Maldives or Dubai: what is more expensive and why it depends

We do not give a price table, because we found no official statistics that compare the two destinations, and travel-site figures differ widely. Here is what the cost depends on and which Maldivian taxes you should know about.

What the cost depends on

• Travel-industry comparisons we saw generally put a Maldives resort stay above a Dubai hotel stay, but their figures differ and none is official, so we do not quote them.
• The Maldives is not one price level. A resort on a private island, a hotel and a guesthouse on a local island belong to different classes, and the same goes for Dubai hotels. Compare like with like.
• Transfers matter in the Maldives. Resorts are often reached by seaplane or boat, which is paid separately. To our island, the speedboat from Malé airport costs USD 35 each way and the pier transfer is free.

Taxes and fees in the Maldives

• According to the amended Tourism Act, the green tax since 1 January 2025 is USD 12 per night at resorts and at hotels and guesthouses with more than 50 rooms, and USD 6 per night at hotels and guesthouses with up to 50 rooms on inhabited islands.
• The tourism goods and services tax (TGST) rose from 16% to 17% from 1 July 2025. Ask whether the rate you see includes taxes and service charges.
• We could not verify other fees from official sources, so check them with the property before booking.

How to compare for your trip

• Fix the same dates and the same class for both places, then add the flight, transfers, taxes, meals and local transport. How long is the flight from Dubai
• For the weather by month in the Maldives see the season guide. The best season for the Maldives A packing list is here. What to take to the Maldives
• Send us your dates and we will tell you what a stay on our island includes.

Reviewed by the Relax Residence team in October 2026.