Aloha! The warm tradewinds, laid back atmosphere, and natural beauty of the Islands bring me back year after year. But, Hawaii is expensive! It’s a pricey place to live and visit, but with some care, you can visit the islands on a dime and still have a great time. Here’s how!
Flights
I fly from Southern California to Hawaii each year and it generally runs $500 round-trip. But, tickets can cost less or more depending on the time of year you travel. Consider going in the spring or fall to save hundreds of dollars. The weather is still wonderful and you probably won’t miss the crowds. Check out my video tutorial on how to get the best flight deals HERE.
Lodging
Where you stay is often the biggest expense when traveling. Before booking a room at an expensive resort, check out VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) and Airbnb. There are beautiful rentals on all of the islands and you will get a less touristy experience than staying at a hotel or resort – plus the cost may be significantly less. Or…do what I do! Mystery shop hotels on the islands! Want to learn how? Start here! Mystery shopping is THE BEST way to travel on the cheap!
Car Rentals
Car rentals at the major airports can be expensive, especially during peak travel seasons (namely summer and Christmas.) Don’t wait to make your reservation! Snag a good rate as soon as you have your travel dates and keep checking prices for any price drops. Most car rental reservations are cancellable – so don’t feel locked in if something better comes along.
Food
Eating in Hawaii is expensive. Maybe your trip to Hawaii is a great time to go on that diet you’ve been putting off! I kid. Sort of. Most food is 30-50% more costly in Hawaii in both the restaurants and grocery stores. My solutions…
Costco! All of Hawaii’s main islands, Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island, have Costco locations. First – eat at the Costco food counter. The prices are the same as on the mainland and a family of four can eat for less than $30. My daughter and I had their new Acai Bowl and Al Pastor Salad for a grand total of $10.
Go inside and find a juicy and delicious pineapple in the produce section. It will only set you back $2.99. If you plan to be on the island for several days, have access to a kitchen or are feeding an army, Costco is a great place to stock up. Prices tend to be higher than on the mainland but still very reasonable. Extra tip! Take advantage of less expensive Costco gas to fill up the rental car.
Check out Foodland stores as well. Again the prices are higher than what we are used to, but if you stick to items that are on sale, you can make it more affordable. Buy cheese and crackers (both on sale) and make a lunch of it along with some fresh fruit or veggies. Visit the deli and get all of the fixins for sandwiches.
BYOF – Bring Your Own Food! I stuff several packets of instant oatmeal in my luggage and bring my breakfast to Hawaii! Most hotels have a coffee maker or, if you’re lucky, a kitchenette. The front desk can often lend you a tea kettle or coffee maker if the room is not equipped with one. Heat up some water, put your oatmeal in a mug or coffee cup and voila! Instant breakfast! At Grocery Outlet, I paid $1.50 for 6 packets of Quaker Oatmeal. Each packet was $0.25 times two packets for a grand total of $0.50 per person per day for breakfast. Cut up some fresh fruit or add a little yogurt to the meal and you’ve just saved a lot of money and time making breakfast in the hotel room. Breakfast buffets are in the $25-$35 range PER PERSON while having some oatmeal is 1/100th of the cost.
Another idea – bring a bag of rice or tortellini. One pound of rice at Target costs $0.89 and tortellini is $3.00. Cook up some fresh or frozen veggies from the grocery store and make a meal for a fraction of the price of going out.
Hawaiian Aloha Shirt or Mumu anyone?
Really fun and colorful Hawaiian clothing can cost a pretty penny on the Islands. Cheap shirts that are aimed at tourists may be less expensive but poorly crafted. My answer to wanting to go home with something that reminded me of Hawaii was to visit a Savers store. Savers are thrift stores found across the US, Canada and Australia. The Honolulu Savers had a rack of Aloha shirts and another rack of muumuus in the $7-$15 range. I found a fun Tori Richard top for $12. Tori Richard is a Honolulu-based clothier, and brand-new, my top would have cost $80. Savers saved the day! The Islands also have Goodwills and other thrift stores worth a visit.
Go Hiking
Hiking is such a great family-friendly and inexpensive way to experience Hawaii. Most hikes are free – just be careful about parking; park in lots for a nominal fee or find legal street parking. Just beware of getting towed or ticketed.
Go Snorkeling
Hawaii has some of the top snorkeling spots in the world. Snorkel rentals are easy to find but a few years ago, I invested in a $30 snorkel gear set from Amazon that I bring on each trip. It has definitely paid for itself instead of renting.
Free Cultural Activities
Check your travel book (I like the Lonely Planet series), hotel concierge, or www.gohawaii.com for current local cultural events. Last visit, I saw a hula show with live music and dancers and fire dancing at a luau…for free!
Hop in the Car!
Make use of your rental car and drive, drive, drive! Some of my favorite spots in Hawaii were found by accident as I drove around the islands. Nu’uanu Pali Overlook and the Pali highway are less than 30 minutes from Waikiki.
Maui has The Road to Hana (slightly overrated in my opinion.) The Big Island drives take you through lava fields to panoramic coastlines. Kauai roads that wind through the rainforest are almost too grand for words. All of the islands have scenic drives. Be prepared to have your breath taken away.
Relax
One of the best things to do in Hawaii is simply relax. Breathe in the warm air. Get up early for a sunrise and take a walk on the beach at sunset. Enjoy the sounds of Hawaiian music coming from local bars and eateries. Sit on the sand and swim in the warm waters. Let the change of pace and scenery refresh and rejuvenate. Mahalo and aloha!
Photos credit: Jennifer Hayes
