August 1, 2025, 5:20 am | Read time: 6 minutes

An Italian travel group discovered the Maldives as a diving spot in the 1970s, making it famous worldwide. In the 1980s, the first tourists arrived, leading to the development of more islands and the expansion of the international airport. What began as a rustic vacation spot for divers evolved into an island paradise in the Indian Ocean—initially with 3- and 4-star hotels, eventually with 5- and 5-star-plus hotels. Affordable vacations and the Maldives? For many, these two concepts hardly seem to fit together today.

Luxury resorts continue to outdo each other with every new opening, building even more gigantic villas and overwater bungalows than their neighbors. Photos of vibrant underwater worlds, sunsets, and marine life flood magazines, websites, catalogs, blogs, and social networks.

Travel blogger Nathalie Aron (Blog: voyagefox.net) offers more tips and inspiration about the Maldives in the following podcast episode of In 5 Minuten um die Welt:

Also interesting: 7 Things You Must Do in the Maldives

The Maldives Also Have Their Dark Side

However, the idyllic image of the Maldives is contrasted by a less positive one: The Islamic island nation is governed by Sharia law, and the political situation is assessed as persistently unstable by the German Foreign Office. Additionally, there are threats from climate change and challenges with waste disposal. Nevertheless, the desire of vacationers to lie on one of the many powdery white beaches is strong.

Not only geographically are the Maldives a long-haul destination from Germany. The budget also makes a vacation there seem out of reach for many people. Although the Maldives are not a typical backpacker destination and are relatively difficult to reach due to their isolated location, there are some tricks to save a lot of money. Here is a selection of tips to make a Maldives vacation more affordable.

Tips for a More Affordable Vacation in the Maldives

1. Guesthouse Instead of Hotel

Luxury hotels with four-digit nightly rates are not uncommon, especially in the high season. Even at 4-star hotels, you can expect to pay several hundred euros per night, which quickly adds up over a week-long stay. The most affordable alternative is staying in a guesthouse, a simple accommodation with a unique feature: It’s located on one of the local islands, such as Maafushi or the Thoddoo Atoll.

While the rooms are much simpler, visitors still have the beach, sea, and palm trees right outside their door. The biggest advantage is the opportunity to meet locals and experience their culture—including traditional food and walks through local markets. These are experiences often unavailable to hotel guests.

Important: In this Islamic country, there are several prohibitions that travelers should observe when staying on local islands. This includes the consumption of alcohol and wearing bikinis on certain beaches. Generally, women should cover their shoulders and knees.

2. Distance Matters

The Maldives consist of 1,192 islands, 120 of which are resort-only islands scattered across the Indian Ocean. To vacation here, you must first fly to Malé International Airport, then travel by boat or seaplane to your hotel. Therefore, the closer the hotel, the cheaper the transport.

Since speedboat rides are cheaper, ensure your resort is no more than about 45 minutes by boat from the airport. More distant islands can only be reached by the (more expensive) seaplane or even commercial aircraft.

Good to know: The average price for a seaplane transfer is around 450 euros. Prices for speedboat rides depend on the atoll, with trips within the Malé Atoll costing around 45 euros.

3. Book Water Transfer from Germany

Besides distance, there’s another trick for transfers: book them from Germany. This way, you have more options to compare prices or purchase the transfer as part of a package. Be cautious with cheap hotel offers—the transfer from the airport island Hulhumalé is often not included in the room rate and must be booked separately.

4. Travel to the Maldives in the Off-Season

November through April is the perfect time for a vacation in the Maldives—but also the most expensive. Temperatures range from 22 to 30 degrees Celsius on land, and the chance of rain is very low. There are also celebrations like Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and the Chinese New Year in January or February.

Smart savings can be made in the off-season. Although the rainy season lasts from June to October, the heavy showers are usually brief—and more refreshing than bothersome. Hotels can cost half as much during this time.

5. Don’t Fear Package Deals

Even if you haven’t been a typical package tourist before, it’s worth checking with travel agencies or online for package deals. The advantage: flight, transfer, hotel, and often meals can be booked as a package. This is often cheaper for a unique destination like the Maldives. On-site, you’ll only incur costs for excursions, spa treatments, and souvenirs for those back home.

Another advantage: If the trip cannot proceed as planned due to the COVID-19 pandemic, package travelers are much better protected than individual travelers.

6. Full Board vs. Self-Catering

Food in the Maldives is expensive. This is partly because all food and drinks must be flown to the islands. You can’t just walk into a city center to eat; you’re bound to your hotel. It’s worth checking the hotel menu prices in advance and estimating how much you’d spend per person per day. Often, booking full board is worthwhile.