The Maldives spans an enormous price range — from around $80/night at a local guesthouse to $5,000/night for a private villa at an ultra-luxury resort. Understanding what drives those costs, and where the value actually sits, is the key to planning a trip that matches your expectations and your budget.
This guide breaks down every major cost category with real figures from our 2025 bookings, so you can plan with confidence.
A week in the Maldives for two people costs between $3,000 and $35,000, including return flights from Europe, transfers and meals. Most couples spend $6,000 to $10,000 for 7 nights at a mid-range resort, or roughly $3,000 to $5,000 each.
All prices are in US dollars (USD), the currency we quote and take payment in.
Accommodation Costs
Accommodation is the largest variable in any Maldives holiday. The archipelago is divided into three main categories: resort islands, local guesthouses, and liveaboards.
Resort Tiers
- Speedboat transfer (30–60 min)
- Beachfront or lagoon rooms
- Good house reef
- 2–3 restaurants
- Examples: Holiday Inn Kandooma, Kuredu, Kurumba, Joy Island
- Seaplane or longer speedboat
- Overwater villas with private pools
- Multiple dining options
- Spa, dive centre, water sports
- Examples: Kuramathi, Kandima, Varu, Siyam World
- Seaplane transfer included or discounted
- Butler service, private pools
- All-inclusive options
- Personal hosts, bespoke experiences
- Examples: JOALI, One&Only, OZEN Reserve, Waldorf Astoria
All-Inclusive Plans
Several resorts offer genuine all-inclusive plans — not just food and soft drinks, but spa credits, diving, and even transfers. OZEN Reserve Bolifushi's RESERVE™ plan and OZEN Life Maadhoo's INDULGENCE™ plan are among the most complete: all meals, beverages, butler service, and many excursions are included. For couples who want complete peace of mind (and no surprise bills at checkout), these represent excellent value even at higher nightly rates.
Guesthouses
Local island guesthouses on inhabited islands cost $80–$220/night and offer an authentic, budget-friendly Maldives experience. You'll share beaches with locals, eat at island restaurants, and access the reef via boat excursions. The tradeoff: no private beach, no overwater villa, and alcohol is restricted on local islands. Best for divers, surfers, and budget-conscious travellers happy to explore rather than simply relax.
Flight Costs
All international flights land at Velana International Airport (MLE) in Malé. Direct and connecting fares vary significantly by season and origin.
| Origin | Approx. Return Fare (Economy) | Direct? |
|---|---|---|
| London (UK) | $700 – $1,400 | Emirates, Qatar (1 stop) |
| Dubai (UAE) | $250 – $600 | Yes — Emirates, FlyDubai |
| Singapore | $350 – $700 | Yes — Singapore Airlines |
| Sydney (AUS) | $900 – $1,800 | Via Singapore or Dubai |
| New York (USA) | $1,100 – $2,200 | Via Europe or Middle East |
| Mumbai (India) | $150 – $400 | Yes — IndiGo, Air India |
| Kuala Lumpur | $200 – $500 | Yes — AirAsia, Malindo |
Book flights 3–5 months in advance for peak season (December–January). Flying via Dubai or Singapore often yields the best combination of price and journey time. Emirates and Qatar Airways both offer excellent business class products if you're marking a special occasion.
Resort Transfer Costs
Getting from Malé airport to your resort is a uniquely Maldivian experience — and a significant line item.
| Transfer Type | Cost (Return, Per Person) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Speedboat (resort boat) | $40 – $120 | 30–90 minutes |
| Public ferry + speedboat | $5 – $30 | 1.5–3 hours |
| Seaplane (Twin Otter) | $350 – $650 | 20–45 minutes |
| Domestic flight + speedboat | $150 – $350 | 45–90 min total |
Seaplanes only fly during daylight hours, so if your international flight arrives after around 2pm, you may need to overnight in Malé or use a domestic flight/speedboat combination. We handle this logistics for every booking — your arrival time matters.
Food & Drinks
Dining costs depend heavily on whether you're on a room-only, half-board, or all-inclusive plan.
| Meal Plan | Approx. Daily Cost (Per Person) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Room only | $80 – $200+ | Restaurant dining at resort rates |
| Breakfast included | $40 – $80 additional/day | Most common standard plan |
| Half-board | $80 – $160 additional/day | Breakfast + dinner |
| All-inclusive | Included in room rate | Usually +20–35% on room rate |
Resort restaurants are expensive by any standard — a main course at a mid-range resort typically runs $30–$60, and $60–$120 at ultra-luxury properties. A bottle of wine averages $60–$120. If your budget is tight, half-board is strongly recommended to avoid meal-cost shock at checkout.
Activities & Excursions
| Activity | Typical Cost (Per Person) |
|---|---|
| Single boat dive | $60 – $110 |
| PADI Open Water course | $500 – $750 |
| Snorkelling excursion | $40 – $80 |
| Whale shark excursion (Ari Atoll) | $80 – $120 |
| Sunset dolphin cruise | $50 – $90 |
| Private sandbank picnic | $150 – $350/couple |
| Overwater dinner (private) | $200 – $600/couple |
| Couple's spa treatment (60 min) | $180 – $380 |
| Seaplane sightseeing flight | $120 – $250/person |
Many luxury resorts include a fixed number of excursions with their villa packages. At OZEN Reserve Bolifushi, all non-motorised water sports, snorkelling, gym access and certain excursions are included in the RESERVE™ plan.
Real Budget Examples: 7 Nights for Two
Below are typical all-in costs for two adults travelling together for one week, including return flights from Europe.
| Budget Level | Accommodation | Total Cost (2 people, 7 nights) |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Local guesthouse | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Mid-Range | Kandima, Kuredu, Kurumba | $6,000 – $10,000 |
| Luxury | Varu, Kuramathi, Sun Siyam | $10,000 – $18,000 |
| Ultra-Luxury | JOALI, One&Only, OZEN Reserve | $18,000 – $35,000+ |
How to Get Better Value
Travel shoulder season. April–May and September–November offer dramatically lower room rates (often 25–40% less than December–January peak) with still-excellent weather. Fewer guests on the island is a bonus in itself.
Choose speedboat resorts. Resorts accessible by speedboat from Malé airport (North Malé, South Malé atolls) eliminate the $350–$650 per person seaplane transfer entirely. Kurumba, Holiday Inn Kandooma, and SO/ Maldives are all 10–50 minutes by speedboat.
Book an all-inclusive plan. If you plan to eat, drink and dive extensively, all-inclusive almost always saves money versus à la carte. The maths tilts especially sharply at resorts like OZEN Life Maadhoo where the INDULGENCE™ plan covers premium dining and a spa credit.
Enquire rather than booking directly. Resort websites list rack rates. As a registered Maldives DMC based in Malé, Vola Maldives accesses net rates, seasonal promotions, and honeymoon complimentaries that are not available when booking directly online.
Maldives Holiday Cost: Common Questions
How much is a week in the Maldives?
For two adults flying from Europe, a week costs about $3,000 to $5,000 at a local guesthouse, $6,000 to $10,000 at a mid-range resort, $10,000 to $18,000 at a luxury resort and from $18,000 at an ultra-luxury resort. That includes flights, transfers and meals.
How much do two weeks in the Maldives cost?
Less than double a week. Your flights and resort transfer cost the same whatever the length of stay, so only the room, meals and activities double. The longer you stay, the lower the average cost per night.
What is the cheapest way to visit the Maldives?
Stay at a guesthouse on a local island ($80 to $220 a night), use the public ferry instead of a private speedboat ($5 to $30 return) and travel in April to May or September to November, when rates are often 25 to 40% lower than in December and January.
Is all-inclusive worth it in the Maldives?
Usually, if you eat and drink at the resort. All-inclusive adds about 20 to 35% to the room rate, while room-only guests typically spend $80 to $200 or more per person per day on food. Plans like OZEN Life Maadhoo's also include diving and spa time, which tips the maths further.
How much spending money do I need?
On a breakfast-only or half-board plan, budget for resort restaurant prices: a main course costs $30 to $60 at a mid-range resort and $60 to $120 at an ultra-luxury one, and a bottle of wine $60 to $120. Excursions such as snorkelling trips, dolphin cruises and whale shark trips cost $40 to $120 per person each.
When is the Maldives cheapest?
April to May and September to November. Rates then are often 25 to 40% below the December to January peak, and the weather is still good. See our month-by-month guide for what each month is like.
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