Maldives tour package or DIY? What it really costs
By Ganesh ·
A Maldives package from India costs about ₹70,000–₹1.5 lakh per person; a DIY local-island trip costs about ₹40,000–₹70,000. Here's the cost breakdown, a side-by-side comparison and a 5-day plan.
The short answer: a Maldives tour package from India usually costs about ₹70,000–₹1,50,000 per person for 4 nights at a resort, and much more once seaplane transfers and meal plans are added. Planning it yourself on a local island (Maafushi, Thulusdhoo, Dhigurah, Fulidhoo) costs roughly ₹40,000–₹70,000 per person for the same length of trip, including flights. Pick a package if you want one resort and zero logistics; go DIY if you want the same water for half the price and don't mind ferries and a dry island.
All prices are approximate, per person, for two people sharing, from a South or West Indian city. Check current rates and the official pages before you book.
What a typical Maldives package includes
- Return flights to Malé (often from Kochi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai or Delhi).
- 3–4 nights at one resort, usually in a beach villa; water villas cost noticeably more.
- A meal plan: breakfast only, half board, full board or all-inclusive.
- Transfers from Malé airport by speedboat, domestic flight or seaplane. This is the line to read carefully, because seaplanes can add a large amount per person.
- Sometimes one excursion (sandbank picnic, sunset cruise or snorkelling trip).
Prices jump around Christmas–New Year, Diwali and Indian school holidays, which is exactly when most of us want to go.
What it costs to do it yourself
| Item | Approximate cost per person |
|---|---|
| Return flights to Malé | ₹18,000–₹40,000 (Kochi and Bengaluru are often cheapest) |
| Visa | Free tourist visa on arrival (30 days) with a valid passport, return ticket and booked stay |
| Guesthouse on a local island, 4 nights | ₹6,000–₹14,000 (₹3,000–₹7,000 per room per night, shared) |
| Public ferry or shared speedboat from Malé | ₹500–₹5,000 return, depending on island and boat |
| Excursions (snorkelling, sandbank, dolphin trip) | ₹4,000–₹10,000 |
| Food | ₹4,000–₹8,000 for 4 days (local cafés and guesthouse meals) |
| Resort day pass (optional, for the "resort feel") | ₹6,000–₹15,000 |
| Total | about ₹40,000–₹70,000 |
Guesthouses and resorts also charge a per-night green tax and taxes on top of the room rate; check whether the price you see includes them.
Package vs DIY side by side
| Resort package | DIY local island | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost for 4 nights | ₹70,000–₹1,50,000+ | ₹40,000–₹70,000 |
| Privacy | Private island, private beach | Shared "bikini beach" area; local village life |
| Alcohol | Available | Not on local islands (only on resorts and liveaboard boats) |
| Effort | Almost none | Ferry timetables, booking guesthouses and trips |
| Snorkelling and diving | House reef, often excellent | Excellent through local operators, often cheaper |
| Best for | Honeymoons, short trips, families who want ease | Budget trips, divers, people who like to explore |
Who should pick which
- Pick a package if it's a honeymoon or anniversary, you have only 3–4 nights, you want a water villa, or you'd rather not think about transfers at all.
- Go DIY if you're happy with a simple guesthouse, you want to spend money on the sea (snorkelling with turtles, mantas or whale sharks) rather than the room, or you want a longer trip for the same budget.
- Mix both: 3 nights on a local island and 1–2 nights at a resort at the end is a popular way to get both experiences.
A sample 5-day DIY plan
- Day 1: Land in Malé, take the afternoon speedboat to Maafushi (about an hour). Sunset on the bikini beach.
- Day 2: Half-day snorkelling trip. Turtle point, a sandbank and a reef. Evening stroll through the village.
- Day 3: Day pass at a nearby resort, or a dolphin and sunset cruise.
- Day 4: Move to a quieter island such as Fulidhoo or Thulusdhoo, or stay put and dive.
- Day 5: Morning swim, boat back to Malé, a quick look at the fish market, then the airport.
Tips
- Fill in the Maldives traveller declaration (IMUGA) online in the days before you fly.
- Speedboats run to fixed times; book the boat with your guesthouse so they can meet you at the airport.
- Carry US dollars in small notes; cards work at most guesthouses but not every small shop.
- Dress modestly in the village on local islands; swimwear is fine on the designated beach.
- November to April is the dry season with calmer seas; May to October is cheaper but wetter.
FAQ
Is a Maldives trip possible under ₹50,000?
Yes, on a local island with a cheap flight from Kochi or Bengaluru, a simple guesthouse and one or two shared excursions. Resorts are rarely possible at that budget.
Do Indians need a visa for the Maldives?
No advance visa is needed; a free tourist visa is given on arrival for up to 30 days if you have a valid passport, a return ticket and a booked place to stay.
Is the seaplane worth it?
It's a beautiful flight, but it can cost as much as the rest of a DIY trip. Choose a resort reachable by speedboat if you're watching the budget.
Which is the best local island for a first trip?
Maafushi has the most guesthouses and trips; Thulusdhoo is good for surfers; Dhigurah and Fulidhoo are quieter.
You can build this day-by-day plan on Sancharees and share it with whoever you're travelling with.
Photo: Eriyadu Island. View from the west. Maldives by Ввласенко, CC BY-SA 3.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Read in: मालदीव टूर पैकेज या खुद की प्लानिंग: रिसॉर्ट बनाम लोकल आइलैंड, असली खर्च · മാലിദ്വീപ് ടൂർ പാക്കേജ് വേണോ, സ്വന്തമായി പ്ലാൻ ചെയ്യണോ? റിസോർട്ട് vs ലോക്കൽ ഐലൻഡ് ചെലവ്