Marshall Islands Travel Budget: How Much Does a Trip to the Marshall Islands Cost?

There are a few things to think about purchasing before your trip, from the essential flight ticket to optional travel insurance.

The Cost of Flights to the Marshall Islands

For most travellers, flights will be the biggest expense of a trip to the Marshall Islands. Air routes are limited, and reaching Majuro usually involves travelling through another Pacific island or regional hub.

The Marshall Islands often fit naturally into a wider island-hopping itinerary, so spending a few days in places along your route can help you make more of the journey. After all, travelling halfway across the Pacific only to admire the transit lounge would be a bit of a missed opportunity.

Learn more about flights in Which Airlines Fly Directly to the Marshall Islands?

The Cost of Visas for the Marshall Islands

Most travellers eligible for visa-free entry, a visa waiver or a visa on arrival do not need to pay a visa fee. Travellers who are not eligible for these arrangements may need to apply for a V-1 Visitor Visa before travelling, which costs US$100.

Those arriving aboard a private yacht use the C-1 Cruising Visa, which costs US$200. See the Marshall Islands Visa Guide: Do You Need a Visa to Visit? for eligibility rules, application requirements and the latest entry information.

The Cost of Items to Pack for the Marshall Islands

You might want to make a few purchases for your Marshall Islands wardrobe, as well as pick up essentials such as reef-safe sunscreen and snorkelling gear. Check out What to Pack for the Marshall Islands: The Marshall Islands Packing List for more advice.

Most of the Marshall Islands’ accommodation is concentrated on Majuro, where you will find everything from basic hotel rooms to self-catering apartments. Options on the outer atolls are far more limited and may range from simple island rooms to high-end private-island resorts.

Prices can vary considerably depending on whether meals, boat transfers or activities are included. A national hotel tax of 8% may also be added to the advertised rate, while some properties require a refundable US$100 security deposit.

Here are the typical accommodation costs in the Marshall Islands:

• Basic hotel room with shared bathroom/night - US$50-$90
• Economy hotel room with ensuite/night - US$90-$100
• Standard hotel room with ensuite/night - US$110-$145
• Mid-range hotel room or suite/night - US$125-$265
• Self-catering apartment/night - US$250
• Outer-island basic room/night - US$45
• Outer-island cottage or bungalow/night - US$150-$350
• Luxury private-island accommodation/night - US$860-$1,250

Some island stays include meals, drinks or transfers, while others charge separately for boat transport, airport pick-ups and activities. Check exactly what is included before comparing rates, as a US$350 bungalow with transfers can work out better than a cheaper room followed by a small odyssey involving boats, taxis and several handfuls of cash.

Take a look at Where to Stay in the Marshall Islands: The Best Accommodations to start finding a place to stay by location and travel style.

Most food in the Marshall Islands is imported, so supermarket prices can be higher than many travellers expect, particularly for fresh produce and international brands. Self-catering can still help control your budget, especially in Majuro, where supermarkets offer the widest selection.

Restaurant Prices in the Marshall Islands

• Main breakfast meal - US$5-$18
• Main lunch meal - US$6-$16
• Main dinner meal - US$8-$35
• Street food or barbecue plate - US$3-$8
• Small coffee - US$1-$4.50
• Speciality or café coffee - US$4-$6
• Smoothie or milkshake - US$4-$6.50
• Pandanus juice or jakaro - US$3-$5
• Soft drink - US$1.60-$2.50
• Bottled water - US$1.50-$2
• Bottle of Budweiser/Bud Light - US$2.75-$3.50
• Bottle of imported beer - US$4-$5.50
• Glass of wine - US$4-$7
• Bottle of wine - US$4-$28
• Cocktail - US$7-$12

Budget meals are readily available from food trucks, barbecue stalls, petrol stations and mom-and-pop shops (see The Top Cheap Eats in Majuro & the Marshall Islands), while hotel restaurants and waterfront dining venues sit at the higher end of the scale (see 15 Best Restaurants in Majuro & the Marshall Islands). Wine prices vary especially widely, so checking the drinks menu before committing can spare your budget a small tropical storm.

Supermarket Food Prices in the Marshall Islands

Drinks and Dairy

• 16.9 fl oz (500 ml) bottle of water - US$0.39-$0.75
• Soft drink - US$1.25
• 8.5-23 fl oz (250-680 ml) juice or iced tea - US$0.45-$3.49
• 34 fl oz (1 l) carton of dairy milk - US$2.29
• 32-34 fl oz (946 ml-1 l) carton of plant-based milk - US$3.29-$4.89
• Iced coffee - US$4.50

Breakfast and Pantry Staples

• 12 eggs - US$9
• Loaf of sliced bread - US$3.25
• 2.2 lbs (1 kg) rice - US$4.99-$9.95
• Single-serving instant noodles - US$0.55-$2.90
• Ramen or noodle cup - US$4-$5
• Box of cereal - US$3.99-$14.39
• Box of five to eight cereal bars - US$4.99-$5.39
• 2.5-3.5 oz (70-100 g) instant coffee - US$5.95-$12.95
• Box of 10-20 tea bags - US$4.89-$11.50

Meat and Canned Food

• Can of tuna - US$1.69-$1.75
• Can of beans, tomatoes, corn or other vegetables - US$1.19-$3.35
• Can of meat, pasta or beef stew - US$4.50-$6.25
• Chicken quarters, drumsticks or thighs per 1 lb (454 g) - US$1.49-$1.95
• Ground beef or beef chuck per 1 lb (454 g) - US$7.99-$11.29

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

• Local bananas at 10.6 oz (300 g) – US$1.50
• Onions or potatoes per 1 lb (454 g) - US$1.59-$2.29
• Carrots, broccoli or sweet potatoes per 1 lb (454 g) - US$3.99-$4.89
• Garlic, red cabbage, leeks or bell peppers per 1 lb (454 g) - US$6.19-$9.05
• 3 lbs (1.36 kg) bag of apples - US$10.85

Snacks and Treats

• Small snack or packet of sweets - US$0.75-$1
• 5.1 oz (145 g) packet of biscuits - US$1.29-$2.89
• 8.5 oz (240 g) bag of chips - US$2.49-$4.99
• Ice cream cone or cup - US$1.75-$2

Alcohol

• 12-pack of beer - US$30-$40
• Bottle of wine - US$6.40-$20.50

Small neighbourhood shops can be handy for inexpensive water, drinks and snacks, while larger Majuro supermarkets generally offer better choice. Prices vary significantly between stores, so it pays to compare before filling your basket with imported treats.

Check out the A Guide to Supermarkets & Food Shopping in the Marshall Islands to learn more.

The Marshall Islands is not overly touristy, which means many of its best experiences do not come with ticket booths attached. Historical sites, cultural attractions, lagoon viewpoints and several shore-snorkelling spots can be enjoyed for free.

Museums, canoe-building workshops and some local industry tours are also free, although donations are appreciated.

See a quick rundown below or head to the 101 Best Things to Do in the Marshall Islands for more inspiration.

Free and Low-Cost Activities in the Marshall Islands

• Museum entry - Free, donations appreciated
• Copra-processing plant tour - Free
• Historical sites and memorials - Free
• Shore snorkelling spots - Free with your own equipment
• Laura Beach/adult/child - US$2/$1
• Snorkelling gear rental/day - US$15
• Traditional canoe ride/person - US$20
• Eneko Island day trip/person - US$40
• Massage/1-hour - US$50

For more low-cost fun, check out the 15 Free & Cheap Things to Do in the Marshall Islands.

Guided Tours and Lagoon Trips

• Group sightseeing tour/person - US$45
• Private sightseeing tour/vehicle - US$120
• Full-day island-hopping charter/boat - US$600
• Private boat transfer to Eneko Island/boat - US$400
• Snorkelling trip aboard a dive boat/person - US$100
• Private snorkelling charter/boat - US$500-$680

Scuba, Fishing and Watersports Prices

• Half-day fishing charter/boat - US$750
• Full-day fishing charter/boat - US$900-$1,250
• Jetski with driver/day - US$200 + fuel
• Two-tank dive with equipment/person - US$230
• Open-water diving course/person - US$860
• Additional resort dive/person - US$50
• Private dive-boat charter supplement/couple - US$350

Activities included with private-island resort stays can range from snorkelling and scuba diving to surfing, kite surfing and foiling. Check the inclusions carefully, as a high room rate may cover experiences that would otherwise cost several hundred dollars separately.

From convenient car rentals and shared taxis on Majuro to passenger boats and domestic flights between atolls, there are several ways to travel around the Marshall Islands. Discover all of your options in the Marshall Islands Transport Guide: 10 Best Ways to Get Around the Marshall Islands.

Road Transport Prices

• Scooter rental/day - US$20-$30
• Compact car or sedan rental/day - US$65-$75
• Public minivan between Uliga and Laura/person/one-way - US$3
• Shared taxi around Delap, Uliga and Djarrit/person/one-way - US$3
• Taxi between town and the airport/person/one-way - US$8-US$15
• Hotel airport transfer/person/one-way - Free-US$20

Water Transport Prices

• Private-island boat transfer from the airport area/person/one-way - US$20-US$30
• Majuro-Arno passenger boat/person/one-way - US$20
• Eneko Island boat transfer/person/return - US$45
• Private lagoon-island drop-off/boat/one-way - US$300-$400

Air Transport Prices

The following are approximate one-way adult fares from Majuro:

• Majuro-Jaluit flight/person/one-way - US$185-$190
• Majuro-Wotje flight/person/one-way - US$215-$220
• Majuro-Likiep flight/person/one-way - US$260-$265
• Majuro-Kwajalein flight/person/one-way - US$265-$270
• Departure tax/person: US$25

Additional charges may apply for excess baggage, surfboards, cargo and ticket changes. Check Domestic Flights in the Marshall Islands: Your Guide to Interisland Flights for routes, booking advice, baggage allowances and the latest approximate fares.

The cost of transport is included in each of our guides to specific travel methods, such as The Cost of Renting a Car in the Marshall Islands: Full Car Rental Cost Breakdown and Which Is Better, Renting a Car or Using a Taxi in the Marshall Islands?, so have a look at the links above.

And for those miscellaneous costs, including phones, WiFi, credit card transaction fees, laundry services and toiletries, here are a few approximate costs that may or may not apply to your holiday.

Phone and Internet Prices

• WiFi access or voucher/one hour, 100 minutes or full day - Free-US$15
• SIM card or eSIM - US$10
• Prepaid mobile plan/7 to 30 days - US$5-$70

Many hotels, restaurants and cafés offer free WiFi, although connection quality varies. See How to Get Internet & WiFi in the Marshall Islands and The Best SIM Card in the Marshall Islands for Travellers for more details.

Overseas Bank Card Fee

• Overseas card transaction fee - 3-4%
• ATM overseas card withdrawal fee - US$5-$6

Cash remains useful, particularly outside Majuro and Ebeye. Find out more in Can You Use Your Credit or Debit Card in the Marshall Islands?

Laundry

• Hotel laundry/half to full load - US$12-$20
• Coin-operated washer or dryer/load - US$2
• Hotel laundry/item - US$0.80-$10

Toiletries and Pharmaceuticals

• Basic first-aid supplies - US$1.30-$2.70
• Pain relief or cold and flu medication - US$2.30-$13
• Reef-safe sunscreen - US$9-$18
• 1.7 fl oz (50 ml) insect repellent - US$3.50
• Sanitary pads or liners/pack - US$2.20-US$4.30
• Tampons/16-pack - US$9.10

Majuro’s larger supermarkets stock basic medication and toiletries, but specific brands can be limited. Packing sunscreen, insect repellent and any prescription medication before travelling is usually cheaper and saves an emergency supermarket treasure hunt.