The Price for a Trip to Hawaii: All the costs you Need to Plan for
Dream beaches, breathtaking nature, hiking on the slopes of a volcano that is part of our Top 10 volcanoes in the world, festive cities… during a stay in Hawaii, there is so much to discover that you will not know more where to turn. But this archipelago is a destination where travel is expensive, and preparing your budget well will be very important if you want to make the most of your stay.
If you want to know in detail the price of a trip to Hawaii, in this guide, I suggest you discover the different expenses to be expected. You will also find some tips to save money during your vacation in Hawaii
Travel budget for Hawaii: expenses to plan for
To make the most accurate estimate possible of the overall budget you will need to travel to Hawaii, it is important to take into account all the expenses you will face:
The price of the round-trip plane ticket, which varies depending on the time of year you are going to travel, the airline, the place of departure and arrival and the time when you buy your ticket.
The price of accommodation in Hawaii is one of the biggest expense items, and probably the one where you will have the most room for savings. Accommodation is expensive in Hawaii and you will have to devote a good part of your travel budget to it anyway, but the prices are still very variable from one establishment to another depending on the type of accommodation, its location and of his status.
The price of local travel in Hawaii, which can be very variable if you want to discover different islands, go on excursions far enough from your base, rent a car or even if you plan to make internal flights during your stay.
The price of food in Hawaii is another expense that should not be overlooked when preparing your budget, because food is far from cheap in Hawaii. Restaurants are often very expensive, but there are still solutions to save money on meals.
The price of the activities and visits you will do during your vacation in Hawaii. Obviously, for a successful stay in Hawaii, you will inevitably want to practice many activities which all have a certain cost, and according to your choices and your desires, the part of your budget which it will be necessary to devote to these leisure activities may be very variable.
All these expenses should therefore be taken into account when planning your trip to Hawaii. Of course, the overall budget will also be estimated according to the length of your stay, and the very type of stay you plan to do. If you organize all of your trip yourself, you can leave with a lower budget than if you plan to use the services of a travel agency who will take care of organizing everything for you.
The price of plane tickets to Hawaii
Often when traveling to a distant destination, the price of plane tickets is the largest and most apprehended expense. For a trip to Hawaii, this will not really be the case. Unfortunately, this does not mean that flights to Hawaii are cheap, but rather that the other expenses you will have to make there will be high
From France or other European countries, you can reach 5 different airports in Hawaii: Honolulu, Kahului, Kailua-Kona, Kauai and Hilo. Flight prices for each of these destinations vary very little. If you do it a bit at the last moment, you will probably find return flights at prices close to around 1400 $.
However, by adopting the right reflexes, you can find tickets at much more attractive prices, the cheapest return tickets can even be found sometimes below 534 $. The average prices are between these two extremes, around $ 8500 to $1070 depending on the period.
How to save on the price of the plane ticket to Hawaii?
From France and Europe, flights to Hawaii are always with a stopover. This will sometimes be a stopover in San Francisco (SFO), or sometimes even 2 stopovers which can be made at London-Heatrow (LHX), Munich (MUC), Los Angeles (LAX), Washington DC (IAD), Newark (EWR) or Seattle (SEA).
This is why in some cases you can also save money by taking two different tickets instead of one ticket with stopovers.
Before taking your plane ticket Paris-Honolulu for example, I therefore always recommend that you check whether it would not be more interesting to take a ticket to go from Paris to a city on the west coast of the United States (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Oakland…) then another ticket from this city to Hawaii.
It will not always be possible to find flights scheduled at convenient times to make the connection, and this may sometimes require you to spend a night at the airport. However, it can really save you money.
If you spend some time on it, other tips can save you money on plane tickets to Hawaii:
Book your flight well in advance. Using a flight comparator on the Internet can help you find the best deals, but it is by doing your research at the right time that you can really get good deals. It is generally advisable to buy tickets at least 6 weeks before the departure date.
Go during the week. Flights that take place on Fridays and weekends are almost always more expensive. Tuesday and Wednesday are often the days when the rates are the most interesting.
Clear your browser cookies, and use a VPN to change your IP. You may have already noticed that by multiplying the searches for plane tickets, the prices tend to go up. Deleting cookies allows them to return to a more classic rate. If this precaution is not enough, using private browsing and changing your IP (by connecting from another location or even using a VPN to simulate a change of country) can sometimes allow you to have good surprises. Airline ticket prices differ by country, which is why connecting with an IP from a country where the currency is different and income is lower often lowers fares.
The price of accommodation in Hawaii
In Hawaii, housing is expensive. There has been a very marked increase in prices in recent years, which is mainly linked to Covid-19. We can therefore expect to see prices fall again in the months or years to come, but nothing is certain and this increase is currently impacting all types of hotel establishments.
The budget to devote to your accommodation in Hawaii will still vary greatly depending on the length of stay of course, but also depending on the island and the type of accommodation you choose. I give you here some good affordable addresses where you will have a good stay
Stay at a hotel in Hawaii
To stay in a hotel in Hawaii, you will need to plan at least 128 $ per night for a classic double room in the less expensive localities. On the most popular islands (Kauai and Maui), count even at least 215 $ per night. You can easily add $55 to these rates to spend the night in more comfortable establishments.
The Big Island Hostel, as its name suggests is located on the largest island in Hawaii, it is the island where the Volcanoes National Park is located and it is also where you will find the cheapest hotels. This one will set you back around $130 per night and is located in the town of Hilo, close to the ocean.
Kauai Shores Hotel is on the island where accommodation is the most expensive, but it is in the lower middle of the price range: around $ 342 per night. It is a 3-star hotel very popular with tourists, but the price remains very high for a hotel at the bottom of the range. At this price you will still have a swimming pool to cool off
Spend the night at a campsite
To stay in a campsite in Hawaii, you will need to plan a minimum of 32 $ to rent a location per night in a state campsite. The campsites are fairly undeveloped and you will need a permit to use them. You can get this permit from the official State of Hawaii website for permits. If you travel with the right equipment, camping is a good way to save money on the accommodation budget.
If this is really the type of accommodation you are looking for but you do not have a motorhome, I advise you to rent one on site. But for more practical information I advise you to read my guide on motorhome rental.
Where to sleep in Hawaii? In a youth hostel !
To stay in a youth hostel, allow at least $85 for a bed in a dormitory, and $149 for one night for two people. These establishments are therefore quite expensive, but they are often welcoming and it is a very good way to meet people during the trip.
Hostelling International Honolulu is the first hostel I recommend. Try to book this accommodation as soon as possible, because in high season, these accommodations are very popular with tourists, especially thanks to their prices. Here, one night will cost $103.
The Beach Waikiki Boutique Hostel is also located on the island of Honolulu in Waikiki. This hostel also offers beds in dormitories but of a much more reasonable size (4/5 people). It is therefore an ideal accommodation if you go with your group of friends or your family. Once again it will be necessary to book well in advance to benefit from the best price: 130 $.
Other accommodation options in Hawaii
To stay in an Airbnb, it will be necessary to plan a budget quite comparable to that of hotels. The prices vary of course according to the locations and the quality of the services. Choosing an Airbnb is a great way to get to know the locals.
To stay in a condo, plan at least 106 $ per night. These small apartments which are rented by their owners often represent a very good alternative for sleeping in a comfortable place, well equipped (kitchen, garden, swimming pool) and well located, without breaking the bank. You can save a little by shopping to cook your own meals. Another advantage of condos is that they are often located in condominiums that have a babysitting service. On the other hand, they are most of the time only accessible for stays of 3 days or more.
Note that if you travel by car, you will also sometimes have to pay parking fees which generally amount to a few tens of euros.
The cost of traveling to Hawaii
To get around the different islands of Hawaii, the bus allows you to get around, but depending on the islands, the network is more or less limited:
On Oahu, the bus network is well developed and you can get around quite easily thanks to it.
On Maui, you can take the bus for your journeys between the main cities of the center and the west of the island
On the island of Hawaii, the bus makes it possible to make connections between the hotels and the main tourist sites
On Kauai, you can quite easily reach the beaches of the north and south coasts
Bus trips are very affordable, but you won't be able to go everywhere and take all your luggage: surfboards, for example, are prohibited on buses.
That's why if you want more freedom to visit the different islands, car rental in Hawaii will often be the best solution. I give you all my advice for a successful car rental right here 😉
Just like for your plane ticket, I recommend that you use an online comparison platform to rent your car and make your reservation before you even leave. This will allow you to find the best rates, to pay in euros and to be able to benefit from the assistance of the professionals of the platform in the event of a problem.
Rates vary of course depending on the type of vehicle chosen and the time of year, count around 37 $ for a small sedan outside the high tourist season. Average prices are closer to $ 65 in high season.
The price of petrol is also quite high, count around $ 2 per liter.
To save money, you may prefer to rent a two-wheeler, scooter or bicycle, but cycling on the hilly roads of Hawaii requires a certain physical condition.
Hawaii domestic flight prices
While in Hawaii, if you plan on island-hopping, you'll likely need to fly. The only trips that can be made by ferry are between the islands of Maui and Molokai and between Maui and Lanai.
Several airlines offer these routes, and thanks to the fairly recent arrival of the Southwest company, the average prices of domestic flights have been significantly reduced.
There are therefore now mainly three companies that offer domestic routes in Hawaii: Southwest, Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele Airlines. Depending on the connections, the prices of plane tickets generally vary between 32$ and 160 $, and the flights last between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
Here again, remember to book early to access the best prices. It is also important to note that Southwest is the only company with which 2 checked bags are included in the ticket price. With other companies, you will have to pay an additional US$20 to US$25 on site at one of the airport's automatic terminals.
The price of meals in Hawaii
Food is another expense item that should not be overlooked, as food is expensive in Hawaii. On this archipelago far from everything, refueling is necessarily more complicated and the prices are affected:
To have a meal in a very classic restaurant, you will have to pay an average of $32 per person. In some fairly chic establishments, the bill can climb much higher, especially since it is customary to leave a tip equivalent to 15% or 20% of the bill.
To have a meal in a fast food restaurant, a snack bar or a food truck, allow around 15$ for a menu with drink. These establishments often offer typical preparations and serve quite generous portions.
The best way to save on the food budget in Hawaii will be to shop at a local supermarket or market, and cook your own meals. This will of course often not be possible if you are staying at a hotel, which could be the decisive argument that will make you choose a condo, a hostel or an Airbnb.
Even at the supermarket, the prices of the products are quite high, and they also vary from one island to another (the prices are for example higher on Kauai, an island a little more isolated than others). It is especially in the markets that you can do good business, find local products and enjoy the scents and authentic atmosphere of Hawaii. It is especially the imported products that are very expensive, one more good reason to eat local!
I advise you all the same to devote a small part of your budget to the show of Hula dancers during which you will discover the most popular Luau of Kauai. All accompanied by a traditional dinner based on teriyaki chicken and haupia. Finally, after the meal, you will learn the legend of Kamalaku. Price for this magical evening: approximately$140 per person.
How to save on your dining budget in Hawaii?
In addition to cooking your own meals, other good habits can help you reduce your food budget during your stay in Hawaii:
Do your shopping in the right establishments. The Costco brand in particular, which has been present on several islands for a few years, offers attractive prices for groceries, fruits and vegetables.
In many supermarkets you can take advantage of lower prices with a membership card. Find out more and don't hesitate to ask at the checkout or customer service, because you can often access great discounts from your first purchases.
Check to see if your condo or Airbnb provides the condiments, or feel free to take some with you in your luggage. Spices and oils in particular are among the products that are often very expensive in Hawaii.
Ask locals for farmer's market times and locations. You will find them in several towns on each island, some are even accessible every day, and these are the right places to find fresh products at the best price.
The price of activities and leisure in Hawaii
This is perhaps the most difficult item of expenditure to estimate with precision, because depending on the activity, prices are really extremely variable. Spending a lazy afternoon on the beach or going for a helicopter flight over Hawaii will obviously not cost you the same. Especially since once again, activities are expensive in Hawaii, much more than for other destinations.
A good way to get an idea of what you can spend is to go directly to a site that allows you to book tours and activities in Hawaii, such as GetYourGuide. It is also a good way to ensure you have a place on the chosen day, and to save time once there.
Here are some examples of the rates for leisure activities in Hawaii:
For example, discover Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona Memorial and the historic sites of Honolulu. These must-see places have a real cultural interest that I advise you not to miss, especially since the price is very reasonable: around $ 65 per person.
One morning, rise at dawn to ascend to the summit of Haleakala National Park with a professional guide for a 9-hour journey. Tour price? around $ 235 per person.
You also cannot go to Hawaii without taking part in a snorkeling excursion to discover the green sea turtles. For this, go to the island of Maui and go to the towns of Molokini and Turtle Town. Price of the excursion: approximately $ 190.
The overall budget for a trip to Hawaii
As you have seen throughout this article, the various expenses to be expected are so varied that it is practically impossible to make an average estimate of the price of a trip to Hawaii.
Taking all these expenses into account, we can still estimate that, whatever the period, the average budget to be expected will be around $ 215 per person per day, to which must be added the price of the ticket. 'plane.
By camping, packing your meals, going out of peak season (the most expensive months are July, August, and December), and avoiding the most expensive activities, you can practically halve that budget.
Depending on all these criteria, for a two-week trip to Hawaii, you will therefore need to plan between $ 2200 and $ 4200per person.
If you choose to use the services of a travel agency, the prices will be rather close to the high end of this estimate. It will take around $8500 for a two-week stay in Hawaii, and the budget can even easily climb beyond $ 10,600 for an all-inclusive stay with quality services
With such sums, I also advise you to insure your trips in the event of cancellation at the last minute because you never know what can happen, especially since Hawaii is an American state and you are not told nothing telling you that healthcare costs are expensive in the United States. Once your budget has been defined, I advise you to read my entire guide to travel insurance in the USA
