If there’s one thing Dubai travelers love doing, it’s opening 10+ tabs to compare flights, resorts, transfers, and meal plans.
It’s a ritual — and it comes from wanting the best deal.
But here’s the twist most Dubai residents don’t realise:
And because of that, DIY almost always ends up more expensive or more stressful.
If you’re comparing DIY vs package, here’s the truth you rarely see on resort websites.
Dubai travellers often start with Google Flights + Booking.com. And yes — the numbers look sweet at the beginning.
But here’s where DIY becomes expensive:
Weekend flights from Dubai jump in price quickly — sometimes AED 400+ difference in a few hours.
This price usually excludes:
So the number you see is not the number you pay.
This is the biggest mistake in DIY bookings.
Speedboat and seaplane transfers must be bought separately from the resort:
Suddenly the “cheap room” is not cheap anymore.
HB/FB/All-Inclusive plans are far more expensive when added separately.
Here are the costs most DIY travelers don’t calculate:
When everything is added, DIY usually ends up much higher than expected.
This isn’t a marketing line — it’s how the Maldives industry works.
Resorts give travel agencies contracted room rates that are much lower than public rates.
More bookings = better pricing = better deals for UAE travelers.
Many packages use lower fares from:
These flight prices aren’t available publicly.
Agencies bundle transfers into packages at discounted rates.
Half Board, Full Board, All-Inclusive — all become cheaper when bought in a package.
Many resorts offer:
only through agency contracts.
These benefits almost never appear on resort websites.
Let’s compare a 3-night Maldives trip (2 adults) at a mid-range resort.
Total Package Cost: AED 6,999 – 7,500
(Depending on resort + availability)
Packages save ~AED 1,500–2,000 on average.
Want to see the package vs DIY cost for your dates?
Holiday Offerz gives a side-by-side breakdown in 2 minutes.
DIY is suitable only in limited scenarios:
For everyone else, packages make more financial sense.
These groups save the maximum money with packages.
Agencies buy hundreds of nights → lower per-night cost.
Airline tie-ups reduce fares.
Especially seaplane transfers.
DIY travelers get shocked seeing a 22% tax addition at checkout.
Upgrades, spa credits, free dinners, etc.
This is why packages almost always beat DIY.
A Dubai couple wanted a water villa for their anniversary. They compared:
DIY looked cheaper until they added seaplane transfers and taxes.
Final numbers:
Their words:
“We saved money, avoided confusion, and enjoyed a stress-free anniversary.”
If the package includes flight + transfers + meals, it almost always wins.
DIY seems cheaper because websites hide taxes, transfers, and surcharge details.
But once you calculate the true cost:
Holiday Offerz can give you the exact DIY vs package comparison for your dates — with all hidden costs revealed clearly.
Get a free PDF showing the exact difference between:
Get the Package vs DIY Price Breakdown (Free PDF)
We’ll also share the best resorts for your budget and dates.
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