Budget/Saving Money

Do You Need a Rental Car in Hawaii?

This post may contain some affiliate links, which means I’ll make a little money on anything you choose to purchase. But of course, I only recommend my absolute favorites to you. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Hulaland possible.

Do I need to rent a car in Hawaii? I get asked this question a lot. Going to Hawaii can be such an expensive trip that many travelers look to cut costs wherever they can. And while there may be many destinations where you don’t need a rental car to get around, I don’t think Hawaii is one of them.

I cannot imagine going to any Hawaiian island without having a car so I can come and go as I please. Going to Hawaii is not like going to an all-inclusive resort in Cancun. Part of the Hawaii experience is getting out and actually exploring the island. While there are some tours or excursions that offer pick up, not having a car will severely limit what you’ll be able to see and do.

With the exception of Oahu, the public transportation options on each island are pretty much non-existent so don’t expect to be able to travel around by bus. And Uber/Lyft can get REALLY expensive (when it’s even available). The Hawaiian Islands are each pretty sizable, so you could end up exceeding the cost of a rental car with just one or two Uber rides.

What about Oahu?

Oahu has a pretty decent public bus system and it’s handy for getting around to the major tourist sites (Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay, etc.), but it takes sooooo much longer than having your own car. Even with an itinerary that takes advantage of the bus routes, you’ll be able to do 2-3 times more each day with your own car. It also offers you the option of being more spontaneous.

For example, from Waikiki, you could take the bus out to Hanauma Bay and snorkel/beach bum for the day and then ride the bus back. But with a car, you can drive over to Hanauma Bay, stop at the Leonard’s truck for fresh malasadas on the way, pull over at an overlook for an amazing photo op, visit the Halona Blowhole after you’re done snorkeling, hike up to the Makapu’u Lighthouse (one of the best views on Oahu), and stop for happy hour at Kona Brewing Company on the way back to Waikiki. There’s no way you could do all of that one the bus.

Best FREE Things to Do in Hawaii

You probably think you’ve paid for the bulk of your trip before you even show up with your airfare and accommodations already paid for, but you’d be surprised how quickly the other stuff adds up. You’ll be bombarded with activities and excursion opportunities from the minute you arrive at the airport. So once you’ve go the big stuff paid for, how do you save money once you get there?

There really is a lot you can do for free in Hawaii and thankfully, the free stuff is some of the best stuff!

Beach bumming: Everybody comes to Hawaii for the beaches right? Well get out there and see them! If you’re staying at a beachfront hotel or condo, the temptation is to just hang out on “your” beach, but the awesome thing about Hawaii beaches is that each one looks a little different, especially on different parts of the island. One of my favorite things to do is go “beach hopping.” Plan to visit a different beach each day (or a couple each day) until you find your favorite. You’ll soon realize that different beaches are good for different things. Some are great for swimming and boogie boarding, some for snorkeling, and some for beach combing. Do some research before you get there and make a list of all the beaches you want to check out. Here’s a tip: You’ll have a much more comfortable day at the beach if you have the right gear. Many surf or gear shops will rent chairs, umbrellas, coolers, boogie boards, etc. to you for the week. Trust me, you’ll have so much more fun if you have the right gear instead of just sitting on a towel in the sand the whole time. But if you are going to rent, I would price check it first as it may be cheaper to buy your own gear at Costco and leave it behind at the end of your trip. Read about my favorite Maui and Kauai beaches as well as my favorite beach town on Oahu.

Snorkeling: Another great Hawaii pastime is snorkeling and many of the best snorkeling spots in Hawaii can be accessed right off the beach. If you have your own gear at home, bring it along. If not, there are plenty of places where you can rent by the day or the week (always rent from a gear/surf shop and not your resort as they’ll really gouge you!), but I would suggest picking up a set at Costco when you arrive. You’ll get a nice set for close to the weekly rental price at a gear shop plus you know you’re the first person who’s used it. FYI: Many gear rental places advertise snorkeling gear for $1.99/day but once you get to the shop you realize it’s for kind of a crappy snorkel set and they end up “upselling” you on a more expensive rental. You usually come out ahead just renting your own. Check out my favorite snorkeling spots on Maui and the Big Island.

When Is the Best Time to Go to Hawaii?

This is a question I get asked a lot. Deciding what time of year to visit Hawaii is likely the first decision you’ll make about your trip. A trip to Hawaii isn’t cheap and it’s a long haul over there so most people want to make sure they’re picking the best time to go. While I think anytime is a perfect time, some months are better than others depending on what’s important to you. When choosing dates to travel, most people are driven by weather, price, or wanting to experience something seasonal (like seeing the humpback whales).

What is the weather like?

As far as weather goes, Hawaii is pretty temperate year round, but their seasons technically match ours on the mainland. Our summer is their summer and our winter is their winter. “Winter” is a relative term in Hawaii, but what it mostly means are big waves and more rain. Winter is the wet season in Hawaii so while most resort areas on the Hawaiian islands occupy the leeward (dry and sunny) side of the island, if you’re venturing to the north shore or any jungle areas, you’ll likely experience more rain in the winter months. It’ll also be much lusher and greener and you’ll see more waterfalls.

The winter months also bring big swells and surf competitions (on Oahu) and many stellar snorkeling spots (Honolua Bay on Maui, Waimea Bay on Oahu, and Tunnels on Kauai) aren’t snorkelable (is that a word??) in the winter. But you will get to see some of the best surfers in the world taking on some of the world’s most famous breaks.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Hawaii

For most travelers, airfare is the single biggest expense of a trip to Hawaii…after all, it’s a looooong ways over there. And if you’ve never booked international airfare before (I know it’s the US but because of the distance, flights to Hawaii work much more like international than domestic), it can be kind of overwhelming. First up, I’ll let you in on a few of the biggest things you need to be aware of before you start looking at airfare to Hawaii. Next, I’ll let you in on my 5-step system for booking the best airfare deal and finally, suggest a few scenarios where I think it’s worth it to pay a little more for a better flight.

Before I dive into some of my favorite money saving strategies, you should know that the single biggest factor that will save on airfare is picking the cheapest time of year to travel to Hawaii (read all about that here). Once you have a good idea of your general travel dates as well as the island(s) you’re headed to, you’re ready to start searching for bargains!

So first up, exactly how long is the flight to Hawaii?

Well it depends where you’re traveling from. From the west coast, flights are only 5-6 hours (6 hours going, 5 hours coming home). From the midwest, flights can be 7-9 hours (hey, the US is a big country and there’s a big difference between Denver and Atlanta). And from the east coast, flights can be 10+ hours (yikes!). Now I have not flown direct from the east coast, but I have flown direct from Dallas, TX (8 hour flight) so I have some personal experience here. I will say, these are DIRECT flight times (my preferred method of travel), but the majority of flights to Hawaii connect on the west coast so you’ll be able to break it up.

Things to Know About Booking Airfare to Hawaii

Before you start bargain hunting, here are a few general strategies that I’ve found save money on airfare no matter where you’re traveling:

Be flexible: Obviously, the more flexible you are on dates (within your general time frame) the more likely you’ll be able to find a deal. If you can pick a 2-3 week time frame and then search for dates within that block, you’ll find the best deals.

Check out nearby airports: If you live in an area with several airport options, make sure to investigate all of your options. It may also be worth it to drive a bit to fly out of a different airport, especially if they have a good connection to a west coast hub.

Know your connections: The lowest priced flights usually have the most connections. If you have more time than money, being willing to make another connection (especially through Los Angeles or Honolulu) will often save you money. Also, flights with long layovers (especially coming home) are usually the cheapest.

Fly on weekdays: As a general rule of thumb, weekday flights are always less expensive than weekend flights. Everybody wants to leave on a Friday morning and come home the next Saturday or Sunday so naturally that will always be the most expensive option. Being able to travel on a random Tuesday or Wednesday can really save you some big bucks.

Consider breaking the trip up. Narrow your airfare search to a west coast hub (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, etc.) because those are where you’ll find AMAZING deals. $200 round trip tickets to Maui anyone? Once you snag an awesome deal, then stalk flights from your hometown to that city. You can often save quite a bit using this method but it does require more planning.

Check to see how full your flight is. Once you find a flight itinerary that you like but you’re not sure if the price is at rock bottom or not, go to the airline’s website and look up the seating chart. That will tell you how full it is. If it’s mostly filled up, don’t expect the price to go down much. If it has plenty of availability, you might take the gamble of waiting to see if the price drops.

Check out Alaska Airlines. Although the name may confuse you, Alaska Airlines has a surprising amount of flights to Hawaii and they’re considered a budget airline so they’re usually some of the best options. They fly out of almost a dozen locations on the west coast, so always look into them as an option.

Southwest Airlines is now a player. Southwest has announced plans to begin flights to Hawaii (as well as interisland flights), so if you’re loyal to the airline, this is a great opportunity to cash in those points and check some free bags! Definitely keep an eye out for great rates with Southwest!

When in doubt, fly Hawaiian. Unless you’ve been to Hawaii before, you likely won’t have much experience with Hawaiian Airlines, but I really like them. They only fly out of a handful of hubs on the US mainland (although they have flights from Las Vegas and JFK in addition to the regular west coast hubs), but they have good partners so you can usually book with them from quite a few cities. In my experience, their places are always nice and they really nail the ambiance. They also partner with Jet Blue so if you have miles with them, you can use them to book Hawaiian.

20 Free Things to Do in Honolulu & Waikiki

Hawaii can be an expensive vacation, but if you’re staying on Waikiki, there are plenty of things to do for free. Here are 20 things to do in Waikiki & Honolulu for free:

1.Kuhio Beach: Nothing beats a day at the beach! And they won’t charge you a dime to lay out your towel for the day and frolic in the clear blue water.

2.Watch the sunset: Sunsets on Waikiki are pretty magical. You can watch from the beach for free, or venture up to a resort poolside bar for a special treat.

3.Friday fireworks. Every Friday night, the Hilton Hawaiian Village shoots off fireworks in the skies over Waikiki. Watch from the lagoon in front of the Hilton or anywhere in Waikiki really.

4.Ala Moana Center Stage: The Ala Moana is Honolulu’s most prestigious shopping mall, and while the luxury brands there will certainly set you back, their Center Stage offers great entertainment. Check the schedule here.

5.Aloha Tower: Located in Honolulu Harbor, built in 1926 as a beacon to welcome visitors to Hawaii (who came almost entirely by boat), the 10^th floor observation deck offers great views of Honolulu and the water.

6.Royal Hawaiian Hotel Tour: The iconic “Pink Palace of the Pacific” offers complimentary walking tours that showcase the hotel’s history every Tuesday and Thursday at 1 PM. Tours meet in the Royal Hawaiian Bakery.

25 Amazing Airbnb Oahu Rentals

A trip to Hawaii can be a once in a lifetime experience, but wow can it be hard settling on a good place to stay!

If you’re on a budget and trying to avoid paying resort prices, or you’re just looking for a little something different (maybe a more local experience?) then an Airbnb rental is perfect for you.

And I’ve got a treat for you, friend! I’ve got $35 off your Airbnb rental if you sign up right here. Once you’re all signed up (go ahead, you know you want to grab that $35!), I’ll let you in on a little rundown of how Airbnb works…

What is Airbnb? Airbnb is an online booking platform that connects people who are looking to rent out their home (or condo, guest cottage, garage apartment, etc.) with people who are looking for that type of accommodation. Operating in over 200 countries and 35,000 cities, Airbnb has over 10,000 listings in Hawaii alone!

How does it work? By doing a simple search by island, you’ll be able to find a wide (price and type) range of accommodation. Some Airbnb listings are for a shared or private room in the “host’s” house and some are for an entire apartment, condo, or house. You can refine your search to fit certain criteria (part of the island, price, style, etc.) before you start weeding through specific properties. Once you settle on a property, you’ll work out the details with the host and submit your payment through Airbnb’s online booking system, which mediates the transaction.

Why Airbnb in Hawaii? Airbnb is a popular accommodation source all over the world, but Hawaii is an Airbnber’s dream. Hawaii has a great variety of accommodation options, which makes it the perfect place to try out Airbnb. Since Hawaii is a major vacation destination, there are of course MANY condos to choose form but besides condos, Hawaii has a ton of “ohanas.” Ohana means family (any Lilo and Stitch fans out there???) and in Hawaii the term is applied to separate living units located on the same property as the main house. Many homes in Hawaii are divided up into multiple spaces (each with its own private entrance, bathroom, kitchenette, etc.) while some have a guest cottage on the property. Because so many homes are configured this way, it’s easy to find a private apartment or cottage on the same property with a local host.

How does it save me money? There are several ways you’ll save money on a trip to Hawaii by staying in an Airbnb. The biggest way you’ll save money is that it’s soooo much cheaper than staying at a resort or hotel. On many islands you can find condos or ohanas either right on or just a block or two from the beach. Plus, resorts can get expensive really fast if you have more than two adults staying in a room. Airbnbs are perfect for larger parties who can rent an entire house or multi bedroom condo and split the cost. Another big benefit that Airbnbs offer is the full kitchen (or kitchenette depending on what you book). Having a place to cook some meals and a fridge to store snacks and drinks can really save you a lot. Another big plus to staying in a hosted Airbnb is that they often provide gear for you to use. If you’re staying at a beach resort, they’ll only provide chairs and umbrellas for you at their beach, but an Airbnb or condo will often have chairs, umbrellas, beach towels, coolers, and snorkeling gear for you to use during your stay. This is a pretty big bonus if you’re the adventuresome type who likes to check out different beaches and do day trips to explore the island.

Not very familiar with Oahu? Read this post to get the lay of the is(land) before you decide where to book.

And now, here are some of my favorite Airbnbs on Oahu:

^1.Waikiki Studio with an Ocean View: This bright and airy studio on Waikiki has beautiful ocean and mountain views and world famous Waikiki Beach is just steps away! The price starts at $85/night + parking.

^2.Beautiful Sunset Beach Cottage: This newly renovated beach cottage for two is right across the street from Sunset Beach (famous for the surfing at Pipeline). Enjoy the miles of bike trails along the north shore with the complimentary bikes provided. You’ll also love the proximity to Haleiwa town (the famous Ted’s Bakery is right across the street!). The price starts at $129/night.

^3.Beachfront Cottage in Kailua: Just 50 yards from one of the most beautiful beaches in Hawaii, this cozy little cottage is just perfect for two. It’s also just a 10 minute walk to the shops and restaurants in Kailua town. The price starts at $175/night.

^4.Chic Studio in the Middle of Waikiki: If you like to stay right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, this is the place for you! This adorable little studio is centrally located in Waikiki right off the Ala Wai Canal. The price starts at $99/night.

^5.Valley View Haven: This modern and trendy open concept apartment in Honolulu overlooks the Makiki Valley and is seriously swoon worthy. Warning though: you many not want to leave! The price starts at $109/night.

Hawaii on a Budget: How to Save $1000 on a Trip to Hawaii

If you’re tossing around the idea of a Hawaii vacation, you probably know that the dream vacation often comes with a not so dreamy price tag. If you only have a vague idea of the exact numbers, check out this post on how much a trip to Hawaii costs. Once you get over the sticker shock, here are a few ways you can do Hawaii on a budget:

1.Don’t travel during high season. This is the single biggest way to save money on your Hawaiian vacation. High season is around the winter holidays and summer months. If you’re able to travel during the low season (there really is no “off” season in Hawaii), you’ll save a bundle on airfare and accommodations. For more info on the best (and cheapest) time to go to Hawaii, read this post.

2.Be flexible on when you can go and look for deals. If you’re flexible on your dates, you’ll leave yourself open to snagging great airfare or room deals when they become available. Track flights on Google Flights or set some alerts on SkyScanner.

3.Book a package. Sometimes booking a vacation package will score you a big discount as opposed to booking your airfare, hotel, and rental car by themselves. Hawaiian Airlines often runs good specials (I would sign up for their emails) and if you’re a member of Costco, they have travel specials that you can take advantage of.

4.Travel with a group. When you travel with a group of people, even another couple, you’ll be able to split a lot of the costs. Splitting a two or three-bedroom condo (and a rental car) will really cut down on the costs and be much cheaper than a one-bedroom condo or hotel room.

6 Steps to Planning a Hawaii Vacation

When is the Best Time to Go to Hawaii?

Which Hawaiian Island Should You Visit?

5.Stay in a condo or vacation home. Choosing a condo is going to be MUCH cheaper than a comparable resort and many of them have resort like amenities. You’ll likely get much more room for the money and most will come with a kitchen and washer and dryer. If you’re looking for something even cheaper, many locals will rent out their “ohanas” which is usually something like a garage apartment or guest cottage. I’d recommend searching on VRBO or Airbnb (get $40 off your first stay) for these types of set ups.

Wish you had a go to resource for the best spots in Hawaii? I’m talking snorkeling spots, trailheads, hidden beaches, local restaurants, and more! Sign up for my newsletter to access to my library of Hawaii Google Maps. I’ll also send you the latest and greatest Hawaii news, brand new things to do, special weekly deals and more. You don’t want to miss out on this! So sign up below!

6.Choose the most affordable part of the island. No matter what island you’re staying on, there will be parts of it that are more affordable than others. On Maui, Kihei is a much more affordable alternative to Wailea or Ka’anapali. On Oahu, the hotels towards the south/east part of Waikiki (and even a block off the beach) tend to be cheapest. On Kauai, stay in Kapa’a and on the Big Island, stay in Kona for the best prices. Read my detailed guides on where to stay on Maui, Kauai, Oahu, and the Big Island.

7.Use points for airfare and rooms. This, of course, isn’t an option for everyone but if you have miles or points on a credit card or with a specific airline or hotel chain, this is the time to use them! Keep in mind that if you’re booking with points, you might be limited as to specific times and dates and you may have to book pretty far in advance to get anything. Read more tips on how to find cheap airfare to Hawaii here.

8.Book activities directly. If you wait until you arrive on the island, many activities will be booked up and they’re less likely to offer discounts when the tour is almost full and people who waited until the last minute are competing over a few remaining spots. Many companies offer a discount if you book online directly through them. This is because most tours rely heavily on resort concierge desks to promote their tours to the guests. The concierge get a commission for referring guests to the tour company (sometimes up to 40%) so tour companies have to keep their prices high so they walk away with a decent profit on the tour after paying out commissions. So if you go directly to the tour company, they’re often willing to cut you a deal because they don’t have to pay a commission to a concierge for your spot. For example, if a company pays a 40% commission for concierge recommendations, they’ll still come out ahead if they offer you a 20% discount for booking directly. But this way, you also come out ahead. Also, if you go this route, you can do your research on companies ahead of time (I recommend Trip Advisor) and read honest reviews about the tours and pick which one you feel is best for you. If you go with a concierge recommendation, not only are you usually paying more, but 99% of the time, you’re just being recommended the tour provider who pays out the biggest concierge commissions, not necessarily the best one. If the tour provider’s website doesn’t advertise a direct booking special, I would still call and ask for their best price. You never know until you ask! Read about the best paid activities and tours on Maui, Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island.

9.Go grocery shopping. Everybody knows how expensive food is in Hawaii so every little bit you can avoid buying at your resort or a restaurant helps. Obviously, if you’re staying in a condo or vacation rental, you can buy enough groceries to cook all of your meals, but even if you don’t have a full kitchen, (or don’t want to cook every meal) there are still some things you can stock up on to save you a little cash. I would suggest at least grabbing a case of water, sodas, and liquor to mix your own drinks as well as plenty of snacks. If you have a membership, Costco is usually the best shopping option in the islands. Even buying in bulk, you’ll find their prices are often much cheaper than local grocery stores, plus they also have a pretty big prepared foods section (oh lord, that mac and cheese!). If you’re looking for brands you have at home, all of the islands have Walmart and all but Kauai have Target. Safeway is also a local grocery chain that you’ll find throughout the islands. If you shop there, I suggest signing up for their free loyalty rewards program, as it will usually save you at least $5-10 in one stop.

RELATED: Where to Stay on Maui

Where to Stay on Oahu

Where to Stay on Kauai

Where to Stay on the Big Island

10.Eat like a local. Food gets a bad rap for being super expensive in Hawaii but that’s only if you don’t know where to eat. Anywhere in the resort areas are likely to have higher than normal prices. Even in the resort areas, many restaurants will have two tiers of restaurants, one high-end “steak and fish” option, and a more casual “burgers and tacos” option. If you are in a resort area, take advantage of happy hours! For more reasonable prices, venture away from the resort areas and into the more local towns (hey, it’s still Hawaii and everything is still geared towards tourists). Also, never pass up a food truck, bakery, or little roadside stand. That’s where you’ll usually find the best food. Read about my favorite spots in eat in Hawaii.

11.Plan your splurges. If you do want to have a nice dinner or two out, I suggest planning ahead instead of just blindly walking into a place. Do some research ahead of time to make sure you pick a good place. There are plenty of tourist traps in Hawaii that will cost you an arm and a leg and leave you disappointed. On Maui, Mama’s Fish House or Mill House are must dos for a nice dinner. On Kauai, try the Beach House in Po’ipu. On Oahu, Haleiwa Joe’s (in Kaneohe) is great, and on the Big Island, I like Ulu Ocean Grill.

Save

How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost?

How much does a trip to Hawaii cost? This is one of the questions I get asked the most often. While for many people, Hawaii is the ultimate vacation destination, a lot of people don’t even have a vague idea how much a Hawaiian vacation costs. Most conversations go something like this: “I know airfare is really expensive because it’s so far away. And all of those fancy beach resorts can’t be cheap right? And I’ve heard the food is really high. Tell me, how much does it cost anyways?”

Well that’s a loaded question. There are so many factors that can determine the price of a trip to Hawaii least of which would be: what time of year are you going? Where are you flying from? What kind of place do you want to stay at? And are you willing to do less touristy things to save money?

As you can imagine, there’s a pretty large spectrum of what a trip to Hawaii can cost, but here are some general guidelines of what you can expect plus what to budget when you’re planning your trip.

Transportation

Airfare: This is the big one. No matter how you break it down, just getting to Hawaii is usually the most expensive part. As a general ballpark figure, I always assume that a plane ticket to Hawaii will cost me around $1000. That’s flying from the middle of the country (airfare from major Californian cities is often MUCH cheaper). Of course, if you’re flexible with your travel dates and willing to stalk some of the sites that track promotions and deals then you may be able to get that down to $800-$900. And of course your route also determines the price. Flying through Honolulu (even if you’re not staying on Oahu) will often get you a better deal than flying direct from the mainland to Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island. Also, routes that connect through LAX (as opposed to flying direct from Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, or another Californian city like San Diego or San Francisco) are also often a lot cheaper. This is because you’ll have to jump through a lot more hoops if flying through LAX (changing terminals, rechecking bags, etc.). Read more about how to find cheap airfare & how to survive the long flight to Hawaii.

Rental Car: Rental car pricing in Hawaii can seem insane when you’re first pricing it out but generally it’s anywhere from $20-$80 a day depending on the type of car and how far out you book. Prices during the holiday season can skyrocket but if you’re willing to dig around, you can usually find a pretty good deal. This of course depends on the time of year and type of car. And don’t wait too long to book or during high season you may find yourself with low to no availability. I always book through Hawaii Discount Car Rental to get the best prices.

Budget/Saving Money

What is the weather like?

Things to Know About Booking Airfare to Hawaii

Pin It on Pinterest