This is Part 1 of our series on "All you need to know about the Maldives". Feel free to continue with the next parts once you finish this one to learn all you need to know about this amazing destination.
The Maldives is a tropical paradise that many people dream of visiting. While there is no shortage of flights to the Maldives, most of airlines charge a hefty price, but it doesn’t have to be like that!
With a little bit of research and planning, it is possible to find cheap flights to the Maldives, and it this post we’ll show you how!
We already covered the top 5 things you need to know before travelling to the Maldives as well as an overall guide on how to budget travel to these beautiful tropical islands so feel free to check them out as well.
Flights are usually one of the biggest expenses you need to make when travelling (alongside accommodation), and that especially stands true when visiting Maldives.
Fortunately there is no shortage of flights going there, but the way to find them, plan them and book them will make the difference if you’re left with some money in the pocket or not.
In a nutshell, to find cheap flights to Maldives you have to be flexible with your travel dates, comparing prices across different airlines, booking your flight in advance, looking for package deals, using a flight aggregator, signing up for email alerts, using rewards points, looking for last-minute deals, considering a stopover and checking for deals and discounts.
Let’s go into a bit more detail below to help you save money on your next trip.
1. Be flexible with your dates
Being flexible with your travel dates can make a huge difference when it comes to the cost of your flight.
As mentioned earlier, prices for flights can vary greatly depending on the day of the week and time of year.
For example, flights during peak tourist season (December to April) will be more expensive than during the off-season (May to November). We went into more detail about When is the best time to visit the Maldives so make sure to check that out as well!
If your schedule allows, consider traveling during the off-season when prices are typically lower. Also keep in mind some activities may only be available during certain seasons, so it’s worth checking ahead of time to see if any of your must-do activities will be affected.
To ensure the best results, when searching for your flight either on the airlines site or on a flight aggregator (like we will detail in the next step), choose “Month view” to be able to have an overview of all the flights are prices available for that specific month, as shown below:
2. Compare prices across different airlines
Not all airlines have the same prices for flights to the Maldives.
Some airlines may offer cheaper flights than others, so it is worth checking out different options. It is always a good idea to compare prices across different airlines to find the best deal.
Most legacy airlines have flights there, such as Delta, American, Lufthansa and Emirates, but there are also lower cost alternatives such as FlyDubai and even the likes of Wizzair is flying there!
As mentioned, use a flight aggregator to compare prices and routes, and be sure to check budget airlines as well.
A flight aggregator is a website that compares prices across different airlines and travel agencies, helping you to find the best deal.
Some popular flight aggregators include Skyscanner, Momondo, Kayak, and Expedia, to name a few.
These websites allow you to search for flights from multiple airlines and compare prices all in one place, making it easy to find the best deal.
Here’s an example on how we use these sites to find the best deals.
Let’s say we want to fly from Amsterdam to the Maldives from the 1st of July, for 2 weeks till the 16th. After checking Skyscanner, we get this:
Making the right decision
As you can see we are presented with 3 options:
- “Best” – meaning a balance between flight duration and price
- “Cheapest” – this option is usually the best budget wise, but not time wise, as you can see in the example above. With an extra 4h and a discount of 100 euros, it seems like a good deal if you want to save every penny.
- “Fastest” – usually the most expensive one, but you get there, of course, the fastest.
Once we select the option, in this case the “Cheapest”, we are presented with a detailed view of the flight, as well as where the stopovers are going to be and for how long, so that you can plan properly:
Consider a stopover. If you are flying to the Maldives from a distant location, consider booking a flight with a stopover.
This can be a great way to save money, as the cost of the flight may be cheaper than a direct flight.
Also, this will give you the opportunity to explore another destination on your way to the Maldives. This could be a great way to make the most of your trip and save money at the same time.
Booking your flight in advance is another great way to save money. Prices for flights tend to increase as the departure date approaches, so booking your flight early can help you get a better deal.
Also, many airlines offer early bird discounts, so be sure to take advantage of these if they are available.
Keep an eye out for special promotions or deals and book your flight as soon as you find a good deal.
3. Look for package deals
Some travel agencies and online booking sites offer package deals that include your flight, hotel, and other expenses.
These can be a great way to save money, as the package price is usually lower than the cost of booking everything separately. Look for package deals that include flights, accommodations, and activities to make the most of your trip.
If you’re in the U.S., these are some of the biggest tour operators:
While in Europe, TUI group and Thomas Cook in the UK are undoubtedly the biggest with most tours and options available.
While we are at it you should consider signing up for email alerts. Many airlines and travel agencies offer email alerts for special deals and discounts on flights.
Sign up for these alerts and be sure to check your inbox regularly, so you don’t miss out on any great deals.
These alerts can include last-minute deals, flash sales, or special promotions, so it’s always worth signing up for them.
4. Deals and discounts
The travel industry is a big business, and big business means lot of competition.
Competition is the main thing that allows us to travel for cheap, as each company is trying to outperform the other through deals and discounts to attract you, the customer.
Rewards points are a great way to shave off some $ from the price. If you have rewards points or frequent flyer miles, consider using them to book your flight.
This can save you a lot of money, especially if you have enough points to cover the entire cost of your flight (be sure to also check out our guide on “How to travel for free“).
Check with your credit card issuer or airline loyalty program to see if you have any points or miles that you can redeem for your flight.
Look for last-minute deals. Sometimes, airlines and travel agencies offer last-minute deals on flights that are not selling well.
Keep an eye out for these deals, as they can be a great way to save money on your trip. These deals can be found on airlines’ or travel agency’s website or through email alerts.
Also deals and discounts such as student or military discounts are a good way to help you save money on your flight.
Conclusion
In conclusion, finding cheap flights to the Maldives may require some research and planning, but it is definitely possible.
By being flexible with your travel dates, comparing prices across different airlines, booking your flight in advance, looking for package deals, using a flight aggregator, signing up for email alerts, using rewards points, looking for last-minute deals, considering a stopover and checking for deals and discounts, you can save money on your trip and have more left over to spend on those nice looking cocktails.
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See you soon!