Maldives vs Thailand – Which Is Better?
Two of our ultimate honeymoon destinations but between the Maldives vs Thailand – which is better for honeymoon?
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Maybe one of the best choices you’ll ever have to make! But in the battle of spectacular destinations, the Maldives vs Thailand, which is better for honeymoon?
You’ve seen a ton of videos about these heavenly tropical havens on your social media channels.
You’d love to fly on a seaplane, sea kayak between lime stone karsts, maybe hang with some elephants and drink cocktails at sunset. Witness the ocean hues of sapphire, cobalt, mint and turquoise.
Run along dazzling white sand beaches. Stay in a magical overwater villa and a heavenly tree suite with an infinity pool. But how do you decide? The Maldives vs Thailand – which is better for honeymoon?
This is one of the most common questions we get asked! We’ve been and we’ve got the inside track to help you decide.
For now let’s break it down, Maldives vs Thailand – which is better for honeymoon?
P.S.You can dive deeper into both destinations with our in depth guide to Thailand and our in depth guide to Maldives
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Good to know about the Maldives and Thailand
Time Zone: GMT +5
Language: Dhivehi
Capital: Malé
Population: 550,000
Currency: Maldivian Rufiyaa MVR
Time Zone: GMT +7
Language: Thai
Capital: Bangkok
Population: 70 million
Currency: Thai Baht ฿
Visa Required: Most nationalities do not need to obtain a visa prior to arrival for the Maldives. Most nationalities can enter Thailand for up to 30 days without a visa. If you need help to obtain a visa, check out iVisa.com. You will need 6 months of validity left on your passport.
Travel Insurance: Here at The Honeymoon Guide, we want you to have the best honeymoon possible. Safety is paramount, particularly if you’re planning a Maldives honeymoon itinerary. It’s important to have travel insurance in place when you book your honeymoon. If you don’t have travel insurance, check out WorldNomads.com to learn more.
World Nomads provide travel insurance for travellers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link. We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance from World Nomads.
Travel Health: The Maldives and Thailand are on the the list of Zika destinations. Travel vaccinations are recommended for Thailand and Maldives. We encourage you to visit the Center for Disease Control website for up-to-date travel vaccination recommendations or speak to a Tropical Medicine Specialist.
Is there a difference between the Maldives vs Thailand
When it comes to considering the Maldives vs Thailand for honeymoon, there are some key differences.
The Maldives is a collection of 1200 atolls (groups of tiny coral islands) located just south of Sri Lanka and India in the Indian Ocean.
The capital, Malé, is a bustling island city. The Maldives is spread across over 800 kms. The total land size is 300,000 km² vs Thailand which is 513,120 km².
The islands in the Maldives have no mountains or rivers and the vast majority of couples will stay on the same tiny paradisiacal island. The country is predominantly Muslim, and Islam is a significant part of the culture and tradition.
Thailand is a nation in Southeast Asia and has multiple cities and islands and beaches, rivers, mountains and a lush jungle rainforest interior with National Parks. . The country is home to many Buddhist temples, which are a significant part of the culture and tradition.
Despite being a nation of islands, it’s less common to island hop in Maldives, whereas it’s very common to stay on a few islands in Thailand.
Thailand is a popular destination for all types of holiday makers from backpackers and budget travellers to luxury lovers whereas Maldives has only a tiny selection of budget accommodation.
Best time to visit the Maldives vs Thailand
The Maldives and Thailand are tropical destinations where the temperatures stay warm all year round. Both experience ‘rainy’ and ‘dry’ seasons.
The best time to visit Maldives for a honeymoon is during the dry season, from December to April, when there is the least risk of rainfall.
That being said, many couples travel during the rainy season from May to October and it’s a great time to save some money as prices drop up to half of the cost of the dry season.
During the rainy season in Maldives, you may experience overcast days or days of thunderstorms, but even the rainy season sees many days of sunshine. May, September & October are the rainiest therefore the worst months to travel.
The Maldives rarely experience extreme weather events because of the barrier reef protection, but tropical storms can occur.
Thailand has multiple climates and the best time to visit Thailand may depend on where you want to go.
Overall the best time to visit Thailand is similar to the Maldives, in that many parts of the country, including Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, in the north, Bangkok, and the west coast areas in the Andaman Sea experience the dry season from November to April.
However, the east coast islands in the Gulf of Thailand like Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Ko Tao are a little different and are generally good from January to September.
Serious storms can occur in Thailand and days of consecutive rain can happen during the rainy season. Although you can get lucky and get just a brief daily tropical thunderstorm.
With the climate catastrophe, weather patterns are unpredictable and even in the dry season some tropical showers can happen.
How to get to the Maldives vs Thailand
Both the Maldives and Thailand are easy to get to. although one may be closer to you, depending on your starting point!
To get to the Maldives, you fly to Velana International Airport (airport code: MLE) at the capital Malé .
One popular option for reaching the Maldives is to fly via the Middle East. You can catch connecting flights with a short layover from cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Doha or Istanbul. You can take a stopover for a lovely mix of city and beach.
From Asia, there are direct flights to the Maldives from Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. You can also fly from London and Frankfurt to the Maldives.
There are direct flights from many major European cities to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (airport Code: BKK) including London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), Helsinki (HEL), Frankfurt (FRA), to name a few.
You can also fly from or via the Middle East airports mentioned above.
There are direct flights to Bangkok from Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL) and Perth (PER) in Australia.
Bangkok has connections to most other parts of Asia, so if you’re travelling from North America, you’ll usually connect through another Asian city like Tokyo (NRT) or Singapore (SIN), for example.
Some airlines also fly directly to the island, Phuket (HKT), so you can start your honeymoon on the islands without connecting or stopping over in Bangkok.
Bangkok has a second airport, Don Mueang International Airport (DMK), which mainly serves domestic and regional routes.
How to get around the Maldives vs Thailand
The concept in the Maldives is “one island: one resort”. 99% of couples planning a honeymoon in the Maldives go straight from the airport to their hotel, spending the entire trip in the same resort/ on the same tiny island.
To get to your resort, you can pick a resort with a speedboat transfer, a seaplane transfer, or domestic flight followed by a speedboat ride. It can take anywhere from 10 to 90 minutes to get to your resort.
You won’t need car hire or public transport to get around as you stay on a private island. In some resorts, there are opportunities to visit local islands on a day trip, but other than this the only time you’ll leave the island is on a sunset cruise or to go home!
Although it is possible to go island hopping in the Maldives and stay in different resorts, it is actually rare to do this. Mainly because of the cost of speedboats and seaplanes which can be on average $500 per person.
The cheapest way to stay in different resorts would be to stick to the atolls that are close together so you can arrange a speedboat between neighbouring islands.
Local hotels have opened up in recent years if you want a more backpacking style honeymoon.
Want to try something unique in the Maldives check the cruises with G Adventures and lovely options with ScubaSpa.
In Thailand, it’s likely you’ll be moving around. Although you can certainly base yourselves in one area or hotel and relax by the beach and take some day trips, too!)
We recommend staying in a few spots. For example a few days in Bangkok, some time exploring either the north around Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai or around Khao Sok National Park and then some islands.
There are many ways to get around Thailand! You most likely will take some domestic flights if you’re doing more than the beaches.
While backpackers will take overnight buses and trains, if you’re there for your honeymoon on a shorter stint, we’d recommend flying where necessary.
To get from island to island, you can take ferries, speedboats and long-tail boats.
In Bangkok, there is the SkyTrain light rail system and metro. The most famous mode of transportation is probably the Tuk-Tuk in cities and towns, which can be more convenient than taxis, although taxis are widely available.
You’ll also find the cheap, relatively safe and convenient songthaew (pick up truck)
Tourists rarely hire a car in Thailand as the best way to get around is to either use taxis, tours or hire a driver.
You can also take scooter taxis or hire a moped/scooter. Although we would recommend caution and only hire these if you’re an experienced driver and have sufficient travel insurance.
Where to stay in Thailand vs Maldives
When considering where to stay in the Maldives vs Thailand, we must admit it’s a tough choice, as both have some wonderful and unique honeymoon accommodation options.
In the Maldives, resorts reign supreme. You’ll find a variety of options ranging from large, all-inclusive islands to smaller, more intimate ultra luxury spots with some adults only options.
Some of the best honeymoon resorts in the world are in the Maldives, and every hotel there caters to honeymoon couples as a priority.
One highlight of staying in the Maldives is the opportunity to stay in an iconic overwater villa.
These luxurious room categories often come with their own private plunge pool or jacuzzi and direct access to the warm, azure waters of the Indian Ocean.
You might even book a water slide overwater bungalow! There are some more affordable options if you’re on a budget, too!
If you’re looking for an authentic experience, you can go off the beaten track a little at local guesthouses on locally inhabited islands with a chance to immerse yourself in Maldivian culture and support the local community.
However, outside of the privately owned and operated luxury resorts, Maldives is a conservative country, so the vibe will be very different to a resort.
Although these days the Maldives is not the only destination with over water bungalows, the concept is not really a thing in Thailand.
There are some similar concepts like The Float House River Kwai near Bangkok which has unique riverside accommodation.
You can stay in local guesthouses, backpacking- style. However, some of the most luxurious hotels in the world are in Thailand.
From boutique hotel gems, to oceanfront resorts and hilltop jungle retreats, the options for an indulgent hotel stay are actually endless.
Thailand has stunning private pool suites and villas, too. It’s also one of our top picks for affordable luxury, a chance to indulge in five-star experience without breaking the bank.
When considering Maldives vs Thailand accommodation, Thailand is more affordable and has more varied types of honeymoon hotels.
What they do have in common is that there are some beautiful options with amazing service and honeymoon amenities like private pools and delicious floating breakfasts!
Plus, there are always new resorts popping up for couples who are seeking the latest in luxury.
Some of our favourite Maldives honeymoon resorts:
Huvafen Fushi | Soneva Jani | Patina Maldives, Fari Island | Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi | LUX* South Ari Atoll | Kuramathi Maldives| Varu by Atmosphere |
Some of our favourite Thailand honeymoon hotels:
Capella Bangkok | Six Senses Yao Noi | Keemala | Four Seasons Tented Camp Golden Triangle
What to eat in Thailand vs Maldives
Whether you do (or don’t!) want an all-inclusive resort might help you choose in the battle of the Maldives vs Thailand for honeymoon.
Thailand is not really an all-inclusive kind of destination, whereas the Maldives definitely can be.
For gastronomy lovers, if you choose the Maldives or Thailand for your honeymoon, you will be in foodie honeymoon heaven, as both are great destinations for culinary adventures.
However, they are different.
One reason it is a good thing that Thailand isn’t all inclusive is because the dining scene is incredible!
Whether your jam is street food stalls, Michelin starred establishments or just tiny local restaurants, you’ll be in heaven. Plus, it’s very affordable.
Take a cooking class when you arrive and immerse yourselves in one of the great cuisines on the planet.
The unique blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavours can be found everywhere. From spicy Tom Yum Goong soup to Pad Thai noodles, Thai cuisine is a feast for the senses.
If you don’t want to eat Thai food all the time, there’s plenty of western food available in the main tourist areas, too.
The Maldives is all about eating in-resort.
Maldives is a a remote island nation that has to import most food and drink. Yet, because of its proximity to three continents, Maldives still has wonderful dining options.
You can probably find most cuisines in the Maldives, although it will vary from resort to resort. The standard of food and drink is generally very high.
Even in the all-inclusive resorts, you’ll find beautiful buffet breakfasts and multiple dining options in most resorts.
You can’t really go anywhere as you’re on your own self-contained island.
Dining is expensive. Hence why many couples will opt for an all-inclusive package where possible, making it easy to enjoy a variety of meals and drinks without worrying about the bill at the end.
However, some resorts also offer bed-and-breakfast, half board (breakfast & dinner) or full board (breakfast, lunch & dinner) options.
If you don’t go all-inclusive, you only pay for any extras you eat & drink locally (added to your bill and paid at check-out).
While you may find Italian, Indian, Thai, and Japanese cuisines, jump at the chance to try Maldivian cuisine!
With fresh seafood and exotic fruits, the food is heavily influenced by the country’s location in the Indian Ocean and is similar to South Indian or Sri Lankan cuisine.
Sometimes only the buffet restaurant is included in your package, so it’s worth comparing Maldives honeymoon packages.
All-Inclusive packages can be great value and sometimes have a handful of activities included. Others have an optional supplement that allows you to upgrade to dine around in multiple restaurants.
Things to do in Maldives vs Thailand
When it comes to things to do in Maldives vs Thailand, Thailand wins for sure.
However, that doesn’t mean the Maldives has to be a boring honeymoon. In fact, it’s quite the opposite!
Both destinations have great water sports opportunities from sea kayaking, paddle boarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding, and parasailing, to name a few.
You can take sunset cruises. Snorkelling and scuba diving opportunities are abundant in both Maldives and Thailand (although Maldives probably pips it for relatively undisturbed dive sites).
How would your day go on honeymoon in the Maldives?
You might choose to wake up to see the magical Maldivian sunrise, go for a leisurely breakfast, or spend the morning scuba diving or snorkelling amongst the coral reef.
You could even plant some coral, a fun activity for couples who care about sustainability. Take an afternoon stroll on a sandbank or take part in some water sports.
Sunbathe by the pool, go to the spa, play a game of tennis, take a sunset dolphin-spotting cruise, have the most beautiful dining experience by the beach, marvel at the wondrous night sky on a stargazing tour.
As you can see, there is plenty to keep you occupied if you’re an adventurous type of couple.
Thailand has an endless array of things to do. So much so, it’s impossible to fit in everything there is to do in Thailand on the average honeymoon length!
Whether it’s exploring temples, visiting local villages, swimming in waterfalls, snorkelling, scuba diving, beach parties, shopping, island hopping, Thailand is the perfect mix of beach, culture, history and adventure.
If you love cities, you can spend a few days exploring Bangkok.
If you want a ton of things to do, to visit multiple destinations or maybe hate to sit still, then in this instance of Maldives vs Thailand, Thailand probably wins.
Maldives vs Thailand Beaches
For us the perfect beach has undisturbed dazzling white sand and the most incredible aquamarine sea and a true castaway island feel.
However, some days we dream about island hopping between the limestone karsts, emerald waters and creamy white sands.
In the battle for the Maldives vs Thailand and their beaches, it’s so hard to pick a favourite!
Maldives has the most pristine paradise beaches. Plus, you have the bonus of having a private sandbank lunch or dinner, which is a real highlight of this slice of paradise.
Thailand has a lot of variety when it comes to beaches, with public beaches aplenty but also resorts that have private coves.
Plus you’ll find powdery white sand in heavenly uninhabited spots like Maya Bay and Similan Islands. Some of the best beaches in the world are in Thailand!
Maldives vs Thailand nightlife
When it comes to the Maldives vs Thailand for night owls, Thailand wins, hands down!
From the streets of Bangkok which has everything from backpacker joints to upscale cocktail bars and everything in between, to the famous Full Moon Party and even a floating beach club, Thailand is unparalleled when it comes to parties.
The Maldives is much more subdued in comparison. While you will find stunning bars for sundowners and even some pool parties, it’s nowhere near as lively as Thailand!
Planning a honeymoon itinerary in the Maldives vs Thailand
When planning your honeymoon itinerary for the Maldives vs Thailand, there are a few things to keep in mind to make the most of your trip!
First, it’s important to remember that the length of your stay will determine the time you have to relax and/or explore each destination.
For example, 2 nights will only give you 1 full day to explore and relax, 3 nights = 2 full days, 4 nights = 3 full days, and so on.
Most couples stay 7 to 10 nights in Maldives, whereas with Thailand, you need at least 10 nights, but ideally even more! That’s not including travel time.
In the Maldives you stay in one resort but in Thailand there are multiple destinations to see.
You can just stay a week on the beach in Thailand but there is an array of islands to explore, each with its unique charm. Krabi, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Lanta and Koh Samui, Koh Phangan are just a couple of the options available.
So if you’re considering Thailand vs Maldives and how much time you have could be a factor, Maldives needs less time.
If you’re thinking about the Maldives vs Thailand, do you know you can easily do both if you have the time and the budget?!
There are easy connecting flights from Bangkok directly to Maldives (and also Singapore and Kuala Lumpur connect easily from the islands onwards).
You can add in a city stopover. Combining the Maldives and Thailand is one of our favourite swoon multi-destination honeymoon ideas – what an absolute dream!
Maldives vs Thailand – Which is cheaper
Thailand is definitely more affordable although what you get for your budget is different.
You could easily spend 5-figures on a week in the Maldives all inclusive, yet you could get also get 2 weeks of luxury in Thailand for the same cost.
However, flights can make a difference and time of year, too. So where you’re travelling from and the time of year you’re travelling can make a difference.
Plus, one can be an all-inclusive trip and the other is not. It’s definitely worth comparing both destinations. The Maldives does have some affordable villas, too.
If you travel in low season and don’t mind the risk of rain, then May to June and September to October are the cheapest months for Thailand and Maldives.
The most expensive time to visit either the Maldives or Thailand, is around Easter and also the Christmas / New Year holiday. If you can avoid the two weeks either side of these periods, we’d recommend it.
So the Maldives vs Thailand – which is better for honeymoon
If you have more time and are seeking endless cultural, historical pursuits with island hopping on the best beaches and more moving around, then Thailand might be the better option!
If you want a super-relaxing, romantic castaway island feel, plus an all-inclusive resort style honeymoon vacation, then Maldives might be the one for you.
Whether it’s the weather, budget, the beaches, the activities, the food scene, the nightlife or the hotels, that helps you decide on the Maldives vs Thailand for honeymoon, we promise you’ll have a magical time in either place!
We’re huge Maldives and Thailand fans, so for us both are winners.
If you have time, do both! But if not, we hope you get to go to the runner-up on a fabulous anniversary trip in the future (planning a trip to the runner-up will be a fantastic way to get rid of the post honeymoon blues)!
So will it be the Maldives or Thailand? Let us know in the comments which one you decide on!
Happy planning x
Related Maldives & Thailand honeymoon articles:
Best Time to Visit by Month – Thailand
Best Time to Visit by Month – Maldives
Thailand – Ultimate Packing List
Maldives – Ultimate Packing List
Thailand vs Bali – Which is better?
Maldives vs Bali – Which is better?
