Maldives Trip from India: Visa, Resort Types, Budget and Best Time

The Maldives is about 1–2 hours from South India by air, making it one of the closest luxury island escapes for Indians.

Visa and Entry

Visitors of all nationalities, including Indians, get a free 30-day tourist visa on arrival, provided you have a valid passport (6 months), a confirmed return ticket and a confirmed hotel booking. You must complete the online IMUGA traveller declaration within 96 hours before arrival. Details: Maldives Immigration.

Flights

Direct flights to Malé (Velana International) from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram. Return fares often range ₹20,000–₹45,000.

Choosing a Resort

Every resort sits on its own island, so the resort is your holiday.

• Transfer type: speedboat resorts (North and South Malé atolls) are cheaper and quicker; seaplane resorts are more remote with stunning arrivals but add US$500–900 per person in transfer costs. Seaplanes fly only in daylight.
• Villa type: beach villas suit families; water villas with ladders into the lagoon are the honeymoon dream.
• Meal plan: food is expensive on resort islands. Half board or all-inclusive usually saves money overall.
• House reef: if you love snorkelling, pick a resort with a good house reef.

Budget Option: Local Islands

Guesthouses on local islands such as Maafushi, Thulusdhoo or Dhigurah cost a fraction of resorts. Note that alcohol is not served on local islands and modest dress is expected away from designated bikini beaches.

Best Time

• December–April: dry season, calm seas, peak prices.
• May–November: wet season with showers, but often sunny breaks, great value and good manta/whale shark sightings in some atolls.

Sample Budgets (couple, 4 nights, excluding flights)

• Local island guesthouse: ₹50,000–₹80,000
• Mid-range speedboat resort, half board: ₹1.5–2.5 lakh
• Luxury water villa, seaplane, all-inclusive: ₹4 lakh+

Maldives Packages

• Maldives Honeymoon at Adaaran Club Rannalhi – 4 Nights / 5 Days
• Maldives Honeymoon at OBLU Xperience Ailafushi – 4 Nights / 5 Days
• All-Inclusive Maldives Honeymoon at Adaaran Select Hudhuranfushi – 4 Nights / 5 Days
• All-Inclusive Maldives Honeymoon at Dhigufaru Island Resort – 4 Nights / 5 Days
• Maldives Stay at Coco Bodu Hithi – 4 Nights / 5 Days

See all Maldives tours.

Related reading: Best honeymoon destinations in India · Bali honeymoon guide · Andaman trip cost

Entry rules: Maldives Immigration (IMUGA).

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Indians need a visa for the Maldives?

No advance visa – a free 30-day visa is given on arrival with the required documents.

How many nights are ideal?

Three to four nights at one resort, or split between a beach and a water villa.

Is the Maldives affordable?

Yes with local islands or speedboat resorts and half-board plans; luxury resorts are expensive.

Is a seaplane transfer worth it?

For a special occasion, yes – the views are unforgettable, but it adds significant cost.