Molly Toolan spent only £500 for a one-week trip to the Maldives at the start of 2026, proving that the luxury destination can be visited on a budget. The key to her low-cost adventure was flying from Sri Lanka and staying on local islands rather than resorts.
Flying from Sri Lanka Saves Hundreds
Toolan was travelling around Asia for four months when her India visa was rejected while in Sri Lanka. She decided to visit the Maldives instead, taking a one-hour flight from Colombo to Male that cost just £100. This is significantly cheaper than direct flights from Europe or the US.
Local Islands Offer Affordable Accommodation
Instead of staying at expensive resort islands, Toolan chose to visit local islands like Dhigurah and Fulidhoo. Accommodation averaged £30 per night, with breakfast included. The rooms were beachfront with stunning views of crystal-clear water.
Meals cost about £5 each, and since the Maldives is a Muslim country, alcohol is banned, saving money on evening drinks. Toolan noted they spent evenings on self-care and relaxation instead of partying.
Free and Low-Cost Activities
Toolan avoided pricey excursions like day trips to resort islands or swimming with whale sharks. Instead, she tried paddleboarding and encountered about 10 black-tip reef sharks, calling it one of the coolest experiences of her four-month trip. She also bought snorkels upon arrival and enjoyed free snorkelling off the beach, seeing many unique fish.
She highly recommends visiting the local islands for a cheaper but equally memorable Maldives experience, describing it as a once-in-a-lifetime trip.
