Traveling to Hawaii might be a dream for many of us. We’ve all seen the photos – dreaming of these beaches and epic volcanoes in the background.
So, you found a cool flight deal to get to Hawaii and wondering if you can actually afford it? Traveling Hawaii on a budget isn’t super easy, but it’s not impossible.
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In this post, I’ll be covering different aspects when it comes to budget travel in Hawaii so you can have a rough idea of what to expect cost-wise.
I’ll give you some budget tips too and alternatives that could be more budget-friendly.
Finding Cheap Flights To Hawaii
Finding cheap flights to Hawaii isn’t that hard. With websites such as Skyscanner, Google Flights, or even Secret Flying, it’s easy to find great deals.
If you’re coming from Asia, you should be able to find great deals with AirAsia and if you’re coming from Canada, WestJet normally has great deals too.
To give you an idea, I was flying from Japan and then I was heading to Canada, which was the perfect stop for a break between long flights.
Finding Cheap Accommodation In Hawaii
The biggest challenge when it comes to backpacking Hawaii (or just keeping it budget-friendly) is the accommodation. Finding cheap accommodation in Hawaii is tough.
Accommodation in Hawaii is generally expensive. It’s hard to find something below $35. It also depends on the season – it can be higher or lower depending on the timing.
Usually, if you’re going to pay $35 for a dorm, or even a room, you would expect a better-looking room. Unfortunately, it is not the case in Hawaii.
Buildings are old, the market is high… there’s not much you can do about it.
If you think you’re better off with Airbnb… well, you’re not – the cost is also expensive and the apartments available aren’t that special.
That said, you might have to increase your budget or lower your standards when it comes to Hawaii.
Oahu
Hostels in Oahu:
Mid-Range Hotels in Oahu:
Luxury Hotels in Oahu:
Find more accommodation options in Oahu here.
Kauai
Mid-Range Hotels in Kauai:
Luxury Hotels in Kauai:
Find more accommodation options in Kauai here.
Maui
Hostels in Maui:
Mid-Range Hotels in Maui:
Luxury Hotels in Maui:
Find more accommodation options in Maui here.
Big Island
Hostels on the Big Island:
Mid-Range Hotels on the Big Island:
Luxury Hotels on the Big Island:
Find more accommodation options in Big Island here.
Getting Around Hawaii On A Budget
Here are your options to get around Hawaii. You’ll find prices so that you can have an overview of the expenses related to transportation.
Getting Around Hawaii By Bus
The cheapest way to get around Hawaii is by bus. Whether you want to explore the island or simply reach your destination from the airport, buses are efficient and affordable.
Fare for a one-way ticket: $2.75
Fare for a day pass: $5.50
Getting Around Hawaii By moped
The most fun way to get around is probably by moped or scooter. Although it’s quite expensive if I compare to Asia.
I rented my moped for 24 hours for $40. Although, they insisted on the insurance and the overnight parking option, and I fell for it.
In total, it cost me a lot more than I expected. If you’re planning on renting a moped for a few days, then, you will receive discounted rates.
Getting Around Hawaii By Car
Another option to consider would be by rental car. It’s obviously expensive, but it’s a safe way to get around without having any limitations like on the mopeds where you need to avoid the highways.
Check prices and availability and book a car for your trip here.
Finding Cheap Restaurants In Hawaii
Eating in Hawaii on a budget was a bit challenging. Depending on where your accommodation is located, you might find supermarkets… or not.
I found it hard to find supermarkets in the Waikiki Beach area, which means I wasn’t able to cook my own food.
My plan was to avoid expensive restaurants in Hawaii for a few reasons:
- You have to tip
- Tax is added to the bill
- It’s pricey
After getting tired of options like Mcdonald’s, Subway, etc. I wanted to get a real meal, and it was honestly hard to find something good, and healthy without it being super expensive.
As a result, I decided to treat myself to pricey restaurants – and it wasn’t worth the price. I realized that I could eat out for about $10 and it would be better in terms of quality/price.
If you’re on a tight budget, your best bet is probably to head to Walmart to buy groceries or to stick to the specials at Mcdonald’s.
If you have a mid-range budget, then, you can splurge easily wherever you are. If you love American food, you’ll be happy. You can read more about cheap eats in Waikiki.
Finding Cheap Activities In Hawaii
It is quite hard to find cheap activities in Hawaii. Although, if you like hiking, you can hike in many places in Oahu for free. You might only need to pay for transport to get there.
Also, if you’re into beach bumming or surfing, you can do it for cheap – you can rent a surfboard on the beach or in your accommodation (if you’re lucky).
If you just want to start your surf career, then this surf lesson is definitely for you!
Other than that, here are some cool activities below $60.
- Boat Trip from Waikiki – Check the price.
- Ghosted tour – Check the price.
- Sunset cruise – Check the price.
- Traditional airport experience – Check the price.
Find more budget activities in Hawaii here.
Real-Life Example – How Much I Spent In Hawaii In One Week
Well – I say one week but I was there for 7 nights, 8 days.
You should also know that I was traveling in Oahu so, this applies only to Oahu.
Is Hawaii expensive? Let’s see!
Total Spent on Flights | Budget Travel Hawaii
My flight from Osaka to Honolulu was $195.
My flight from Honolulu to Ottawa was $231.
The total was then $426.
Total Spent In Hawaii | Budget Travel Hawaii
I spent $822 which includes the following:
Accommodation, luggage storage at the hostel, food, moped rental, and activities.
This would be about $102 per day.
Total Spent In Hawaii + Flights
Big total for flights and the trip: $1248
Can you travel to Oahu on a budget? Well – I think it’s a tough one.
It could have been cheaper if I had not rented a moped and if I had cooked my own meals.
To save money on accommodation, I could have decided to do couchsurfing instead. Overall, Oahu isn’t the most budget-friendly place.
What To Pack For Hawaii
These are some beach essentials and a few more items you should bring with you while visiting Hawaii.
- Sunscreen and Aloe Vera
- Swimsuit
- Flip flops
- Comfortable shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sarong
- Beach Towel
- Dry bag
- Universal adapter
Do You Need A Visa To Visit Hawaii?
If you need a visa to travel to Hawaii, you can sort it out here.
Travel Insurance In Hawaii
Make sure your travel insurance can cover you in Hawaii (United States). Better be safe than sorry! You can check the options on SafetyWing.
Final Thoughts On Hawaii On A Budget
Finally, Hawaii is not the most budget-friendly destination, but you can save money if you wish to.
Take a look at our list of fun things to do in Honolulu and Waikiki at night.
Hawaii is a great honeymoon destination, too – you can do it on a budget, or you can splurge!
