A 7-night trip to the Maldives for two people flying from the United States is usually $3,000 to $35,000 or more, depending on where you stay.
| Trip Style | Estimated Total for Two |
|---|---|
| Local island and guesthouse | $3,000 to $6,000 |
| Comfortable private resort | $5,000 to $13,000 |
| Luxury resort with an overwater villa | $17,000 to $35,000 or more |
These estimates include round-trip economy flights, accommodation, meals, transfers, taxes and a modest activity budget. The biggest price differences come from your departure city, resort location, meal plan and choice between a beach villa and an overwater villa.
What Is the Average Cost of a Maldives Vacation?
For most travelers, a week in the Maldives costs about $6,000 to $12,000 for two people at a good private resort.
A local-island trip costs less because guesthouses, restaurants and public ferries are cheaper than private resort alternatives. A luxury resort can cost more than the flights, especially when the booking includes seaplane transfers, all-inclusive dining and an overwater villa.
Maldives Trip Cost Breakdown
Flights From the United States: $900 to $1,800 per Person
Round-trip economy flights from the United States to Velana International Airport in Malé commonly cost $900 to $1,800 per person. Most routes require at least one connection through Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Istanbul or Singapore.
As one route example, Google Flights has shown Washington, D.C. to Malé fares from about $1,284 round trip. Prices vary by airline and travel period.
To reduce airfare:
- Compare New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and other major gateways.
- Check Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Turkish Airlines.
- Include checked baggage when comparing prices.
- Confirm your resort transfer schedule before booking an international flight.
Accommodation: $25 per Person to More Than $1,000 per Night
Accommodation creates the largest difference between a budget Maldives trip and a luxury resort stay.
Local-island guesthouses can cost about $25 to $75 per person per night when two people share a room. Seven nights for two may therefore cost around $350 to $1,050, before taxes and other expenses.
Private resorts range from lower-cost properties to high-end island resorts. Resort listings cited in the source include options around $279 per night, value properties around $456 per night and luxury resorts costing more than $1,200 per night. KAYAK reports an average Maldives resort price of about $811 per night, although the final rate depends on the resort and room type.
A beach villa usually costs less than an overwater villa. One way to control the budget is to spend most of the trip in a beach villa and add one or two nights over the water.
Food and Drinks: $15 to $100 or More per Person per Day
Food costs depend on where you stay.
On a local island, plan on about $15 to $30 per person per day, particularly when breakfast is included with the guesthouse booking.
At a private resort, meals cost more. A breakfast-only rate may look cheaper at first, but separate charges for lunch, dinner, drinks and snacks can make it more expensive than a half-board or all-inclusive package.
When comparing resorts, check whether the rate includes:
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Soft drinks and bottled water
- Alcoholic drinks
- Room service
- Resort service charges
- Excursions and water sports
Alcohol is available at resorts but is generally not sold on inhabited local islands.
Airport and Island Transfers
A resort stay usually requires transport from Velana International Airport to the resort island. Budget for this separately unless the booking clearly includes it.
- Resorts near Malé generally use speedboats.
- More distant resorts commonly use seaplanes.
- Some atolls require a domestic flight followed by a speedboat.
Visit Maldives lists speedboats, seaplanes and domestic flights as the main ways visitors reach the resort islands.
Speedboats are usually cheaper than seaplanes. Seaplane transfers can add several hundred dollars per person, especially for resorts in distant atolls. Some resorts charge transfer fees separately from the room rate, so review the full booking summary before paying.
Taxes and Mandatory Charges
The main charges to check are:
- Tourism GST is 17% on tourism goods and services.
- Green Tax is generally $12 per person per night at resorts and larger or uninhabited-island guesthouses.
- Green Tax is generally $6 per person per night at smaller hotels and guesthouses on inhabited islands.
- Foreign economy passengers may pay a $50 Departure Tax and a $50 Airport Development Fee when applicable. These charges are normally included in the airline ticket rather than collected at the airport counter.
For two people staying seven nights at a resort, the Green Tax alone can add $168. A guesthouse on an inhabited island may have the lower Green Tax rate.
Three Realistic Maldives Budgets
Budget Maldives Trip for Two: $3,000 to $6,000
This budget works best when you:
- Stay on Maafushi, Dhiffushi, Thulusdhoo or another inhabited island
- Book a guesthouse instead of a private resort
- Use public ferries or shared speedboats
- Choose accommodation that includes breakfast
- Eat at local restaurants
- Limit paid excursions to one or two activities
Local-island guesthouses provide access to beaches, snorkeling, diving and excursions without the cost of a private resort island. Maafushi is convenient because it has many guesthouses, restaurants and activity operators.
Mid-Range Resort Trip for Two: $5,000 to $13,000
This is a common choice for couples who want the private-resort experience.
A typical package may include:
- Economy flights
- Five to seven nights at a private resort
- A beach villa
- Breakfast or half board
- Speedboat or seaplane transfers
- Snorkeling and a boat excursion
- Taxes and resort charges
The lower end is more realistic for a nearby resort with a beach villa and breakfast. The upper end is more likely when the booking includes a remote island, seaplane transfers, half board or all-inclusive dining and a higher-priced room.
Luxury Maldives Trip for Two: $17,000 to $35,000 or More
Luxury costs rise quickly when you combine:
- A high-end resort
- An overwater villa
- A private pool
- Seaplane or domestic transfers
- All-inclusive dining
- Spa treatments
- Private boat trips
- Premium alcoholic drinks
- Underwater dining or other signature experiences
A room priced at $1,000 per night costs more after adding 17% tourism GST, Green Tax, transfers and meals. Seven nights at that base rate already totals $7,000 before those additional expenses.
How to Make a Maldives Trip Cheaper
The largest savings usually come from your accommodation and transfer choices.
- Stay on a local island instead of at a private resort.
- Choose a resort that is reachable by speedboat from Malé.
- Book a beach villa instead of an overwater villa.
- Compare half-board and all-inclusive packages with breakfast-only rates.
- Stay five nights instead of seven if the resort rate is high.
- Split the trip between a guesthouse and a private resort.
- Check whether taxes and transfers are included in the advertised price.
- Compare flight and accommodation packages with separate bookings.
Is the Maldives Worth the Cost?
The Maldives is worth the cost if you want a private island, good snorkeling, clear lagoons and a resort-based beach holiday. It is not a low-cost choice for extensive sightseeing, nightlife, road trips or independent travel.
For the best balance of price and experience, budget $6,000 to $10,000 for two people. Choose a resort reached by speedboat, stay in a beach villa and select half board or all-inclusive dining.
If your budget is below that range, choose a local-island guesthouse rather than trying to fit a private resort into an unrealistic total.