Travel guide for Indian travellers

Maldives trip from India: cost, visa & best time

The Maldives is closer than most Indians think — about an hour from Kochi and a few hours from Delhi or Mumbai, with a free visa on arrival. Here is what a resort or a local-island stay really costs and when the water is at its best.

See our 4-day itinerary Plan my own trip
Flight
1–4 hours direct
Budget
₹30,000 a day
Best time
Nov – Apr
Visa
Free visa on arrival for Indians

Why Maldives

Why Indians love a Maldives trip

  • Free visa on arrival

    Indians get 30 days free; just fill in the online traveller declaration.

  • Overwater villas

    The classic honeymoon: a villa over the lagoon and dinner on the sand.

  • Snorkel from your room

    House reefs with turtles, reef sharks and rays a few steps away.

  • A budget option exists

    Local islands like Maafushi offer guesthouses and excursions for less.

Cost

How much does a Maldives trip cost from India?

Per person, per day, excluding flights; trip totals are for our 4-day itinerary. Prices are planning estimates for sharing a room.

  • Budget

    ₹10,000/ day

    About ₹40,000 for 4 days

    Local-island guesthouse, public ferries, shared trips

  • ComfortMost popular

    ₹30,000/ day

    About ₹1.2L for 4 days

    Beach villa at a 4-star resort, half board, speedboat

  • Luxury

    ₹70,000/ day

    About ₹2.8L for 4 days

    Overwater villa, all-inclusive, seaplane transfer

Flights: ₹15,000 – 35,000 returnSeaplane transfers can cost ₹40,000–70,000 per person return; resorts reached by speedboat save a lot.

Best time to visit

When to go to Maldives, month by month

  1. JanBest

    Dry, calm, clear water

  2. FebBest

    Sunniest month

  3. MarBest

    Dry and calm

  4. AprBest

    Hot, great visibility

  5. MayGood

    Monsoon begins, lower prices

  6. JunAvoid

    Wet and windy

  7. JulAvoid

    Showers, deals on resorts

  8. AugGood

    Mixed weather, manta season

  9. SepAvoid

    Wettest stretch

  10. OctGood

    Improving, good value

  11. NovGood

    Showers easing

  12. DecBest

    Dry season, peak prices

Our advice: December to April is the dry season, with calm seas and the clearest water. May to November brings showers and wind but big resort discounts; it is still warm, and manta and whale-shark sightings can be excellent.

Before you fly

Visa, flights & money for Maldives from India

  • Visa for Indians

    Free 30-day visa on arrival. You need a passport valid 6 months, confirmed resort booking and return ticket; submit the IMUGA traveller declaration online within 96 hours before departure.

  • Flights from India

    Direct flights to Malé from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram (about 1.5 hours) and from Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi (2–4 hours) on Air India, IndiGo and others.

  • Money & payments

    Resorts price everything in US dollars and accept cards; Indian rupees are not accepted. Carry some small USD notes for tips. In Malé, local shops use the rufiyaa (MVR).

  • SIM, eSIM & apps

    Resort Wi-Fi is usually good. For data, buy an Ooredoo or Dhiraagu tourist SIM at the airport or an eSIM before flying.

  • Plugs & power

    Mostly UK-style three-pin (Type G), 230V. Many resorts have universal sockets, but pack an adapter.

  • Time difference

    The Maldives is 30 minutes behind India.

Visa and entry rules change. Always confirm on the official embassy or government website before you book.

Vegetarian & Jain food

Where vegetarians eat well in Maldives

At resorts, food comes from the resort kitchens, so tell them early. Most resorts near Malé employ Indian chefs and can cook Jain meals with notice.

  • North Malé Atoll

    Your resort's kitchen (email ahead)Jain food

    Email the resort 5–7 days before arrival with "pure veg" or "Jain — no onion, garlic or root vegetables"; ask for a daily menu.

  • North Malé Atoll

    Baraabaru, Four Seasons Kuda HuraaJain food

    Lagoon-top Indian restaurant that customises vegetarian, vegan and Jain dishes; outside guests by reservation.

  • Malé

    Dosa99

    Simple South Indian dosas and meals for your Malé morning or airport day.

How to ask: Write it in the booking: "Pure vegetarian, no egg" or "Jain: no onion, garlic, potato or root vegetables". Pack a few ready-to-eat Indian meals as backup.

Insider tips

Save money and skip the queues

  • Save money

    Pick a speedboat resort

    Resorts in North Malé Atoll reached by speedboat save USD 500–1,000 per person in seaplane transfers — perfect for 3–4 nights.

  • Save money

    Compare meal plans before booking

    Resort menus and drinks are expensive. Half-board or all-inclusive packages usually work out much cheaper than paying per meal.

  • Save money

    Watch for green tax and service charge

    Quoted prices often exclude the per-night green tax, 10% service charge and GST. Ask for the final total before paying.

  • Local secret

    Snorkel the house reef at high tide

    Ask the dive centre for tide times — entering and exiting the reef is easier and safer at high tide, and marine life is busiest at dawn.

  • Local secret

    Local islands follow local rules

    Malé and local islands are conservative: cover shoulders and knees, and alcohol is only served at resorts and liveaboards.

  • Best timing

    Book the sandbank for midday

    Sandbank picnics are best from late morning when the lagoon turns turquoise; bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard.

FAQs

Maldives trip questions, answered

What Indian travellers ask us most before booking.

Do Indians need a visa for the Maldives?

No advance visa is needed. Indians get a free 30-day visa on arrival with a confirmed hotel booking and return ticket. Fill in the IMUGA traveller declaration online within 96 hours before arrival.

How much does a Maldives trip cost from India?

A 4-day resort trip usually costs ₹1.2–2 lakh per person including flights. A local-island guesthouse trip can be done for ₹50,000–70,000.

Which is the best month to visit the Maldives?

January to April for sunshine and calm seas. Late October and November offer good weather at better prices.

Is the Maldives good for vegetarians?

Resorts serve good vegetarian food and many have Indian chefs; tell them about Jain needs when you book. Local islands have simpler options, so ask your guesthouse.

How many days are enough for the Maldives?

Three to five nights. Most couples split the stay between a beach villa and an overwater villa.

Curated by EZYaan

Maldives: Reef, Sandbank & Sunset Escape

A taste of Malé, then three slow days of house-reef snorkelling, a private sandbank picnic and dolphin sunsets.

See the itinerary

Plan with EZYaan

Plan your own Maldives trip in minutes

Tell us your dates, budget and food preferences — get a day-by-day plan with places, hotels and maps. Free to start.

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Maldives Trip from India: Cost, Free Visa, Best Time (Guide)