Do you want to travel to one of the most beautiful places in the world? Hawaii is the definition of a tropical paradise, but how much can a trip there actually cost?
Photo by Karsten Winegeart on Unsplash
It’s hard not to fall in love with a place like Hawaii. After all, it is one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the Pacific Ocean. It has gorgeous beaches, stunning nature, active volcanoes, incredible local culture, and history, and so much to do and see. Whether you like to relax at the beach or you prefer to explore and discover, you’ll find the perfect activity for you.
But as with any place really popular with tourists you know is probably expensive, but you might ask yourself, exactly how much can a trip to Hawaii cost? Keep reading for a breakdown of the prices and the options that will help you budget for your trip to Hawaii.
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Budget Breakdown for Flights, Hotels, and More
Average Cost of Flights to Hawaii
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U.S. Mainland West Coast: A regular economy seat will be around $300-800 and the travel will take 5 to 6 hours.
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U.S. Mainland East Coast: It’s further away, so the cost is higher at about $500-1200, and the travel time is around 10-12 hours, usually with layovers.
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Asia: The cost is around $500-1500. From a place like Tokyo, the travel time is around 7-8 hours.
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Europe: The cost is quite high, at around $1000-2500 and the travel time is the longest. Expect to spend over 17 hours on a plane and some layovers.
Tips for getting the best flight deals
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Book early: Try booking your flight a minimum of a whole month before your trip to Hawaii, as the cost tends to rise closer to the departure date.
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Avoid peak season: As was said before, Hawaii is extremely popular, so it gets crowded and more expensive to travel there during holidays and summer.
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Check the airport options: If you live in an area with multiple airports check each one for a better deal. It’s also worth considering flying into a less popular airport in Hawaii, like Kona instead of Honolulu.
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Accommodation Costs in Hawaii
Budget Options
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Hostels: Most of them have reasonable prices and you can find them on all the islands. For example, the Polynesian Hostel Beach Club offers dormitory-style rooms for around $50 and private rooms for $150-180 per night.
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Camping in Malaekahana Beach: If you want an off-the-grid adventure this is an excellent option. The fees for camping in a tent are around $10-20 per person and $30-50 for parking a vehicle.
Mid-Range Stays
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Queen Kapiolani Hotel: Right in Waikiki, Honolulu. This resort is right at the beach, has great restaurants and it costs around $ 200-300 per night.
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Royal Kona Resort: It’s on the Big Island, and it has a private lagoon and a Mai Tai Bar. The cost is around $ 250 per night.
Luxury Resorts
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Turtle Bay Resort: This is a great option if you want a more relaxed experience away from the crowds. It has a private beach, many restaurants, and an incredible spa. The price is around $600-800 per night.
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The Royal Hawaiian: Is one of the most famous resorts, mostly known for its traditional Hawaiian charm. The cost is around $400-500 per night.
Facade of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. Photo by Jess Loiterton
Should you stay in a hotel or a vacation rental?
It depends on how many people are traveling with you and how long you plan to stay. Vacation rentals are better for larger groups and longer stays. The cost for an apartment is usually around $100-300 per night, but it can include other fees like a cleaning fee and a booking fee.
What is the cheapest island in Hawaii?
The cheapest island to visit is Oahu, which has more budget-friendly accommodation and tons of free activities.
On the contrary, the most expensive is Maui, which is full of high-end resorts and exclusive activities like helicopter rides.
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Food cost in Hawaii
Budget Dining
If you want a quick and easy meal, you should visit a food truck. These are cheap and you can find local food like shrimp plates and poke bowls for about $10. To try more of the Hawaiian cuisine at a low cost, try the Hawaiian plate lunches. These are pretty popular and offer a full and balanced meal for around $10-15.
Mid-Range Dining
If you want a better range without overspending, you’ll find many options in the mid-range. You can eat in Huggo’s, in Kailua-Kona, for about $20-40, and enjoy the ocean views with fresh seafood, tuna, and macadamia nut dishes. Or go to Aloha Mixed Plate in Maui for good Hawaiian plate lunches in the $20-50 range.
Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Fine Dining
Fine dining can be expensive anywhere, but Hawaiian gourmet food is unique in the world and an experience worth trying. Restaurants like Mama’s Fish House or Hoku’s offer a mix of Hawaiian traditional dishes with Asian-Pacific fusion cuisine. The price per person usually ranges around $150-250 for a full meal.
What is the cost of groceries in Hawaii?
If you’re staying in a place with a working kitchen you might want to save some costs and prepare the food yourself. Groceries are more expensive due to the costs of transportation. In comparison they can be 15-30% higher than your regular shopping in the U.S. If you want to keep it low try buying at the farmers’ market.
Transportation Costs in Hawaii
Car Rentals
The cost depends a lot on the company and the additional fees you choose on top of the basic rental. The lowest you’ll find is around $50-60 per day. A luxury vehicle can cost between $100-140. But insurance and taxes can add more than 30 extra dollars per day. Popular companies you can check include Hertz and Alamo.
Public Transportation
There are bus lines in the majority of the islands, most of them pretty reliable. The passage costs around $2 per person but you can buy day passes if you plan to move around a lot. Some islands like Oahu have trolley services that cover most of the major attractions and cost $5-30.
Ride Sharing
Easier to get in the main cities like Honolulu, Waikiki, and Maui and less reliable in remote areas. You can use Uber and Lyft, but if you prefer a local initiative that does not charge you extra in peak hours and offers eco-friendly rides we suggest Holoholo. The price is around $10-20 for short trips and $30-50 for longer ones. You can get the app here and have a ride ready the moment you descend the plane.
Top Activities and Tour Costs
Popular Paid Experiences
- Snorkeling trips: Snorkeling on the beach is completely free if you have your own equipment. It is an option if you want to stay on a budget. You can also take part in a snorkeling tour for about $100-150. These tours usually take you to exclusive spots inaccessible to the general public and often include meals or drinks.
- Luaus: Another experience you wouldn’t want to miss on your trip to Hawaii. The beautiful cultural display of hula performances and fire knife dancing is usually paired with an all-you-can-eat buffet full of Hawaiian dishes. In some luaus, you can even participate in interactive activities. For places like Polynesian Cultural Center, the price can range between $60-250 per person.
Photo by Kazuo ota on Unsplash
- Surfing Lessons: The prices vary greatly depending on the group size and duration of the lesson. But in Waikiki Beach, you can find offers at around $87 for a 2-hour class. If you prefer private lessons then it will cost a lot more, usually starting at $160 per session.
Photo by Sincerely Media on Unsplash
Free and Budget-Friendly Activities
- Beach visits: If you want to keep your budget lower and prefer a more relaxed trip to Hawaii, you can simply enjoy its worldwide renowned beaches. You can go to Waikiki Beach, with its many hotels and restaurants, or find a quiet experience like Secret Cove Beach in Maui. For a great Instagram post visit beaches with oddly colored sands like Red Sand Beach and Waianapanapa Black Sand Beach.
- Hiking: You can choose a hiking tour, or explore the scenic trails on your own. For an easy walk with great views of the ocean, try Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail. If you like a more adventurous approach try the Kilauea Iki Trail, which takes you all around the volcanic crater in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Photo by Drew Farwell on Unsplash
- Scenic Drives: If you already rented a car, take the opportunity to go for a nice drive to admire the breathtaking views of the mountains and the coast. You can follow the Kalanianaole Highway from Honolulu which goes around dramatic cliffs and turquoise waters, or the Road to Hana, with its 600 curves and 59 bridges.
How much does a trip to Hawaii generally cost?
As you see, the cost depends totally on your budget. Let’s say you want to stay in Hawaii for a full week. If you stick to the lower-end budget and take all the budget-friendly options, you can expect to spend around $3000 per person. If you occasionally eat in finer places and do some pay activities, the total might be around $5000.
A great option for staying within budget is an all-inclusive vacation package to Hawaii. You can check the offers with companies like Hawaii Aloha Travel and Apple Vacations. The prices usually start at around $3000 for a week and include airfare, hotel stays, car rentals, meals, and some excursions.
Saving tips for your Hawaii trip
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Travel during the Off-Peak Seasons: The airfares are cheaper, hotels often offer deals and even the main tourist attractions are more accessible and cheap! Check out our year-round guide to Hawaii.
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Stay Outside Tourist Hotspots: As with any tourist place, the prices can go up significantly in the most popular areas. For a cheaper and more authentic experience explore less-known places.
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Stay connected with Yoho Mobile: Another item in your budget should be your internet connection, especially if you’re not from the US. With Yoho Mobile you’ll find reliable and cost-effective data plans so you can stay connected and post all the photos and fun videos while you relax at the beach. Use the code YOHO12 at checkout for a 12% discount!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hawaii expensive?
Yes, it is. But that doesn’t mean you can go there on a budget and have a splendid vacation, as you already saw. Hawaii has a lot of options in a wide range of prices so you can personalize your itinerary to your budget.
Is it cheaper to Vacation in Japan or Hawaii?
Overall, Hawaii is more expensive to travel to than Japan. All the daily expenses from accommodations to food and activities tend to be higher. Having said that, the experience is completely different so it’s not a fair comparison. Check out the Japan travel breakdown in this detailed article.
Does Hawaii have its own currency?
No, Hawaii is one of the States of the United States after all. Their currency is the USD. You can even use a regular credit or debit card on most of the island.