• Updated : 13:21, 3 Jun 2024
• Published : Invalid Date,

FOR most people, a dream holiday to the Maldives is prohibitively expensive, with the cost of flights and luxury resorts beyond what they can afford.

However, there are ways in which you can keep costs to a minimum when visiting the paradise islands, without missing out on the best they have to offer.

What's more, now could be the best time to go for a cost-cutting trip to the Indian Ocean.

That's according to travel blogger Lauren Juliff, founder of website Never Ending Footsteps .

She claims that there are still plenty of islands in the Maldives that are yet to be taken over by mega resorts that cost thousands to stay in.

However, she warned that it's not going to stay like that for much longer and explained why now is "the perfect time to travel to the Maldives".

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According to Lauren, it's possible to spend as little as $50 (£39.40) per day and even have a better time than those who will stay in the really expensive accommodation.

She does that by staying in a budget guesthouse, for £24 a day, while spending no more than £10 a day on activities and £10 a day on food.

She explained: "On most islands, for $30-80 (£24-£63) a night, you can expect a clean, modern, and spacious room, with air conditioning, hot showers, free breakfasts, snorkelling gear, a bottle of water each day, twice daily room cleaning[!], and fast Wi-Fi ."

For anyone worried about the standard of the rooms, Lauren argued that they are "seriously nice" and much better than hotels in Europe.

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Additionally, she recommends using Couchsurfing, which offers free homestays for travellers, or WorkAway, where people can find cheap or free accommodation in exchange for work.

The majority of the cheap accommodation in the Maldives are found on what are referred to as "local islands" i.e. an island that isn't owned by a resort.

They include places like Fulidhoo , a place that still offers the white sand beaches with clear turquoise seas, only at a fraction of the cost of those found on resort islands.

One of the other main holiday costs is food, with a lot of travellers planning their trips around what they eat.

Lauren said she was able to spend no more than $10 (£8) per day eating out at restaurants where it's far cheaper than other more frequently visited islands .

She added: "Food will set you back around $5-10 (£4-8) per meal, but with most guesthouses offering an enormous free breakfast, so we found ourselves skipping lunch and only paying for dinner. You can’t complain about spending $5 (£4) a day on food!"

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Of course the main expense with a trip to the Maldives is the flight there, but there are still ways that you can avoid spending a fortune on those.

They include flying via the Middle East, or India, according to travel experts Lonely Planet .

They said: "One way to cut the cost is to fly via transport hubs such as those in the Middle East. Airlines serving Male include Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways, transiting in Abu Dhabi, Dubai or Doha.

"It’s also worth considering transiting in India and continuing on to Male with an Indian airline such as Vistara or IndiGo."

They also recommend going during the off season, claiming that visitors won't really notice much difference.

They continued: "Visiting the Maldives during the off-peak monsoon season, between May and November, can mean serious savings. Although there really isn’t a bad time to visit the Maldives."

Getting from one island to another can be another large expenditure that people don't consider, with speedboats and seaplanes racking up the costs.

However, there are local ferry services available that travel from place to place, for a fraction of the price.

Beyond the Bucketlist explained: "This is the cheapest option.

"They typically cost around $1-$4 (80p - £3) per person and service the inhabited islands."

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Meanwhile, this 16-rule checklist could help you keep costs down when booking holidays .

And these travel hacks could also help you make a saving when taking that dream holiday.

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