The cheapest month to fly to the Maldives is May, with Economy fares from around $500 return on Emirates and the lowest resort rates of the year.October is the next cheapest, at the tail end of the southwest monsoon, and June is also one of the cheapest months. The cheapest time to fly to the Maldives is the wet season, from May to October, when the weather is warm with short, heavy showers and the fares and resort rates are at their lowest. The most expensive time to fly is the dry season, from November to April, with the peak in December and January. This guide covers the full month-by-month breakdown of the cheapest months to fly to the Maldives, with a fare table, the wet and dry seasons, the shoulder months, and everything you need to book the trip — flights, resorts, transfers, eSIMs, bikes and Maldives GetYourGuide tours.
The Maldives has two seasons: the dry season (the northeast monsoon, from November to April) and the wet season (the southwest monsoon, from May to October). The dry season is the most popular time to visit — sunny, dry and warm — and the most expensive. The wet season is the cheapest time to visit — warm with occasional showers, usually short and heavy, with plenty of sun in between — and the fares and resort rates are at their lowest. May, June and October are the cheapest months to fly, and the total trip cost can be 30–50% lower than the peak season. Use the search above to compare fares across dates and find the cheapest day to fly to the Maldives.
The Cheapest Month to Fly to the Maldives at a Glance
May
Cheapest month
May is the cheapest month to fly to the Maldives, with Economy fares from around $500 return on Emirates and the lowest resort rates of the year.
October
Runner-up
October is the next cheapest month, at the tail end of the southwest monsoon, with fares around $500–$620 return in Economy.
December
Most expensive
December is the most expensive month to fly to the Maldives — the start of the dry season and the festive period, with fares from $780–$900+ return.
May–Oct
Best value
The best-value months to fly to the Maldives are May, June and October — the shoulder months of the monsoon, when fares and resort rates are at their lowest.
May is the cheapest month to fly to the Maldives, with Economy fares from around $500 return on Emirates and the lowest resort rates of the year. October is the next cheapest, at the tail end of the southwest monsoon, and June is also one of the cheapest months. The cheapest fares are on the wet-season routes — the fares fall as the monsoon begins in May, stay low through June and July, rise for the August school holidays, and fall again in September and October. December and January are the most expensive months, at the peak of the dry season and the festive period. Use the search above to see the live fare on each flight to the Maldives for your date.
Maldives Flight Prices by Month
The ticket price to the Maldives changes with the season. These are the typical Emirates Economy fares by month, with the cheapest months in the wet season and the most expensive in the dry-season peak. Use the search above to compare fares across dates and find the cheapest day to fly.
The Two Seasons in the Maldives
The Maldives has two seasons — the dry season (the northeast monsoon, from November to April) and the wet season (the southwest monsoon, from May to October). The cheapest months to fly are in the wet season, and the most expensive are in the dry-season peak. Here is what to expect from each.
The dry season (November to April)
The dry season is the northeast monsoon (iruvai), from November to April. It is the most popular time to visit the Maldives — sunny, dry and warm, with low humidity and calm seas. It is also the most expensive time to fly: Economy fares climb from $620 in November to $850+ in December and January, and resort rates are at their peak. Book three to four months ahead for the December and January peak.
The wet season (May to October)
The wet season is the southwest monsoon (hulhangu), from May to October. It is warm with occasional showers — usually short, heavy bursts in the afternoon or overnight, with plenty of sun in between. It is also the cheapest time to fly: Economy fares fall to $500–$640 return, and resort rates drop by 30–50% from the peak. May, June and October are the cheapest months to fly to the Maldives.
The shoulder months (March, April, November)
The shoulder months of March, April and November sit between the dry and wet seasons. The weather is mostly dry, the crowds are thinner, and the fares are lower than the peak. March and April are the last dry months before the monsoon, and November is the first dry month after it. Book six to eight weeks ahead for the best of the shoulder.
How Much You Save in the Cheapest Month
$250–$350
Saved on the flight
30–50%
Off the resort rate
$1,500–$2,500
Saved on the total trip
Flying to the Maldives in May instead of December can save around $250–$350 on the Economy return fare alone (from $500 in May versus $780–$900+ in December), and up to 30–50% on the resort rate. A seven-night stay at a mid-range resort can fall from $4,000–$6,000 in the peak to $2,500–$3,500 in the wet season — a saving of $1,500–$2,500 on the total trip cost. The wet-season weather is warm with short, heavy showers, usually in the afternoon or overnight, with plenty of sun in between, so the saving comes with little compromise on the beach time.
The Airports & Onward Transfer
Most flights to the Maldives land at Velana International Airport (MLE) on Hulhulé Island, next to Malé, the capital. From Velana, the onward transfer to your resort is by seaplane or speedboat.
Seaplane transfer
The seaplane terminal is a short walk or shuttle from the arrivals hall at Velana. Seaplane transfers run from dawn to mid-afternoon in daylight only, and take 20 to 45 minutes depending on the distance to your resort. Most luxury resorts include the seaplane transfer in the booking.
Speedboat transfer
Speedboat transfers run day and night from Velana and take 20 minutes to two hours depending on the distance to your resort. Speedboats are the only option for resorts close to Malé and for night arrivals after the last seaplane of the day.
Tips for the Cheapest Maldives Flight
- May is the cheapest month to fly to the Maldives, with Economy fares from around $500 return on Emirates and the lowest resort rates of the year
- October and June are the next cheapest months, at the tail end and middle of the southwest monsoon
- December and January are the most expensive months — the peak dry season and the festive period, with fares from $780–$900+ return
- The wet season (May to October) is warm with short, heavy showers — usually in the afternoon or overnight, with plenty of sun in between
- Resort rates in the wet season drop by 30–50% from the peak, so the total trip cost falls even further than the flight fare alone
- Book three to four months ahead for the December and January peak, and six to eight weeks ahead for the shoulder months
- Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually cheaper than weekend departures on most routes to the Maldives
- Use the search above to compare fares across dates and find the cheapest day to fly to the Maldives
- Emirates Skywards miles can redeem a seat to the Maldives — reward availability is best in the shoulder months of May, June and October
- The Maldives does not observe daylight saving time, so the time difference is constant year-round (UTC+5)
The Maldives in Pictures
A preview of the Maldives — from the overwater villas and the underwater coral reefs, to the sunset beach, the seaplane over the atolls and the colourful capital Malé.
Flights to Malé
Search live fares to Velana International (MLE) from your home airport, with real-time availability on each departure across the direct and one-stop services.
Maldives Resorts
Book overwater villas and beachfront resorts across the Maldives atolls — from luxury five-star resorts in the North Malé atoll to private-island resorts in the Baa and Raa atolls, all with the seaplane or speedboat transfer included.
Book Maldives ResortsTransfers & Cars
Book a private speedboat transfer from Velana to your resort, a car and driver in Malé, or a car for the few islands with road access — the easiest way to start your Maldives trip the moment you land.
Maldives eSIM
Install a Maldives eSIM before you fly so you have data, maps and messaging the moment you land at Velana — no airport SIM queue and no roaming charges on the way to your resort. Data coverage is strongest around Malé and the resort islands.
Get a Maldives eSIMRent a Bike in the Maldives
The local islands in the Maldives (Maafushi, Thoddoo, Rasdhoo and Himmafushi) are small, flat and perfect for a bicycle. Book a bike rental ahead and ride the local island at your own pace — the easiest way to explore beyond the resort.
Rent a BikeMaldives Tours & Experiences
Land at Velana International Airport, and a pre-booked transfer takes the stress out of the first hour — then book a snorkelling safari, a sandbank picnic, a dolphin-watching cruise, a bioluminescent beach night tour, a local-island hopping day, a fishing trip, or a scuba diving day trip to make the most of your Maldives trip. Browse and book top-rated Maldives experiences below, all with free cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What month is the cheapest to fly to the Maldives?
May is the cheapest month to fly to the Maldives, with Economy fares from around $500 return on Emirates and the lowest resort rates of the year. October is the next cheapest, at the tail end of the southwest monsoon, with fares around $500–$620 return. June is also one of the cheapest months. The wet season (May to October) is the cheapest time to fly to the Maldives, with short, heavy showers and plenty of sun in between.
What is the cheapest time of year to go to the Maldives?
The cheapest time of year to go to the Maldives is the wet season, from May to October. May, June and October are the cheapest months, with Economy fares from around $500 return and resort rates down 30–50% from the peak. The weather is warm with short, heavy showers — usually in the afternoon or overnight, with plenty of sun in between. The total trip cost is at its lowest in these months.
Is it worth going to the Maldives in the wet season?
Yes — the wet season in the Maldives (May to October) is warm with short, heavy showers, usually in the afternoon or overnight, with plenty of sun in between. The sea is warm, the diving and snorkelling are excellent, and the fares and resort rates are at their lowest. You can save 30–50% on the resort and $250–$350 on the flight compared with the peak season, so the wet season is the best-value time to visit the Maldives.
What is the most expensive month to fly to the Maldives?
December is the most expensive month to fly to the Maldives — the start of the dry season and the festive period, with Economy fares from $780–$900+ return and First Class fares from $4,800–$5,500+. January is the next most expensive, at the peak of the dry season. Book three to four months ahead for the December and January peak, as seats are scarce and fares rise closer to departure.
When is the dry season in the Maldives?
The dry season in the Maldives is the northeast monsoon (iruvai), from November to April. It is sunny, dry and warm, with low humidity and calm seas — the most popular time to visit. It is also the most expensive time to fly, with Economy fares from $620 in November to $850+ in December and January, and resort rates at their peak.
When is the wet season in the Maldives?
The wet season in the Maldives is the southwest monsoon (hulhangu), from May to October. It is warm with occasional showers — usually short, heavy bursts in the afternoon or overnight, with plenty of sun in between. It is also the cheapest time to fly, with Economy fares from $500–$640 return and resort rates down 30–50% from the peak. May, June and October are the cheapest months to fly.
How much can I save by flying to the Maldives in the cheapest month?
Flying to the Maldives in May instead of December can save around $250–$350 on the Economy return fare alone (from $500 in May versus $780–$900+ in December), and up to 30–50% on the resort rate. A seven-night stay at a mid-range resort can fall from $4,000–$6,000 in the peak to $2,500–$3,500 in the wet season — a saving of $1,500–$2,500 on the total trip cost.
How far in advance should I book a flight to the Maldives?
Book three to four months ahead for the December and January peak season, when fares are at their highest and seats are scarce. Book six to eight weeks ahead for the shoulder months of March, April and November, and for the cheapest months of May, June and October. Midweek departures (Tuesday to Thursday) are usually cheaper than weekend departures.
Book Your Flight to the Maldives
The cheapest month to fly to the Maldives is May, with Economy fares from around $500 return on Emirates and the lowest resort rates of the year. October and June are the next cheapest. Once you know your month, the rest is one batch of bookings: your flight to Malé, a resort in the atoll that fits your budget, a seaplane or speedboat transfer, a Maldives eSIM and any tours you want to lock in ahead. Start below.