How To Travel Hawaii On A Budget – Plan better, spend less. I break down my 10 categories into budgeting and save into big savings and small savings (hey, they add up!).
Well, I wrote this list with the Big Island in mind, but many of the ideas could still work with other islands. The biggest difference is that Oahu costs less to rent a car and the island can be toured by bus if you want to skip the car for part or all of your trip. Maui and Kauai are most similar to the Big Island when it comes to car rentals.
How To Travel Hawaii On A Budget
It goes without saying that the best time to fly to one of the Hawaiian Islands is during the off season. You’ll want to avoid travel dates around Christmas, Thanksgiving, Spring Break, Easter Break, July 4th, and even January when people in colder climates are getting ready for warmer weather.
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There’s a short period after Thanksgiving and before Christmas, and then another week or two in February when prices drop a bit. Play not only with the moon, but also with the day of the week. Tuesday to Thursday is usually cheaper than Friday to Monday. Although you cannot combine paid holidays with your vacation time, there is a plus side. This time of year is the best time to visit Hawaii because the weather is the best and the number of tourists is the lowest.
The easiest and cheapest option is to rent a car from the airport during your vacation. I will say that renting from a non-airport location means you will have the additional cost of taking a Lyft, Uber, or taxi, which can be anywhere from $20 to $80 to Kailua Kona or Waikoloa.
There are no good alternatives as there are no buses coming from the airport and walking is not an option as there are none nearby. However, there is work around the IF, and I know it is a big IF, but if you have planned to stay in a resort, you can opt out of renting a car while staying at the resort. The hotel shuttle will take you to the airport. And for $300-$1000 a night, I don’t want to leave. It is perfectly possible to spend a day or two just relaxing near or at most resorts. Just be sure to schedule your spa vacation at the beginning or end of your stay. My personal favorite would be at the end.
There are other rental options on the Big Island, so be sure to compare Nationwide Car Company rates with Turo and Craigslist. The first thing to look for is if the rental has airport pickup and drop off. The problem you have is that even if the daily rental price is low, the cost of transporting the car to the airport or taking a taxi to the car can cancel out any savings and make the difficulty even more difficult.
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Hotels and vacation rentals are big expenses, perhaps your biggest expense while staying in Hawaii. If you want to “spend” on a vacation rental, do it in less popular areas where daily rates are lower. These places are perfect for tourists because they are not only cheap, but also bring you closer to fun outdoor activities.
Hostels are a good option for solo travelers, starting at $55 per night. But if you have 2 or more people, you can look at Airbnb or VRBO. Check out cities like Pahoa, Hilo, Volcano, Hawi, Honokaa, etc. that are close to the amazing places you want to explore. Just remember that you can pick up groceries on the way out to the small town. Hilo, Waimea and Kailua Kona have great grocery stores.
If you have booked a trip in a big city like Kailua-Kona, Waikoloa, or Hilo, consider camping as an affordable alternative. Kohaniki is the closest campground to Kailua Kona, followed by Kiholo and Hukena. For Waikoloa see Kiholo, Spencers and Hapuna. For Hilo check Arnotts. And don’t forget to check out Hipcamp for other private campgrounds near the city.
Campsites start at $ 10 / night, but most are $ 21 / person / night, and there are camping options all over the island, so see if there is anyone on the active Big Island bucket list near you!
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It can be a challenge to pack and carry camping gear, so consider renting some or all of your gear from Camp Life Hawaii. Three-day rental of a tent, sheets and sleeping bags for two people – $100 (total $34 per day). Camping in Hawaii doesn’t just save you money. It gives you the first experience of waking up on the beach, walking to the ocean for a day or night swim (sunset swim is my favorite), and watching the sunrise or sunset depending on which side you stay.
If you plan to visit multiple islands on your trip, purchase multi-city flights upon departure. Buying a flight after you arrive can mean losing several hundred dollars.
This goes along with planning ahead, but more specifically making sure you book your lodging and camping rentals at least a month (probably 3 or more) in advance. Waiting until later could mean losing the spot you want and settling for something more expensive and less convenient.
Airlines allow you to take one small bag/roller bag and one small carry-on bag. My biggest item is the Patagonia Black Hole Duffel (60L). The great thing about this dress is that it can be used as a bag and fits in almost any overhead compartment (especially those planes that fly to Hawaii) and the bag really holds up a lot. I also like a small roller bag when I don’t want to carry a lot of weight on my back. My second small bag is usually a backpack that can be used as a day bag for hiking, beach days, or as a cooler.
How To Visit Hawaii On A Budget
Jump luaus and some tours you can do on your own. Luaus overrated, overpriced, and no one told me they would do it again. There are some activities that you will want to do with the tour because they take the hassle out of planning and provide all the equipment you need. And in this case and the tour can be cheaper. There are several activities that you can do without traveling. Some examples include visiting a national park, the Captain Cook Monument, two steps, or seeing manta rays from the beach. If you have a large group, then hiring a tour guide can be beneficial as the price per person is significantly reduced. Plus, having someone from the island to answer your questions and show you the sights can make your trip truly memorable.
Paid excursions include whale watching, fishing, diving, helicopter rides, zip line, horseback riding, Mauna Kea (warm gear only) and large groups to the national park.
The Captain Cook statue is an hour’s walk down or an hour’s swim off the coast of Kealakekua Bay (swimming is not recommended unless you are very fit and comfortable in the open ocean, check it out today as well). You can also see the monument in the distance from Kealakekua Bay State Historic Park. If that seems like too much work, there is a great swimming spot just a short walk away, just two steps away. You can also combine your two-step tour with a visit to nearby Puhonua O Honaunau, a great way to explore the Big Island and authentic Hawaiian history.
There are two national parks on the Big Island: Puhonua O Honaunau and Volcano National Park. Both sites will be a great addition to your vacation. Pu’uhonua O Honaunau is $7 per vehicle and is expected to take less than half a day to see, while Volcano National Park is $25 per vehicle for a week, free for the military and free for those who already have a national park pass. This park is worth exploring all day or more depending on how much you want to explore. There is also a military-only camping cabin inside the park, and Volcano House Lodge has camping for everyone.
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Mauna Kea can be done as a tour or independently. If you want to do it outside of the tour, you’ll need to rent a 4×4 or go for a walk with a “new friend” once you get to the visitor center. You should also bring warm clothes. This goes against what I said about packing light, but especially in winter you can add hats, gloves, base layers, sweaters and winter jackets. I am not exaggerating when I say that you will