Tourists On A Budget Vacation To The Maldives Should Avoid One Method Of Transportation

A trip to the Maldives is dream-worthy with its tropical weather, irresistible crystal-clear waters, and fascinating resorts, it comes with a charm and promise of a vacation that is not to be forgotten. Unfortunately, it's appeal and popularity also comes with a hefty price-tag that makes it quite expensive to get to. That's probably one of the reasons it's a popular tropical honeymoon destination and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Contrary to popular belief, the Maldives can actually be done on a budget without breaking the bank. Instead of going to popular resorts, there are islands that offer a more local and budget-friendly experience. (Here are some tips for deciding which island is the Maldives is right for your vacation style.) One big mistake that many first-time travelers to the Maldives tend to make that really ups the budget is taking a seaplane.

The Maldives is made up around 1,200 islands and that's where the real magic happens. However, the main airport is located in the city of Malé and getting to the outer islands can be quite expensive if you fly. The choice of transportation can significantly impact the overall trip expenses and tip the scales. The most expensive in this case are seaplanes which should be avoided at all costs to make the Maldives a possible budget-friendly trip.

A seaplane is a small aircraft that has the ability to land on water. Sounds exciting, right? Unfortunately, that exciting experience comes with quite the cost. While it does make it easier and faster to transport visitors to remote islands or easily hop from one location to another, the short round trip journey can cost between $300 to $700 for one person.

Using a sea plane offers incredible aerial views of the Maldives that can be worth the extra bucks for those seeking a luxurious experience. While this seems like an incredible way to travel, it does come with a few drawbacks.

For starters, seaplanes come with a limited schedule that aren't as frequent as you might think. They only operate during daylight, so arriving at the international airport at night will leave you stranded in the city unable to get to your end destination until the following day. Traveling with excess luggage can also increase the expense, as tourists will be required to pay for extra or overweight baggage. While this issue is common amongst most transportation options in Maldives, weather conditions when using seaplanes can also completely disrupt travel plans and cause delays or even cancellations.

For travelers seeking a budget-friendly way to get around, there are alternative methods of transportation available that can heavily cut costs. One mid-range option is using speedboats to get to the islands. This option is quite common to use between Malé and resort islands. This option can be a lot more affordable than seaplanes but can still range between $35 to $200 for a one-way transfer, depending on the distance. It provides more flexibility and also has more room for excess baggage.

But if you're looking for the best budget option, then your best bet will be to use public ferries which only costs $2 to $5. They are quite slow and usually take more time to arrive at your destination but are extremely affordable. However, it might not make sense if you're staying at a resort further from Malé or have limited time on your trip. Wasting it on the ferry could take a good chunk of your day. An important consideration is sea sickness, as the longer rides can be bumpy and cause an upset stomach for those who suffer from motion sickness. But it's certainly more affordable than traveling by seaplane!