Tips For Traveling To Hawaii On A Budget – The spirit of Aloha, perfect year-round temperatures, beautiful beaches and incredible scenery… it’s no wonder Hawaii is known as a vacationer’s paradise. There’s just one problem: Paradise doesn’t come cheap. Hawaii is one of those destinations that so many people want to visit, but end up at the back of the bucket list due to concerns about cost.
If you’re worried about whether a trip to Hawaii will be ruined, or you’ve already started planning a trip, we can help. Find flights to and read on for more tips on how to do Hawaii on a budget.
Tips For Traveling To Hawaii On A Budget
With low-cost airline Southwest adding Hawaii routes to its service next year, more affordable options are on the horizon. The new routes mean more competitive prices, and, according to a study published earlier this year, markets where Southwest has added routes in recent years have seen fares that decreased by an average of 15%. In addition to these new routes, be sure to also consider multiple airports when booking your flight. While Honolulu is your first choice, we’re seeing favorable prices for flights to Hilo and Kona on the Big Island. It’s worth weighing your options, and there’s plenty to do and see on the Big Island (black sand beaches, anyone?).
Hawaii Travel Tips: Things To Know Before You Go
The first step to saving money on a Hawaii vacation is timing your trip, which means avoiding the peak season when hotel rooms and flights will be the most expensive. Look out for cheaper flights and discounted hotel rooms in January (last 2 weeks), February, May, September and October. More good news: February is the best time of year to see humpback whales and September is the time of the Aloha Festivals.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to have good food in Hawaii. One thing to consider is to look for early bird specials where, if you sit down before 6 p.m. or earlier, many restaurants offer discounted meals. You can also save by choosing to eat at a restaurant at lunch instead of dinner when prices are usually lower. Then for dinner, think about sharing some happy hour appetizers. Alternatively, dine on a food truck meal, of which there are many throughout Hawaii. Speaking of food trucks, the Eat the Street food truck gathering in Honolulu is held on the last Friday of every month from 5 to 10 p.m. where you’ll find 40 food trucks serving dishes from $5 to $10.
Other tips for saving on food in Hawaii include avoiding restaurants in touristy areas and choosing to eat local instead. Ask around (at shops, at your hotel or hostel, etc.) for recommendations of local places to try. Farmers markets also offer an easy way to stock up on fresh local produce and take advantage of budget-friendly local food options. If you’re renting an apartment or condo with a kitchen, you can stock up on farmers market goodies to cook to your heart’s content.
For most, the beaches are your best bet for enjoying Hawaii without breaking the bank, especially since Hawaii is a vacation destination known for its abundance of beautiful beaches. Some not to miss are Waikiki Beach on Oahu, Hapuna Beach (white sand) and Punalu’u Beach (black sand) on the Big Island, Makena Beach on Maui and Hanalei Bay Beach Park or Anini Beach Park on Kauai. Depending on the beach, snorkeling equipment is often available to rent for a small fee.
Epic 10 Day Hawaii Itinerary
In addition to the beaches, on Oahu in Waikiki, the Royal Hawaiian Center offers free cultural programming for both visitors and locals. All classes are introductory and include things like hula dancing, lei making, ukulele, Hawaiian massage, Hawaiian quilting and more.
In Kauai you can walk or bike along the Koloa Heritage trail, which takes you to 14 stops and monuments that highlight the beauty, culture, natural history and archeology of the area.
There are several ways to keep costs down when it comes to where you rest your head in Hawaii. Hostels aren’t for everyone, but they can offer a huge savings opportunity (and you’re never too old to take advantage of this money-saving option). For example, North Shore Hostel Maui has dorm beds for under $40 if you don’t want to share a room. Private rooms (shared bathroom) are under $100. For the cost, you also get some benefits like Wi-Fi, breakfast, beach shuttle, parking and airport shuttle.
Waikiki Beachside Hostel puts you less than a block away from the famous Waikiki Beach as well as close to shopping, nightlife and other activities. A dorm bed starts at around $34 and a semi-private room is around $81 (room sleeps 2). A good option for families or friends traveling together is the private four-bed dorm (about $158) with a kitchen, bathroom and private lanai. The hostel also offers free Wi-Fi and free coffee, tea and toast as well as a common area and an on-site cafe.
Hawaii On A Budget: 20 Travel Tips For A Low Cost Vacation In Hawaii
If you’re on the Big Island, try Arnott’s Lodging and Adventures, where you’ll be close to secluded beaches, hiking trails, and waterfalls. There are several different options, from dorm-style rooms to semi-private accommodation to private luxury rooms. A private luxury queen room will cost you under $100 and has a private bathroom, kitchenette, free coffee and Wi-Fi. Guests also receive discounts on the many adventure tours offered through the inn. Arnott also offers camping (if you have your own tent) for $16 per night.
Depending on the length of your stay and how many people are traveling with you, you may want to consider an apartment or condo to keep costs down, especially if you’re staying on an island. Not to mention, in most cases, the longer you stay in an apartment, the lower the daily rate. Condos will also have kitchenettes (great for saving money on food) as well as pull-out couches to sleep extra people if needed.
Hawaii’s many islands are diverse and each has something unique to offer, so island hopping can be very appealing. When it comes to saving money, sticking to an island helps keep costs down. Since you won’t be flying between islands, you won’t spend too much on transportation. Check out our guide to choosing the best islands in Hawaii to help decide where you want to spend your time.
When considering savings opportunities, Honolulu on Oahu may be your best bet. It is by far the most developed and visited area of the islands, often making it the cheapest and most accessible as well. Although it is a popular choice among travelers, there are still many hidden gems on the island. That said, it’s worth weighing your options. The Big Island is also a popular option to consider, especially when flying into Hilo or Kona.
Free Things To Do In Maui, Hawaii & Budget Tips
In addition to the beaches, Hawaii is a destination known for its hiking, and walking the roads will only cost you admission to a national park if you hike there. That will cost you about $10 per person or $20 per vehicle if you’re driving. Some of the best places to do your hike in Hawaii are the Kalalau Trail in Kauai, Diamond Head on Oahu in Honolulu (it’s best to tackle it early to avoid the heat and crowds), Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island and Haleakala National Park on Maui.
Booking tours and activities through a discount activity booker can help shave money off your vacation budget. Tom Barefoot’s Tours has been in business since 1975 and now offers more than 1,500 discounted tours on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. If you don’t go through an established company like Tom Barefoot, you may want to consider booking direct to avoid any hidden costs.
Consider skipping the luau. Often far from authentic, these heavy works are often prohibitively expensive. Instead, pack a picnic of poke, lomi lomi and poi (all readily available from local markets) and find a free evening hula show on the beach.
Getting a coupon book can often be helpful as a way to save money on various sights, activities, and attractions in Hawaii. Local newspapers can be a good place to start so pick one up when you arrive to see what’s available. Another option is to pick up a copy of “This Week” magazine at the airport (it’s available on all the main islands) for a variety of discount coupons on everything from dining to attractions.
Easy Ways To Save Money In Hawaii On A Budget
There are some Hawaiian Islands that make it easy to get around using public transportation, which can save you quite a bit of money. On Oahu for example, you can take advantage of TheBus, which serves the island with a large number of routes. A 1-day pass costs just $5 (a lot considering the one-way fare is $2.50). You can also try the Waikiki Trolley, which runs different lines (at different costs) and offers the chance to hop on and off at several stops and attractions. The pink line is the cheapest at $2 each way and takes riders to the famous Ala Monoa