Hawaii is world-famous for its beautiful beaches, mountains, and waterfalls, and its reputation as a luxury destination often keeps it on many people’s bucket lists. Fortunately, with these tips, you can enjoy its splendor without the hefty price tag. This guide is filled with practical tips on finding affordable accommodations and flights, the best way to get around each island, discovering free activities, and planning your visit for the best time of year.
How to spend less on accommodations
This is arguably the most important part of booking a vacation: where are you going to stay? Hotels in Hawaii are always super expensive, so when people want to book a hotel instead of Airbnb, they become discouraged and might give up on booking their trip. Lots of people use Airbnb to book lodging on a vacation because it is cheaper than a hotel, but I also recommend considering using Vrbo. Vrbo is my go-to accommodation resource, and I talk about it in more detail in my essential apps post.
Their website is also easy to navigate, and you can filter results based on what you want, including wanting air conditioning, seeing properties that received 4 stars or higher, setting a minimum or maximum nightly price, and more. You can even search for a place to rent based on the type of space you want: apartment/condo, house, villa, cabin, or cottage.
If you want to save money while experiencing a memorable vacation, be sure to use Vrbo when you book where to stay. My family and I have been satisfied with all of our Vrbo rentals, and I will continue to use Vrbo in the future when I book lodging for vacations!
How to spend less on flights
Of course, the first thing people do when planning a vacation is booking flights (unless you are driving to your destination). When planning a flight anywhere, not just Hawaii, it’s important to determine when to book to save the most money. A lot of people think that tickets become cheaper the closer you get to the departure date, but this is not always true. The best time to book a domestic flight to Hawaii is usually between 2 and 6 months in advance. While some last-minute deals can pop up, waiting until a month before your departure date is a risky strategy that often leads to higher prices.
My mom and I booked our flight to Hawaii a month before our departure date, and we were still able to book where to stay on the three islands we visited (Oahu, Kauai, and Maui) and book the tours we wanted to go on (continue reading to the end to see how I was able to plan and organize all of the activities we did). For those visiting Hawaii from another country, the best time to book a flight is generally between 2 and 8 months in advance. This is considered the “sweet spot” for international flights, but for those traveling during peak seasons, it’s wise to book on the earlier side of that range to get the best fares.
When trying to save money on a flight to Hawaii, one of the most crucial factors is your departure airport. The golden rule is to look for flights from major West Coast hubs, as they consistently offer the most competitive prices. Airports like Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) are often the most affordable departure points due to their proximity to the islands and the intense competition among multiple airlines flying these routes. For travelers on the East Coast or in the Midwest, it can often be cheaper to book a separate flight to one of these hubs and then fly to Hawaii from there.
The easiest way to travel around each island
I recommend using Turo, which I talk about in detail in my essential apps post. Turo is an app you download and use to rent a car from the car’s host. It can be used in several parts of the world, but there are some restrictions. You also have to be approved to rent a car on Turo, which can be done on the Turo website.
You can choose from different types of vehicles and brands of vehicles. What makes Turo worth using is that you get to skip the whole waiting-in-the-car-rental-line after getting off the plane when arriving in Hawaii. This saves you a lot of time that you can put towards seeing everything you plan to.
When renting a car in Hawaii using Turo, make sure to search for the specific island on which you want to rent a car. For example, if you just type “Hawaii” into the search box, the results will give you only rentals for the Big Island, the island of Hawaii. If you want to rent a car on Maui, type “Maui” in the search box, and autocomplete will give you “Maui County,” which is what you would click on.
Free activities to enjoy on each island
Many people think that because a trip to Hawaii is so expensive, the only free things to do are going to the beach and hiking. While these activities are both amazing, there are plenty of free activities that offer a deeper look into the culture, history, and unique nature of the islands. Here are some free things to do in Hawaii besides the beach and hiking, broken down by island:
Oahu
- Cultural Experiences: Catch a free hula show, such as the one at Kuhio Beach in Waikiki. The Royal Hawaiian Center also offers free cultural classes, including hula and lei-making.
- Historical Sites: Visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. The grounds and exhibits are free to visit. Reservations are required to visit the USS Arizona Memorial, and a small fee is needed to secure them online. You can also take a self-guided tour of the ‘Iolani Palace grounds, the only royal palace in the U.S.
- Botanical Gardens: Explore lush, beautiful botanical gardens like the Ho’omaluhia Botanical Garden, a 400-acre park with landscapes representing different tropical regions.
- Scenic Drives and Lookouts: Take a drive along the H-3 Highway for breathtaking views, or visit the Halona Blowhole to watch seawater shoot into the air through a natural rock formation.
- Urban Exploration: Stroll through the International Market Place in Waikiki to enjoy the atmosphere and occasional free entertainment. You can also hunt for street art murals in the Kaka’ako neighborhood.
- Evening Entertainment: Watch the free Friday night fireworks show at the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki.
Maui
- Cultural and Historical Sites: Witness the daily cliff-diving ceremony at Pu’u Keka’a (Black Rock) in Ka’anapali, which is a reenactment of a historic feat. You can also explore the historic town of Lahaina, which has a walking trail of historic landmarks (be sure to check on the current status of the area after the recent wildfires).
- Nature and Wildlife: During whale season (typically mid-December to mid-May), you can spot humpback whales from various points along the shore, like Makapu’u Point Lighthouse Trail. You can also check out the sea turtles that frequent the coastline at various spots.
- Botanical and Natural Wonders: Visit the famous Banyan Tree in Lahaina, a massive and historic tree that covers a large area. You can also watch surfers and windsurfers at Ho’okipa Beach Park.
- Shopping and Entertainment: Stroll around The Shops at Wailea, an upscale indoor/outdoor shopping mall.
Big Island (Hawaii)
- Volcanic and Geological Sights: Drive out to see the Kaumana Caves, which are part of a lava tube from a Mauna Loa eruption. While some sites within Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have an entrance fee, you can still experience the volcanic landscape for free from various lookouts.
- Gardens and Parks: Wander through the Liliuokalani Gardens, a beautiful and peaceful Japanese garden in Hilo. The Pana’ewa Rainforest Zoo is also free to enter and is the only zoo in the U.S. located in a rainforest.
- History and Culture: Explore the Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park, where you can see ancient fishponds, temples, and petroglyphs. The Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park is another sacred site that offers a free glimpse into ancient Hawaiian culture.
- Food and Drink: Many Kona coffee farms offer free tours and tastings, giving you a chance to learn about the process and sample the famous coffee.
Kauai
- Scenic Drives and Lookouts: Drive to the lookouts at Waimea Canyon, often called the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific,” for stunning views. You can also visit the Spouting Horn to see the ocean spray through a lava tube.
- Waterfalls: Wailua Falls is one of the most accessible waterfalls on the island, and you can drive right up to the lookout point to see it.
- Cultural Trails: The Koloa (Maha’ulepu) Heritage Trail is a self-guided, 10-mile trail that allows you to explore the island’s history and culture at your own pace. Wear sneakers if hiking this trail, as you will have to walk on sand at times.
- Unique Activities: The Kauai Humane Society has a “Shelter Dogs on Field Trips” program where you can take a shelter dog out for a day of fun. You can also take a free self-guided tour of the Kauai Coffee Estate and enjoy free coffee samples.
The best time of year to visit Hawaii
Flying during the shoulder season to Hawaii will save you a lot of money while also helping you avoid crowds. The shoulder seasons to see Hawaii are April to June (spring) and September to November (fall). Winter (December-March) is the most popular time to visit, when people head to Hawaii to escape the cold. Fortunately, the weather is still warm during the shoulder seasons of spring and fall! In spring, temperatures range from the mid-70s to low 80s (Fahrenheit), giving you the perfect mix of it being warm but not too hot.
In the fall, temperatures are in the same range. In case you are wondering, the rainy season is from November to March, coinciding with the peak season, but rain is localized (one part of an island can be rainy and the other sunny), and rainfall varies across the islands. FYI: Kauai (the most northwestern island) is the rainiest island, and you will encounter rain during whatever time of the year you are there.
Conclusions
Hawaii is on so many of our bucket list vacations, but visiting seems more like a headache than a trip worth taking due to the large expense. That’s a misconception I am here to solve. By using these tips, you’ll learn how to budget effectively and find hidden deals, turning your ideal Hawaiian getaway into an affordable reality. Your dream trip isn’t out of reach—it’s just a plan away.