How to Visit Hawaii on a Budget (Without Missing Out!)

No one in their right mind would think of Hawaii as a budget-friendly destination. Land is limited (and demand is high) so hotels are exceptionally pricey, and almost everything from lumber to lettuce has to be imported across the Pacific, meaning you pay a premium for anything you buy.

Still, out of the 50+ nights I’ve spent in Hawaii, I’ve only paid full price for a hotel for two nights. I can usually find car rentals for $200 a week, and have booked direct flights to Hawaii for as little as $99—and booked other flights for ‘free’ with airlines miles, companion passes, and other budget tricks.

The best part is, when you cut down the costs of your flights, hotel, and rental car, you have more left in your budget to support local businesses—which is really where your money should be going if you care about responsible tourism!

Based on my eight (and counting) budget-friendly Hawaii trips, this Hawaii budget travel guide is packed with all my strategies for saving on accommodations, plane tickets, and rental cars, while still enjoying all the islands have to offer and supporting local businesses.

Planning a Budget-Friendly Hawaii Vacation

Quick Budget Tips for Hawaii

1. Travel during off-peak seasons

You can find good deals year-round, but according to data from the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, the cheapest time to visit Hawaii is during the fall!

2. Be flexible with travel dates

The most convenient day to fly isn’t always the cheapest date to fly to Hawaii! Shifting your travel day by a few days can easily save you thousands.

And the days that are more affordable to fly aren’t always obvious! I’m going to Maui during a holiday weekend this year was shocked that the flights were so affordable during the week of the holiday compared to a few weeks later!

3. Realistically budget for food and activities

After your flight, hotel, and rental car, your next biggest expenses in Hawaii will likely be food and activities.

Dining out in Hawaii can be really pricey‚ expect to pay around $20 per person minimum at most restaurants. You can save on food costs by staying somewhere with a kitchen and making your meals. Some other ways to reduce your food spending include packing lunches and getting grab-and-go food instead of eating out. And if you only need a small amount of a certain ingredient (ie spices or lentils), find a grocery store with bulk foods!

You can easily spend a week in Hawaii and spend $0 on activities since so many of the best things to do in Hawaii are free! Beaches are free, snorkeling is free (if you bring your own equipment), hiking is usually free, and the list goes on!

What is worth splurging on in Hawaii?

I always leave some room in my activities since its the best part of the trip! There are some things in Hawaii that you simply can only do on a tour, like boat tours and helicopter tours. Here are some activities worth splurging for (with the extra money you save!) on each island:

• ⛵️ Kauai: Na Pali Coast Boat tour
• 🐬 Oahu: Shark diving (if you’re brave!) OR dolphin watching, I also love this Waikiki sunset cruise!
• 🐋 Maui: Whale watching (in season)
• 🤿 Big Island: Manta Ray snorkeling

4. Bring your own snorkel equipment

With vibrant coral and an abundance of tropical fish, sea turtles, and other marine life just steps from the shoreline, snorkeling is one of the best things to do in most parts of Hawaii!

You can usually rent snorkel equipment in Hawaii, but it always ends up being more than promised. For instance, Boss Frogs advertises that their snorkel equipment is only $1.50 a day. But I’ve heard that you really end up paying at least $70 a week… and you can buy own snorkel set with that! Pus, who wants a used snorkel??

Some Airbnbs and even resorts offer free snorkel gear, too—but again, I prefer having my own! Since I have a small face I always struggled with leaky masks—and my husband, who has a large head also had the same issue! And now that we’ve invested in our own snorkel gear, snorkeling is more even enjoyable!

Since I snorkel so often, I’ve tried a lot of masks and snorkel sets. My favorite is my Oceanic snorkel mask (I have this one for small faces), which comes with a neoprene mask strap to protect my hair! Oceanic also sells some high-quality matching fins, and you’ll need a snorkel too, of course! And this reef-safe anti-fog makes all the difference.

You can also save money if you think about other items to pack from home that will help you maximize the free activities on your trip! Like hiking shoes (I hike in these trail runners to save space in my luggage), SPF clothing and a sun hat so you can stay in the sun longer, and a collapsable cooler to bring food and drinks to the beach.

5. Compare several islands

Which island you visit can massively impact the cost of your trip.

According to the Hawai’i Tourism Authority data, visitors spend the most on trips to Lāna‘i, Kaua‘i, and Maui, and spend least on trips to O’ahu, the Big Island, and Moloka‘i.

That said, you’ll probably spend less on a trip to a more ‘expensive island’ if you book a hotel with points there, compared to traveling to a ‘cheap’ Hawaii destination and paying for full price for a hotel. Figure out which islands interest you most, and compare costs for the specific dates you’re considering.

Here’s a quick overview of each of the main Hawaiian islands:

• 🏖️ Maui: Maui has the most golden sand beaches, great snorkeling, a volcano (no active lava flows), and the famous Road to Hana! Maui can be one of the more expensive islands, but is the best place to go for a classic beach vacation, and it’s the best island for whale watching (during whale season). Maui Itinerary.
• 🌿 Kaua‘i: Called the garden island, Kauai is absolutely the most beautiful Hawaiian island with the razor-edge ridges of the Nā Pali Coast, lush Hanalei Valley, and red-dirt Waimea Canyon. Kauai is a little quieter and more low key than the other islands with great hikes, snorkeling, and a small island feel. Read: First Timers Guide to Kauai.
• 🌅 O’ahu: The perfect mix of city conveniences with Honolulu and nature with so many hikes through stunning ridges mountains. Plus, great beaches, the iconic North Shore (surfer hub), and historic sites like Pearl Harbor. Waikiki is a popular area to stay because it’s walkable and lively, but parking is very pricey here! Read: First Timers Guide to Oahu.
• 🌋 Hawai’i (the Big Island): I consider the Big Island Hawaii’s adventure capital. You won’t find many sandy beaches here, but there’s ton to do! Hike through a volcano (and see lava flow, if you’re lucky!), road trip around the island stopping at waterfalls and black sand beaches, tour Kona coffee farms, and enjoy some of Hawaii’s best snorkeling. Read: First Timers Guide to the Big Island.

I love each of these island so very much. If you’re an adventure-lover like me, who also can’t get enough of snorkeling, beach hopping, and hiking, I really don’t think you can go wrong with anywhere in Hawaii. Choose the island that aligns best with your budget now, and then visit the others on your next trips!

Hiking is always an exceptional free or cheap thing to do in Hawaii!

How to Save on Hotels & Accommodations in Hawaii

According to data from the Hawai’i Tourism Authority, Hawaii visitors spend the most accommodations. So, reducing the cost of your accommodations can have the largest impact on your Hawaii budget.

I know this from experience—which is why I’ve only ever paid full price for two nights in a hotel throughout the 50+ nights I’ve spend in Hawaii.

Ways to find affordable accommodations in Hawaii:

A peek at the Hawaii resort we booked for free with miles!

1. Book resorts with points and miles

You can stay at a handful of top-rated Hawaii hotels for FREE by booking with points or miles. Not only do you save on the nightly rate, but you often also don’t have to pay any extra taxes or fees. This is my favorite way to travel Hawaii on a budget because you don’t have to compromise on luxury.

A few months ago, I spent a whole week on the Big Island at the beautiful Kona Coast Resort for 15,000 points a night and didn’t spend a penny extra. Our condo was huge and the resort exceeded our expectations, with a poolside bar and a complimentary luau.

There are dozens of highly-rated resorts in Hawaii that you can book with points and miles from a variety of loyalty programs. I cover all of this and more in my full guide to the 7 best credit cards for Hawaii travel. Here’s a quick summary:

• Certain Capital One credit cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards Card AND Capital One Venture X Rewards Card earn miles that can be transferred for free stays at Wyndham resorts like the Club Wyndham Bali Hai Villas on Kauai and the Kona Coast Resort on the Big Island (where I stayed!)
• Certain Chase credit cards like the Chase Business Preferred earn points that can be transferred for free stays at luxurious Hyatt resorts in Hawaii like the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa on Kauai and the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort on Maui.

✨ But how do you earn those points and miles? You can earn generous welcome bonuses of 60-90k points and miles just by applying and meeting the minimum spend requirements, and earn even more from using these cards for your everyday spending (and paying off the balance, of course!)

2. Try house sitting

Another way to stay in Hawaii for free is to housesit for a local family! My husband and I have housesat twice on Oahu, both for a full week.

Of course, housesitting is not the same as going on vacation—you can have responsibilities like feeding or walking pets. Every house sit is different, but we’ve always been able to explore and enjoy Hawaii while housesitting. Just be sure you know what you’re getting into by asking specific questions about the responsibilities and how long the pets can be left at home alone.

In my experience, the best platform for landing housesits in Hawaii is TrustedHousesitters. You do have to pay an annual membership fee, so it’s not 100% free, but you can save thousands on accommodations by sitting rather than paying for a hotel!

And one perk of housesitting is that you can stay in areas of Hawaii that don’t have any hotels—for example, I’ve housesat twice in Kailua, Oahu, which is home to some of the island’s most beautiful beaches and a cute downtown area—but there are no hotels in the area, so housesitting is one of the only ways to stay there.

Related: My Full Guide to Housesitting in Hawaii

3. Try glamping with Hipcamp

Hipcamp is essentially the Airbnb of camping with unique, affordable places to stay on most of the islands. I’ve stayed at a handful of Hipcamps in Hawaii, including a dreamy cabin on the North Shore of Oahu, and a glamping yurt at Sun Farm beneath Koko Head on Oahu.

One of the perks of staying at a Hipcamp is that you usually don’t have to pay all of the taxes and resort fees you’d normally pay at a hotel in Hawaii—and the nightly rates are usually cheaper to begin with! It’s a great way to travel Hawaii on the cheap if you’re okay with a more rustic stay.

Here are some of the top rated Hipcamps in Hawaii:

• Honolulu, Oahu: Sun Farm Yurts ($80/night) – Canvas yurts with comfy beds on a farm beneath Oahu’s Koko Head
• Oahu: Waimānalo Mountain Farmstay ($135/night): Cozy cabins nestled beneath the Koʻolau mountains
• Maui: Wahi Nanea Cabins ($125/night): Rustic cabins along the slopes of the Haleakala volcano on Maui
• Hilo, Big Island: Geodesic Dome Glamping ($119/night): Cozy dome cabin with optional farm-to-table meals near Hilo
• Big Island: Waipi’o Lodge ($105/night): Large glamping tent with ocean views near Waipi’o Valley

4. Stay with friends or family

If you have a friend—or a friend of a friend—in Hawaii, staying with them could be the perfect way to visit Hawaii on the cheap!

The answer isn’t always going to be ‘yes,’ but it never hurts to ask. You could even ask if they need a housesitter while they’re away and offer to watch their pets for free!

Or, maybe you know someone who has a timeshare or a rental property in Hawaii? People who own timeshares are often unable to actually use all the dates, and might be willing to rent it you at a discounted rate.

My father-in-law knows someone who owns a beachfront condo in Maui and we’ve stayed there several times which has helped us save thousands on accommodation costs in Hawaii!

5. Compare short term rental options

Short term rentals like Airbnb and VRBO are banned in many areas of Hawaii, but in the areas where they are allowed, they’re a great option for a budget-friendly stay.

Just make sure that the rental is operating legally, and account for taxes and cleaning fees, which can sometimes make short term rentals even more expensive than hotels!

Here are some affordable short-term rentals in Hawaii for under $200 a night (before taxes and fees):

• Princeville, Kauai: Princeville Studio ($181+/night) – my favorite area to stay on Kauai!
• Big Island: Black Sand Beach Condo ($153+/night) – secluded condo overlooking a black sand beach!
• Waikiki, Oahu: Oceanview Studio ($159+/night) – one of the cheapest places to stay in Waikiki!
• Molokai: Two-Bedroom Condo ($169+/night) – affordable condo on one of Hawaii’s lesser visited islands
• Volcano, Big Island: Volcano Studio ($145+/night) – great location for hikers, near Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park!

SCP Hilo Hotel, one of the most affordable hotels in Hawaii!

6. Find an affordable hotel (ideally locally-owned)

Remember how I mentioned I’ve only ever paid full price for two nights in hotels in Hawaii? One night was at Hotel Renew in Waikiki and the other was at SCP Hilo Hotel on the Big Island, two of the most affordable hotels in the state. I still paid over $200 per night a basic room at both hotels—and I had to pay $50 for parking at the Waikiki hotel.

Both were clean and safe with friendly staff, but both were a little loud at night. I’ve had a much better time at resorts I’ve booked with points, housesits, Hipcamps, and staying with friends.

But if all else fails, here are some affordable Hawaii hotels you can book for under $250 a night (before taxes and fees):

• Kihei, Maui: Kohea Kai Hotel ($237+/night)
• Moloka’i: Hotel Moloka’i ($250+/night)
• Hilo, Big Island: SCP Hilo Hotel ($174+/night)
• Waikiki, Oahu: The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club ($227+/night)
• Kahului, Maui: Maui Seaside Hotel ($214+/night)
• Kapaa, Kauai: Kauai Shores Hotel ($250+/night)
• Waikiki, Oahu: Hotel Renew ($227+/night)

How to Save on Flights to Hawaii

1. Book flights to Hawaii with miles and points

Most airlines have loyalty programs that enable you to earn points (or miles) for every mile flown. Then, you can redeem those miles for a free flight—though you usually still have to pay local taxes and fees.

For instance, I’ve used my Alaska Airlines miles to fly roundtrip to Europe several times, and I’m flying to Maui for 17,500 miles plus $6 this year!

It can take a while to earn enough miles to book a flight for free just from flying alone—but there are plenty of other ways to earn miles and points! Here’s a quick overview:

• Earn a welcome bonus for an airline credit card: The welcome bonus for both Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines’ credit cards is 70,000 miles, which is enough for two roundtrip flights from the west coast to Hawaii! And I share a way to get an even better Hawaiian Airlines bonus in my Hawaii travel credit cards guide!
• Earn miles for each dollar spent on an airline credit card (or other travel card): I earn 1 mile per dollar spent for most purchases on my Hawaiian and Alaska credit cards, plus 2 miles per dollar spent on gas, dining, and grocery purchases on the Hawaiian card!
• Earn miles with online shopping through the airline’s portal: Some airline loyalty programs have plugins that allow you earn extra miles when shopping online, like Alaska’s Mileage Plan Shopping.
• Earn miles by booking rental cars, hotels, and other travel products via the airline’s portal: Booking a hotel through an airline’s online portal can sometimes earn you 10,000 miles or more… enough to cover your flight to that destination!
• Request miles credit for past flights: Most airlines will credit you for past flights if you forgot to enter in your loyalty number!
• Request miles credit for flights on partner airlines: Make sure you’re also requesting mileage credit for any flights on partner airlines.

You can save hundreds by tracking the prices of flights to Hawaii on Google Flights!

2. Track flight prices on Google Flights

Google Flights is an amazing free flight aggregator. One of my favorite features is the tool that allows you to track flight prices.

Choose your flight dates (and even the exact flight) and turn on tracking. You’ll get email updates as the flight costs go up and down. Once the price drops, book!! I usually have flight prices tracked for several dates so I can find the best deals.

You can also use this feature to track the price of your flight after booking. If your ticket is refundable, you can always cancel and rebook when a better deal comes up!

Use Google Flights’ Explore tool to see which islands are most affordable to fly to from your airport!

3. Be flexible with routes, airports, and layovers

Being open to flying in and out of alternative airports (and even having a layover) can save you hundreds—maybe even thousands if you’re visiting Hawaii as a family!

For example, I live in between two major airports, Seattle Tacoma International Airport and Vancouver International Airport. By being open to flying out of either airport (even though one requires me to cross the border!) gives me double of the flight options!

I also encourage you to be flexible with which airport you fly into in Hawaii. Your goal might be to get to Kauai, but Kauai is only a 15 minute $50 flight away from Oahu, so if it saves you a few hundred, just fly to Oahu and take a connecting flight to Kauai. (I recommend booking your flight to Hawaii and your inter-island flights on separate tickets to maximize savings!)

Heck, you can even use this strategy to visit numerous islands in one trip! Last year I flew to Oahu and spent a week there, then took that cheap (and short) flight over to Kauai, spent a few days there, and flew home from Kauai. I actually saved money on airfare but got to see two islands instead of one!

And I know nobody likes a layover, but I promise a layover in the open-air Maui airport isn’t as bad as a layover in giant airport like LAX.

4. Mix and match airlines

Here’s a secret: I almost never book my flights round-trip. That’s because booking round-trip tickets usually requires you to fly both ways on the same airlines—and you can save hundreds by not doing this.

If the most convenient and affordable flight from your home airport to Hawaii is on Delta, go with Delta there. But the most affordable and convenient flight back home might be on a different airline—let’s say, Hawaiian.

Unless you’re trying to achieve elite status on a specific airlines (or strongly prefer a certain airline), there is no need to fly the entire route on the same airline—especially if it costs a lot more!

What $25 a day and a free upgrade got us in Hawaii!

How to Save on Rental Cars in Hawaii

1. Compare rental car prices side-by-side

DiscoverCars is my favorite tool for comparing car rental costs in Hawaii. The platform is easy to use (with stellar customer service) and shows you both international and local brands with accurate pricing for the dates you set.

You can also look into renting a car through a travel credit card or a membership like Costco Travel. However, I would be sure to compare the rates to what you can find on DiscoverCars anyhow, sometimes it’s cheaper!

I’ve also rented a car through Booking.com, which is my favorite platform for booking hotels because of the discounts they offer through their rewards program, but most people don’t realize they also do car rentals.

2. Choose local car rental companies

There are locally-owned rental car companies on all the main Hawaiian islands, and most of them charge hundreds less than the popular international rental brands like Hertz and Enterprise! Plus, many of them offer discounts for return customers.

Each of these local companies is unique—some have the same brand new cars you’d rent from a major brand. Others offer older vehicles that operate fine but aren’t as luxurious (which can save you a ton and help you blend in with the local crowd).

It’s also worth mentioning that it’s not always as convenient to rent from a local company—most are located offsite from the airport, so you usually have to take a complimentary shuttle from the airport to pickup your rental car.

I’ve always had excellent experiences with local rental companies in Hawaii! I’ve rented a newer compact car from Lucky Owl on Oahu twice—once for only $200 a week.

Here’s a quick overview of some local rental car companies on each island:

• Oahu: Lucky Owl and Voyage Rental Cars
• Kauai: Rent a Wreck and Ali’i Rental Cars
• Maui: Makoa Car Rental and Maui Cruisers
• Big Island: The Big Island has some local rental companies, but they seem to focus on luxury cars! Let me know if you find an affordable rental company on this island!

While you can often find better deals with local rental companies, sometimes the big international brands actually do have a better price! That was the case when we visited the Big Island, we were able to rent a red convertible from Hertz for only $200 for the week—it would have been triple the cost if we went with a local company! Be sure to compare options on DiscoverCars to find the best rate.

3. Don’t be tricked into insurance you don’t need

Car rental companies (the local ones and international ones alike) will try to convince you that you need to buy their insurance even if you’re already insured.

I’ve never had to buy rental car insurance because I have it through my auto insurance at home AND through my Capital One Venture X card.

Of course, there are plenty of exceptions, and not all auto policies are equal. For example, my insurance does not cover ‘luxury’ vehicles, and only works in certain countries. Plus, I can only get coverage through my Venture X card if my rental car was paid for on that card.

Do your own due diligence to see if you’re already covered, and print out proof of insurance in case the rental car company asks for it! Paying extra for insurance you don’t need will cost you, but so will getting into an accident and realizing you didn’t understand the full terms of the insurance you do have.

4. Use loyalty programs and credit card perks for free upgrades

On my recent Big Island trip, we rented a car from Hertz for $25 a day.

That alone was a great deal—but since we have with Hertz Presidential Status through our Capital One Venture X card, we got a free upgrade AND got to choose our vehicle upon arrival.

Our options included several luxury SUVs, plus a few Mustang convertibles. We’d never driven in a convertible, so we went with the bright red Mustang convertible. Driving it around the island was even more fun than we expected!

Many travel credit cards have elite perks with rental companies, so check to see if you qualify for any through your cards, or consider applying for a card like the Venture X before your next trip. This perk is one of the many reasons we love that card!

5. Don’t rent a car

You can still enjoy an activity-filled Hawaii trip without renting a car. Take an uber or shuttle to your hotel from the airport, and be sure to stay in a hotel on the beach!

Then, browse guided tours on Viator for activities—many of which include roundtrip transportation from your hotel!

Cheap and Free Things to do in Hawaii

Many of the best things to do in Hawaii are already free or cheap! A few of my favorites include:

• Spending time at the beach: Pack your lunch in a collapsable cooler and don’t forget a good travel towel!
• Island road trips: In my mind, no Hawaii trip is complete without driving around the island at least once! Check out my free island maps with hidden gems to stop along the way: Oahu map, Kauai map, and Big Island map.
• Hiking: Bring plenty of water, a snack, and some good hiking shoes!
• Snorkeling: Remember to bring your own snorkel gear!
• Farmers markets: Each island has several great local farmers markets, which are a great place to try tropical fruit and other local goodies! You’ll usually find a lot of great food trucks at markets, too!
• Historical sites and museums: Immerse in Hawaiian history at free and affordable places like Pu’uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island, Bishop Museum and Pearl Harbor on Oahu, and the Kauai Museum.

Hawaii Budget FAQs

What’s the best Hawaiian island to visit on a budget?

Hawaii Island, also called the Big Island, is the cheapest island to visit, followed by O’ahu. This is because both the Big Island and O’ahu have a variety of hotel options for all types of budgets. Moloka’i is also one of the most affordable islands, but it can be more expensive to get to.

What’s the most expensive Hawaiian island?

The most expensive island in Hawaii is Lāna’i, where visitors spend an average of $626 per day, per person. This is partly because Lanai only has two hotels, both of which are luxury resorts that cost thousands per night. The lack of affordable accommodations make Lanai the most expensive Hawaiian island to visit!

What’s the cheapest month to visit Hawaii?

Historically, the cheapest month to visit Hawaii is August, when visitors spend an average $232 per day. The second cheapest month to visit Hawaii is March, when visitors spend an average of $233 per day. The third cheapest month in January, followed by November.

How much does the average trip to Hawaii cost?

According to data from the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the average trip to Hawaii costs $2,146 per person in 2023—not including airfare. This includes all trip lengths, and both visitors arriving by air and cruise ship. It also accounts for all six main Hawaiian islands. However, the average cost of a trip to Oahu cost $1,583, while an average Maui vacation cost $2,322 per person.

What’s a reasonable budget for Hawaii?

Given the average Hawaii trip cost of over $2,000 per person, plus airfare, you can expect to pay at least $2,500 per person. However, there are plenty of ways to reduce the cost of a trip to Hawaii, like booking hotels with points and miles, finding cheap flight deals, and all of the other Hawaii budget tips in this guide!

Source: Hawaii Tourism Authority

Keep planning your Hawaii vacation

Check out my Hawaii travel guides for more tips!

• 💳 7 BEST Credit Cards for Hawaii Travel: Free Hotels & Flights
• ☀️ First Trip to Oahu? Where to Stay, What to Do, and Some Essential Travel Tips
• 🌈 25 Oahu Hidden Gems for Exploring Off the Beaten Path
• 🌺 The Ultimate Kauai Travel Guide (For First-Time Visitors)
• ⛵️7 BEST Napali Coast Boat Tours (Firsthand Experience)
• 🌋 Hawai’i Big Island Travel Guide (For First-Time Visitors)
• 🤿 The Ultimate Guide to Snorkeling in Kona, Hawaii