Maldives vs Thailand: Comparing Travel Costs, Budget Tips and Value

The internet is flooded with dreamy photos of turquoise water and palm trees, hinting at far-off places that promise either absolute relaxation or wild adventure. Two names pop up constantly—Maldives and Thailand. But unless your bank account looks like Elon Musk’s, that dream comes with a question: Which one’s going to hurt your wallet more? The numbers startle a lot of people. Maldives is known for those jaw-dropping overwater bungalows. If you Google “Maldives price,” you’ll see figures that can buy you a secondhand car. Thailand, on the flip side, has a magnet-like pull for backpackers and budget travelers. But those who’ve actually visited both know it’s not always that black and white. So, which place is really more expensive: the Maldives or Thailand? Let’s lift the lid, bust some myths, and get crystal clear about what your money really buys in both places.

Accommodation: Villas, Hostels, and Everything Between

Picture the Maldives and what pops into your head? Most folks see those world-famous overwater bungalows. These are pure bucket-list stuff, but they don’t come cheap. Even the most basic ones on a resort island can set you back around NZ$700 a night—sometimes a lot more if you go for those Instagrammable infinity pools. Luxury chains like Soneva Fushi or Cheval Blanc Randheli? Start at over NZ$2000 per night. But climb down the fantasy ladder, and there are options that won’t hollow out your savings. Since 2009, local “guesthouses” have sprung up on inhabited islands, offering a slice of real Maldivian life and rooms from as little as NZ$60 per night. Don’t expect spa butlers, but you’ll still wake up with your toes near the water.

Thailand, meanwhile, caters to every budget. In Chiang Mai or Bangkok, you can find dorm rooms for less than NZ$12 a night. Simple guesthouses average NZ$30–50, while decent beachfront bungalows on islands like Koh Lanta or Koh Tao start at around NZ$40. You’ll find splurge-worthy resorts in Phuket, Krabi, or Koh Samui beginning at NZ$120 and skyrocketing from there. What’s cool about Thailand is flexibility. You could sleep in a bamboo shack one night and book a chic boutique hotel the next, depending on your mood (or hangover).

Realistically, unless you’re dead set on world-class luxury, Thailand gives you *way* more bang for your buck when it comes to getting a roof over your head. But if the idea of a four-poster bed over a turquoise lagoon keeps you up at night, the Maldives wins that round – just be ready for the bill.

Food & Drink: Night Markets vs Resort Restaurants

If your idea of a holiday is tucking into plate after plate of spicy curry or fresh mango sticky rice, Thailand is your patch. Street food reigns supreme—think banana pancakes, fiery papaya salad, and tom yum soup. You can fill up for less than NZ$4 at any decent night market, and even a meal at a sit-down restaurant rarely tops NZ$13 unless you’re splurging at a fancy rooftop bar. Drinks are easy on the wallet, too; a cold Chang beer might cost NZ$3 at a supermarket or bar, and those iconic beach buckets in Koh Phangan barely dent your travel fund.

Maldives, though, isn’t about cheap eats. Most resort islands are all-in-one, with only a handful of eating spots. Eating à la carte at resorts gets expensive fast; main courses often cost NZ$40–70, and even a bottle of water can sting at over NZ$10. Alcohol’s a whole other pain—Maldives is a Muslim country, so you can only drink at resorts or liveaboard boats, where you’ll pay premium import prices (NZ$14 for a small beer is standard). But venture onto local islands and you’ll find family-run cafés (“hotaa”) selling Maldivian curries, fried fish, or mas huni for NZ$6–10. It’s more basic, but it’s authentic and filling.

The reality is you’ll spend less—and eat more adventurously—in Thailand. Food in Maldives can feel repetitive and expensive unless you get off the resort circuit and dig into local dining. For foodies and budget travelers, Thailand’s got the hearts (and stomachs) covered.

Getting Around: Speedboats, Tuk-Tuks, and Hidden Expenses

This is where sticker shock hits hard in the Maldives. The country is made up of tiny islands scattered over a massive area of ocean, so you can’t just hail a taxi. Instead, you’re usually stuck with transferring via speedboat or seaplane. Want to go from Malé airport to your resort? Speedboat may run NZ$120–350 return per person. Seaplane transfers can soar to NZ$800. Add these up for families, and you could be looking at more than your flight from New Zealand to Asia. Even ferries between local islands, while cheaper at NZ$5–10 per trip, get infrequent and may not line up with your other transport needs. Getting around inside an island is easy—most places are tiny and walkable—but hopping between atolls? Pricey and often inconvenient.

Thailand wins big for ease and variety. Domestic flights between Bangkok and the islands (Phuket, Krabi, Koh Samui) are frequent and cheap if you book ahead—sometimes less than NZ$60 each way. Overnight buses, trains, minivans, and ferries make up a giant web of budget options. Those iconic tuk-tuks and motorbike taxis are everywhere, with rides across town costing just a few dollars. Want to island hop? Ferries run every day from Phuket to the Phi Phi Islands or Koh Lanta, and the price is modest—about NZ$25–40 per route. If you’re confident on two wheels, renting a scooter on a Thai island might cost you NZ$8–12 per day. In short, just about anyone can get around Thailand on the cheap, without the hassle or wallet burn of exclusive “resort transfers.”

If you want freedom to roam, book spontaneous trips, or explore without a fixed itinerary, Thailand gives you more control and choices. In the Maldives, the high cost of getting from A to B can force you to stay put longer than you’d planned—unless, of course, your budget is unlimited or you’re after seclusion more than variety.

Activities, Culture and Hidden Costs: Where Does Your Money Go?

Snorkeling over coral reefs, diving with manta rays, sunset dolphin cruises—Maldives is all about water. But don’t expect these experiences to be thrown in for free. Day trips and water sports offered by most resorts come at a premium. A single hour-long snorkeling or diving trip can cost NZ$100–200. Jet skiing or private island picnics? Even more. Resort staff can arrange cultural visits to local islands, but you’ll need to abide by dress codes and pay extra for the transfer. Spas and massages are heavenly (who wouldn’t want an oceanfront massage?), but they’re definitely not cheap—NZ$130+ for a standard treatment.

That said, just being in the Maldives is a jaw-dropping experience—stargazing on a secluded sandbank or floating in crystal-clear water with turtles gliding by. You don’t need to book twelve tours to appreciate it. And while the real luxury lies in utter tranquility, you’ll notice the cost of isolation: fewer free activities, no street food, and your wallet takes the hit for every bottle of water.

Thailand offers sensory overload. Visit elephant sanctuaries in Chiang Mai, temple-hop in Bangkok, or wake up for a dawn hike in Pai. Entry fees to most temples, national parks, and cultural sites rarely exceed NZ$7, and activities like Thai boxing classes or street food tours are dirt cheap by Western standards. Scuba diving? Thailand’s sites like Koh Tao are among the cheapest in the world—full dive courses, including gear, cost less than NZ$550 for four days. You’ll find free yoga classes on the beach, live music bars for the price of a drink, and plenty of no-cost activities if you’re resourceful.

Watch for hidden costs, though. “Farang” (foreigner) pricing exists—non-locals pay more at tourist sites. Touts might try to hustle an inflated fare from unsuspecting visitors. But with so many choices, it’s easy to avoid tourist traps and stick to genuine experiences the locals love.

Final tip? The Maldives is an unforgettable one-off trip, and you’ll pay for that exclusivity. Thailand is the place you might come back to, again and again, because you don’t have to sell a kidney to make it happen.