Can I plan a Maldives trip on my own without a travel agent?

Yes. Book flights directly with the airline, pick a resort or guesthouse, and the property arranges the airport transfer. This calculator gives you the price ranges, the resort options, the visa rules and the packing list — everything you need to do it yourself.

Interactive planner

Plan your Maldives trip — live cost, resort matches, visa & packing.

Q: Do I need a visa to visit the Maldives?

Most nationalities receive a free 30-day visa on arrival at Velana International Airport (MLE). You must have a passport with at least 6 months validity, confirmed accommodation, a return ticket and submit the IMUGA pre-arrival declaration within 96 hours before travel.

Q: When is the best time to visit the Maldives?

The high season runs November–March: dry, sunny, with calm seas — best for snorkellers and honeymooners but also the most expensive. Low season (May–September) is the monsoon period — cheaper rates and good for surfing, but expect afternoon showers. The shoulder months of April and October balance price and weather well.

Q: What is the difference between a speedboat and seaplane transfer?

Speedboats are used by resorts within ~30 km of Malé; the journey is 30–90 minutes and costs around $150–$220 per person round-trip. Seaplanes serve outer atolls and most luxury resorts; the flight is 25–55 minutes and costs around $600–$900 per person round-trip. Seaplanes only fly in daylight, so book a daytime arrival.

Q: Are guesthouses safe and good value?

Local-island guesthouses on islands like Maafushi, Thulusdhoo and Dhiffushi are well-run, safe and budget-friendly ($55–$120 per night). They're a strong choice if you prioritise budget over pure privacy and don't need a private overwater villa.

Pick your dates, accommodation tier and meal plan. We'll estimate the total, pull 3 hand-picked resorts from our database, walk you through visa rules, airport transfers, and exactly what to pack.

Looking for current promos? Browse our Deals page for live discounts.

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Estimates only — final pricing depends on resort, room category, and current promos.

Example Maldives trip costs

Four sample plans across the budget spectrum. Click any of them to load that scenario in the planner above.

Trip type	Estimated total (USD)
Honeymoon week, luxury, half board A typical 7-night honeymoon at a 5★ resort like Soneva Fushi or Six Senses Laamu.	$6,300 – $14,200	Load
Family of 4, mid-range, full board Two adults + two kids at a family-friendly resort with full-board meals.	$4,500 – $8,200	Load
Budget escape, local island, B&B Local-island guesthouse week with daily snorkel trips. Under $1,500 is realistic.	$1,200 – $2,400	Load
Ultra-luxury 10 nights, all-inclusive Soneva Jani, One&Only Reethi Rah, Cheval Blanc-class properties at peak season.	$32,000 – $65,000	Load

Estimates only — accommodation prices update with season, meal plan and availability. Run the calculator above for a number tailored to your dates.

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Maldives flights are not included in the calculator total above — search live fares to Velana International (MLE) from anywhere in the world.

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Maldives planning FAQ

How much does a Maldives trip cost?

For two adults over 7 nights, mid-range resorts run roughly $3,000–$6,000 including half-board meals and speedboat transfers; luxury resorts $7,000–$15,000; ultra-luxury $20,000+. Local-island guesthouses are far cheaper at $1,000–$2,500 for the same trip. Use the calculator above for an estimate tailored to your dates and traveller mix.

Do I need a visa to visit the Maldives?

Most nationalities receive a free 30-day visa on arrival at Velana International Airport (MLE). You must have a passport with at least 6 months validity, confirmed accommodation, a return ticket and submit the IMUGA pre-arrival declaration within 96 hours before travel.

When is the best time to visit the Maldives?

High season (November–March): dry, sunny, calm seas — best for snorkellers and honeymooners but also the most expensive. Low season (May–September): monsoon period — cheaper rates and good for surfing, but afternoon showers. Shoulder months (April, October) balance price and weather well.

What's the difference between a speedboat and seaplane transfer?

Speedboats serve resorts within ~30 km of Malé — journey 30–90 minutes, around $150–$220 per person round-trip. Seaplanes serve outer atolls and most luxury resorts — 25–55 minutes, around $600–$900 per person round-trip. Seaplanes only fly in daylight, so book a daytime arrival if you're going seaplane.

Can I bring kids to the Maldives?

Yes — many resorts have dedicated kids clubs, family villas and shallow house-reef lagoons. A few adults-only resorts (LUX South Ari, Cocoon Maldives, etc.) won't accept children. The calculator filters out adults-only properties when you include kids.

Are guesthouses safe and good value?

Local-island guesthouses on Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Dhiffushi and similar inhabited islands are well-run, safe and budget-friendly ($55–$120 per night). They're a strong choice if you prioritise budget over pure privacy and don't need an overwater villa.

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