ALOHA!
Now, we’re talking about Hawaii here, so “cheap” is relative…
But…
Can a trip to Hawaii for two cost under $2,000?!
How much money an average trip to Hawaii costs is hard to say definitively because there are a lot of factors that can make your Hawaii vacation cheaper or more expensive.
But spoiler: It can possibly cost under $2,000 if you really want it to!
How?!
Total Hawaii trip cost for two: $1,900 minimum
This $2,000 price tag for the cost of a trip to Hawaii includes:
- Flight $900
- Place to stay $450 (yes, really!)
- Food $250
- Activities $100
- Travel insurance $100
- A few extras $100
Yes, if your timing is right, and you really want to make it happen, you can go to Hawaii for under $2,000!
Well, if you fit the profile of the above considerations. 😉
Which means that a trip to Hawaii might end up costing you more than that.
But, just HOW can you come as close as possible to the costs listed above on your own Hawaii vacation?
Below will break down exactly how you can do just that!
Side note!
If you'll be snorkeling on your next vacation, consider wearing these types of UV swim shirts. Also see about what to pack for Hawaii for hiking, snorkeling, and more essentials! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Oahu that will give you Hawaii vibes!
How to save money on your Hawaii vacation
Below you will find information on how to save money on your Hawaii vacation, including:
- How to find the cheapest flights to Hawaii
- Places to stay to save money on accommodation
- How to save money on food costs
- The best cheap and FREE activities in Hawaii
You know that Hawaii is seen as an expensive destination.
And if we’re being real, Hawaii kind of is expensive compared to other US destinations, or other popular destinations for Americans.
But, if you’ve got Hawaii on your mind, there are some things you can do so your trip to Hawaii won’t be as expensive as you might think it is!
You might have to sacrifice a little here and there so the cost to go to Hawaii will be lower, but you can decide what sacrifices you want to make based on what you want out of your vacation.
Even with small sacrifices, there’s a very good chance you will still LOVE your Hawaii vacation — it is Hawaii after all!
Just make sure you do some short hikes with the best views, snorkeling at the best spots, and a road trip around the island!
And if you DO go snorkeling in Hawaii, make sure you don’t do anything you should NOT do on a first trip to Hawaii, including being sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen!
And if you are willing to spend money on experiences, also look into yoga retreats and surf camps in Hawaii too.
Hawaii is home to one of the best surfing destinations in the world.
So here on this page will be an estimated budget that you can use as a start to planning your dream vacation to Hawaii!
This will give you some ideas as a starting point when you have no clue where to start your planning process.
First, know this:
Whether you’re planning an annual family vacation, destination wedding, honeymoon, or anniversary trip in 2018, here are just a few of those reasons that can influence the cost of a trip to Hawaii:
The time of year you go to Hawaii (Is there a WORST time to visit Hawaii?!)
When you buy the big-ticket items (flights and accommodation)
Where you are flying from
How many people are in your family
Which Hawaiian islands you go to (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island)
How long your Hawaii vacation is
What type of things you want to do in Hawaii
What type of place you want to stay at in Hawaii
How much of a budget traveler vs luxury traveler you want to be, or somewhere in between!
But, to at least get you started to give you at least some idea, listed below is pretty much the absolute minimum it costs to go to Hawaii, and from here, the expenses will go up.
Of course, there are always exceptions, but in general here are some price points to expect.
So for the sample Hawaii budget outlined on this page, this is what’s considered:
Trip for two
7-day vacation (6 nights)
Going to the Hawaiian island of Oahu only
Flying out of California
Active travelers, and don’t mind tons of walking! 😉
Budget travelers
If you’re headed to the Big Island, see specific tips on the cost of a trip to the Big Island.
And now…
Below is exactly how you can keep your costs down and save money on your Hawaii vacation!
Whether you are 2 people or a family of 4 going on a trip to Hawaii, these are travel budget tips that can be applied.
How to figure out the best Hawaiian island for you!
One of the hardest parts about planning a trip to Hawaii just might be choosing which Hawaiian island is best for you! Each island will provide you with a different experience.
Have a look at this Hawaii island guide to help you decide which island to choose. (Be sure to check the preview!)
Here’s how to get a free Hawaii travel guide from the Hawaii state tourism department.
These are really popular guidebooks for planning a trip to any of the Hawaiian islands!
So, how much for a trip to Hawaii for two?
Let’s break it down for a one week Hawaii vacation…
Flight to Hawaii
San Jose to Honolulu flight for two: $900
Generally speaking, flying from the west coast will naturally get you the cheapest flights to Hawaii. And you might be able to find flights to Hawaii from San Jose at $400 per person.
The flight from California to Hawaii is about a 5-6 hour long direct flight.
Alaska Airlines tends to offer some of the cheapest prices, and Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines can be competitive too.
As of 2019, Southwest Airlines will start flying to Hawaii for the very first time!
This should be good news for the cost of flights to Hawaii, especially from west coast since that’s where the Southwest flights will originate from in the beginning.
On top of that when you consider that Southwest is pretty much the ONLY airline that flies to Hawaii that offers free check-in luggage on domestic flights.
If you’re planning on checking in luggage, be sure to consider the airline baggage fees on your flight to Hawaii in your budget.
If you’re planning on making 2 islands a part of your vacation, Southwest also offers inter-island flights as well within the Hawaiian islands.
See for yourself how much your flight to Hawaii might cost from where you live:
Kiwi flight search
This compares a bunch of airlines at once.
This is perfect if you have flexible dates and want to get an idea of the cheapest time to fly to Hawaii with the assortment of tools available. Search for flights here.
Hawaiian Airlines monthly calendar
When you go to search for flights directly on the Hawaiian Airlines website, right near the search button, select the price calendar or price chart.
This lets you see the cheapest prices to fly in the whole month.
You can also check the price calendar to see the cheapest dates to fly to Hawaii, and then use the other flight search engines to check more airlines for those dates.
If Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t fly from a city near you, try searching any west coast airport just to get an idea.
Are layovers worth it on a flight to Hawaii?
Also be sure to see whether the flight itinerary will require you to stop in another city.
If a flight with a layover vs a direct flight has a price difference of $20, you may consider that extra cost to be worth it to have a direct flight to Hawaii to minimize travel time.
Extra time at an airport for a layover could also mean extra money you spend in the way of airport food.
You can bring your own food (carry-on friendly!) but if you don’t, airport food is typically expensive!
What time do you want to arrive to Hawaii?
You will also want to look at the time of arrival into Honolulu airport. You might not like the idea of arriving to an unfamiliar city at night.
Packing for your flight
When you’re thinking about what to pack, try to pack light for Hawaii without any big containers of liquids so you can avoid any extra baggage fees.
Most airlines will charge you from the first checked bag, but look into this once you’ve booked your flight. (Or before, if you definitely will be checking in a bag, so you can compare total price of the flight with baggage fees.)
And pick these seats on your flight to Honolulu airport to have the best chance of aerial views of Oahu!
How to find the cheapest flights Hawaii
If you’re ready to start really thinking about booking your flight, there are 2 newsletters you might want to know about to find the cheapest flights to Hawaii.
Place to stay in Hawaii
Vacation rental: $450
This is based on paying $75 per night on these types of vacation rentals on Oahu. (Find a referral link there to get up to a $40 discount on your booking to save more money on your trip to Hawaii!)
It could be possible for you to find nightly rates that are closer to $60 if your timing is good!
If you’re going solo to Hawaii, you may be able to find rentals for under $50 a night. This means your cost for accommodation becomes closer to $300. There are also hostels in Honolulu that are cheaper.
If you are taking a trip to Hawaii as a family of 4 or 5, it could be possible for you to find vacation homes in the $450 price range as well. But again, this will depend much on your timing and what you’re looking for.
Have a look to see what’s available a few months out to get a little bit of an idea with the types of rental properties available and what the cheaper rentals are like.
Vacation rentals in Hawaii tend to be a cheaper option than the popular Waikiki Beach hotels, making accommodation a great area to save money!
Hotel prices in Hawaii
Or, if you’re not feeling the airbnb thing, have a look to get a better idea of how much you can expect to pay for other types of accommodation:
Eating in Hawaii
Food for two: $250
Staying at a vacation rental also gives you the chance to save some money on food too. Find a rental in Hawaii that will give you kitchen access so you can cook food instead of eating out all the time.
Head to the grocery store in Hawaii: Foodland, Safeway, Times Supermarket
Before you leave for Hawaii, look for some grocery stores that are located close to where you’re staying so you know where to go.
Foodland, Safeway, and Times Supermarket are considered to be more of the discount grocery stores.
You can sign up for the loyalty cards when you’re at the cash register to save a few more dollars.
While making your own food will likely come out to be cheaper than eating out, the prices for almost all groceries in Hawaii are probably higher than what you pay at home.
Cheap meal idea #1
To save money, make things like pasta. As an example, flavor it with tomato paste diluted with water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Your vacation rental host may have some of these seasonings available for use. You can buy jars of pasta sauce in Hawaii too, but tomato paste is usually cheaper.
You may consider bringing dried pasta from home, and if you do so, make it elbow macaroni to get more food for less space in your suitcase.
Cheap meal idea #2
While not the healthiest of options, pasta-roni or rice-a-roni type of dishes can make for easy and cheap food in Hawaii.
You can probably find it for $1 at your home grocery store on sale, so be on the lookout for it. Knorr has these in a pouch instead of a box so they will take up less space in your luggage.
Make it at night ahead of time, wait for it to cool down, and then put the cooked food in a ziplock bag, then the fridge, so you can have it as a picnic lunch the next day!
The pouch says it includes multiple servings, but when you’re quite active throughout the day, the whole thing makes for a good meal for a single person.
Try this at home first to see if you like it.
And when carrying it in your daypack, it’s also a good idea to put the food with an extra layer like with a plastic bag or a ziplock storage bag to protect against any spillage.
Spend money on fruits and veggies
But also spend a few extra dollars on fresh produce or frozen vegetables to make sure you’re not completely neglecting healthy eating. You want to make sure you have plenty of energy during your Hawaii vacation!
Food that’s special to Hawaii to spend money on
Another area you may want to spend a few extra dollars:
1. Leonard’s Bakery for a malasada donut: about $1 per person
2. Matsumoto for shave ice: about $4 per person
3. Paina Cafe for a poke bowl Hawaiian dish: about $10 per person
4. Dole Plantation for a Dole pineapple whip: about $7 per person
Leonard’s kind of near Diamond Head and Matsumoto’s on the North Shore are popular tourist points of interest.
And there is a Paina Cafe location near the popular attractions of Hanauma Bay for snorkeling and Koko Head for hiking.
Dole Plantation you may consider fitting in on your way to the North Shore from Waikiki.
Of course, cost of food also depends on your appetite!
And the more active you are in Hawaii, the more you may want to eat!
If it goes with your food, like pasta or rice, add canola oil to your food to give you more calories. This can help so you don’t get hungry as easily, so you’re not feeling like you’re depriving yourself or that you need to buy more food.
Activities in Hawaii
Activities for two: $115
Much of this cost of activities in Oahu are for bus tickets.
If you like hiking, snorkeling, or just lazing on the beach, there are plenty of budget activities with free and cheap things to do in Hawaii!
Some activities do require more time in transit on the bus when you’re in Hawaii on a budget, but not renting a car when you are two people can often mean money saved.
The bus costs $5.50 for a single day pass. Here’s more about taking the bus on Oahu.
Oahu is really the most convenient Hawaiian island to take the bus to get around to different places of interest for tourists. In this aspect, it makes Oahu a budget-friendly island when it comes to a Hawaii vacation.
You may consider renting a car for one day to do a drive around Oahu, but that’s not included in this sample Hawaii trip for two.
Renting a car can be around $40-50, and your total cost will also depend on how much gas you use up.
Also consider that parking fees in Waikiki can add up, but you may be able to avoid those fees with a vacation rental in a residential neighborhood! See all of the perks that come with these types of vacation rentals that help you save money? 😉
As a start, next are some sample days that can help you to stay on budget in Hawaii.
The costs below include bus tickets and admission fees, if there are any.
Since the bus will be $5.50 per person, consider that it will cost $11 for two if you’re not staying within walking distance of any of your activities.
This is also assuming that you’re staying somewhere within walking distance of Waikiki.
Also, while there is snorkel rental on Oahu available, you may want to bring your own snorkeling gear.
So now, here is how much some days in Hawaii may cost you, with the price listed being the total for two people:
Diamond Head hiking (fee) + Waikiki snorkeling = $15
Hanauma Bay snorkeling (fee) = $25
Lanikai Pillbox hiking + Lanikai Beach + Kailua Beach (walk between these places) = $10
North Shore: Shark’s Cove snorkeling + Waimea Valley waterfalls and botanical garden (fee) (walk between these places) = $45
Manoa Falls hiking = $10
Pearl Harbor = $10
What other budget-friendly activities are there in Hawaii?
Well, good thing there’s this Oahu map for you to explore! 😉
- Best short hikes on Oahu
- Best snorkeling spots on Oahu
- Hawaiian culture activities
- Things to do in Oahu by bus
things to do in oahu | map >> waikiki – east oahu – north shore – central oahu
Protecting your trip to Hawaii with travel insurance
Travel insurance for two: $85
There are a few different factors that determine how much your travel insurance will be.
There are also different levels of coverage.
This price point is under the best coverage (top plan) that includes emergency medical, travel delays, baggage delays, as well as the trip cancellation and trip interruption that comes with the most basic plans.
This may seem like a lot to tack on to your cost of a trip to Hawaii, but you’re likely planning your Hawaii vacation months ahead of time.
You just can’t predict what will happen during that time. And for during your vacation itself, the more active you are, the chance of something happening does increase a little.
And if something does happen to your flight itinerary or your luggage, or worse yet, to you, the amount that you spend on travel insurance can save you a ton of money! (And stress!)
The extras
Extras: $100
There are probably things that you will come across when you’re in Hawaii that you’ll want (or need) to spend money on. And for that, an extra $100 has been added in. How generous. 😉
One expense that you will be sure to have that wasn’t listed in any of the categories above is getting to and from the Honolulu airport. As a budget traveler, it is possible to take the bus to get to your vacation rental.
But if this is your plan, you need to travel with a backpack, as large suitcases are not allowed on the bus.
You need to be able to sit it on your lap and not overflow into someone else’s space. You can also likely get away with a carry-on suitcase on the bus, but do so at your own risk! (I have seen carry-on suitcases on buses.)
Otherwise, it really depends on where you’re staying, but you can likely expect to pay $30-40 for a taxi from the Honolulu airport to Waikiki or somewhere around there.
Although taking an uber from the airport used to be illegal, it may be an option now. And then you’ll need to pay the same to get back to the airport.
Calculating your own travel budget for a trip to Hawaii
This guide to a Hawaii travel budget isn’t meant to serve as a definitive guide at all.
There are so many factors that can influence how much it will cost you to go to Hawaii.
This ranges from what type of traveler you are to the timing of purchasing your flight and vacation rental.
But, hopefully it gives you a start in terms of things to think about!
Some of the estimates listed above may require you to try a little bit harder to stay within that price range.
Some of the numbers in this Hawaii budget may initially seem unrealistic. Well, this mainly applies to food.
But again, if you plan ahead of time and are committed to saving money on a trip to Hawaii, it is possible!
Remember, this cost estimate also doesn’t include anything you’ll want to buy to bring to Hawaii.
This can include things like snorkeling gear that you might want when you’re thinking about what to wear snorkeling and hiking gear that you might want when you’re thinking about what to wear hiking.
HAPPY HAWAII TRIP PLANNING!
ALOHA!
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Best shoes for your active vacation
Hit search at the top for any of these items to get more variety on Amazon through these affiliate links!- Walking: These types of hiking sandals. For walking in hot weather, they are more breathable than shoes, while still giving you necessary traction on the trails. Also see more about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii.
- Beach: These types of beach shoes. For beach walking, wading in the water, and rocky shorelines, they can prevent cuts from hidden rocks or when bumping into coral reef.
Swimwear for snorkeling and beach
- These UV protection shirts are a hit so you don't have to keep re-applying sunscreen and don't have to worry as much about getting sunburn!see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling