maldives trip cost

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.

is maldives expensive

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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.

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 vacation cost

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

Rooms

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.

Extras

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.

Total

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.

maldives budget breakdown

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.

Room

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.

Transportation

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.

Meal Plans

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.

Extras

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.

Total

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.

maldives resorts

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.

Rooms

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.

Transportation

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.

Meal Plans

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.

Extras

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.

Total

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

Rooms

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.

Transportation

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

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.

Extras

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.

Total

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.

resorts in maldives

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

Rooms

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.

Transportation

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.

Extras

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.

Total

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.