How much does a holiday on a local island cost?
I am often asked how much a Maldives holiday costs.
The answer is easy: between 1,000 and 100,000 euros. :)
It depends on the season, flights, the island and hotel you choose, how many days you stay and how often you go on excursions.
I will put together a sample budget for two people, 7 nights on a local island, in a nice little hotel with breakfast.
Flights
This is usually the biggest expense.
In 2026, normal return fares from Bulgaria are around 800–1,000 euros per person. Sometimes you can find considerably cheaper tickets, but there are periods when even 1,000 euros is a good price. As of October 2026, fares for the coming season are around 800 euros with Flydubai.
The hotel
On the islands I know well — Ukulhas, Thoddoo, Rasdhoo and others in the area — you can find lovely small hotels for around $100–150 a night for a double room with breakfast.
There are cheaper places and considerably more expensive ones. Prices rise in the high season, while outside it they can fall to 50–60 dollars a night.
Booking.com is very popular, but my advice is to check the price directly with the hotel too. You will often get a better offer. And keep an eye on the issue of overbooking.
The transfer
For islands reached by speedboat from Malé, budget roughly 35–50 dollars per person each way.
So for two people, return, that is around 140–200 dollars.
The public ferry is much cheaper — around 5 dollars per person — but does not serve every route and has a more limited timetable. For islands reached by seaplane, allow roughly 350 dollars per person one way.
For more distant islands reached by domestic flight or seaplane, the cost can be substantially higher.
Food
Ukulhas and Thoddoo have enough good little restaurants that you need not stick to eating at your hotel.
Around 10–15 dollars per person for a good meal is a perfectly realistic estimate.
For lunch and dinner, you can allow around 25–30 dollars per person per day.
Of course, if you want to try the most expensive dishes and specialities every day, nobody is going to stop you. :)
Excursions
This is where I would advise against cutting back too much.
Because, to me, going to the Maldives without seeing what the ocean has to offer is like going to a restaurant and only looking at the menu.
Standard excursions often cost around 50–70 dollars per person, depending on the type, duration and arrangements. More specialised outings cost more.
Plan for at least two or three. Better still, more.
And a few more expenses
Do not forget travel insurance, possible extra overnight stays for awkward flight times, drinks, souvenirs and personal shopping.
Check whether all taxes and fees are included in the hotel price.
So what does it all add up to?
For two people, 7 nights, including flights, a decent hotel with breakfast, transfers, meals and a few excursions, I would budget roughly 3,000 euros in total.
Can it be cheaper? Of course!
There are people in the group who have had wonderful holidays for considerably less. Others have spent a good deal more.
And if you decide to stay for two weeks, the bill will not double. Flights and transfers stay the same. With sensible choices of hotel and excursions, you can keep it to around 4,000 euros for two people for two weeks.
You will find more specific prices in the links to Facebook posts.
Personally, I prefer a longer holiday. Once I have travelled all those kilometres, why hurry back? :)
And one more thing: you do not have to use a travel agency. You can buy the flights yourself, the hotel will arrange the transfers, and you can arrange excursions on the island.
In fact, once you know how, organising it is not complicated at all.
