The full picture, from budget to luxury
Maldives costs vary more dramatically than almost any other destination — from $80/day on local islands to $2,000+/day at luxury resorts. Here is the breakdown.
Flights
International flights to Malé are the biggest cost for most travelers. From Europe: $600-1,200 return depending on origin and season. From Southeast Asia: $300-600. From Middle East hubs: $400-800. Check Kiwi.com for the best fares — the Maldives is well-served by Emirates, Qatar, and Singapore Airlines.
Accommodation
Local island guesthouses: $50-150/night. Mid-range resort islands: $300-600/night (usually all-inclusive). Luxury overwater bungalows: $800-3,000+/night. The price gap is enormous — and the ocean looks the same from all of them.
Transfers
This is the hidden cost. Seaplane transfers to remote resort islands: $200-400 per person return. Speedboat transfers: $30-80 per person. Public ferries to local islands: $5-15. Factor in transfers when comparing accommodation prices — a “cheaper” resort that requires a $400 seaplane transfer may cost more than a slightly pricier resort accessible by speedboat.
Food and activities
On resort islands food is typically included (full board or half board). On local islands: local restaurants $5-20 per meal. Diving: $60-100 per dive, $400-600 for Open Water certification. Snorkeling trips: $20-50. Dolphin watching cruises: $30-50.