How Much Does It Cost To Vacation In The Maldives
If you can get yourself to the Maldives, you’ll discover one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. But the Maldives are a fair distance from some countries, so if budget is an issue for you, it might be helpful to know how much typical vacations to the Maldives cost. So there’s no need to fret as I’m going to tell you exactly how much does it cost to vacation in the Maldives. When people hear “Maldives,” their first reaction is, “How much?” Many people will think they can’t afford the Maldives, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! The Maldives actually has many amazing resorts and hotels at budget- friendly prices.
The Maldives, a tropical paradise known as the “Jewel of the Indian Ocean” is an archipelago nation consisting of 26 coral atolls and 1 major island. The country is located in South Asia, where Indian Ocean meets the Pacific Ocean. From its stunning beaches, to royal luxurious resorts, this beautiful country is sure to catch your eye (and hopefully also your heart). If you’ve been saving your hard-earned money for the last five years, then you might have enough to go on that holiday to the Maldives you’ve always wanted. But this is a big decision –one of the biggest you’ll make — so don’t rush into it.
Bora Bora is the most expensive destination in the world! The second most expensive destination is Easter Island and third place goes to The Maldives.
How Much Does It Cost To Vacation In The Maldives
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 there on a budget. But after all, how much does it cost to make this dream come true? If you want to get to know this Indian Ocean paradise, here you will find the prices for this 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 Maldives? The one who travels in economy, comfort or luxury style? We’ll talk about costs for all of you!
- 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?
What are the prices of flight tickets to the Maldives?
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 2021.
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$893 (round trip) for a route with only one stop, considering the Economy Class of an Emirates flight, and US$3,745 considering Business Class with Qatar. For the Premium Economy category, Lufthansa offers some options for approximately US$2,775. For those who would like to travel to the Maldives in First Class, the fares with Emirates are around US$15,435 (round trip).
Flight tickets from New York city to the Maldives
From New York (JFK) to Male, we can find fares starting from US$656 (round trip) in Economy Class with Qatar or US$2,759 considering Business Class in the same flight. First class options are available with Emirates for around US$12,872 (round trip).
LMTM 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, 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$100 one way, leaving from Kochi (COK).
Summary: Airfare prices from USA to the Maldives Islands
| Category | Estimated cost US$ |
|---|---|
| Economy | over US$ 650 |
| Premium Economy | over US$2,700 |
| Business | over US$2,800 |
| First Class | over US$ 12,900 |
Flight tickets prices to the Maldives
How much does it cost to travel within the Maldives?
To move around from one island to another in the Maldives, the options may vary according to the islands visited. Among the options are:
- Ferry
- Speedboat
- 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 $500 for this trip.
If your idea is to save as much as possible in the Maldives, the tip is choosing islands closer to the capital Malé and using a ferry or speedboat.
Summary: Travel cost in the Maldives
| Category | Estimated cost US$ |
|---|---|
| Ferry | from US$ 0.65 to US$ 5 |
| Speedboat | from US$ 25 to US$ 500 |
| Seaplane | over US$ 500 |
What’s the price of a night in a hotel or resort in the Maldives?
Photo: Aksham Abdul Gadhir @ishotmaldives
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 Seven Corals 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 $120 (taxes included), and Endheri Sunset on Dhangethi Island has rooms with a beautiful view to the sea for $130 (taxes included).
Resorts
If you feel like staying in a resort, just know that you can find rates from $170 (including breakfast) and all-inclusive options from $230 at Biyadhoo Island Resort, and bungalows over the clear waters of the Maldives from $500 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 $1,950 to $38,000.
Other accommodation options on Booking.com
Check out options of accommodations for all categories:
Summary: Accommodation prices in the Maldives
| Category | Estimated cost US$ |
|---|---|
| Economic | from US$ 50 to US$ 100 |
| Comfort | from US$ 100 to US$ 300 |
| Luxury | over US$ 300 |
| Luxury + Bungalows | over US$ 500 |
What’s the estimated cost of food 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 some resorts, you can have a meal for 30 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 10 and 20 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
| Category | Estimated cost US$ |
|---|---|
| Economic | from US$ 10 to US$ 20 |
| Comfort | from US$ 20 to US$ 60 |
| Luxury | over US$ 60 |
What are the prices of attractions in the Maldives?
Photo: Marcela Moreira
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 $200, depending on the resort.
Below you can see some comparisons to help you clarify the costs at the Maldives:
Summary: Costs of attractions in the Maldives
| Attraction | Local island | Resort |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting a sandbank | US$ 25 | US$ 165 |
| Snorkeling with manta ray | US$ 70 | US$ 150 |
| Dolphin watching | US$ 90 | US$ 175 |
Other costs
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 3 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.
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| Hotel service | 10% |
| GST (Goods and Services Tax) | 12% |
| Green Tax (per person, per night) | USD 3 |
| Credit card fee | from 3,5% to 5% |
| Foreign transaction fees | TBD |
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 a trip to Asia of 8 days, we found costs starting at US$69 at World Nomads, a travel insurance company which we have very good references. Be sure to check the details of each coverage option to make sure you’re getting exactly what you need.
