Visiting the United Arab Emirates and the Maldives was something I had wanted to do for a long time. I always assumed a trip like that would be way above our budget, but I had never actually sat down to price everything out.
When I started planning our 10th anniversary and vow renewal, I decided this was the perfect time to find out whether we could make it happen.
We wanted to explore Abu Dhabi and Dubai, then spend a few days relaxing in the Maldives. The challenge was figuring out how to combine three destinations without paying for unnecessary flights, choosing a resort we couldn’t afford, or forgetting about the cost of getting from the airport to our island.
And yes, the island transfer is a separate expense you need to think about when planning a Maldives trip.
We eventually made the trip happen, and it was one of the most memorable vacations we’ve taken as a family. We spent three days in Abu Dhabi, three days in Dubai, and four full days in the Maldives.
In this guide, I’ll show you how I booked our flights, chose our hotels, planned the island transfer, and worked out our budget. I’ll also explain which costs and entry requirements have changed since our trip so you can plan your own visit using current information.
You do not need to be a travel agent to book a trip like this. If you enjoy researching flights and hotels, you can absolutely put it together yourself. If you’d rather have someone coordinate the details, working with a travel specialist is another option.
How Do You Plan a Trip to the Maldives With a UAE Stopover?
- Set a budget for all three destinations.
- Choose between an Abu Dhabi or Dubai stopover.
- Compare multi-city flights before booking.
- Choose your Maldives resort and confirm transfer costs.
- Check entry requirements for every traveler’s passport.
- Add meals, activities, taxes, and insurance to your budget.
- Confirm your flights, hotels, and transfers before departure.
The important thing is to price the entire trip, not just the international airfare or the resort room.
A beautiful Maldives resort may have a reasonable nightly rate but require an expensive seaplane transfer. A convenient flight might also arrive too late for a same-day seaplane connection.
I always want to understand those details before paying for anything.
Our Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Maldives Itinerary
We flew from Washington, DC, to Abu Dhabi on Etihad Airways. After spending three days in Abu Dhabi, we rented a car and drove to Dubai, where we spent another three days.
On our last day in Dubai, we drove back to Abu Dhabi and flew to Malé, the capital of the Maldives. From there, we took a seaplane to our resort and spent four full days enjoying the island.
Our route was:
- Washington, DC, to Abu Dhabi
- Three days in Abu Dhabi
- Drive to Dubai for three days
- Drive back to Abu Dhabi and fly to Malé
- Transfer from Malé to our resort for four days
- Return to Washington, DC
Looking back, I wish we’d spent more time in the Maldives.
Four days went by SO fast.
We met people who were staying for seven, ten, and even fourteen days. After traveling all that way, I could understand why.
If you’re planning a similar family vacation, decide how many days you want in each destination before searching for flights. You don’t want to spend most of your time moving between airports and hotels.
My guide to planning your first vacation explains how I approach the bigger decisions before booking.
How to Book Multi-City Flights to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Maldives
I used Google Flights to search for a multi-city itinerary instead of booking three unrelated round-trip tickets.
Our flights cost approximately $660 per person.
Yes, $660 per person for the international itinerary we booked.
I was very happy with that price.
However, this was the fare available during our original trip. It is not a current flight quote or a price you should expect to find for your own dates.
The Flight Route We Booked
I entered these three journeys into the multi-city search:
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Velana International Airport, Malé (MLE)
- Malé (MLE) to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Because we planned to drive between Abu Dhabi and Dubai, we didn’t need an additional flight for that part of the trip.
You can use the same search approach if you’re flying from another city or want to spend your stopover in Dubai instead.
The important thing is to compare the complete itinerary before purchasing individual tickets.
How to Search for Your Flights
Open Google Flights , select the multi-city option, and enter each part of your journey.
Start with your preferred travel dates, then try moving them around.
Sometimes changing your departure date by a day or two makes a noticeable difference to the total fare.
I also compare different stopover lengths and look at the total travel time.
A cheap flight isn’t always a great deal if it creates an impossible connection or leaves you waiting at an airport overnight.
My guide to the best websites for finding cheap flights and error fares explains how I compare flights before booking.
Compare Your Booking Options
Once you’ve selected all the flights, Google Flights displays the available booking options.
I usually prefer booking directly with the airline when the price and conditions work for us.
Before paying, check the baggage allowance, cancellation conditions, seat-selection fees, and whether all flights are on one booking.
If you’re traveling with kids, those details matter just as much as the ticket price.
You can also read my ways to save money on flights for more ideas.
Compare Several Travel Dates Before Booking
There isn’t one day of the week that will always give you the cheapest airfare.
I compare several departure and return dates rather than booking the first combination that appears.
For a trip involving several destinations, I also check whether changing the length of the UAE stopover affects the overall fare.
Sometimes a slightly different itinerary gives you a better balance of price, travel time, and actual vacation days.
How to Get From Malé Airport to Your Maldives Resort
This is one of the most important parts of planning a Maldives trip.
Arriving at Malé doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve reached your resort.
The Maldives consists of many islands, and your accommodation may require an additional transfer from Velana International Airport.
Depending on the resort, that transfer could be by speedboat, seaplane, domestic flight, or a combination of transportation methods.
Before booking a resort, I would find out exactly how guests get there and how much the transfer costs.
A resort with a lower nightly rate might not be the cheaper option after you add transportation for the entire family.
Our Seaplane Transfer to Maafushivaru
We stayed at what was then called LTI Maafushivaru Maldives Resort.
The property is now called OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru Resort . It is located in the South Ari Atoll, and the resort currently describes the seaplane journey from Malé as approximately 25 minutes.
During our trip, the resort arranged our transfer after we provided our international flight details.
Our round-trip seaplane transfers cost $1,159 in total for the three of us.
That was a significant additional expense, and it is exactly why I recommend finding out the transfer cost before committing to a resort.
The $1,159 figure is what we paid during our trip, not the rate being charged for a new booking today.
For more about our stay, including the different villas and dining options, read my Maafushivaru Maldives family resort review .
Book International Flights Around the Seaplane Schedule
Here’s something I would never overlook when booking another Maldives resort.
Seaplanes operate during daylight hours.
If your international flight arrives too late, you may have to spend the night near Malé Airport before continuing to your resort the next day.
OUTRIGGER currently asks guests traveling to Maafushivaru to arrive in the Maldives between 6 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to connect with its seaplane arrangements. The resort also explains that shared transfers may involve waiting at the seaplane lounge and that schedules depend on operational conditions.
Those timings are specific to OUTRIGGER Maafushivaru. Check your own resort’s requirements before buying flights.
I would also confirm the seaplane baggage allowance, especially if you’re bringing several suitcases.
How Long Does It Take to Get to the Maldives?
We had some LONG travel days.
For our original itinerary, the main flight times were approximately:
- Washington, DC, to Abu Dhabi: 12.5 hours
- Abu Dhabi to Malé: 4.5 hours
- Malé to Maafushivaru: a seaplane transfer, plus the resort’s arrival arrangements
On the way home, our Abu Dhabi-to-Washington flight was approximately 14.5 hours.
Whew.
That was a long flight.
If you’re traveling with kids, remember that the scheduled flight time is only part of the journey.
You also need to account for check-in, immigration, baggage collection, transfer waiting times, and getting everyone settled once you reach the hotel.
My guide to flying long haul with kids covers the strategies we’ve used to manage long international flights, including snacks, sleep, entertainment, and packing.
Maldives and UAE Entry Requirements for 2026
The original version of this article described the COVID testing and health declarations we completed during our trip.
Those requirements belonged to that period of travel. They should not be used as the instructions for a new trip in 2026.
Before booking, check the entry requirements for both the Maldives and the UAE using the passport each family member will travel with.
Maldives Tourist Visa and Passport Requirements
The Maldives currently grants eligible tourists a visa on arrival without advance tourist-visa approval. However, entry is still subject to meeting the immigration requirements.
According to Maldives Immigration , travelers should be prepared with:
- A machine-readable passport or travel document with at least one month of validity.
- A confirmed return or onward travel itinerary.
- Confirmed prepaid accommodation at a registered property, or another qualifying arrangement.
- Sufficient funds for their stay.
- A completed Traveller Declaration.
- A valid yellow fever vaccination certificate when required by their travel history.
Every child needs their own passport and individual Traveller Declaration. A longer passport-validity requirement may also apply because of another destination on your itinerary or your airline’s document checks.
I recommend checking the official requirements before booking and again shortly before departure.
Complete the Maldives Traveller Declaration
Travelers arriving in the Maldives must submit the Traveller Declaration through the official IMUGA portal within 96 hours before arrival.
The form is free.
Do not pay an unofficial website to complete it for you. Maldives Immigration warns travelers that third-party websites may charge unnecessary fees for a declaration that can be submitted directly at no cost.
UAE Visa and Entry Requirements
If you’re planning to explore Abu Dhabi or Dubai during your stopover, check whether you need a UAE visa before departure.
The rules depend on the nationality of the passport you’re using. Some travelers qualify for visa-free entry or a visa on arrival, while others must arrange a visa in advance.
The UAE government’s current guidance also states that passports generally need at least six months of validity from the date of entry.
You can check the official UAE visa guidance before purchasing your stopover flights.
Don’t assume that permission to enter the Maldives automatically means you can enter the UAE.
These are two different countries with separate immigration requirements.
How Far in Advance Should You Plan a Maldives Trip?
I would start researching several months before departure, especially if you’re combining the Maldives with Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
You have more moving parts than a regular vacation to one destination.
Here’s how I would organize the planning process.
Six to Nine Months Before Departure
Decide how much you want to spend and how many days you want in each destination.
Start comparing flights and researching Maldives resorts.
At this stage, I would also check whether the resorts you’re considering require a speedboat, seaplane, or domestic flight transfer.
Four to Six Months Before Departure
Compare multi-city flight options and book when you find an itinerary that works for your budget.
Choose your hotels in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, then book your Maldives resort after checking the full accommodation and transfer costs.
Confirm the resort’s occupancy rules if you’re traveling with children.
Two to Three Months Before Departure
Arrange your UAE transportation, confirm your Maldives transfer, and review any activities you want to book in advance.
This is also a good time to compare travel insurance policies.
Two to Four Weeks Before Departure
Check your passports, visa requirements, airline baggage allowances, hotel reservations, and transfer arrangements.
Confirm that your resort has your correct international flight details.
If you’re traveling with children, my ultimate guide to traveling internationally with kids can help you prepare the rest of your documents and travel essentials.
Within 96 Hours Before Arriving in the Maldives
Complete each traveler’s declaration using the official IMUGA portal.
Save your travel documents somewhere you can easily access them during the journey.
How Much Did Our Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Maldives Trip Cost?
Now for the part everybody wants to know.
How much did we actually spend?
Our original trip cost approximately $8,000 for our family of three, including flights, accommodations, transfers, meals, excursions, tips, and other expenses.
This was the most we’d ever spent on a vacation at that point.
I had a difficult time even imagining spending that much money on one trip.
But we were celebrating our 10th anniversary and renewing our vows, so we saved specifically for this experience.
And for us, it was worth every penny.
The prices below are our historical trip expenses. They are not current hotel rates or a 2026 budget estimate.
Our Abu Dhabi Hotels
We stayed at two hotels during the Abu Dhabi portion of our trip.
The rates we paid were:
- Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island: approximately $200 per night.
- Conrad Abu Dhabi: approximately $150 per night.
One thing I always look for when booking hotels is whether the property offers any useful extras.
Our Abu Dhabi hotel booking included entry to Ferrari World, which helped us enjoy another activity without paying separately for it.
Before booking your own stay, check the current room packages and their actual inclusions.
A hotel that includes breakfast or theme park tickets may work out cheaper for your family than another hotel with a lower advertised room rate.
Our Dubai Hotels
In Dubai, our hotel costs were approximately:
- Hilton Dubai Jumeirah Beach: $150 per night.
- Waldorf Astoria Dubai Palm Jumeirah: $215 per night.
I also want to preserve a detail from my original account: I experienced what I believed were bedbug bites during our stay at the Hilton Dubai property.
That was our experience during that particular visit, not a statement about the hotel’s current condition.
Whenever I book a hotel, I check recent guest reviews, room details, cancellation policies, and the total price before paying.
You can compare accommodation options through Booking.com , but I would also check the hotel’s direct booking rate and current offers.
Our Maldives Resort
We stayed at the resort now known as OUTRIGGER Maldives Maafushivaru for four nights.
We booked two different villa types because I wanted to experience both an overwater villa and a larger villa with a private pool.
Our historical nightly rates were:
- Duplex Pool Villa: approximately $677.
- Water Pool Villa: approximately $716.
These were promotional rates available when we booked.
They are not the resort’s current prices, and the accommodation names have changed since our stay.
The resort now offers several villa categories, including family accommodations. Its Family Beach Villa has two bedrooms and is listed for up to five guests.
If you’re traveling with kids, check the permitted occupancy of the exact villa category you’re considering.
A room that looks spacious enough in photos may not allow the number of guests in your family.
For a closer look at our rooms and experience, read my full Maafushivaru Maldives resort review .
Don’t Forget Maldives Resort Taxes
Resort taxes and fees are another reason I recommend checking the final booking total rather than focusing only on the nightly rate.
As of September 2026, the Maldives Tourism Goods and Services Tax is 17%. The rate took effect on July 1, 2025.
The Green Tax at tourist resorts is currently $12 per person per day of stay, with children under two exempt. Different Green Tax rates apply to certain smaller hotels and guesthouses on inhabited islands.
Check whether the price you’re being quoted already includes taxes, service charges, and the Green Tax.
Otherwise, the amount you pay at checkout could be noticeably higher than the price you originally budgeted.
Should You Book an All-Inclusive Meal Plan?
We chose the all-inclusive package during our stay, and I’m so glad we did.
The food was really good, and we enjoyed being able to eat and drink at the resort without constantly thinking about the cost of each meal.
When you’re staying on a private island, you don’t have the same option of leaving the resort and walking down the street to find a cheaper restaurant.
That is why I always compare meal plans before booking a Maldives resort.
Today, OUTRIGGER Maafushivaru offers several dining arrangements, and the exact inclusions depend on the package selected.
If you expect to eat most of your meals at the resort, compare the cost of half board and all-inclusive with what you would spend paying separately.
My guide to making our travel life affordable explains more about how we decide which vacation expenses are worth prioritizing.
Our UAE Rental Car
We rented a car in Abu Dhabi for three nights and paid approximately $265.
Having the car gave us the flexibility to drive to Dubai and return to Abu Dhabi for our Maldives flight.
If you’re planning to do the same, compare rental rates and check the company’s cross-emirate driving policies, insurance coverage, deposit, toll arrangements, and fuel rules.
You can compare rental options through Discover Cars .
If you’re traveling with younger children, confirm car seat arrangements before arriving. My guide to flying and traveling with a car seat covers the options we’ve used on family trips.
Our Meals and Excursions
We spent approximately $1,000 on meals and excursions during the Abu Dhabi and Dubai portions of our trip.
Some of our hotel packages included breakfast, and our Abu Dhabi accommodation included Ferrari World admission.
Those benefits helped keep our additional expenses down.
In the Maldives, we had already paid for a meal package, so we didn’t have to budget for every meal separately once we reached the island.
If you’re planning activities in the UAE, price those alongside your hotel and transportation costs rather than treating them as last-minute extras.
We also enjoyed exploring Abu Dhabi and Dubai before heading to the Maldives, but I would allow enough time to enjoy each destination instead of trying to fit every attraction into three days.
Our Total Trip Budget
Here’s the overall breakdown of the expenses recorded in the original article.
| Expense | What we paid during our trip |
|---|---|
| International flights | Approximately $660 per person |
| Round-trip Maldives seaplane transfers | $1,159 for three people |
| Abu Dhabi hotel nights | Approximately $150–$200 per night |
| Dubai hotel nights | Approximately $150–$215 per night |
| Maldives villa nights | Approximately $677–$716 per night, before applicable extras |
| UAE rental car | $265 |
| UAE meals and excursions | Approximately $1,000 |
| Total trip spending, including other costs and extras | Approximately $8,000 for three people |
The individual figures above are the prices recorded for parts of our original trip. They do not form a complete itemized receipt for every night, tax, tip, or extra expense. The $8,000 figure is our reported overall spending, not a total calculated solely from the listed entries.
If you’re saving for a trip like this, I recommend setting a total target and then working backward to figure out how much you need to save each month.
You can read more about how we’ve funded our family trips in How Are We Able to Afford Our Travel Life? .
Tips for Booking a Trip to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and the Maldives
1. Compare Resort Packages Before Booking
When we booked our Maldives resort, some of the longer-stay promotions included benefits such as meal upgrades and transfer discounts.
In fact, we discovered that booking five nights instead of four could have qualified us for additional perks that might have reduced our overall expenses.
That is why I recommend comparing the total price of different stay lengths.
Sometimes an additional night can make sense if the package includes benefits you would otherwise pay for separately.
Don’t assume that more nights automatically mean a better deal, though. Compare the final totals for your own dates.
2. Choose a Room That Accommodates Your Family
This is especially important when traveling with children.
Before paying, check the maximum occupancy, bed arrangements, and whether children are permitted in your chosen villa.
If you’re considering an overwater villa with young children, think carefully about the layout and direct access to the ocean.
You may prefer a beachfront villa depending on your children’s ages and swimming abilities.
For families visiting Maafushivaru today, the resort offers family villas and a Treehouse Kids Retreat with activities for children ages four to twelve.
If you’re taking your first major international trip with your child, read my guide to traveling internationally with kids for more practical planning advice.
3. Consider Trying Two Different Villa Types
We split our four-night Maldives stay between two villa categories.
I loved being able to experience both accommodations rather than choosing just one.
If your budget allows it, you can consider doing the same.
However, you should also think about the inconvenience of packing and moving rooms, especially with younger children.
Sometimes settling into one villa for the entire stay is the easier option.
4. Look for Hotel Packages With Useful Extras
Our Abu Dhabi and Dubai hotel bookings included benefits such as breakfast and theme park admission.
Those perks helped reduce what we spent once we arrived.
When comparing hotels, look at what is included in the total booking price.
A room with breakfast may be more economical for a family than a slightly cheaper room where everyone has to purchase breakfast separately.
The same principle applies to Maldives resort packages that include meals, transfers, or activities.
5. Pack for the Different Parts of Your Trip
The UAE and the Maldives offer very different experiences.
In Abu Dhabi and Dubai, you’ll probably want comfortable clothing for sightseeing, walking shoes, and outfits suitable for the activities you have planned.
In the Maldives, you’ll need swimwear, sunscreen, beach essentials, and lightweight clothing.
I would also check the cultural dress expectations for any places you plan to visit in the UAE or on inhabited Maldivian islands.
Keep your essential medications, travel documents, and a change of clothes in your carry-on.
For a complete packing guide, read my international travel packing list for kids and our must-have travel items for families .
6. Plan Your Maldives Resort Transfer Before Paying for Flights
Do not book an international flight arriving late in the evening if your resort requires a same-day seaplane transfer.
Check the resort’s current transfer requirements and make sure your flight schedule gives you enough time to complete immigration and reach the seaplane terminal.
I would also confirm the return-transfer arrangements before choosing an early-morning international flight home.
7. Leave Time to Relax
One thing I would change about our trip is the number of days we spent in the Maldives.
Four days went by too quickly.
We had already traveled such a long way, and once we finally settled into the resort, it felt like it was almost time to leave.
If you’re taking a trip like this to celebrate a special occasion, make sure you leave enough time to actually enjoy it.
Not every day needs a scheduled excursion.
Sometimes the best part of a Maldives vacation is simply spending time together by the ocean.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planning a Maldives Trip
1. How much does this trip cost?
Our original Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Maldives trip cost about $8,000 for our family of three, but that is a historical total, not a 2026 estimate. Current costs depend on airfare, resort rates, transfers, meals, activities, taxes, and travel dates. Always price the full itinerary before booking.
2. What documents do you need?
For the Maldives, tourists need a valid passport, confirmed onward or return travel, confirmed accommodation, sufficient funds, and a completed IMUGA Traveller Declaration within 96 hours before arrival. Children need their own passports. Depending on your departure country, a Yellow Fever certificate may also be required. Check UAE entry rules separately.
3. What is the best time of year to go?
The Maldives is warm year-round, but January through March is generally the driest period. December and April are transition months, while the southwest monsoon usually brings wetter conditions from mid-May through November. The best time depends on whether you prioritize drier weather, lower prices, fewer crowds, or better availability.
4. Is travel insurance necessary?
Travel insurance is not a standard Maldives entry requirement, but it is worth considering for a trip with expensive flights, resort bookings, and transfers. Look for coverage for medical emergencies, cancellations, delays, baggage, and trip interruption. Read the policy terms carefully because benefits, exclusions, and reimbursement limits vary by provider.
Final Thoughts on Our Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Maldives Trip
This was one of the best trips we’ve ever taken.
We got to explore Abu Dhabi and Dubai, experience two different villa types in the Maldives, and renew our wedding vows while celebrating our 10th anniversary.
And to think I almost dismissed the entire idea because I assumed it would be too expensive.
Once I actually sat down and compared the flights, hotels, transfers, and resort packages, I realized we could save toward the trip and make it happen.
Would I do anything differently?
Yes.
I would spend more time in the Maldives.
Four days was not enough for me.
But everything else about the trip made it such a special experience for our family.
If you’re dreaming of visiting the UAE and the Maldives together, start by working out your budget and researching the complete itinerary before booking.
You might find that the trip is more achievable than you initially thought.
For more about how we prioritize travel financially, read How Are We Able to Afford Our Travel Life? . If you’re planning to bring the kids, my guides to flying long haul with children and choosing travel gear for kids can help you prepare for the journey.
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find the best flight deals with Skyscanner. It searches airlines and travel sites around the world so you can compare routes, schedules, and prices in one place.
Book Your Accommodation
Book family-friendly hotels, apartments, resorts, and vacation rentals with Booking.com. It’s an easy way to compare accommodations and find the right fit for your family and budget.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance can help protect your trip in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, lost luggage, or medical emergencies. Before your next international trip, check Nomad Insurance for coverage options.
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards can help you earn points and miles that can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and other travel expenses. Check out my recommended travel credit card resources to start making your travel budget go further.
Need a Rental Car?
Use Discover Cars to compare rental car options and find competitive rates worldwide. It’s a simple way to compare prices and find the best option for your trip.
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Viator makes it easy to discover tours, attractions, day trips, and local experiences. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly activities or unique adventures, you’ll find plenty of options to enhance your trip.
Shopping for Travel Essentials?
From packing organizers and travel gear to family travel must-haves, you can find many of my favorite travel essentials on Amazon.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
If you’d like extra support planning your next adventure, explore curated travel experiences through Rooted Journeys, where we help families discover meaningful and memorable travel experiences around the world.
