How to Plan a Hawaii Vacation On a Budget (+ what it costs)

Planning a trip to the idyllic islands of Hawaii is a dream for many travelers, but it’s notorious for being an expensive destination. And while you can easily spend an exorbitant amount of money during your stay, it’s also possible to visit on a budget (and, most importantly, without sacrificing all the wonderful things the islands have to offer).

If you want to enjoy Hawaii without emptying your pockets, then there are a few tricks and tips to keep in mind. 

At the time of publishing Hawaii tourism is down significantly, making a budget trip to the islands more attainable than ever! We’re sure to see prices increase again, and will update this article accordingly, but until then be sure to take advantage of these great deals!

Plan a Hawaii Vacation on a Budget

1. Pick the Right Island

In terms of cost, the islands of Hawaii can vary drastically from one other. Some places are cheaper than others, so it’s important to understand these differences if you’re trying to plan a Hawaii vacation on a budget.

But generally speaking, Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit. After comparing airfare prices, accommodation costs, and rental car expenses between Oahu, Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island, we found that Oahu was the most economical choice. 

This is mainly for two reasons. Not only is Oahu the cheapest hub to fly into, but it also has the cheapest accommodation options. Staying on the most developed and populated island means you can find vacation rentals, hostels, guesthouses, boutique hotels, and even 5-star luxury resorts. 

The average daily room rate for a hotel (according to rates for January 2024) is $288 a night on Oahu. However, keep in mind that this is just an average. The exact cost of your trip will depend on numerous factors, including your travel dates and the type of accommodations you choose. 

The Big Island is the second most affordable place in Hawaii to visit. Usually, Kauai comes in third, and Maui tops the list as being the most expensive. But Kauai is actually topping the list as the most expensive island at the time of publishing.

Although it’s cheaper, Oahu is still an excellent choice for your Hawaii vacation. It has stunning scenery and fun cultural activities that come at a more reasonable price than the other islands.

2. Travel During the Cheapest Months

The time of year you go to Hawaii can also dictate prices. Although the islands are amazing year-round destinations, choosing the right season to visit Hawaii can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

Summer is, not surprisingly, the most expensive time to travel to any of the Hawaiian islands. Because of the school summer vacation schedule, there will be lots of people on the islands during this time, driving up prices of hotels, airfare, and rental cars. 

Winter is also crowded and expensive, especially around the holidays. There are lots of people who travel to Hawaii annually to escape the weather on the mainland, so timeshares and vacation rental properties cost more during this time. 

For these reasons, we highly recommend traveling to Hawaii during the shoulder seasons (fall or spring). Not only are the crowds more manageable than in the summer, but lodging is also cheaper during these months. 

Specifically, fall is the cheapest time to travel. We’ve found that hotel prices are the lowest in September (right after school gets back in), while vacation rentals are the cheapest in October and early November (before Thanksgiving).

However, the price of accommodations isn’t the only thing that changes with demand. Rental car costs also fluctuate depending on the time of the year. And because there are fewer guests on the islands during the shoulder season, you can expect that rental car prices will be lower, too.

Even though summer has the warmest weather, fall and spring is still a pleasant time to visit temperature-wise. You’ll still have plenty of sunny days for sightseeing, swimming, or beachgoing – so it’s a win-win situation!

3. Find Low Airfare

Airfare is a considerable cost when booking a trip to Hawaii. And if you’re traveling with family, the cost of all those seats on your flights can add up to be a huge expense. However, there are some tips to keep in mind if you’re looking to score cheap deals on airfare.

First of all, you need to consider the time of year. Flight prices rise and fall depending on demand, so they tend to be more expensive during peak times (summer and winter) and cheaper during slower times (shoulder season). 

It also helps to be flexible with your travel dates. You can use Skyscanner to see which days of the week are cheaper to fly. Using their site will allow you to see prices over the course of a week or month, as some days are cheaper than others. If you aren’t set on certain dates, you can save big on airfare prices.

Another tip is to book your flight with a cheap carrier. Southwest has tons of flights leaving from California (or Las Vegas and Phoenix) and they also have a companion pass offer so it’s basically a buy one get one free flight situation.

Alaska Airlines cardholders can also utilize their companion fares to get cheap flights to Hawaii. When you pay full price for one ticket, you can bring a second person with you for just $122. This is a great deal if you’re traveling during peak season, as it can save you hundreds of dollars!

And if prices are still too high for your dates/route, you can always use points. We personally don’t use points to fly to and from Hawaii, as we usually find great deals from the mainland. But it can be a good alternative if there are specific dates you want to fly.

4. Skip Centrally Located Stays

Another great money-saving tip is to book a hotel that’s further inland from the water. Beachfront properties and resorts come at a hefty price, as everyone wants easy access to the beach. And rightfully so, as the sunrise and sunset views in Hawaii are breathtaking!

But if you don’t have to be directly on the beach, you can save lots of money on accommodations. Finding a hotel situated a few blocks back may not boast those same views, but it’s an excellent trade-off for budget travelers. 

For example, the hotels sitting directly on Waikiki Beach are some of the most expensive places to stay on the island. However, there are some great hotels that are one or two blocks away that are a fraction of the price. And if you do want to go to the beach, you can walk there in just a few minutes.

The same rule applies to the other islands. Wailea (Maui), Poipu (Kauai), and Kona (the Big Island) are home to luxurious and expensive resorts. If you’re hoping to save some money, book your stay further away from the center of the resort area.

5. Book Your Hotel With Points

Staying in a 5-star hotel in Hawaii for free may sound like a dream, but it’s entirely possible if you have the right approach! If you are part of a loyalty program or use a credit card with travel benefits, then you can book your hotel purely using points.

Best of all, you don’t need to spend years racking up points in order to use them. We have some valuable travel tricks that will allow you to make the most of your hotel points ASAP.

Our first travel tricks is to take advantage of credit card welcome bonuses. Many credit card companies offer a welcome bonus for signing up and meeting a minimum spending amount within the first few months. 

For example, some cards have a welcome bonus of 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. And considering that some Hawaii hotels are just 12,000 – 25,000 points a night, you’re essentially scoring up to five free nights on vacation!

Keep your eye out for special sign-up bonuses, too. Throughout the year, certain credit card companies will increase the number of points they give to new customers. If you can plan around these dates, you can earn even more points that you can put toward a Hawaii hotel stay.

While there are so many credit card companies to sign up with, it’s crucial that you look for one that partners with a hotel chain you want to stay with. If you are dead set on staying at a Marriott or Hyatt, then you can sign up with that card to start earning points as a loyalty member.

Alternatively, you can use a card with transferable points that can be applied to hotels or even to an airline or rental car company. However, hotels are usually the most expensive part of the trip, so we usually use our points for hotel stays in Hawaii.

Generally speaking, Hyatt is the best value point-wise, as they are worth more than other big-name hotels. But if you’re a fan of another chain, then look for a card that can earn you points for them instead. At the end of the day, it’s better to choose a card that fits your travel preferences and lifestyle. Check out the best current offers here.

Finally, make sure you take note of other special offers given out by the credit card company. Maybe you can earn double points during a specific time period. Or perhaps you can get extra points when shopping through the online portal or with certain brands. All of these small steps can help you accumulate points faster to make your dream Hawaii stay a reality!

6. Don’t Rent a Car For Your Entire Stay

Having a car is a great way to explore the island. You can visit different beaches, reach certain attractions, and experience everything Hawaii has to offer at your leisure. But the truth is, rental cars are expensive, and booking one for the entire duration of your stay can really take a hit on your wallet.

And don’t forget that most hotels will also charge you for parking. In some areas, this can be as high as $50 a night! So, it’s vital that you take those extra expenses into account (including gas and insurance, too!) when calculating the total cost of your rental car.

For this reason, we suggest staying somewhere where you won’t need a car to get around. If you’re vacationing in Waikiki, you actually won’t need a car at all (unless you’re planning to go to the North Shore or somewhere further away). Most of the popular attractions can be easily reached on foot or even using a taxi, rideshare, or public transit (Oahu has the best public transportation of all the islands).

But if you do want to explore, you can always just rent a car for part of your stay. There are quite a few companies located right in town, so you can pick up and drop off without going back to the airport. For example, we use Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They provide reservations for all the major brands, so all you have to do is choose your pickup location. Plus, they have great prices on rentals that don’t require prepayment.

7. Enjoy Food Trucks

Now you know that airfare, accommodations, and rental cars are likely to take up a big chunk of your vacation budget. But in addition to those expenses, it’s also important to consider your food costs. 

Hawaii is a culinary destination with something for every type of palette. From fresh seafood to traditional Hawaiian dishes, exploring the delicious foods of the islands can greatly enhance your experience. 

But eating out for every meal of your trip is expensive, especially if you’re dining at nice restaurants. And while it’s great to splurge every now and then, you don’t have to spend all your money on fancy cuisine. Hawaii has an outstanding food truck scene where you can indulge in gourmet cuisine for cheap (well, cheaper than most sit-down restaurants). 

When it comes to cost, every food truck sets its own price. But on average, you can expect a meal at a food truck to cost anywhere from $15 to $20 a plate. In some cases, you can even share with another person, as the portions are large and very filling!

You can find food trucks everywhere in Hawaii. They can be at street markets, food truck parks, or even just parked on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere! If you see one that makes your mouth water, then pull over and try it!

Here are some of our favorite food truck parks to try in Hawaii:

• All Saints Food Truck Park (Kauai)
• Kapa’a Beach Park Food Truck Park (Kauai)
• Hanalei Food Truck Park (Kauai)
• Honoapiilani Food Truck Park (Maui)
• Maui Food Trucks Near Costco (Maui)
• Kihei Food Truck Park (Maui)
• Kalakaua Ave Food Truck Park (Oahu)
• North Shore Food Truck Park (Oahu)

Plus, check out our food truck guides:
The Ultimate Kauai Food Truck Guide
The Complete Guide to Maui Food Trucks

8. Fill Your Days With Free (or Cheap) Activities

Excursions and tours in Hawaii are expensive, especially if you’re traveling with a family. 

Thankfully, there are so many awesome things that you can do here for free. Whether you’re looking to explore the island’s natural wonders or participate in cultural activities, it’s easy to stay occupied without spending lots of cash.

One of our favorite ways to see Hawaii on a budget is to go hiking. Not only are the majority of trailheads free to access, but they’re also incredibly rewarding to experience. 

Oahu is a great island for hiking, as there are numerous family-friendly options for hikers of all skill levels. Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail is a paved trail with beautiful views, while the Ehukai Pillbox Hike is a steeper trek for a more adventurous journey. 

After a hike, head back to the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki. This shopping center hosts a variety of free cultural classes and events throughout the week. Catch live music on Thursdays, take a lei-making class on Mondays, or learn how to hula on Tuesdays.

But Oahu isn’t the only wallet-friendly destination in Hawaii. You can find fun and cheap activities on all the islands. 

For example, the Road to Hana on Maui is free to explore (make sure to stop for the waterfalls and viewpoints!). On Kauai, you can visit the lush green valleys of Wailua River State Park for free. And if you’re on the Big Island, don’t miss Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens, the Mokupāpapa Discovery Center, or the Kaumana Caves (all free to visit!).

How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii on a Budget Cost?

With these tips, it’s definitely possible to plan a Hawaii vacation on a budget. But you’re still probably wondering, “How much will my trip set me back?”. Of course, this depends on where you’re flying from, when you’re visiting, and even the type of accommodation you choose. 

To give you a better idea of pricing, let’s look at the expected cost of traveling to Oahu (the cheapest island in Hawaii) in January 2024 (whale season!).

The first thing to consider is airfare. As we mentioned, there are some great flight deals if you’re coming to Oahu from the West Coast. If you’re traveling this route, you can expect your flight to cost around $282 per person.

Next, let’s take a look at the cost of accommodations on Oahu. We’ve found that the average cost of a hotel on Oahu is $288 a night. Here are a couple of nightly rates for hotel stays in January 2024:

• Hilton Hawaiian Village $297 
• Queen Kapi’olani Hotel $270 
• Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger $268 
• The Laylow, Autograph Collection: $346 
• Hyatt Place Waikiki Beach: $260

It’s important to note that most hotels also require you to pay a resort fee, which can be anywhere from $30 to $55 a night. This adds up, so while most people choose to stay in a hotel, an apartment or condo unit can be a cheaper alternative. For example, a nightly rate at a vacation rental property in Waikiki, Oahu is around $215 a night.

Adding up the airfare and accommodation costs for a 7 day, 6 night trip for two people, you can expect to pay about $2,100 (vacation rental) to $2,600 (hotel stay) for your Oahu vacation. This isn’t cheap, which is why we recommend booking your hotel with points if you can! At the end of the day, using points can save you hundreds (if not thousands) of dollars on your Hawaii vacation.

But there are still other expenses to consider, including food, rental car, and activities. We’ve shared a few ways to save on these additional costs, but we’ll share a few averages so you have an idea of what they might cost you.

• Rental car: $49 a day
• Hotel parking fees: $35 a night
• Food: $150 a day for two people
• Kualoa Ranch’s UTV Jurassic Valley Tour: $304 
• Polynesian Cultural Center Ali’i Luau Package: $380 
• Ko Olina Adventure Snorkel & Sailing Tour: $378

If we factor in these other costs, including the 3 tours and a rental car for 3 nights of your trip, your grand total for 6 nights will come out to about $4,500 staying in a vacation rental and $5,000 staying in a hotel.

These are pretty accurate estimates for a budget Hawaii vacation for two without sacrificing experiences or pinching pennies too hard. You can always save more by booking the cheapest vacation rental, only using public transit, booking lodging with points, traveling at a different time of year, or doing fewer tours. It comes down to what is most important to you on your Hawaii getaway.

Interested in booking a budget trip to the other Hawaiian islands? Here is a comparison of what you can expect to pay for airfare, hotels (not vacation rentals), and rental cars for 6 nights on Maui (Wailea), Kauai (Poipu), the Big Island (Kona), and Oahu (Waikiki) for two in January 2024.

Island	Airfare	Hotel	Rental Car	Total
Maui	$590	$2,058	$317	$2,965
Kauai	$664	$2,466	$565	$3,695
Big Island	$612	$1,464	$720	$2,796
Oahu	$564	$1,728	$312	$2,604

As noted earlier, pricing for a Hawaii getaway is unusual at the time of publishing. Maui is much cheaper than usual across the board, and rental car prices for the Big Island and Kauai are much higher than usual.