Traveling To The Maldives Is Now Pricier Than Ever. Here's What To Know

With its pristine beaches and overwater villas, the Maldives is known as one of the most luxurious and beautiful destinations in the world. Made up of over 1,000 picture-perfect islands for any vacation style, the tropical destination promises year-round sunshine, crystal-clear waters, and swaying palm trees — all of which make it the perfect choice for a warm-weather vacation that's brimming with plenty of rest and relaxation. However, it's precisely this exclusivity and paradise-on-earth atmosphere that makes the island nation so special — and yes, expensive. And now, thanks to an increase in the Maldives' mandatory departure taxes, things are about to get a little bit pricier.

As of December 1, 2024, the Maldives has implemented a series of new tax increases and regulations that affect all non-Maldivian travelers — from economy flyers to private jet passengers — ultimately adding yet another cost to consider for travelers hoping to experience the bucket list destination firsthand. And while the revenue from these increased fees does help support important tourism infrastructure (primarily the maintenance of Velana International Airport, the country's main transport hub), it doesn't change the fact that travelers now need to stretch their budget a little further in order to pay higher costs than before.

According to the new regulations, the Maldives' updated departure tax fees will affect travelers on a sliding scale basis, with premium cabin passengers paying a much higher fee than those traveling economy. Specifically, while economy passengers will notice a modest increase from $30 to $50, business class travelers will now face double the cost — with taxes taking the leap from $60 to $120. As for first-class flyers, they can expect to pay a whopping $240 in departure taxes, a pretty dramatic increase from the previous $90 fee. Finally, travelers who leave the island via private jet will also be hit with a hefty fee that's quadrupled from $120 to $480 per person. 

As for logistics, it's worth noting that these fees will also apply uniformly to all upcoming visitors, no matter the flight duration or destination. This means that all travelers within the same cabin category will pay the same exact fee — regardless of whether they're flying to nearby Delhi or jetting off to further destinations like London or New York.

Thankfully, there is somewhat of a bright side to the whole departure tax ordeal. While forking up an extra $50 or $90 might feel frustrating and unexpected in the moment, the reality is that you won't necessarily have to pull out your wallet as you're boarding your flight back home. Instead, these fees will already be built into airline ticket prices (as they are now). Which means that, at the end of the day, you probably won't even notice that you're paying them in the first place, unless you take a closer look at the ticket cost breakdown.