How Much Is a Vacation to Hawaii: How to Budget for Your Island Vacay

When dreaming of island getaways, who hasn’t pictured jetting off on trip to Hawaii? If we’re speaking unique island escapes with golden seashores underneath blue skies and the type of lush, forested mountains straight out of your favourite movies and TV reveals, then, after all, Hawaii is high of the listing.

So, to assist you plan the holiday of a lifetime, we’ve put collectively solutions to among the commonest questions vacationers ask about Hawaii, together with how a lot a Hawaii journey prices and useful breakdowns of the place and the way to finances your cash.

For dreamers all over the place, it’s time to begin turning your desires into actuality. Let’s plan your subsequent vacay!

How Much Is a Hawaiian Vacation for 4?
How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost: 7 Things to Consider When Planning Your Vacation
- 1. Airfare
- 2. Local Transportation
- 3. Accommodations
- 4. Activities
- 5. Food
- 6. Timing
- 7. The Hawaiian Islands
Next Vacay Can Help You Find the Cheapest Flights to Hawaii

How Much Is a Hawaiian Vacation for 4?

Based on numbers offered by Hawaii Tourism Authority, a household of 4 can anticipate to spend round $9,920 for a 10-day keep in Hawaii. However, this quantity is dependent upon numerous elements. With some savvy planning, you possibly can shave off some additional {dollars} for your subsequent Hawaiian getaway.

How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost: 7 Things to Consider When Planning Your Vacation

Looking to escape to Hawaii’s lovely blue skies and sandy white seashores?

We don’t blame you. The islands of Hawaii are a marvel to behold and positively well worth the journey throughout the Pacific to attain them.

However, it pays to think about a few issues and be sure you’ve thoughtfully deliberate out your journey earlier than you go.

That doesn’t imply you will have to stress and fear about each little element. But, budgeting appropriately now will prevent plenty of time and agony later, permitting you to get pleasure from all of the wonders of the islands. So, let’s break all of it down!

1. Airfare

Flight prices eat into each journey finances, so it’ll seemingly come as no shock that getting to Hawaii shall be one of many greatest bills of your trip. The common price of flights to Hawaii can vary between $440 and $1150 relying on a number of elements:

When you’re flying – seasonality
What location you’re flying from
What airport you’re flying into

A flight from San Francisco shall be cheaper than one from New York City. So, for these of us planning our holidays from the east coast, it’s a unhappy truth we will anticipate to pay extra for our Hawaii flights.

Pro-tip: Compare flight prices from a number of airports and look into getting a cheap flight to a main west coast airport, the place you’ll be higher in a position to rating a low cost direct flight to Hawaii.

That’s not to say you possibly can’t nonetheless rating a nice deal from the place you reside. Price drops and flash gross sales occur on a regular basis from west coast cities to the east.

Learn the perfect methods to discover nice fares in as few steps as attainable with our 7 Easy Ways to Find Cheap Flights to Anywhere.

Of course, should you enroll for deal alerts from a e-newsletter like Next Vacay, you’ll be up to date on all the perfect offers to Hawaii as quickly as they drop. For instance, you possibly can rating flights for your loved ones trip for as little as $198 from out west (Long Beach to HNL), $276 out of the Midwest (Boise to Maui), and $375 from the east coast (Orlando to HNL).

You simply have to be prepared to benefit from the perfect costs once they come!

Get Secret Flight Deals

2. Local Transportation

Transportation prices are one other important issue for any trip planning, particularly when touring to Hawaii.

In in style cities, you possibly can neatly make the most of public transportation to make your approach round your vacation spot.

However, for getting across the Hawaiian Islands, whether or not or not you possibly can keep away from the prices of a rental automotive will rely on the place you’re going and what you’ll be doing.

Public Transportation

In Hawaii, there are a few public transportation choices to get round, together with buses, taxis, and shuttles.

On some islands, buses could be a cheap approach of getting from level A to level B, with low cost single fares and a mean value of $4 for day passes.

However, this isn’t true for each island. Case in level, Molokai and Lanai don’t have bus programs, whereas Kauai and the island of Hawaii have restricted routes.

On the opposite hand, Maui has 13 bus routes that cowl a lot of the north, south, and east, however you’d want different choices to attain the west coast. Finally, Oahu has probably the most intensive bus system, and you might use it to see the vast majority of the island. But, after all, the tradeoff is that it runs on set routes and instances, tying your schedule to that of the bus.

Unfortunately, taxis in Hawaii are notoriously costly, so we will’t advocate shelling out the massive bucks for a taxi trip in your trip except you don’t have any different possibility. Believe us, these numbers will add up shortly.

Ridesharing providers like Uber and Lyft additionally function on Oahu, Maui, and Kauai and is likely to be an alternative choice. The different islands have restricted or various ride-sharing choices and shuttles to take guests from the airport to their lodges.

Rental Car

The greatest approach to see and expertise Hawaii’s islands in your trip is with a rental automotive. With your personal palms on the helm, the one schedule you’ll be tied to is your personal, and the one sights you’ll miss are people who didn’t make it onto your itinerary.

You could also be shocked at simply how joyful you might be to have that added flexibility and independence, particularly when exploring the islands with children.

If you resolve reserving a rental automotive is certainly one of the simplest ways to see the island, you’re a mean every day price of about $100-$250, together with the price of the automotive, parking charges, and fuel. For a 10-day journey, meaning a whole of about $1000-$2500.

If that’s the best way you need to go, be certain to make your choice forward of your journey!

Most automotive rental firms on the islands offered off components of their fleet through the pandemic. As a consequence, Hawaii continues to be affected by a rental automotive scarcity and experiencing record-high automotive rental prices. So, ebook your reservation properly upfront!

3. Accommodations

According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, the typical value of a resort room in 2020 was $267 per evening.

With journey again on the mend, and extra individuals planning their subsequent trip to Hawaii, common every day charges have predictably gone up. Reports from November 2021 present common every day charges for lodges elevated by 27.5 % in contrast to 2019. And trip leases present a comparable story, with charges up 17.5 % from the identical time in 2019.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all type of reply to how a lot it’s best to spend on lodging whenever you go to Hawaii, so all of it comes down to particular person wants.

Prices can vary from underneath $100 to over $600 per evening, and precisely how a lot cash you spend is up to you. Depending on the type of expertise you need and the finances for your journey, you possibly can at all times spend roughly in your lodging as wanted.

You can separate lodging on the Hawaiian Islands into three totally different classes, and most islands usually provide a mixture of all three.

Budget

There’s nothing improper with retaining it sensible. If you need probably the most economical selection for your trip to Hawaii, finances lodging are your reply. Expect to spend between $50 to $150 per evening. You can discover a mixture of hostels, finances lodges, and trip rental properties to meet your wants.

Pro-tip: If you’re trying for the perfect finances stays, take a look at Oahu. Budget choices abound, and the wholesome competitors right here retains costs low!

Another nice concept is renting a camper van! Not solely will that assist you save on automotive rental charges, however you possibly can journey the islands with freedom and arrange store in some wonderful parks and campgrounds all around the islands!

Pro-tip: For the perfect camper van experiences, take a look at Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island.

Mid-range

The finances keep isn’t for everybody, and should you’re down to spend extra money in your Hawaiian trip, there are definitely choices.

Mid-range lodging cowl every part from round $150 to $500 a evening, so there’s nonetheless loads of flexibility right here in order for you to get monetary savings whereas paying a bit extra or in order for you to splurge a bit, however not an excessive amount of. You’ve received choices for three- to five-star lodges, trip leases, and extra.

Pro-tip: Use journey factors to rating a nice deal on a low cost resort room.

Vacation leases are typically a bit cheaper than resort rooms and provide extra independence, privateness, and area, particularly for a household of 4. Sites like Airbnb provide choices in all value ranges, and you may store round to discover the perfect trip rental for your loved ones’s keep.

Luxury

No crime in treating your self to a good time. In truth, we argue a trip is a excellent time to do it! Rest assured, Hawaii has you coated with luxurious lodges, resorts, and leases to cater to your each want.

Starting at round $500 a evening, luxurious lodging are, in our opinion, greatest suited should you plan to spend a lot of time at your lodgings, having fun with their facilities to the fullest. However, in a place as lovely as Hawaii, we advocate getting on the market and discovering a few of that magnificence for your self.

But whereas that’s our advice, we definitely received’t inform you how to stay your greatest life on trip!

4. Activities

Activities on the Hawaiian Islands are infinite and diversified.

Horseback using
Scuba diving and snorkeling
Whale watching cruises
Island hopping
Helicopter excursions
National parks

Whatever your style for adventures—Hawaii delivers.

Some of those experiences don’t price a factor, like catching a free Hula efficiency or soaking within the solar on any of Hawaii’s lovely seashores. However, different actions, like studying to surf, will imply additions to your finances. Even mountaineering to spot waterfalls and jaw-dropping views in one of many state’s many state and nationwide parks could price an entrance price.

Because all of it comes down to what experiences you select, there’s no exhausting and quick estimate for how a lot to put away for your trip actions.

The Hawaii Tourism Authority claims the typical spend per particular person was round $18 per day on leisure and recreation in 2019. However, you’ll seemingly discover you spend roughly relying on how your loved ones mixes free and paid experiences.

5. Food

Food is at all times one of many first issues on our minds when prepping for a trip, particularly when touring to a place like Hawaii, with scrumptious meals you will have to strive! Looking up distinctive locations to eat is primary on our listing, however budgeting for these meals is useless final. That doesn’t imply it’s best to comply with our poor instance, although, so be certain to add it to your budgeting to-do listing.

You’ll need to plan for round $40 to $100 spent on meals and drinks per particular person per day. That mentioned, when you have younger children otherwise you’re not huge on ingesting, the much less you possibly can anticipate to spend.

Pro-tip: Tap water is protected to drink within the Hawaiian Islands, so think about bringing reusable water bottles to keep away from paying for bottled water.

How you propose to do most of your consuming elements in too, both eating out at eating places or making it your self.

Of course, relying in your lodging, facilities you will have obtainable—from complimentary meals at a resort restaurant to a microwave in your rooms—and a complete slew of different issues, you could discover one possibility extra appropriate than the opposite.

Grocery Store

When it comes to holidays, it’s protected to say few of us get pleasure from coming house after a exhausting day of sightseeing and adventuring to make a meal. Nevertheless, it’s the best way to go should you’re trying to get monetary savings in your Hawaiian trip, as you possibly can anticipate to spend considerably much less, round $40 to $60 per particular person every day.

Microwaveable meals, placing collectively your personal meals at your rental, and placing collectively snacks for the day like cold-cut sandwiches, path combine, and many others., will assist you preserve meals bills low.

Restaurant

Without a doubt, restaurant consuming is the pricier possibility, so should you’re planning to dine out in Hawaii for most of your trip, it’s best to finances round $70 to $100 per particular person every day.

The price ticket could also be a disadvantage, however eating out has its benefits like ease, comfort, and, better of all, the very fact you don’t have to make meals your self.

Above all that, although, Hawaiian delicacies is unbelievable, and the associated fee at most eating places is properly well worth the mouthwatering, scrumptious meals.

So, even should you plan to go grocery procuring and make most of your meals at house, positively plan to deal with yourselves to a few meals out!

Pro-tip: To save on some dining-out prices, strive consuming at meals vans for a unbelievable marriage of nice meals and low costs!

6. Timing

The time of 12 months is a superb guideline for what you possibly can anticipate throughout your journey, from flight costs to the typical price of rental automobiles to the variety of fellow vacationers.

Planning your journey for the precise season can imply the distinction between spending ridiculously excessive costs for lodging, transportation, you identify it, and tons of of {dollars} in financial savings.

Even in case your plans embrace staying at a high-end resort, you’ll be amazed at how a lot it can save you by avoiding the excessive season and planning your Hawaii trip for the off-season or shoulder season.

What Is the Cheapest Time of Year to Visit Hawaii?

If you need to get monetary savings, the perfect time of 12 months to go to Hawaii is both late spring (mid-April to May) or early fall (September to mid-November). These months provide among the greatest circumstances for lovely climate, nice costs, and fewer crowds.

Mid-December to mid-April is usually the busiest time of 12 months and the priciest, as individuals flee the chilly to get pleasure from Hawaii’s balmy climate and gorgeous coasts. From March to April, Spring Break can also be a in style time for journey.

If you need the absolute best expertise visiting Hawaii, we advocate avoiding these months for your trip.

As for June to August, summer time trip makes this a prime time for households to journey and sure the time of 12 months you’ll need to journey. Thankfully, it’s not as costly as excessive season, however should you can swing it, touring in late spring or early fall, as talked about above, would be the kindest in your pockets and assist you rating the perfect offers throughout.

7. The Hawaiian Islands

In whole, eight fundamental islands make up the state of Hawaii, and amongst these eight, solely six main islands are inhabited and open to tourism. So, based mostly on what you’re trying for in a Hawaii trip, the Hawaiian Island you select issues.

If you haven’t but determined which island is the right match for your loved ones’s Hawaiian trip, we’ll provide the high journey ideas to assist resolve—from what the island’s identified for to the way it ranks by way of price.

Honestly, you possibly can’t go improper with any island, however this can assist you slender down which is greatest for your loved ones.

1. Oahu

Undoubtedly, probably the most family-friendly island on our listing, Oahu, is house to Honolulu and all of the big-city enjoyable that comes with it.

Check out museums, eat at meals vans, and go to historic Pearl Harbor websites. Oahu will be the most city of all of the islands, however that’s not to say it doesn’t pack a punch by way of journey and pure magnificence, as guests to Oahu’s North Shore can attest.

This island presents the perfect of each worlds and the bottom costs to expertise all of it, so it ranks first as the most affordable island to go to.

2. Island of Hawaii (The Big Island)

Flying into Kona International Airport will land you on the Big Island herself. Say good day to gorgeous white sand seashores on the west coast, lively volcanoes down south, and up north, hike to beautiful waterfalls and dive with large manta rays.

Relaxation or continuous motion, select your personal journey and let the island of Hawaii sweep you away.

After Oahu, the Big Island ranks second as your subsequent possibility for a cheap journey to Hawaii.

3. Kauai

This island presents a lush panorama of forests and hidden waterfalls blended with scenic coasts and luxurious canyons. It’s typically referred to as probably the most lovely of Hawaii’s islands, and for a good purpose.

If you want a trip away from the hustle and bustle of metropolis life and the fixed ringing of your telephone, then that is the vacation spot for you.

We’re rating Kauai because the third least costly Hawaiian Island to go to!

4. Maui

Maui is house to beautiful seashores—from purple sand to black—bamboo forests, gorgeous mountain hikes, and exquisite parks. One of the perks of getting a rental automotive in Maui, guests can drive alongside the well-known Hana Highway for unmatched views across the island.

Like Oahu, Maui is nice for households with children—and the right island to pamper your self with an all-inclusive resort keep. However, it’s a little extra on the costly aspect, which is why it is available in fourth for our island rankings on an reasonably priced journey to Hawaii.

5. Molokai

Nestled between the islands of Maui and Oahu lies Molokai, a small paradise unspoiled by giant tourism manufacturers. And that’s by design. The residents of Molokai take nice care to preserve their islands shielded from overtourism. Instead, they invite guests to be greater than vacationers, rewarding them with an genuine expertise of native Hawaiian tradition and the breathtaking fantastic thing about their small island.

Though the island of Molokai is comparatively cheap in contrast to among the islands listed first, the extra transportation prices to get to this island gem bump it down to fifth place in our affordability rating.

Next Vacay Travel Tips: To actually recognize the experiences this island has to provide, we advocate visiting Molokai solely after you’ve visited one of many above 4 islands.

6. Lanai

Coming in because the smallest inhabited island in Hawaii, this tiny island doesn’t fear a lot about its dimension. And we will’t blame it. With solely 30 miles of paved highway and over 400 miles of rugged, wild paths, this island takes the phrase “off the beaten path” to a complete new stage. Meaning you may get misplaced—however not too misplaced, carry navigation instruments—in its magnificence.

Lanai is the right vacation spot to decelerate. Here, you possibly can fear much less about the place you’re going and easily bask within the journey to get there.

Like Molokai, Lanai requires a few extra steps to transport your self to the island. Unfortunately, as soon as there, you’ll discover your common every day prices to be dearer as properly. Lanai is extra of a luxurious keep than anything, which is why it ranks sixth and final by way of affordability.

Next Vacay Travel Tips: Coming in as the costliest island on this listing, with extra rugged trails and experiences to provide, Lanai additionally ranks final for us in family-friendly islands.

Next Vacay Can Help You Find the Cheapest Flights to Hawaii

Flying doesn’t have to be the costliest a part of your Hawaii trip. With Next Vacay, we assure it received’t be!

Signing up for alerts will preserve you up-to-date on value drops to your whole favourite Hawaiian locations from the Big Island to Oahu, that means you possibly can rating the perfect costs on your loved ones journey and save tons of of {dollars} on flights.

That’s extra to afford for lodging, meals, and experiences in your finances. Or higher but, save for one other future journey to the islands or wherever else on this planet!

With a staff that displays flights to Hawaii year-round, you possibly can rating the perfect offers out and in of season to plan your loved ones’s subsequent getaway to one of the beautiful locations within the US.

So, save your self the difficulty, save your loved ones the cash, and fly with Next Vacay!