Are you dreaming of enjoying a freaking paradise holiday on an island in the US without spending an extra dime from your wallet? Then, look no further than Hawaii- a little slice of heaven packed with unlimited laughter, music and fun!
Noised out loud as one of the priciest destinations in the US, Hawaii is an excellent cultural destination to let loose your spirit of adventure. From basking in the sunkissed skin, swimming in the waters being a mermaid at heart to having a drink of the wild air into your being, Hawaii can make you live your dreams, denying your soul to leave its mesmerizing haven.
However, besides its unmatched bliss, what worries most travellers is the financial bottom line. “How much does a trip to Hawaii cost?” is the question that breaks into pieces the dreams of many planning a trip to Hawaii. If you are one of them, it is time that you put an end to this thought because you, too, have a chance to put your soles in this dreamy destination if you plan your finances carefully.
Lucky for you, now that you have managed to find this post, you have a greater chance than your fellow travellers to don your floral attire and get Lei’d at Hawai because we are here to help you plan your finances without breaking your bank. So, sit back, sip a coffee and scroll down to learn how to organize your costs for accommodation, food, travel, and more for an unforgettable experience in this magical gateway for your upcoming vacation!
Before we get into how to cut down on expenses for the trip, you need to first know what’s there in Hawaii for you to indulge and enjoy. To help you with that, we’ve curated a quick bit of information about the island.
First and foremost, you must understand that Hawaii is not a single island. Rather, it’s a collection of eight islands put together as one. Within it, two islands named Niihau and Kahoolawe were closed for tourist exploration. The remaining six islands named, Hawaii (The Big Island), Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kauai, and Lanai, are the ones that are popular and well-known to many people.
Each island has its own enchanting experience to offer for visitors. For instance, the breathtaking beaches of Maui, with its powdery golden sands and crystalline turquoise waters, make it a perfect spot for sunbathing, swimming, or simply soaking in vibrant sunsets.
On the other hand, Kauai island’s lush, verdant rainforests are known for their iconic Kalalau Trail, which has dramatic cliffs leading to hidden waterfalls and remote beaches that are perfect for hiking enthusiasts. Subsequently, the Big Island’s Hawaii Volcanoes National Park gives you a chance to experience the majestic power of nature first-hand with the steam vents and molten lava flowing right before your eyes. An awesome geological wonder! Besides that, you can also visit poignant sites like Pearl Harbor, where you can experience the contagious spirit of Hawaiian fun at Luau. This is a famous feast celebrated in Hawaii, which features hula dance and colourful traditional music.
So, whether you’re looking to relax on stunning coastlines, explore the vibrant marine life by going snorkelling, or delve into the rich history of the islands, Hawaii has something incredible to offer every tourist who sets foot on its shores.
Cut to the chase. Now, it is time to answer your question, “How much does it cost to go to Hawaii?” So, get your grass skirts ready for the ultimate Hawaiian experience!
Just like most of the tourist destinations across the world, Hawaii also has its ups and downs in travel estimates. You can find huge price differences when you travel during holidays, peak or off-season. Now, if you ask which is the right time to tour Hawaii without burning dollars, then the answer is off-season! This time is from April to May or September to early December. If you go during these months, you’re sure to hit the jackpot of saving dozens of bank notes on everything from travelling to accommodation charges.
On the flip side, saving a dollar is impossible if you visit from mid-December to March and during summer break. So, don’t go to Hawaii on a budget during spring break or peak times!
When it comes to planning for a visit to a place outside your home country, be it a luxury or a budget trip, you must first set aside time to segregate your finances as to how much you are going to spend on basic necessities such as transportation, food, accommodation and mode of transport to tour within the place. At first, you might find it insignificant, but in the long run, it will surely help you cut down, say, the additional cost of a trip to Hawaii for family of 4 when you travel to the place.
So, here’s a split of the costs that you can expect when you travel to Hawaii to get your trip under your budget:
Taking a flight is the cheapest and the best mode to travel to Hawaii. But when it comes to the cost of airfare, you can hear both good and bad news. The good news is that there are countless flights to pick you up from your home country to Hawaii.
Now, the bad news is that the plane tickets for the flights to Hawaii are costly! For instance, if you are travelling to Hawaii from outside the US, you need to buckle up and pay charges up to $1000. On the other hand, travelling from within the US usually costs $199.
But don’t worry, the cheapest ones fly to Honolulu. Here are some secret tips you can follow to make sure you have the airfare price under control:
On average, one person needs to spend $15 for breakfast, $25 for lunch, and $45 for dinner. But don’t worry! You need not hold back your taste when you cut slack on food costs because Hawaii has a wide range of food options available at the Farmer’s Market or food trucks at affordable costs. Besides these, restaurants are offering local cuisine at cheap rates. You can expect to pay nearly $85 daily for eating in Hawaii. However, to help you more, we’ve curated some essential tips to help you further lower additional food charges when grabbing a bite of Hawaii’s delicacies:
When it comes to knowing the trip to Hawaii cost for 2, the cost of accommodation is an essential factor to consider because this is the part that will most likely eat into most of your money. Moreover, there are different prices tagged for accommodations, starting from luxury hotels, and vacation rentals to hostels.
Generally, one night per person costs roughly between $96 and $600. Hostels are usually cheaper than resorts that are tagged at higher rates. However, you must note that luxury resorts, though a bit pricey, can give you breathtaking views of the beaches and access to excellent amenities compared to hostels priced lower for a single room.
Another added benefit is that resorts provide the best accommodation for families. You can leave your children under the care of the resort staff while enjoying your vacation with other family members. So, while planning for the trip to Hawaii costs 2 to 5 days, you can consider choosing resorts as an accommodation option, provided you have the budget to afford one!
Now, here are some pro tips to help you cut down accommodation prices while indulging in the Hawaiian extravaganza:
Get your Hawaiian shirt ready, it’s time to party island-style! One of the best ways to make the most out of your Hawaiian trip is to check out the activities and adventures awaiting on its shores. Countless exotic activities across different islands can make you sway to the rhythm of the Pacific. Now, leave your worries about the costs ashore because something is exciting for budget travellers, too!
Overall, you can estimate your budget to be nearly $400 to enjoy the Luau a lot of fun! Make sure to sip, sway, and savour the Aloha Spirit, indulging in the following activities:
Besides these, there is an endless list of ways to explore Hawaii without punching a hole in your pocket. However, the rule of thumb is to save money on activities by doing them yourself without booking. This self-guided approach can help you completely lose yourself and create unforgettable memories in the Hawaiian paradise!
The last but most important part is how much you spend travelling within the islands. It might sound insignificant, but it can make or break your touring experience. Here’s a cost breakdown of each mode of transport to help you prepare to tour the Hawaiian Islands.
If you want to do Island hopping, ferry rides can cost between $39 and $400. Spoilers! Travelling between January and April, you can catch magnificent sights of the humpback whales travelling in the passenger ferries. Otherwise, if you wish to stick to Hawaii’s awe-inspiring views on just one island, you can rent a cab for under $100, take public transport for $2 per person or rent a scooter for $30 per day. You can also hail rideshare services like Uber, Turo, Hui Care Share, and Lyft to get the best coverage for exploring the island. These modes of transport are very cheap compared to standard taxis.
For more economical transportation, you can pedal a bike around the island for $5 per bike up to 30 minutes or $20 for unlimited rides for 24 hours. However, make sure to enquire about the parking prices in your place of stay, if any, before hiring vehicles for over 24 hours. You can save a few bucks on parking fees if they are free!
Now that you have been enlightened about how to keep your finances under control in an expensive gateway like Hawaii, it’s vital that you keep in mind a couple of factors when jotting down your budget. Check them out below:
Well, we hope that you’ve got the answer to the question, “How much is it to go to Hawaii?” So, if you are planning to stay in Hawaii for a week, make sure to have roughly $4000 for the trip.
Now that you have been given a complete blueprint to explore Hawaii on a budget, it’s time to organize your finances to escape to this enchanting island and have a Luau-lot of fun with pineapples, coconuts, and hula hips!