cost of trip for 4 to hawaii

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How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost?

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Hawaii is often on the short list of dream destinations for a relaxing beach holiday. But a potential trip to paradise doesn’t happen without first asking the critical question: How much is a trip to Hawaii?

The answer varies depending on where you stay and when you travel. We’ve crunched the numbers to give you an idea of how much you can expect to spend so you’re better prepared to budget for a vacation in Hawaii.

Estimated Hawaii trip cost

Beachfront view of the Hilton Hawaiian Village in Waikiki. (Photo courtesy of Hilton)

We looked at the estimated costs of a 10-night trip for a family of four (two adults and two children) during the peak summer travel season, as well as a seven-night trip for that same family during the shoulder season.

Here are the hypotheticals:

Travel to Honolulu on the island of Oahu, the most popular island for visitors to Hawaii.

Round-trip flights for four from Los Angeles.

A peak-season trip assumes a June 25, 2024, departure, while a shoulder-season trip assumes a May 8, 2024, departure.

We used three property types to assess price estimates:

A beachfront four-star resort: Hilton Hawaiian Village. 

A three-star hotel: Holiday Inn Express Waikiki. 

A condo: Various Waikiki units on Vrbo.com.

Totals include resort fees :

$50 per night at the four-star resort.

$29.49 per night at the three-star hotel.

All management and cleaning fees at the condo units.

Totals include parking costs of:

$68.06 per day at the four-star resort.

$45 per day at the three-star hotel.

Parking isn't included in condo totals (varies by building/unit).

Meals include nightly dinners of about $225, including drinks, taxes and tips. 

At a four-star resort, meal estimates include breakfasts and lunches totaling about $100 per day. 

Costs at a three-star hotel, which includes free breakfast, include only lunches totaling about $50 per day. 

Tightly budgeted meals assume cutting food costs by 60% with cheap eats and/or preparing meals. 

Activities for the 10-night trip include a snorkeling excursion, surfing lessons, a Pearl Harbor visit and a day at a water park. For the seven-night trip: snorkeling, the Pearl Harbor visit and a day at a water park (no surfing lessons).

Economy rental car reserved through DiscountHawaiiCarRental.com or Turo .

$5-a-day tip for housekeepers .

Based on the information outlined above, here are our estimated budgets.

» Learn more: The best times to visit Hawaii by travel style

10-night trip, peak summer travel season

$15,090: Four-star beachfront resort, with a 10-day rental car.

$10,447: Three-star hotel, with a 10-minute walk to the beach and a five-day rental car.

$7,781 Low-cost condo within walking distance to the beach, tightly budgeted meals and a five-day rental car. 

Seven-night trip, shoulder season

$9,574: Four-star beachfront resort, with a seven-day rental car.

$6,488: Three-star hotel, with a 10-minute walk to the beach and a rental car for two days.

$4,936: Low-cost condo within walking distance to the beach, tightly budgeted meals and a two-day rental car. 

Can you beat these numbers? Definitely. Here are tips on how to save on your vacation to Hawaii.

» Learn more: The best island in Hawaii for first timers

How to cut your Hawaii vacation costs

Stay on the beach or rent a car every day, but don’t do both.

Does your idea of a great vacation involve hitting the open road to explore every corner of the island? Then, don’t pay premium prices for a hotel on the beach.

On the other hand, if your dream trip involves tons of time lounging on the sand and splashing in the pool, don’t pay $55 a day for a rental car plus $68 a day to park it when it’s just going to sit there.

Many Waikiki hotels are within walking distance of a car rental agency, so it’s easy to get a car for just part of your trip. Select “Waikiki” instead of “Honolulu airport” as your pick-up and drop-off location for your rental car. If you pick the car up in the morning, then drop it off at the end of the day, you can save a night’s worth of parking costs, cutting down your trip cost.

The downside to this strategy is you may have to wait in a long line to get your car. So send one adult to pick up the vehicle in the morning while the rest of the crew gets ready for the day. And don’t forget to include airport transfers in your budget. Budget about $37 each way, including tip, for a taxi or rideshare between Waikiki and Honolulu airport.

» Learn more: The cheapest rental car companies

Eat cheaper

If your family of four has a nice dinner at the world-famous Duke’s Waikiki, including cocktails for the adults, an appetizer and a Hula Pie dessert to share, you’ll spend about $225, including taxes and tip. Of course, the beachfront views, tiki torches and aloha spirit might be worth it. But you don’t have to spend that much every night.

Step away from the beach and meals get much cheaper. For example, the outstanding burgers at Cheeseburger in Paradise are about $20, as opposed to the $36 baked fish at Duke’s.

In addition, pizza joints, super-affordable ramen houses, authentic Hawaiian diners such as Rainbow Drive-In, chains such as Denny’s and IHOP and fast-food restaurants including McDonald’s, Burger King and Subway can bring your meal costs down.

Or swing into one of the many ABC Stores to pick up packaged salads, sandwiches, yogurt, snacks, drinks or some spam musubi (a slice of grilled Spam sandwiched between or on top of a block of rice, wrapped in nori) to fill up on the cheap.

More affordable yet, you can buy cereal, coffee, milk, sandwich meats and bread to prepare breakfasts and lunches at your hotel or condo.

» Learn more: Is island hopping in Hawaii worth it?

Consider a condo

You can often find a vacation rental just a few minutes from the beach for much cheaper than you’d pay for a hotel.

For example, we found the condo shown below on Vrbo for 10 nights for $1,942 plus tax, for a total of $2,260. And that’s during peak summer travel.

For a seven-day rental during the shoulder season, you can cut your total accommodations expenditure by around $500 by choosing a condo over a hotel.

Many condos have kitchens, too, so you could save money by making eggs or pancakes for breakfast, spaghetti for dinner and packing sandwiches for lunches while you’re out and about.

» Learn more: Travelers: Save on meals with these tidbits

Pay with points and miles

The question “How much is a vacation to Hawaii?” has a much more appealing answer if you pay using airline miles, hotel points or credit card points — which can erase hundreds or even thousands of dollars from your trip cost.

For more information on how to maximize your points, be sure to check out these articles:

The Cheapest Ways to Fly to Hawaii Using Travel Rewards .

How to Travel to Honolulu on Points and Miles .

Where to Stay in Waikiki With Hotel Points .

How to Visit Hawaii On a Budget .

The Best Oahu Hotels Without Resort Fees .

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

If you want to go to Hawaii

So how much does it cost to go to Hawaii? It can be expensive. Hidden costs like resort fees and exorbitant parking prices can easily break a budget. But there are ways to save on the cost of a vacation to Hawaii.

Traveling before or after the peak summer season can save a considerable amount. In addition, don’t pay a premium to stay on the beach if you won’t take full advantage of that location, and don’t pay up to $68 a night to park a car as you’re splashing around the pool for several days.

To save big, consider a condo where you can cook many of your meals to save on dining. With these simple strategies, your answer to the question “How much is a vacation to Hawaii?” is one that fits your budget.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1.5%-5% Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel, 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and unlimited 1.5% cash back on all other purchases.

Up to $300 Earn an additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year) - worth up to $300 cash back!

on Capital One's website

2x-5x Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day. Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options.

75,000 Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

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Hawaii Trip Costs

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2024 hawaii budget calculator & cheapest times to visit.

The first step toward planning a great vacation is to budget for it. That way, you can ensure that you have enough to spend to make the vacation worthwhile and possibly save some money in the process. There are many things to budget for any vacation, and Hawaii is no different.

You will have to budget everything from airfare to food costs for a Hawaii vacation. There are also some essential things that you will need to budget for, such as attractions and where you will stay.

The following article is a detailed description of everything you need to know when budgeting for a trip to Hawaii. It covers everything from when you leave for the airport the morning of the trip to returning home once it is over.

— article continued below —

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Hawaii Trip Costs Summary

This article has the general expenses for planning a trip to the Hawaiian islands. It also has a calculator to help you with an estimated total cost amount.

Click any topic link below to drop to that section on this page.

How Much Airport Expenses Cost

How much accommodation expenses cost, how much vacation activities cost.

• Hawaii Budget Calculator - Trip Cost Estimator

Airport expenses can vary depending on multiple factors, such as what airline you choose and if you purchase any snacks or meals. There are also parking fees and baggage fees to consider.

Airport expenses are one of the most expensive things to budget for on a trip to Hawaii, aside from the hotel or vacation home you decide to stay at. Since there are multiple airlines to choose from, it’s difficult to pinpoint precisely how much airport expenses will cost.

The main things to consider when budgeting for the airport are:

• The plane tickets
• The baggage fees
• Any snacks or meals
• Parking fees

There are also ways to save money on each of these expenses.

Plane Tickets

The average forecasted prices for flights to Hawaii in 2023 are:

• $925 for the East Coast 
• $490 for the West Coast
• $810 for the Midwest
• $1,120 for international flights

However, ticket prices can still vary depending on multiple factors.

When planning a trip to Hawaii, the first thing you should purchase is airplane tickets. Purchasing them two or three months in advance will save you a significant amount of money and ensure you have a flight when you plan to go.

If you are traveling from anywhere on the East Coast of the United States, tickets usually cost about $925 per person for a round-trip flight. If you are traveling from the West Coast or the Midwest, they are slightly less expensive. Flying from the West Coast costs about $490 per person round trip, while Midwest flights cost about $810 per person round trip.

Landing an Inexpensive Flight

The highest flight prices are for those traveling internationally to Hawaii. If you are traveling to Hawaii from somewhere outside of the United States, then the average cost of round-trip airfare is about $1,120 per person. However, ticket prices can fluctuate depending on two main things, the airline you purchase from and when you purchase the tickets.

The majority of inexpensive flights to Hawaii land in Honolulu or Maui. As for which cities have the most affordable flights heading toward Hawaii, California, and other West Coast states, they are the ones to go for. If you want to save money, you could drive to California and fly to Honolulu or Maui. It’s also recommended to search multiple airline websites for ticket prices to find those that fit your budget.

The other main factor that can help you save money on plane tickets is the time you buy them. It is recommended to buy them at least two months before you plan to leave, but there are also certain times of the year that are better for a Hawaii vacation than others. The worst and most expensive times to go to Hawaii are during its peak seasons during the summer months and major United States holidays.

Everything is much more expensive during the peak seasons, not just airfare tickets. To save money and time, the best times to fly to Hawaii include the following:

• Late summer
• After the winter holidays
• Before Thanksgiving

Not only will you have a higher chance of booking a flight for a reasonable price, but you will also be able to save money and time on other vacation expenses.

Baggage Fees

The average cost of airport baggage fees is around $50 per bag. These fees must be paid if you have bags that exceed a specific weight limit or have more than two bags. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid paying this fee or save money on the cost if you need extra bags.

If you have a bag over a specific weight limit or more than two bags, you will need to pay an airport baggage fee. The average cost of airport baggage fees is about $50, but it can vary depending on how heavy your bag is or how many you have.

The best way to avoid paying this fee is to pack light. Having a personal item with you at your seat and a small carry-on bag that can fit in the overhead compartment is the best way to ensure you don’t have to pay for baggage fees. You can also include more items in your bag to avoid having to check a bag if it’s over a certain weight.

If you need to check a bag, there are a few ways to make it less expensive. One way is to check the bag at the airport gate rather than check in for your flight. The airline might offer a free bag check to ensure everyone’s luggage gets on if your flight is full. This method isn’t guaranteed, but it’s worth a shot as long as your bag fits the weight requirements instituted by the airline.

Another way to avoid paying the full baggage fee is to get a discount. Whether a military discount or a discount through elite flight status, any deal can make a considerable cost difference in the long run.

Meals and Drinks

The price of snacks and meals at the airport varies depending on how much you purchase. The average price of snacks and meals is around ten dollars, which can add up fast if you buy a significant amount.

Snacks, meals, and drinks from the airport usually cost about ten dollars. Some airlines offer free snacks on flights, but you still have to pay for meals, drinks, and snack packs. The cost of meals and snacks can rack up fast. Fortunately, there are ways to save money at the airport.

The primary way to avoid buying meals and drinks at the airport is to bring your food. Most small snacks can get past security, such as fruits and vegetables, and having small snacks available will make you less tempted to purchase snacks from the airport and save you money.

Another great way to stay full and save money on snacks is to eat lots of protein-filled snacks, such as protein bars. Protein will help you feel full for an extended time, lessening your chances of getting hungry and buying food at the airport. If you need to stop at a layover, it’s recommended to pack snacks that can keep over time. The most popular snacks include nutrition bars and trail mix since they are filling and can last for days in a backpack.

Parking Fees

Parking at an airport isn’t ideal if you’re on a budget, but it’s doable with a few money-saving tips. The average cost for parking at an airport is anywhere from $42 to $273 for one week, and the prices vary depending on the airport and how long you want to park your car there.

It’s recommended that someone drive you to the airport or take a taxi to avoid airport parking fees altogether. But if you do need to park your car at the airport, you can expect to pay around $42 to $273 for one week of parking. The prices might be a little more or less expensive depending on the airport and how long you park there, but there are ways to save money on parking for any circumstance.

The best ways to save money on airport parking are to book parking in advance and look for coupons. Reserving a long-term parking spot a month or so before your flight can save you significant money. You should contact the airport you plan to fly from to check advanced scheduling versus drive-up rates.

Another way to save money on airport parking is to look online for coupons. Even a Google search with the name of the airline you plan to park at and the word “coupons” after it can turn up some unexpected finds.

When you get to Hawaii after your flight, the next step is to find somewhere to stay. Hotels and vacation rentals are popular, but you also have to determine which one works best for your budget when including parking and food costs.

Getting to Hawaii is half the battle, but booking accommodations for when you get there is also essential for budgeting your stay. The primary things that need to be budgeted for accommodations include the following:

• Hotels or Resorts and/or Vacation rentals
• Parking and rental car expenses

There are multiple ways to configure accommodations that can work for your budget.

Hotels and Resorts

Hotel and resort prices vary depending on how many stars they are rated. The average cost of a three-star hotel is about $350 a night, while a four-star resort is about $455 a night. Lastly, most bed-and-breakfast inns are about $190 a night.

Hawaii is famous for having beautiful hotels and resorts that are steps away from beaches and other island attractions. However, their price varies depending on their star ratings and how much they offer their guests. For example, the average cost of a room at a four-star resort is about $455 a night, but you will also likely be right next to a beach and other attractions.

A three-star hotel in Hawaii may also be near a beach and is less expensive at $350 a night. However, you might not have access to other attractions or amenities. If you decide to stay at a standard bed and breakfast inn, this is the least expensive option at $190 a night. But a traditional inn likely won’t be near a beach, and you’ll only have access to a room and one meal.

For budgeting purposes - the average statewide cost of a hotel room in Hawaii is roughly $375/night  as of this writing. Each island has a price modifier to help further estimate costs by island. The price modifiers are as follows:

• Oahu - Price is approximately 68.55% of the statewide average 
• Maui - Price is approximately 163.22% of the statewide average
• Kauai - Price is approximately 98.63% of the statewide average
• Big Island - Price is approximately 105.90% of the statewide average

 These modifiers are based on average hotel rates in Hawaii, so they might differ if you park and stay at a rental home.

Hawaii Hotel & Vacation Rental Prices

Hawaii Hotel Rates 2023

Hawaii Vacation Rental Rates 2023

Vacation Rental Homes

Renting a vacation home has become trendy over the last few years. The average rent per night for a Hawaii vacation home is $170, and there is also an average tax rate of 18% on rental houses.

Renting a vacation home can be a great way to save money on accommodations. But the prices fluctuate depending on where the rental home is located and which type of home you select. If you choose an average rental home, the average rate is about $170 a night, much less expensive than a hotel or resort room. But if you rent a luxury home, the price can increase to over $1,000 per night.

It’s also important to note that the average tax rate is about 18% on rental homes in Hawaii, so it’s recommended to factor that in when choosing which one to stay at.

If you’re still undecided on where to stay during your vacation, you can expect a statewide average of about $335 in shelter costs. The island modifiers we discussed above are also applicable to vacation rentals.

Parking and Rental Car Fees

You will likely have to rent a car to get around the island, and parking and gas fees come with that additional accommodation cost. The average is about $30 per night for rental car parking.

The best way to get around the island is to purchase a rental car. In addition to how much you pay for the rental car, there are also parking and gas fees to worry about. The first step is to determine what kind of rental car you want. The average rental car prices in Hawaii include the following:

• $70 per day for a regular car
• $110 per day for an SUV
• $125 per day for a convertible
• $150 per day for a luxury car

Once you know which car you want, you must figure out parking and gas fees. The average cost of gas in Hawaii is about $4.95 - $5.15 per gallon, so you can expect to spend about $75-$100 on gas alone. Your rental vehicle's fuel efficiency and the total miles driven during your visit will determine the total amount.

Even if you're staying somewhere with restaurants close by or accessible continental breakfasts, you will likely have to purchase and cook most of your food. The average cost for ​​breakfast is $15 per person, lunch is $25 per person, and dinner is $45 per person.

Food in Hawaii is expensive, even if you don’t go to a restaurant for each meal. The average cost of food per person per day is about $61, but it can fluctuate depending on where you eat and how many people you go with. Fortunately, there are also some ways to save money on food costs during your vacation.

Planning your meals ahead of time and how much they will cost can give you a good idea of what to buy and cook and which restaurants you want to visit. It can help you plan out which ingredients to use in multiple meals and is the most cost-effective way to try everything the island offers. You can also bring any spices or pantry staples you already have to avoid buying them there.

For anything you need to buy fresh there, such as fruit or vegetables, it’s recommended to shop at local stands. They are usually much less expensive than supermarkets or chain stores, and you also get to experience Hawaiian culture while at it.

The last piece of budgeting for your Hawaii vacation is figuring out fun activities while you’re there. There are so many different activities for you, ranging from island tours to exploring local souvenir shops.

While the beach is part of an excellent Hawaiian vacation, you can do plenty of other activities while you’re there. Each island has beautiful tours and excursion experiences, not to mention all of the local shops and attractions you can explore. The average price for attraction fees is about $45 per person, but it fluctuates depending on what attractions you do.

Guided Tours and Excursions

The average cost for guided tours and excursions is about $50 to $100 per person, and the price fluctuates depending on what is included in the tour or excursion. If you want to explore state or national parks on your own, you can expect to pay about $35 per person.

Hawaii offers a wide variety of tours and excursions for you to choose from. Tours usually include a guided tour of the island's most beautiful and historical parts. You can ride on a bus or other mode of transportation and listen as a guide tells you about the stories behind different island sites.

On the other hand, you can do excursions while exploring the island. They usually include scuba diving, hiking, and other activities that explore the island, along with a guide. The islands also have state and national parks that you can explore independently. Each of these activities is optional, but it’s highly recommended to budget for a few so you can experience everything Hawaii offers.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Shopping and souvenirs are also optional, but it’s highly recommended to budget for them just in case. The price of shopping and souvenirs depends on how much you’re willing to spend, so deciding on a number that’s comfortable for you is the best practice.

There are multiple places to shop for souvenirs and other keepsakes on any Hawaiian island. Since their price highly depends on the shop and how much you’re willing to spend, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly how much shopping and souvenirs will cost.

The best practice is to come up with a number you’re comfortable with plus a little extra. This will give you some breathing room when deciding how much to spend.

Attraction Parking Fees

The majority of Hawaiian attractions also have parking fees. They vary depending on the attraction, but the average cost of attraction parking is about $3. Fortunately, there are usually a few free parking areas near the attraction, but you’ll have to walk a bit and get there early.

Parking lots close to any attraction usually have a fee of about $3, allowing you to park there for a full day. However, a quick google search about any free parking lots near the attraction can save you from paying any fee. The only downside is that you’ll likely have to walk a bit from the parking lot to the attraction. On the plus side, you might get to see more of the island by walking than if you did while driving.

It’s recommended to look up any parking fees the attraction has before you book it to be sure that you’re prepared. Some excursion attractions even have an option where a shuttle or bus will pick you up from your hotel or rental home and then drive you back at the end of the day. This option can be beneficial if you’re trying to avoid car and parking costs altogether.

Final Thoughts

There is a lot to budget for when planning a Hawaiian vacation. But planning out everything you can in advance can make the entire experience much less stressful and help you make the most of an incredible trip.

2024-2025 Hawaii Budget Calculator

Estimate the cost of your hawaii vacation.

Aloha, guest readers can calculate five (5) trip cost estimates for Hawaii each day. Rates included within this calculator are based on projected 2024-2025 rates aggregated from current OTA pricing. Rates will be updated regularly.

HawaiiGuide Premium members can submit unlimited trip estimates each day.

Aloha, as a HawaiiGuide Premium member you can calculate unlimited Hawaii trip cost estimates each day. Mahalo for being a HawaiiGuide Premium member!

Currently, you have

Calculator overview.

This calculator is designed to provide both a comprehensive and regularly updated budget estimate for planning a trip to Hawaii. Currently, rates are applicable for 2024-2025. Generally, these rates should provide a good estimate for any time period between 2024 and mid 2025.

This budget tool considers all of the following:

• Hawaii Flight Costs including airfare from various destinations, baggage fees, etc.
• Hawaii Accommodation Costs including different lodging types, Hawaii's now roughly 18% accommodation tax, parking fees (if applicable), which island you're staying on, etc.
• Hawaii Vehicle Rental Costs including various types of vehicles, fuel costs, and number of miles driven daily.
• Additional Costs including dining + gratuity, visitor fees to parks, etc., and Hawaii Tours and Activity costs.

Hawaii Flight Costs

First, consider your flight costs to Hawaii. Select your departure location, update the number of travelers (if applicable), and check whether you expect to pay baggage fees, below.

Hawaii Accommodation Costs

Next, let us know which island you'll be visiting (select the primary island if you're visiting more than one), select a lodging type/classification, update the number of nights (default is set to a week), update the number or rooms (if applicable), and check whether you expect to pay parking fees (common in more densely populated areas on Oahu and/or Maui).

Statewide Rate : 18%

Hawaii Car Rental Costs

Now, let's consider your vehicle rental costs (if applicable). If you're not renting a car, select 'No Car,' but for most visitors, we highly recommend a rental. Update the number of days (which will default to +1 day more than you selected in accommodation nights) and choose an estimate for your mileage each day. If you're not sure, we recommend you leave the default option selected.

If you select 'No Car' this will be zeroed out by default!

Other Hawaii Costs

Finally, consider a few last potential costs and fees for your trip. There's dining (we've included gratuity in the estimates), and we've selected all three meal options by default. Then, there are potential fees for parks and other attractions, which are a relatively new factor to now consider when estimating a Hawaii budget; select the applicable options below. Finally, select the amount, if any, you expect to spend on Hawaii Tours and/or commercial Activities. Be sure to update the number of people dining and people the fees/tours apply to if applicable; these numbers will default to the same number of people you selected previously for this trip estimate.

Email + Expected Travel Dates

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You may not have exact dates yet, but provide a rough guess or estimate below. This will help us refine the calculator and provide more accurate data throughout the year. Mahalo!

Final Question

If you're visiting another island, please let us know below. This will not affect the estimate or rate you're provided. This is for research and calculator improvement purposes only. Mahalo!

- Click To Estimate Trip Cost -

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Shaka Guide uses your GPS to guide you to exciting places along the way on the main Hawaiian islands. Automatic audio tours with turn-by-turn directions mean all you need to do is to turn on the tour and drive. Check out driving Tours for Circle Island Oahu, North Shore Kauai, and Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Coast.

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How Much Does a 2024 Hawaii Trip Cost? (+ Budget Saving Tips)

What family doesn’t dream of a visit to Hawaii? The Hawaiian Islands hold incredible appeal and intrigue for families as a vacation destination. With spectacular beaches, incredible landscapes, and kid-friendly resorts, it seems easy enough to pack your bags and head across the Pacific for a Hawaii vacation. But how much does a Hawaii trip cost? We’ve crunched the numbers to come up with guidelines for a Hawaiian vacation budget.

Below is an outline of travel costs that families can use when visiting Hawaii for the first time . This includes the approximate cost of flights and accommodations, how much to pay when renting a car in Hawaii, what time of year to travel in order to save money, and how to plan for the cost of special experiences like a helicopter tour of Mauna Kea or surf lessons.

With the right planning, your family can determine how best to allocate your precious travel savings to design the Hawaii vacation package of your dreams. If you want to cut this budget down, check out these 105 tips for doing Hawaii on a budget . These are also some great tips for saving money to travel .

Hawaii Budget Assumptions

For calculating Hawaii trip costs, this post will outline pricing for two adults and two children between the ages of 6-11 , traveling from the east coast of the United States in the summer months , and spending 5 nights each on Oahu and the Big Island of Hawaii , for a total of 10 nights, 11 days.

These islands were chosen because they offer the common introductory Hawaiian experiences: Oahu is home to Pearl Harbor, Honolulu, Waikiki Beach, Diamond Head, and the North Shore, while the Big Island of Hawaii has a laid-back vibe perfect for relaxing, and is home to six of Hawaii’s nine national parks including the best options for volcano viewing and hiking. You can use this guide to pick the best Hawaiian island for your family.

I have organized the costs of a trip to Hawaii by airfare, car rental/transportation, accommodations, food, and activities , including tips and ideas for savings in each category. If you want to skip to the bottom line, a summer trip to Hawaii for a family of four for 10 nights costs approximately $16,690, or about $417.25 per person, per day. But read on to see how this breaks down and where you can save money.!

Cost of Airfare to Hawaii

Note that this post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission.

The biggest cost differentiator when purchasing flights is whether your family is flying from the west coast of the U.S. or somewhere else (midwest, east coast, etc.) Expect to pay around $865-1,300 per person traveling from one of the east coast hubs in the summer months, while flights from California may be $700-900 in the summer.

Honolulu on Oahu has more flight connections to and from mainland U.S. airports than any other Hawaiian airport, so that is typically the point of arrival or departure. To maximize your vacation time, be sure to price out flying into Oahu and out of the Big Island (Kona is the largest airport on the Big Island) or vice versa.

This will save you another inter-island flight back to your initial destination for your return flight. If you choose Maui as your second island, you can often find direct flights from Maui to many U.S. cities.

Another huge cost savings can be gained by flying mid-week if at all possible. Flights in and out of Hawaii jump up in price on Saturdays and Sundays since it is primarily a leisure travel destination, not a business location.

Flight prices are also dependent on the time of year. The festive period, Thanksgiving week, and popular spring break weeks will price out similarly to summer dates, if not more. January and February are typically the cheapest time to fly to Hawaii if you have the flexibility to get away then.

For inter-island flights (like connections between the Big Island and Oahu), Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele are your best bets. Hawaiian Airlines will feel similar to a full-service airline, and importantly, you can use or earn points on most of the major U.S. airlines like Delta and United when booking flights on this airline because of their mutual affiliation.

Mokulele is a typical low-budget airline. Expect limited service and no frills, but it certainly works and there can be significant cost savings, given that it is a very short flight time.

Prices for an inter-island flight are usually under $60 per person for a one-way flight and most flights are less than one hour in length. Do take note of flight departure times, though. It’s always best to schedule these inter-island flights for mid-day, so that your family is in the air between check-out time at one hotel and check-in time at the next hotel. Early morning departures may be a little cheaper, but then you’re stuck filling several hours before you can check into your next accommodation.

Be aware that Southwest Airlines does offer direct flights from several California airports to all the major Hawaiian Islands. Remember that Southwest prices aren’t published on flight comparison sites, so you must book directly with the airline.

For this post, I assumed that families would spend $900 per person to get to and from Hawaii, and then another $60 per person on a one-way inter-island flight. You’d want to budget for an additional inter-island flight if you need to get back to your island of arrival for your return flight to the mainland U.S., however.

I’d highly recommend signing up for Going to get alerts on flight sales to your dream destinations.

Total airfare cost: $3,840

Cost of Accommodations in Hawaii

Basic rooms that sleep four at full-service luxury resorts, like Disney’s Aulani on Oahu or Fairmont Orchid on the Big Island, price out around $700 per night in the summer months. You can easily spend $1,000 a night or more for more spacious accommodation, like larger suites or condos with kitchens at these properties.

For budget travelers, even three-star hotels in Hawaii price out at around $250-400 per night in the summer months. Often these properties sacrifice beach access or beautiful locations and expect rooms to be quite basic. But most will have that sought-after amenity of a great pool so they certainly work for families who don’t require a lot of frills.

For those who veer away from resorts and toward quieter, self-catering accommodations, expect vacation rentals to range from $250-1,500 per night in the summer. Prices on the Big Island tend to be a little lower and a better value overall than Oahu.

Keep in mind that having a kitchen may bring down your food costs, especially if you choose to cook some meals yourself, or simply prepare basic breakfasts and sandwiches and keep drinks and snacks cold. Resorts are not known for inexpensive food, after all.

Also, take note of what’s included when booking resort vacation packages in Hawaii. Some include the cost of all the on-site amenities, while others do not. Complimentary breakfast is not always a given here, either. Other properties have a big markup when it comes to daily resort fees ($30 per person per day is not uncommon). Reading the fine print is important for this style of accommodation.

Another cost-saving strategy is to book early, especially for peak summer dates. Many of the popular resorts are fully booked for July and August by February. So booking accommodation in the fall for summer travel makes a lot of sense just so you have access to all the room category options. Plus, many properties offer pay-in-advance discounts, though you’ll definitely want to invest in travel insurance should you decide to take advantage of those lower rates.

See the 9 best Maui resorts for families and the 7 best Oahu hotels for families .

I used the $700 average nightly rate for a lower category room at full-service resorts as my price calculation for accommodation costs.

Total Accommodation Cost: $7,000 for 10 nights

Transportation costs in Hawaii

Of course, if you want to get off the property of the resort and explore some of the natural beauty of the Hawaiian islands, you are going to need a way to get around. The cost to rent a midsize SUV is typically around $400 for 5 days, including taxes and fees.

Be sure to book early if you’re traveling to Hawaii during busy periods; rental cars often sell out a few weeks prior to peak travel weeks. When calculating total transportation costs, I assumed families would rent a car on both Oahu and the Big Island for the duration of their trip, plus another $150 in gas and parking fees.

Check car rental prices on Kayak

While both islands have public transportation by way of bus routes, most families find this method of travel prohibitively time-consuming to get to the various spots that interest them. For families that envision not leaving the resort much, but still want a taste of both islands, you can book a driver to take you around for the day for around $600 per day.

If you opt not to rent a car, you’ll also need to account for airport transfers. Private transfers price out around $70-150 for one-way service to various accommodations within a reasonable drive of the airport.

Total Car Rental/Transportation Cost: $950

Food Costs in Hawaii

There’s no way around it: eating in Hawaii is expensive. Many families who don’t plan ahead and take this into account have serious sticker shock when they arrive. Remember, a lot of the food has traveled by boat for over a week to get to the Hawaiian Islands.

One great rule to keep in mind, both when grocery shopping and dining out, is to look for food that is sourced locally. Not only will it be cheaper, but it will taste fresher and reduce your carbon footprint. For example, stop at markets and roadside stands for produce. It’ll be a fraction of the cost of what fruits and vegetables cost at the grocery stores and it makes for a great cultural immersion experience.

This is another example of why renting a car ultimately often saves money: because resort mini-markets are very overpriced. If you can get to a big box store to stock up on snacks or simple meal ingredients, there will be cost savings. That said, even grocery shopping is expensive. If you’re on a very tight budget, consider doing a little research in advance. Most of Hawaii’s grocery store chains are affiliated with a mainland counterpart. You may be able to use your loyalty card from home for discounts.

Naturally, dining out is also pricey. Look for accommodations that provide complimentary breakfast; this will be a huge cost saver up front. Next, aim for more reasonably priced lunches, like roadside stands or packed picnic fixings while you’re out exploring. This way, lunch will cost about $12 per person, instead of $25, which you can expect to pay at resort restaurants. Then you can indulge in lovely dinners with a little less guilt about the price tag. Expect dinner to cost around $50 or more per person, younger children who order off a kid’s menu will be significantly less.

Given that, we can assume that families of four will spend around $250 per day on food costs.

Total Food Cost: $2,500

Tours and Activity Costs

Undoubtedly the top reason families love coming to Hawaii is the natural beauty: gorgeous views, incredible beaches, and diverse landscapes. Fortunately, this is all completely free to enjoy once you arrive.

It’s quite easy to spend days exploring the islands without spending a dime other than on food and gas. Add in a few days of leisurely enjoying resort amenities, and it means activities don’t have to break the bank compared to other travel expenses.

That said, a trip here is often a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so families tend to want to do and see it all while here. A favorite bucket list activity can include surf lessons, which can cost around $100-200 per person for an hour or two. You may also want to visit Pearl Harbor. See more suggestions on things to do in Oahu with kids .

Most of the national parks in Hawaii are free to enter, but the three that do charge entrance fees are around $30 per car. Check to see if your resort will host a luau dinner during your stay, or plan to arrange to attend one off-site one evening. The cost is around $120 per adult and kids are usually half off (but this includes dinner).

The big ticket item is usually a helicopter tour. Costs can differ drastically based on where you go, how long, and your departure point. Generally, a tour that originates in Hilo, the rainier side of the Big Island, is a cheaper location yet offers incredible views of the volcanoes that dot the island. The cost for this for a family of four is around $1556.

Total Activity Cost: $2,400

Of course, for a vacation this expensive, you want to make sure you purchase travel insurance .

Total Cost for a 10-day Trip to Hawaii

The total cost for a 10-day trip to Hawaii for a family of four is about $16,690. This assumes nice, four-star accommodations and a few splurges on activities and meals. Of course, you may also want to budget for some souvenirs from Hawaii , we were very tempted by some beautiful paintings when we visited!

As we discussed above, families can save money on more budget accommodations, vacation rentals, preparing their own meals, staying at a resort to use the pool and beach and not renting a car or doing other activities. For West Coast families, it is also easy to visit for just a week or even five days. But if you are traveling from the East Coast and taking a 10-hour flight, you probably want to stay at least 10 days.

One of the best ways to save is to use airline, hotel, or credit card points to offset some of those expenses. If it is going to be a trip of a lifetime, save those points to make it happen!

Let’s recap the Hawaii budget breakdown:

There are cheaper locations to travel to, especially if your family merely wants sunny weather and sandy beaches. But Hawaii is one of the most unique locations in the world, with its indigenous culture, lush landscapes and rugged mountains, and incredibly luxurious yet kid-friendly resorts.

It has a correspondingly hefty price tag, but families unanimously consider a trip here money well spent, and many return year after year. Here are some tips for planning a budget trip to Hawaii .

PIN THIS FOR LATER

This guest post was written by Nicole Wiltrout. Nicole is a freelance writer and travel expert based in Indiana. She has traveled throughout North America and Europe with her children for the past nine years, including three years spent living abroad in England. She has written for a variety of websites and publications and is the author of “Dispatches from England,” available on Amazon, which chronicles her family’s time as expats. You can follow Nicole’s travels on  Arrows Sent Forth .

Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Publisher of We3Travel. A former marketing executive and travel advisor, Tamara is an award-winning travel writer and recognized expert in family travel. Tamara is a member of SATW and the Adventure Travel Trade Association, and serves on the Board of the Family Travel Association. She is also the publisher of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Vacation Mavens travel podcast.

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Publish Date: November 27, 2023

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How Much Does a Family Trip Cost to Hawaii? +7 Money Saving Tips

Wondering how much is a trip to hawaii and whether or not you can afford to go there for your next family vacation keep scrolling to find out the trip cost to hawaii from a financial expert, this post about the trip cost to hawaii with kids was co-written by hawaii travel expert marcie cheung and contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something from one of my affiliate links, i may earn a small commission that goes back into maintaining this blog..

As a Hawaii travel blogger, one of the top questions I get asked is “how much does a trip to Hawaii cost?”

As a Hawaii travel blogger, one of the top questions I get asked is, “How much does a trip to Hawaii cost?”

There are SO many factors that affect the Hawaii trip cost that I never really know where to start. And some of it depends on whether or not it’s your  first trip to Hawaii .

Also, our family tends to travel with extended family or visit my mom on Kauai. That means that our trip costs are different than the average Hawaii tourist’s.

So, I figured I’d ask a financial expert and travel lover! Below you’ll find her break down the average Hawaii vacation cost an American should plan for a vacation to Hawaii.

I asked her to write about how much does a Hawaii trip costs for a family of 4. Keep scrolling to get her Hawaii vacation cost estimate!

Make sure to read my  step-by-step Hawaii planning guide  first!

Guest post by SJ Morgensen

Many people dream of exploring the exotic Hawaiian Islands. And why not? It’s paradise! 

But because of its physical distance from the American mainland, many people don’t know a lot about Hawaii. This includes how much to budget for a vacation there.

In this article, we’ll talk specifics about how much you should plan to budget for your family’s Hawaii vacations, along with the average cost of a trip to Hawaii.

Get 105 Genius Hawaii on a Budget Tips !

Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Hawaii Itineraries, complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.

How Much Does It Cost To Go To Hawaii?

The biggest variables in the cost of a Hawaiian vacation are airfare, lodging, and food. These three items are essential for your visit. 

I always recommend having these decisions nailed down in your budget first. Then you can pick and choose what activities and extras you want to include in your budget for your family vacation to Hawaii.

Also, a lot of prices can double during Christmas and New Year’s! For the purposes of this article, we’ll look at going to Hawaii during the month of June since it’s neither high season nor low season.

Airfare to Hawaii Costs

When looking at airfare for your Hawaiian vacation, there’s good news and bad news. 

The good news is that you have a wide variety of airlines to choose from. The bad news is that the flights to Hawaii aren’t cheap! 

People going to both Maui and Oahu usually fly to Maui first. Then they fly to Honolulu International Airport to explore Oahu on the way back to the mainland. 

The cost to travel to Hawaii really depends on your home state and whether or not there are direct flights.

Let’s look at the cost of flying to Maui from Chicago since it’s in the center of the country.  

If you’re flying from or making your connection in Chicago, you’ll have your choice of flying non-stop to Maui or making a stop on the West Coast.

A non-stop ticket from Chicago to Maui will set you back at approximately $960.  A flight from Chicago with one stop in LA will cost a couple hundred less, at approximately $770. 

A non-stop flight will save you a couple of hours in flight time. The non-stop flight is about 9 hours of flight time vs. 11.5 hours for the flight with a stop in L.A.

Once you’re in Maui, let’s say you want to want to  island hop  to Oahu (or hop to any other Hawaiian island). The quick plane trip will cost you around $140.

Total airfare costs:  Approximately $1100 per person for the non-stop flight + the Island Hopper.  

Total cost for 4 people:  $4400

Lodging Costs in Hawaii

Another big dent in the Hawaii travel budget is lodging costs. 

There are so many types of accommodations to choose from, as well as many different areas to stay in Hawaii. You’ll have a wide variety of lodging choices in Hawaii, from vacation rentals to luxury hotels, a cheap Hawaii hotel for in between. It all depends on your dream vacation and where you want to stay!

Find out the pros and cons of  hotels vs. condos in Hawaii .

For this article, we’re looking at the budget and mid-range choices in both Maui and Honolulu. All of them will have room for 4 people. These will give the average hotel cost in Hawaii for reference.

Check out the  best hotels in Hawaii for families

Budget Choice in Maui

For the best bang for your buck, you may want to opt for a condo in Maui. 

We found many great deals on beautiful   Maui condos around Kaanapali Beach  in the West Maui area of  Lahaina . 

The Kaanapali area offers beachfront 2-bedroom condos that sleep 4. Each of them had a full kitchen and a pool and was priced at only $1300 for 6 nights.

Total for 6 Nights:  $1300

Find out my top  cheap places to stay in Maui

Mid-Range Choice in Maui

If you want to increase your vacation budget and stay at a hotel in the South area of Maui instead of one of the vacation rentals, The   Residence Inn by Marriott  is a good bet. 

Located in popular  Wailea , it will run a bit more at $415 per night for 2 double beds. But you’ll have all the amenities that Marriott is known for, plus a great South Maui location.  Check out the latest prices and more details .

Total for 6 Nights:  $2800

Budget Choice in Oahu

In Honolulu, the   Aston Waikiki Beach Hotel  offers nice amenities and very close proximity to the beach. It’s only $240 per night for a room with 2 double beds.  Check out the latest prices and more details .

Total for 6 Nights:  $1440

Find out my top cheap places to stay in Oahu

Mid-Range Choice in Oahu

The Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa  is absolutely stunning for an oceanfront luxury stay on Waikiki Beach.  At only $350 per night for 2 double beds, this looks like a steal!  Check out the latest prices and more details.

Total for 6 Nights:  $2100

Average One-Week Trip to Hawaii Cost for 6 Nights Lodging:  $1837

Cost of Food in Hawaii

There’s no doubt that food prices in Hawaii are much higher than on the mainland. That’s true for restaurants as well as grocery stores.

If you want to save money on food, the simplest choice is to stay somewhere that has a kitchen.  For our family of 4 on a budget, this might mean a condo or vacation rental over a hotel or resort.

Even if your accommodations only offer a small cooktop and mini fridge, that’s enough to make breakfast or brunch every day. That alone can slash the cost of a week in Hawaii!

Get my top tips for  cooking in Hawaii

For a middle-of-the-road figure, I estimate you can expect to pay an average price of $75/per day per adult for food and less for kids. 

If you stay at a hotel with no cooking facilities, you’ll pay more.

Total for 6 nights with 2 kids = $200 per day total x 6 days = $1200 

Total Hawaii Travel Cost For Family Vacation To Hawaii For 2 adults and 2 kids

Here is the average cost to go to Hawaii for a family of 4 for 6 days:

Airfare:  $4400

Lodging:  $1837

Food:  $1200

TOTAL:  $7437+ 10% for good measure:  $8180

Hawaii Travel Extras

There are a few other Hawaii vacation prices other than flight costs, food costs, and hotel prices. Here are a few more estimate costs for a trip.

Car Rental 

While I didn’t list this as an absolute essential, you’ll really want to  rent a car  for your trip to Maui and Oahu. 

Plan on spending around $400 for a standard-size vehicle and factor it into the cost for a trip to Hawaii.

One of the best places to rent a car in Hawaii is through  Discount Hawaii Car Rental . They get the best rates on national brands like Enterprise, Dollar, Budget, Thrifty, Avis, Alamo, and Payless.  Check out the latest prices and more details.

Total for 6 Days:  $400

Hawaii Excursions and Experiences: 

There’s no shortage of fun things to do in Hawaii, especially on  Maui  and  Oahu !

You can spend a lot, or you can save money by doing a lot of free things  on your trip. Again, the choice is yours!

Prices vary depending on what you want to experience during your summer vacation.

You could opt for some iconic Hawaiian experiences like  surfing lessons , plantation tours,  ziplining ,  and  luaus . Just be prepared for each experience to set you back around  $100 per adult .

With car:  $400

With 1 excursion per person:  $400

TOTAL with extras:  $8180 + $800 = $8980 

Note: If you’re wondering how much money to bring to Hawaii, you’ll also want to add in  cash for tips . It’s customary to tip hotel staff, tour guides, photographers, and servers.

So how much does it cost for a vacation in Hawaii for a family of four? You might want to plan for about $9000 to $10,000 just to be on the safe side. This is the average cost of trip to Hawaii that includes flight and hotel costs, car rentals, meal costs, and a few fun adventures to enjoy when you visit Hawaii.

Travel to Hawaii on a Budget Tips

Here are some money-saving tips to help the cost of vacation to Hawaii go down a bit!

1. Skip the Luxury Resorts

A hotel room, especially luxury hotels, have added fees that you don’t see at the beginning of booking your trip.

Luxury resorts usually have resort fees too that adds up your accommodation costs. A resort fee is a daily feefor your hotel rooms, not included in the original hotel prices. Some even have parking fees too!

You can save a lot of money on your Hawaii costs by doing a cheaper vacation rental.

2. Find Budget Eating Options

Another easy way to save money is to find budget-eating options. Luckily, there are plenty of options on the islands!

Food trucks are cheaper options, and you can find some bargain-priced groceries at grocery stores in Maui and Oahu too!

Check out the top cheap eats on Oahu

3. Visit Only One of the Hawaiian Islands

Airport transfers add more plane tickets and will make your trip to Hawaii cost more. To save money, just stick to one island at a time.

You also won’t have to get multiple rental cars, deal with more parking fees, and all the other Hawaii vacation costs for each island.

4. Try a Vacation Package

Many airlines offer vacation packages that might help you with your vacation costs. Hawaiian Airlines offers tons of vacation packages, as do many other airlines.

Costco is another place that can offer you a vacation package that might help you save more too!

5. Find Cheaper Flights

Airplane tickets are usually one of the most expensive things for your trip to Hawaii. Airfare prices will vary depending on if you get a roundtrip or have stops along your way.

The average roundtrip airfare will typically be more expensive than one-stop flights.

If you aren’t traveling with a baby or small toddlers, it might be worth the few extra hundred dollars in savings to make a pit stop before heading to your island trip!

6. Skip the Rental Cars

To save money, you can avoid rental car fees and parking fees by using public transportation. Car rental companies often will also try to get you to spend more money on added amenities as well.

On Oahu, you will find TheBus, which has public transportation around the entire island almost and is a great way to get around without a rental car.

7. Enjoy the Free Things To Do While Visiting Hawaii

You can do tons of free things during your entire vacation, which can tremendously help with your trip to Hawaii.

Private tours and other excursions are fun and definitely worth it if you can swing the extra money. If not, don’t pressure yourself with that added cost.

Instead, enjoy all the free things to do on each of the islands. I’ve made a list so you can go through for each of the islands:

• Oahu free things to do
• Maui free things to do
• Big Island free things to do
• Kauai free things to do

Hawaii Family Vacation FAQs

The Hawaiian Islands are actually made up of 8 islands, but 2 islands, Niihau and Kahoolawe, are closed to visitors. The other 6 islands that most people are familiar with are Hawaii ( The Big Island ),  Maui ,  Oahu ,  Kauai ,  Molokai , and  Lanai .

All the islands are worth visiting, and all have their own unique appeal! When planning a vacation in Hawaii, most first-time visitors like to focus on the most familiar of the Hawaiian Islands,  Maui ,  and Oahu . Maui is known for its beautiful black sand beaches. Oahu is known for its iconic  Waikiki , as well as  Pearl Harbor .

There definitely can be a cost difference in Hawaii based on the time of year you go. The off-season in Hawaii is between September and the first two weeks of December. If you go during this time frame, you’ll save money on everything compared to going in high season, which is basically mid-December through April.

Hawaii trip prices will be much cheaper for only 3 days. For just two adults, it can be only a few thousand dollars!

The cost of trip to Hawaii for five days will vary depending on what island you visit, but can be anywhere from $7,000 to $8,000 for a family of four.

For a family of four, it can be around $10,000 for the average cost for Hawaii trip for a week.

The cost to go to Hawaii for 10 days can be over $10,000 for a family of four. Be sure to figure out your budget for your Hawaii vacation beforehand to know exactly how much money to bring to your trip to Hawaii.

If you will go on international flights to get to Hawaii, then yes you will need a passport. If you are traveling from the mainland, you don’t need a passport ; your driver’s license works.

How Much Does it Cost to Visit Hawaii Wrap-Up

The average trip to Hawaii costs anywhere from $8,000 to $10,000 for about one week for a family of four.

Now you know the average cost to vacation in Hawaii with kids. It is definitely not cheap!

Whether you’re on a tight budget or you want to have the ultimate luxurious trip, Hawaii is a place you’ll fall in love with!

I hope this helps when you  plan a vacation to Hawaii . There’s so much to see and do; you’ll want to return for another family vacation!

About SJ Morgensen

SJ Morgensen is a financial expert who thrives on showing people how to get the most out of their money. With over 20 years in the financial services industry, SJ writes about budgeting, credit cards, and saving money on all things. Passionate about travel, she specializes in trip planning and helping people save money on travel.

Wondering how to slash the cost of vacation in Hawaii? Find out  1 05 Hawaii Budget Tips ,  First Timers Guide to Hawaii , and  How to Rent a Car in Hawaii !

• First Time to Hawaii
• Rental Car Advice
• Saving Money

How much for a trip to Hawaii in 2024? (Hawaii vacation budget calculator)

• 8 minute read

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You’ve seen ads for Hawaii featuring photos of beautiful beaches lined with palm trees and the bluest of blue water. Now you want to go, but you have no idea how much a trip to Hawaii costs. Where do you start? Good news, you’ve found the right place to help you estimate a Hawaii vacation budget!

In this article, I’m providing you with the easy-to-use estimates to calculate your personal Hawaii trip budget. It can’t be exact, but it will give you a rough idea of how much to start budgeting for a Hawaii vacation.

Before we jump to the calculator, it’s worthwhile to discuss why there’s not an easy answer when it comes to determining a Hawaii vacation budget. The challenges are that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer since multiple factors influence the budget.

Let’s look at some of the main factors that influence a Hawaii vacation budget:

• When you go to Hawaii. Some dates/times are cheaper than others. When demand is down, so are the price of flights and hotels. See my post on the best time to go to Hawaii for tips.
• How far you’re flying. For example, West Coast flights are usually cheaper than Midwest or East Coast flights because there is less distance, i.e. less fuel and cost.
• Whether you typically prefer budget, mid-range or luxury hotels
• The length of your stay
• Whether you prefer fine dining or eating on the cheap.
• Whether you want to go on guided tours or you’re willing to sightsee on your own.

Though we can’t wave a magic want to determine your perfect budget for a Hawaii trip, you can review the following numbers to generate your budget to Hawaii. Just remember, these are rough numbers that can vary from city to city, island to island, etc.

I recommend that you print out this page to follow along for estimating your cost to visit Hawaii. At the bottom of this post, you will see an icon to generate a printer-friendly version of this page.

Hawaii Vacation Flight Budget 

• East Coast to Hawaii – $900 per person (Note: we fly from the East Coast to Hawaii. Over our many trips to Hawaii, we’ve spent as little as $575 and as much as $1250 per person.)
• Midwest – $750 per person
• West Coast – $475 per person (We’ve seen round-trip fares as low as $124 on a fare sale, but those are rare to find.)

To estimate your flight costs:

______ cost per person   x  ______ number of travelers   = ______ estimated cost of flights

Hawaii Vacation Accommodation Budget

The cost of accommodations mostly vary based on the type of property – budget to luxury. (In our many trips to Hawaii, we’ve paid as little as $150 per night to as much as $525 and up.) In 2023, the average daily hotel rate was $378 per night per data reported by the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

You can find hotels and condos that are fairly nice and clean for less than the average — especially if you are willing to book a room or condo without an ocean view. (See our article for advice on saving money on Hawaii accommodations .) You can also spend significantly more if you’re aiming for a luxury Hawaii vacation.

In addition to the hotel rate, there are more accommodation costs to add, unfortunately. Those costs are taxes and resort fees. You can’t avoid taxes, but you might be able to avoid resort fees for your Hawaii hotel .

Let’s start with taxes. Though taxes can vary slightly by island, as for 2023, plan on spending roughly 18% in taxes.

The next cost to include in your budget is resort fees. We hate these fees, but unfortunately, they’ve become the norm rather than the exception in Hawaii. Resort fees can vary significantly from resort to resort and statewide data is not tracked for these fees. Our best estimate based on our knowledge and experience would be a nightly rate of $35.

So, if we tack on taxes (18%) and resort fees (approximately $35) to the average daily rate of $378, the total comes to $481 per night. To estimate your cost for lodging using the statewide average follow this formula:

$481 (avg cost/night)   x  ______ number of nights   x ______number of rooms you need = _______ estimated cost of accommodations

(Of course you can spend more or less than $481 per night, but that gives you a starting point to estimate the cost to stay in Hawaii.)

Hawaii Vacation Rental Car Budget

You will most likely want a rental car for Hawaii sightseeing adventures. If you are staying on Lanai or in Waikiki, you might not need a rental car, but for all other Hawaii destinations, I highly recommend getting a rental car. (See more about where we advise renting a car in Hawaii .)

Depending on what you rent and which method of booking, rental car rates will vary. See our tips for saving money on rental cars in Hawaii .

Prior to the 2021 rental car shortage, including taxes, you could have expected to use a rough number of $40 per day for an economy or mid-sized car. When the demand for rental cars bottomed out in 2020, rental car companies sold off much of their fleets. Then in 2021, when more people started traveling, rental cars became difficult to find and extremely expensive in Hawaii . Though the rental car companies have increased their fleets since the 2021 shortage, prices are still much higher than before. If you can get a rate for under $75 per day with taxes, you’ve probably found a good deal. Pricing varies significantly by island and by demand. For our budgeting calculations, let’s estimate $75 per day with taxes.

To estimate your cost for renting a car, use this formula:

$75 per day   x  _______ number of days =  _______ estimated cost of rental car

Hawaii Vacation Dining Budget 

Estimating the cost to dine in Hawaii is yet another one of those factors that can range from a little to a lot.  As a rough round number, I think estimating $80 per person per day is doable without skimping too much or overdoing it. (See our tips for saving money on dining and meals in Hawaii .) That would be $20 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and $40 for dinner. (By the way, it’s not unheard of to drop $45 or more for breakfast or lunch at high-end Hawaii resorts.)

To estimate your budget for meals, use this formula:

$80 per person per day x _______ number of people x _______ number of nights =   ________ estimated cost for meals

National and State Park Entrance Fees

Up until 2020, very few Hawaii state and national parks charged an entrance fee. Unfortunately, new fees have gone into effect across the islands in 2021. As such, we recommend planning some of your vacation budget spends. Each park has a different fee structure, so, again, there’s not a one-size-fits-all estimate. Some have a per-car entry fee while others have a reservation fee, plus parking fee, plus a per person entrance fee. For budgeting purposes, we recommend an estimate of $50 per person for the entire trip.

$50 per person per trip x _______ number of people = ________ estimated cost for entry fees

Total Budget for Your Hawaii Vacation

Now, add up each of the four estimates to get your budget.

Estimated cost of flights _______

Estimated cost of accommodations _______

Estimated cost of rental car _______

Estimated cost for meals ________

Estimated cost for park entry fees _________

==================================

______________ = Your rough budget to vacation in Hawaii

Example Budget for a Couple Traveling to Hawaii from the East Coast for a Week

Now, using the numbers above, I calculated the following for a 7-night Hawaii vacation for two people flying from the East Coast.

Flights = $900 per person x 2 people = $1,800

Accommodations = $481 per night  x 7 nights = $3,367

Rental car = $75 per day x 8 days = $600 (I use eight days instead of seven since most times the return hour is later than pick up.)

Dining = $80 per person per day x 2 people x 7 days = $1,120

Park entry fees = $50 per person per trip x 2 people = $100

The grand total for this example is $6,987 .

Other Expenses to Consider

These estimates do not include:

• Guided tours, such as helicopter tours, guided hikes, snorkeling excursions, etc. Hawaii offers many free and inexpensive things to see and do. Check out our post with advice on saving money on Hawaii vacation tours and activities .
• Parking fees which some hotels charge while others don’t. Be sure to determine parking costs as you consider your accommodation options.   Parking fees in Waikiki and Ko Olina on Oahu and Kaanapali and Wailea on Maui can be particularly expensive. If you choose a VRBO condo option, you are less likely to pay a parking fee. For an estimate on parking fees, plan for an average of $30 per night.
• Rental car refueling costs. Gas costs depend on the length of your stay and how much you plan to explore by car. Just one word of caution, Hawaii’s gas prices are higher than the US Mainland.
• Island hopping in Hawaii via ferry or plane

Final Thoughts

I want to reiterate that your exact costs depend on your preferences and a bit of luck. You might catch an airfare sale and save $100 to $300 per person. You might find a hotel deal that includes breakfast. I could go on and on.

If you have a Costco membership, look at their vacation packages that include hotel and car. We have often found deals through Costco Travel that include room, breakfast, resort fees and car that are significantly less than what we find anywhere else.

You can definitely spend less in each of the main categories. On the flip side, you can certainly spend more – a lot more. It’s all up to you. I just wanted to provide rough numbers that are, in my opinion, realistic, middle of the road costs.

How much money do you budget when you go to Hawaii? What is your length of stay with that budget?

When we find extraordinary deals, we let our readers know. If you’re not already receiving our free email subscriptions, carefully enter your email address at this link .

Sheila Beal

Sheila Beal is the founder and editor of Go Visit Hawaii. You can connect with Sheila Beal on Twitter , Go Visit Hawaii on Facebook , or Instagram .

Thanks! This was helpful!!

Glad to hear it’s helpful, Dawne. Thanks for the kind feedback.

Informative post, Sheila! I would also add gratuity to the list of expenses. That can add up depending on how generous you want to be for housekeeping and the wait staff when dining out.

For my upcoming Hawaii trip, I actually factored in my award miles that I’ve accrued over the last couple years. Luckily, I was able to use my miles to book my roundtrip airfare…saving up to $650 if I had paid for it.

Thanks for your comment, Michael.

I did have gratuities in mind for the dining estimates.

Very helpful, thanks for this. I think people underestimate how much things will cost and it’s important to sit down and go through a detailed list – including the little things you mention that they might not originally think of like souvenirs, tours, etc.

True, Josh. As I started to calculate the expenses for flights, hotel, car, and dining, I was surprised at how quickly it added up.

its really helpful. Will let my friends know about it.

Hey for the airfare cost the estimated flying cost you came up with is that for a round trip? or only to Hawii? I would love to know a how much I need for in a couple years Im planning to flyout there with my boyfriend!

The airfare cost is for round trip tickets.

Very useful post, thanks!

I just booked a trip to Kauai, HI for April, 2013 for 8 nights and 9 days. Roundtrip airfair, hotel and rental car, i even included resort fees, rental car taxes, and parking at the airport in my home state (Colorado). There are two of us going and NOT including meals,gas for rental car and souviners. Total was $3415.00. That is only $1707.74 a person. SO you can do alot cheaper if you look. My advice is find a reputable travel agent. They know of discounts that we cant find.. Have fun.!!

Random. We live in Colorado and are planning our first trip to Hawaii in September of this year. I’d love to know who you worked with to get you those great prices!

U did awesome. I need a lesson . did u look this up or did u have a travel agent?

Hi thank you for the great information. Will you happen to know if Nov is a good time to go to Hawaii? I know flights look like they go for cheaper, but I have no idea on the weather. Most likely to visit Maui. Thank you

Alex – See this post that provides more details on the best times to visit Hawaii – https://www.govisithawaii.com/2007/10/15/the-best-times-to-visit-hawaii/

Just starting our “three 50 year old gals” trip to Hawaii planning. Need all the advice we can get! this site is helpful for sure. Thanks so much.

Hello everyone, I NEED HELP!!!! My cousin has invited me to visit her in Honolulu. I always thought I would visit her in the fall so I would always check for airfare flying from san diego to honolulu in the fall, but it looks like i wont be able to visit her until March 2015…. I had not researched tickets during sprink break in Hawaii and have no idea what the average decent price to pay is. Right now im looking at Hawaiian airlines $634 per person ..is this a good price to pay as they were as cheap as $350 during fall season just last year

Laura – there’s no way to know if airfare will increase or decrease. Our guess is that it will most likely decrease. Read this article that provides strategies for finding the lowest airfare to Hawaii: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2010/05/10/strategies-for-finding-lowest-airfare-to-hawaii/

Sheila thank you for responding sooo quickly. I understand prices can go up or down, another family member went to honolulu from san diego for $900 last March and I really didnt believe it but then again he got his tickets 2 weeks before so I guess you never know right?

Firstly…for first timers to Hawaii found this site superb. My better I/2 and I leave next week for 7 days on Oahu (Waikiki) followed by a week on Maui (Lahania). With business class flights there and back using airmiles ($7500 Cdn for $380 round trip). Hotel in Waikki with breakfast, $1248 taxes in, and Maui same price no breakfast. Airport transfers are the $23 (Oahu) bucks and 58 (Maui). Inter island flight 55 bucks. Plan travelling on bus tours/trolley bus etc…no plans to rent a car this time around. I have just retired at 52…and hope to get to know the islands well in the years ahead. Including via a cruise. Thanks again for putting the site together. It’s solidly bookmarked!

Kev – thanks for the kind words and for sharing the costs for your upcoming trip to Oahu and Maui. Enjoy!

Dear Shelia, I have a question. I need to find three airlines that match 3600 dollars, as there are 4 people in my family. Your post was very helpful, and so I thought maybe you were the person who could find hotels that match 3600 dollars. Can you please do this for me? Thanks, Lily.

Hi Lily – a travel agent would be glad to assist you with that. (We aren’t travel agents.)

Just finished planning and budgeting our first trip to Hawaii. It’ll only be a few days, and I’m going to take the cheapest route possible, if only to serve as a reference point for our next trip.

With the flight/ hotel package, we’re paying 600 a person, leaving from California. Including meals, that brings us to about 1650. ( I don’t plan on skimping the meal budget, there has to be a limit to my frugality) I may rent a scooter to sight see or necessary travel, but I’m really hoping to not drive around too much, thus negating the rental car cost. This keeps us under 2,000 dollars. I’m still going to budget for 3,000, as I don’t want this trip to sour in the interest of saving money.

Rick – hope you beat your budget. Come back and tell us how it works out after your trip to Hawaii.

Thanks for this post! I think this is a really good starting point when planning for a Hawaii trip. These are pretty typical middle of the road budgets. My husband and I just got back from a trip this month and saved significantly by using points for flights, renting a well equipped guest house in Kona (Big Island) for $110 a night and cooking all but 3 of our dinners over 10 days (2 travel days). Our actual amount spent for the full 10 days (including travel days) was: Flights: $20 House Rental 8 nights (with cleaning and taxes): $1150 Rental Car: $241 Other Travel (airport parking + rental car gas): $180 Food: $463 Activities and Shopping (fishing charter, manta ray snorkel, tour, spa, tips, gifts: $1153 Grand Total: $3207

We intentionally saved significantly by getting groceries (and gas) at Costco and cooking our own dinners primary as well as staying in a rental guest house instead of a resort so we could splurge more on activities. I like the idea of using the numbers above to plan as a baseline with the idea that you can save if you are intentionally thrifty in some areas. I agree $50-$70 per person per day is very typical if you plan to eat every meal out. We spent $60 one night that we want out for sushi (without drinks) and even the really casual places like Pizza Hut are more expensive there (around $35 for 2 people including sodas).

Tiffany – thanks for adding your actually Hawaii trip cost numbers.

My husband and I took our honeymoon in Hawaii about a year ago and ended up spending over 7100$ between everything for 8 days. Your calculator is a great tool for a base estimate with the exception of excursion costs. If you plan on doing any excursions/sightseeing/surf lessons/pearl harbor/luaus… those can add up as quickly as food, especially if you do any helicopter rides (which avg 60$ per 10min). We split our time in Honolulu exploring Ohau and in Maui and spent probably and avg of 275$ (between us) a day on excursions alone, although I would estimate that 150-200$ a day is a more normal estimate for a couple, or 75-100$ per day per person.

Rebecca – yes, excursions do quickly add up! Thanks for adding your estimate for what you spent on tours. We do note in the article that tours are an extra expense to consider when budgeting a trip to Hawaii. However, many people don’t like going on guided tours, so including tour costs is not a Hawaii trip requirement/necessity. There are a ton of amazing things to see and do in Hawaii without ever going on paid tours. For example, seeing Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial is absolutely free, so there’s no need to pay a tour company to go to Pearl Harbor.

Regarding luaus, it’s worth noting that a luau includes dinner, so in budgeting, either budget in a dinner or a luau, but not both.

Sheila, I would like your input on a matter. I have never been to Hawaii, but have always longed to since a child. I would like to plan a trip there in the future, but I am not sure where to go. You see I am more interested in the more primitive parts of the land, as opposed to the more “touristy” part. I love the idea of the volcanos and wonderful hiking trails and being close to the naturalistic aspect of the country. But I still would like to be near some nice beaches. If you’ve seen enough of Hawaii maybe you can give me some input. Thanks!

Jasmine – check out our article that’s designed to pick the perfect island(s) for your Hawaii vacation: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2010/06/28/how-to-pick-the-best-hawaiian-islands-for-your-vacation/ You can download free guides and there are lots of resources. Almost every island suits your interests, but if you review the resources, it should help you hone in on the islands that seem to resonate with you the most. I will add that our favorite island for hiking is Kauai.

Thanks, for the value information.

Thanks for this information! We are travelling from New Zealand to Hawaii early 2016 and have absolutely no idea how much to expect to pay in terms of food, accommodation etc. Are all islands similar in price? We are looking at heading to Oahu and Big Island for 7 days each. I am amazed at how realistic traveling to Hawaii is for us – flights are only $1000NZD return(approx. $690USD) the biggest cost seems to be accommodation

Leah – that’s an amazing deal on flights! It costs many folks on the US mainland more than that!

The average accommodation price on Maui is higher than the other islands. Restaurant prices on Oahu seem to be a tad lower compared to the other islands. Also, you can usually get a better deal on a luau on Oahu.

My boyfriend and I went to Kauai this last October for a week and are planning for another trip in a year or two. We saved significantly on flights by using frequent flyer points. Our costs were: flight: free (would be around $800-$900 per person from the mid-west), hotel: $800 (“garden” facing room and a discount after switching from another hotel), rental car: $250, food: (estimate) $100 per day, we did spend a significant amount at Walmart on things like snacks, cases of water, and beach towels (which were nowhere to be found in Kansas in October). We did a lot of free activities, but did pay $60 to Kayak Kauai for a really stellar kayak trip and bought a lot of souvenirs (tshirts, rum, coffee, etc). We spent somewhere around $2,000 for the week. We saved huge on flights and are pretty darn cheap in most other aspects. That being said, we had a great time and plan to again! You don’t have to spend a lot to really enjoy yourself 🙂

Our daughter is serving as a camp counselor in Oahu North Shore this summer, so we (five of us) are planning to visit in late June for her birthday. Does anyone know the cost to visit the Big Island from Oahu? This might be my closest shot at seeing the Mauna Kea summit.

Brett –

You can find guided day tours to the Big Island from Oahu. They include everything like flights, ground transportation and guided tour.

A cheaper method is to plan your own trip. Use the resources on this post to price out the cost of inter-island flights: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2009/03/24/a-guide-to-inter-island-travel-in-hawaii/ You’d need a rental car as well. See our page on saving money on rental cars: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2011/01/19/7-hawaii-car-rental-money-saving-ideas/

This is very informative. We will be taking our first trip in May 2017 and this helped me a lot in knowing what to expect financially speaking.

I am planning a trip to Hawaii around jan,Feb of 2018, approximately 8 people. I’m wondering how much it might cost to fly round trip?

Look at the Flights section of the above article. It has all the resources for you to estimate your own costs.

My husband and I are planning our honeymoon to Maui in the first week of December. We would love to stay at a nice resort like the Sheraton/ Westin/ grand wailea and I’ve found good deals for this time of year but I’ve read that these get really crowded. Being that it’s an off season time do you think the beach and pools will be more quiet?

See this post about a December vacation in Hawaii: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2014/11/05/is-december-a-good-month-for-vacation-in-hawaii/ which indicates that early December is a very quiet time to visit Hawaii. If the hotels are busy depends on if there is a convention going on. Call the hotels directly to find out.

We are planning our first trip to Hawaii in Jun of 2018. The wife and I turn 50, it’s our 20th Anniversary, and it’s our son’s HS graduation. It’s our “Once in a Lifetime” trip! I’ve been saving for about 3 years and we’ve saved about $10K for our family of four. Our dates are just now opening up to book for June of ’18 and it’s been a bit of a shock! Looks like I’m gonna need to save at least another $3-4K before next year. The one option we may decide to use is AirBNB rather than staying in hotel/restorts. I hate the idea of my kids having to sleep on a sleeper sofa when they can sleep in an actual bed. I also hate the idea of all those resort fees and parking fees. Anyways, thanks for some great articles and tips. As much as I hate “procrastinating”, we might need to wait a little bit to see if the airfares drop more since the sweet spot recommendation for lower prices is about 5-6 months out.

Yay! I am so glad I found this article because when it comes to planning for a trip… my mind is all over the place! This made it so simpler! Like really easy and small and really the only thing I’ll have to figure costs for is the places I want to check out which should be easy to book online. Hawaii will be my second oversees trip and it is going to be with significant other and it will be our first trip so I wanted it to be fun and he wants to go too. Thank you for this article because it made it so more easier for me!

sheila your calculator is very helpful you do a great job my wife &i are planing a trip to celebrate our 54th wed aniv. oct 2018 i belive most estim. are spot on but do not forget travel insur. unless you are a big gambler many thanks for all you do

Great article! I’m planning a 10 day trip to Oahu and Big Island in May 2018. From my research and bookings this seems like pretty good estimates except for the rental car estimates. I think this was posted a few years ago. I’m finding the lowest prices on rental cars run about 75.00 per day for economy and then up into the 80.00’s for midsize and full size.

thank you so much so helpful I’m levying to night

Love this thank u so much it is helping me buget for 4 people when we go next year

The two of us just did 8 nights (4 in Kauai, 4 in Maui) for $3002 (or $1501 each) for just the flights, lodging and rental car. However, if we had just stayed in Maui, rather than flying to Kauai too, it would have only been $2502… but I was dead set on hopping over to Kauai, and it was more than worth it!. After including all other expenses like food, parking, gas, and activities (sunset catamaran, doors-off helicopter, a luau, and snorkeling), it came to $4432, or $2216 each. It helped that our flights to Maui from Austin were only $247 round trip since we purchased during the Southwest deal. Our round trip inter-island flights from Maui to Kauai actually cost more than getting to Hawaii in the first place! We also used Hotwire to get our lodging at the last minute (2 days before for each location), so we were able to get condos that are normally $300/nt for less than $150/nt. For the rental cars we used Discount Hawaii Car Rental to book them and kept checking prices up until the date of the trip to rebook if prices declined (which they did more than once, including just 2 days beforehand, so keep checking!). We booked a jeep for both locations so we could have the top down and have 4 wheel drive, but if you rent a smaller car, your rental car would be half what ours was (ours was about $475 total, both islands). Our food total was less than $200 for the entire trip, but two of our activities also provided food (dinner catamaran and luau). We only ate at sit down restaurants twice, and most of our meals (including the very best ones!) were from small markets and food trucks. The best poke we had was from Ishihara market and cost only $5 bucks for a container plus a side of rice! Our activities total was $1257. We got a military discount on many of the activities so if you are military/veteran always ask if they have one! We splurged for a private doors-off helicopter (which i absolutely recommend over doors-on, its totally worth it!) @ $310 each. $112 each for the Old Lahaina Luau, and $148 each for sunset Na Pali catamaran w/surf & turf dinner and open bar included. For snorkeling, we just rented snorkeling gear in each location and went at our leisure to various spots on the islands. We did some free activities which were just as exciting and memorable, if not more than, some of the expensive ones. These included hiking the Awa’awapuhi, Pihea & Alakai swamp trails, seeing Waimea canyon, and driving the Road to Hana (and all the fun stops along the way of course). The views on the Kauai trails and swimming in the waterfalls/beaches along the Road to Hana were unforgettable and absolute highlights of our trip, so it’s definitely possible to spend $0 on activities in Hawaii and not regret it.

Hope this info helps. We loved it so much there, we are already tentatively planning our next trip!

Been to Hawaii 5 times, recent as August this year. Probably not any more. The Australian dollar is crap, the hotel prices, drinks and costs are going through the roof. Shame as we love it.

Is there any all inclusive resorts in Hawaii? I maybe Maui

Not really — see this article about the lack of all-inclusive resorts in Hawaii: https://www.govisithawaii.com/2012/03/28/should-you-look-for-an-all-inclusive-hawaii-vacation/ As you will read, Hawaii doesn’t really need all-inclusive resorts.

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Travel Budget for Hawaii Visit Hawaii on a Budget or Travel in Style

• Hawaii Costs

• Hawaii Hotel Prices
• Cities in Hawaii Hotel Prices
• Best Hotels for One Night in Hawaii
• Best Family-Friendly Hotels in Hawaii
• Best Beach Hotels in Hawaii
• Best Cheap Hotels in Hawaii
• Best Luxury Hotels in Hawaii
• Best Pet-Friendly Hotels in Hawaii
• Best Hotels for First Time Visitors in Hawaii
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• Best Hotels for One Week in Hawaii
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• Best Romantic Hotels for Couples in Hawaii
• Best Hotels for Scuba Diving in Hawaii
• Best Business Hotels in Hawaii
• Is Hawaii Expensive?
• How much does a trip to Hawaii cost?
• The Northeast
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• New York City
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• How much does it cost to travel to Hawaii? (Average Daily Cost)
• Hawaii trip costs: one week, two weeks, one month

Is Hawaii expensive to visit?

• How much do I need for a trip to Hawaii?
• Accommodation, Food, Entertainment, and Transportation Costs
• Travel Guide

How much does it cost to travel to Hawaii?

You should plan to spend around $342 per day on your vacation in Hawaii. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

• $77 on meals
• $37 on local transportation
• $427 on hotels

A one week trip to Hawaii for two people costs, on average, $4,782 . This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

• Travel Style: All Budget (Cheap) Mid-Range Luxury (High-End)
• Average Daily Cost Per person, per day $ 342
• One Week Per person $ 2,391
• 2 Weeks Per person $ 4,782
• One Month Per person $ 10,248
• One Week For a couple $ 4,782
• 2 Weeks For a couple $ 9,565
• One Month For a couple $ 20,495

How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Hawaii cost?

A one week trip to Hawaii usually costs around $2,391 for one person and $4,782 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Hawaii on average costs around $4,782 for one person and $9,565 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Hawaii will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Hawaii on average costs around $10,248 for one person and $20,495 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.

Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Hawaii has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Hawaii is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. Located in the United States of America, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will need to plan for the extra expenses of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. When visiting, expect to pay somewhat higher prices for accommodation, food, and activities.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Hawaii is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Hawaii is generally more expensive than most.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Hawaii Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Hawaii?

The average Hawaii trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Hawaii travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.

Accommodation Budget in Hawaii

Average daily costs.

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Hawaii is $214. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Hawaii is $427. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.

• Accommodation 1 Hotel or hostel for one person $ 214
• Accommodation 1 Typical double-occupancy room $ 427

Hotel Prices in Hawaii

Looking for a hotel in Hawaii? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.

Transportation Budget in Hawaii

The cost of a taxi ride in Hawaii is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $37 per person, per day, on local transportation in Hawaii.

• Transportation 1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc. $ 37

Recommended Services

• Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5… Viator $ 130
• Honolulu Private transfer to Airport/Port/Hotel (1-12 Passengers) Viator $ 128

Flights to Hawaii

Rental cars in hawaii, food budget in hawaii.

While meal prices in Hawaii can vary, the average cost of food in Hawaii is $77 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Hawaii should cost around $31 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Hawaii is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.

• Food 2 Meals for one day $ 77

Recommended

• Private Sunset Dinner Horseback Ride Viator $ 251
• Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class Viator $ 149

Entertainment Budget in Hawaii

Entertainment and activities in Hawaii typically cost an average of $38 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.

• Entertainment 1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc. $ 38

The Go City Oahu Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Oahu. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.

Recommended Activities

• Private Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tour in Turtle Town, Maui Viator $ 149
• North Shore Adventure Shuttle Viator $ 100

Tips and Handouts Budget in Hawaii

The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Hawaii is $12 per day. The usual amount for a tip in Hawaii is 10% - 20% .

• Tips and Handouts 1 For guides or service providers $ 12

Alcohol Budget in Hawaii

The average person spends about $19 on alcoholic beverages in Hawaii per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.

• Alcohol 2 Drinks for one day $ 19
• Maui Farm Distillery and local craft experience Full-Day Tour Viator $ 224
• Whiskey Tour - Koʻolau Distillery - Kailua, Hawai'i 96734 Viator $ 25

Water Budget in Hawaii

On average, people spend $15 on bottled water in Hawaii per day. The public water in Hawaii is considered safe to drink.

• Water 2 Bottled water for one day $ 15

Expert Advice from Local Travelers

We're asking our community members and registered users to contribute their experiences about Hawaii.

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I think what makes Hawaii particularly expensive is that you really need to have a car to explore any of the islands in depth, and rental cars can be expensive.

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How much does a trip to Hawaii Cost? 4 member family version

by Faith Kim | Last updated May 31, 2022 | Trip Planning

Since we have four kids, our overall costs would be a little higher than the average family-size, so let’s explore how much it would cost for a trip with two children.

Total Cost for Family Vacation to Honolulu, Oahu

7-day trip to Hawaii will cost $13,268. This is our proposed budget and it allows for a comfortable trip including a few paid tours. For a super-tight budget trip, you could estimate around $6,000 but this would entail finding super-saver flights, using public transportation, eating low-cost meals, experiencing free activities, and staying in a hostel, cheaper rental condo, or with a friend. Of course, you could always upgrade any part of the trip and a luxury vacation in Hawaii could easily cost $30,000+. There are many variables and we give specific examples, so add and subtract as you need, but $13,268 should give you a nice, memorable vacation in Hawaii.

Here are the information our budget is based on. We’ll go into more details below.

As of March 26, 2022, domestic travelers entering Hawaii do not need to have any COVID-related information, such as negative test or proof of vaccination.

With everyone itching to make up for the last 2 years of lost vacation time and the idea of “revenge travel” buzzing in our ears, it is certain that Hawaii as a major tourist destination will be affected by these trends. There has already been a huge uptick in the number of tourists to Hawaii as well as an increase in costs of travel so expect some of these prices to change, be prepared for a price hike, and double-check your own costs as you plan your vacation.

A Trip to Hawaii: Cost Breakdown for a Family of Four

Here are the assumptions we made for our budget scenario to give you an idea of where our costs are coming from:

DATES: 6-day and 7-night trip (We picked June 25 – July 2, 2022 since it’s usually a high-travel time in Hawaii and a popular season for families with children on summer break. All costs will usually be higher during this time as well.) LOCATION: Round trip flight between Minneapolis, Minnesota (MSP) to Honolulu, Hawaii (HNL) WHO: Four persons, two adults and two children (aged 12, 8) LODGING: Mid-range hotel stay TRANSPORTATION: car rental

Okay, now let’s jump into the details!

Cost of Flights to Honolulu

We just used Expedia to find the best flight options. If you use points or look for flight deals, this cost might change.

The total flight cost for a family of four is $4,568. This breaks down to $1,142 per person including children. The actual cost was $1,162 per adult and slight discount for each child. United Airlines and Delta gave comparable prices with Delta costing $7 more per person.

In actuality, this price will probably vary the most depending on what city your family is flying out from. This one is also a biggie, because it’s such a big portion of the total trip cost. If you don’t have exact travel dates in mind, once in a while, you can catch a great deal on flights. We have a friend in Minnesota who loves traveling to Hawaii so much that every time they get an itch (and some vacation time), they just start looking for cheap flights, find them, and book them. At the time, their criteria was $500 roundtrip under. After that, they would just make the rest of the vacation happen.

Many flight routes to Hawaii were cancelled in 2020 and not all have resumed service yet. It was a strange the last couple of years because while there were not as many travelers to Hawaii, there were also not a lot of flights as before, which created even more variation in pricing. Some airlines would offer some really good deals, but because there weren’t a lot of flights available, once those cheap tickets were gone, only pretty expensive flights were left.

As more airlines resume their routes to Hawaii, we are starting to see flight costs going back to normal with the occasional special deals.

In terms of airlines that fly to Hawaii, United Airlines and Delta are the major carriers with Hawaiian Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Southwest Airlines often offering cheaper fares. We’ve flown all the above mentioned airlines and they all worked fine for us. I’m sure you have a preferred airline, so go ahead and pick your choice, but, if a connection is made via one of the smaller carriers, I wouldn’t be too concerned with it. For basic economy seats, we didn’t notice much of a difference between airlines and the amenities they offered.

Cost of Hotels on Oahu

We did a search using a mix of Google, Expedia, and Hotels.com for hotel cost comparisons. Prices will vary between ocean or non-ocean views, number of beds, etc. and there are additional taxes and per day resort fees as well.

The total hotel cost for a family of four is $4,474.00.

For our scenario, we booked one room with two double beds and a partial ocean view. All our hotel picks for this budget scenario include the taxes and resort fees in the total hotel cost.

• Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort $4474.00
• The Sheraton Waikiki $4437.00
• The Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations (suite with full kitchen) $3410.00
• Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort $4093.00

These three locations are not in Waikiki and you would most likely need a car during your stay:

• The Kahala Hotel & Resort $6836.00
• Turtle Bay Resort $7799.00
• Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa SOLD OUT for our travel dates For a family with children, Aulani is usually a top choice so here are two alternate examples just to give you an idea of pricing for this popular resort. Since this summer is already sold out, we looked into a stay for the summer of 2023 to get a similar approximate cost. The hotel cost for June 24 – July 1, 2023 is $6474.00. We also checked into a non-peak season option for 2022 and if you booked a hotel room at Aulani for October 15 – 21, 2022, the cost for a hotel room is quite a bit less at $3,584.

Our pick for our budget scenario was Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort for $4474.00 for both convenience and amenities. This resort is located on 22 acres of oceanfront right on Waikiki Beach and offers a lot of amenities such as cute boutique shops, a variety of casual and fine dining options, easy access to the beach, multiple pools and water slides, a natural lagoon, and even a free weekly Friday night fireworks show right on the beach. It’s probably the most “resort” style place in Waikiki. Since it’s located in Waikiki, it is also close to a few other beaches, Ala Moana Shopping Center, and you’ll have easy access to the Waikiki Trolley system. On a personal note, right in Hilton Hawaiian Village, there’s a famous local ice cream shop, Lappert’s, that kids really like (right off the road facing the ocean). They always HAD to get ice cream whenever we’d meet up with friends to watch the fireworks show from the lagoon but, of course, the ice cream is really yummy so we weren’t too hard to convince!

For our actual family of six, our top choice would be The Grand Waikikian by Hilton Grand Vacations at $3410.00. With a suite that includes a full kitchen, this would give us the option to grab some items from Costco or a local market and make breakfast and a few other meals on our own. Also, that way we’re not paying $15.00 a pop for Mac and Cheese each time we go out to eat with our youngest one.

If you want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of Waikiki, then Turtle Bay Resort on the North Shore (especially if you like golfing) or other options out in Ko Olina are great choices too. We have many friends – locals and visitors – who absolutely love Aulani. We’ve had a fun few nights stay there as well but as part of the Disney brand, it also can get quite pricey compared to other hotel options and usually when we travel, we like focusing our funds on activities and visiting as many places as possible. Of course, if you or someone in your family adores all things Disney, and you’d prefer the amenities of a resort, this might be a great option to consider too!

Cost of Rental Cars

Total cost for a rental car for seven days: $1,284

If you are planning to stay just in Waikiki, then you might be able to subtract some or all of this expense from your trip. You’ll need to keep in mind that separate from hotel cost, many hotels charge a daily parking fee. If you’re not planning on using a car every day, you might want to organize your vacation so you’re renting a vehicle just on the days you plan to drive around the island and utilize other means of transportation on the off-days. Each hotel has a different policy on car parking but many do charge an extra fee, so if you have a rental car for the full trip, you may end up paying per day just to fill a parking stall. It will be a good idea to check on the hotel policy while making your vacation plans as parking is often not cheap. If you have to pay an additional fee for the parking I would budget $35 – $65 per night. We’ve seen many people utilize public parking spaces nearby but because the area is high-traffic, public parking isn’t always guaranteed so, budget in as needed; one thing you don’t want to waste on a vacation is your time.

What do we recommend? We think you should get a rental car for at least a few days of your trip. There are a lot sights to see and places to visit and there are some stunning views that you can only get if you go somewhere by car or on a tour (which is also a good option).

• Breakdown is:
• Car rental: $854 standard sedan / $1488 minivan
• Parking: $330 for seven days

Activities and Tours

Total costs of activities and tours for a family of four: $2,546

Honestly, even if you are shooting for a super low budget vacation, I’d recommend trying to do at least one activity. This is probably where you will find the most bang for your buck.  Even when we didn’t have much money, when we took the plunge to go on some tours, we were quite happy with them (I’d say 90% of the time.  There were few occasions where we didn’t think the activity was worth the money.) For example, we didn’t really know what to make of it for a dolphin-watching tour. We just thought it will be like looking at a dolphin picture or it might be exciting for the first spotting, but honestly, we are glad we went on the tour, because we still talk about it after 6 years. Also, when I took my aunts to Polynesian Cultural Center, they were really reluctant. They thought it was going to be a boring historical site seeing (think visiting an open field where there was supposed to be a palace long time ago and there is just grass there) and some reenactments, but they were glad that they spent the day there.

If you want to keep the vacation low budget, there are tons of free activities or nearly free activities that you can do on Oahu. Even if you spend your entire vacation in Waikiki, hitting the beach or exploring the shops and restaurants, you’ll still have a blast. Within the Waikiki and Honolulu area, you can easily hop on a bus to visit the nearby Ala Moana Beach Park and Magic Island, walk around Ala Moana Shopping Center – the largest outdoor mall in the world, or hop over to Chinatown. Even within Waikiki, there are a number of free activities available, from swimming on the beach, to taking a free historical tour at the Moana Surfrider Hotel, to watching a complimentary hula show and staying for the Hawaiian cultural activities open to the public and hosted by several hotels in the area, and, of course, there’s the free Friday night fireworks hosted by the Hilton Hawaiian Village.

Of course, there are tons of fun activities that have ticket or entry costs, but if you’re traveling to Hawaii and can fit it in your budget, we definitely recommend taking advantage of at least a few guided tours and paid activities.

Oahu offers a wide variety of interesting tours, programs, outings, and classes. You can take lessons for surfing or snorkeling, try an outrigger canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddle board, or even take a ride on a submarine scooter. What about horse-back riding in a valley and along the coast or hiring a tour guide to take you around the island? There are a number of boating activities as well, from dolphin or whale-watching, to sunset cruises, to deep-sea fishing, or even swimming with sharks! Ride an ATV, take a helicopter ride, go parasailing! Actually, my cousin’s Must-Do item while visiting Hawaii was skydiving. In his case, he had to go to the dive spot twice because it was canceled the first time due to the weather; so you’ll need to take that into account for outdoor activities too. For the sake of the budget scenario, let’s just say you will be doing 4 activities on this trip. These would be our sample picks:*

• A Complete Historic Sites of Pearl Harbor Tour (includes hotel pick up): $699
• Polynesian Cultural Center guided tour, Luau buffet, and evening show: $704
• Kualoa Ranch multi passenger ATV tour (there’s also a similar tour on horse-back): $430 (Adult $144.95 & Child 5-12 $69.95)
• Dolphin-Watching Boat Tour (includes hotel pick up): $713.00 (Adult $189, Child 2-11 $146)

*Please note that taxes and fees may not be included in these costs. Oahu’s General Excise Tax is 4.712% and there may be other fees on some tours.

And now the (MY) most important part…

Cost of Food

Total food cost for a family of four for seven days: $1,680

This one was a surprise one for us when we first moved to Hawaii…food is expensive here. Taking into account that as a visitor, your family of four will be eating out for 7 days, this will roughly equal 21 meals and it does add up. Of course, just like other factors, there are a lot of considerations, but none of the other factors have as diverse a number of variables as food. While some families are okay with fast food, some are adamantly against it. As a kid growing up in Hawaii with vegetarian friends, I’d have to say that vegetarian options in the 90s were slim (to none!), but nowadays, we have everything from raw food vegan fare and even steakhouses usually have vegetarian options available. As a word of caution, if you have certain allergies, make sure to ask the restaurants about their ingredients. Restaurants should and often will have their allergens listed clearly, but we did have a situation a few years ago with our son and his peanut allergy because the item wasn’t clearly listed as containing peanuts. Even the waiter didn’t realize that one of the ingredients was a spoonful of peanut butter (and honestly, we couldn’t taste it!) so it took our son a few bites to realize he was having an allergic reaction.

That being said, here’s our experience when we travel. With four kids we have two that will happily try a variety of locale fare and two kids that will find the closest equivalent to chicken nuggets, burgers, or mac and cheese wherever we eat. Our youngest always get excited when they see McDonald’s or Burger King, so once or twice on a trip, we just let them enjoy their fast food fix. But, for the rest of the meals, we’ll actively look for a mix of famous places, some popular local places, and some hole-in-the-wall places. For our dinners out we can usually budget around $80 for a family of six for meals that we can comfortably enjoy. Most people are going to say that’s not enough in Hawaii and if each person gets their own individual appetizers, entrees, drinks and desserts, they’ll probably be right, but we often come under that amount. In our case, we often share appetizers, we usually split 1-2 desserts, and we try to discourage ordering too much food and take-out boxes (especially while living out of hotels); we take this into consideration when figuring out the quantities of food we order.

To help figure out your family’s food budget, most restaurants on Oahu have Yelp or Google pictures of their menus available so it’s pretty easy to figure out the cost per person for a specific eatery and, of course, if your family enjoys primarily fine dining, the food costs may be substantially higher; for example, a nice dinner at Roy’s Waikiki for a family of four could easily run over $200, not including drinks.

For the purpose of this article and our budget for a family of 4 on a mid-ranged vacation, we would estimate food to cost about $70 per day for an adult and $50 per child ages 8-12. This would take into consideration that some days, meals might be spam musubis from 7-11 lunch and local plate lunches for dinner, while other days might be a fresh catch-of-the-day fish entree for lunch, Korean BBQ for dinner, and malasadas for dessert. Overall, while planning your trip, expect that things are generally going to cost a little more over here. We were surprised to find that a quart of milk here was just as expensive as a gallon of milk in Minnesota. We were surprised that a box of cereal will cost $7 or $8 when we were so used to buying them for $3. No, it’s not people trying to rip off tourists; almost everything has to be imported from somewhere else in the country or around the world and local land is expensive, so stuff just costs more. If anything, blame the politicians who created the law that everything being imported via ship has to go through select ports on mainland first (the biggest one for Hawaii shipments being Los Angeles) and then come to Hawaii. Can you imagine a shipment container from Australia has to pass by Hawaii, but can’t stop in Hawaii, and has to go to LA, and then make it back to Hawaii? Ha! How is that for efficiency? (wow, I digressed here!)

We hope this information provided you with some insight and that you have a better idea of what to budget for on your trip to Hawaii.  Maybe we’ll bump into each other someday.

Travel Guides

🤙 Oahu Travel Guide

🤙 Maui Travel Guide

🤙 Kauai Travel Guide

🤙 Big Island (Hawaii Island) Travel Guide

Hi, we are the Kim Family. We wanted to share our experiences living on Oahu and traveling around Hawaii.  We have four kids and who enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities.  We’ve learned a lot raising our kids here and wanted to share with you.  We hope it helps with whether you are visiting, living, or a little bit of both.

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Lists by Lukiih 🍀

Practical travel guides with less fluff

• 💰 My 2024 Hawaii Trip Cost: A Budget Breakdown

Hawaii, an island known for beautiful beaches and friendly locals, can be visited with a budget of  $95 to $250 a day.

My almost two-week trip to Hawaii, which included visits to Maui and the Big Island , cost a total of $2,761 . In this post, I share:

• 💰 Expected travel costs
• 💡 Budgeting tips
• 💵 How much cash to bring
• ✈️ My trip’s costs by category
• 📍 My trip’s costs by islands
• Is Hawaii Expensive?
• How Much Is a Trip?
• About My Trip
• Cost Breakdown
• Daily Budget: $209
• Flight: $225
• Accommodation: $1,667
• Transportation: $508
• Entertainment: $46
• Maui: $1,890
• Big Island: $862
• How Much Cash to Bring
• Cash-Only Places
• Tipping Etiquette

Hawaii Trip Planner

Lists By Lukiih is readers-supported. When you buy with my affiliate link, I may earn a small commission. Thanks!

Is Hawaii Expensive To Travel To?

Hawaii is the  most expensive state  in the United States to travel to. The island relies on imported goods, has a high cost of living, and offers expensive tourist hot spots and accommodations due to high demand.

Oahu, Hawaii’s most budget-friendly island , is more expensive than many other Caribbean island destinations.

However, Maui, Hawaii’s most expensive island, is cheaper than some of the US’s most expensive cities (e.g., New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Key West).

🏝️ Is Hawaii Cheaper Than Puerto Rico for Vacation?

If you’re looking for an island escape within the US territory, Puerto Rico is cheaper than Hawaii for a vacation. It isn’t easy to visit Hawaii for  less than $200 per day , but that’s doable in Puerto Rico.

On average, Puerto Rico is about $50 per day cheaper than even O’ahu, Hawaii’s most budget-friendly island.

I took a trip to Puerto Rico and Hawaii within a few months of each other. I visited the former during its high season and the latter during its low season.  Puerto Rico was still cheaper than Hawaii per day.  Here’s how my daily budget compared between the two:

See all my daily budget for each destination I’ve visited .

How Much Is a Trip to Hawaii?

This section covers estimated trip costs depending on your travel style. I share my actual travel expenses further below.

🎒 Budget Traveler – Hawaii Trip Cost

A budget traveler can expect to spend approximately $95 per day or $475 for five days of travel in Hawaii, excluding flights.

Here’s what a budget traveler’s cost breakdown can look like:

Traveling Hawaii on a Budget

To travel to Hawaii on a budget, here are some things you’ll need to do:

• 🏝️ Island Choice – Travel to Oahu, Hawaii’s cheapest island. Here are 10 great things to do on Oahu that my friend Matt recommends.
• 🏠 Accommodation – Housing in Hawaii is expensive. A dorm-style hostel or budget hotel typically costs $50 a night in Oahu and jumps to about $60 a night in Maui . A private room increases to $100 per night in some areas during the peak season.
• 🚙 Transportation – Getting around Hawaii without a car is hard, and car rentals can be expensive. You can take advantage of the limited public transportation to minimize gas and rental costs, but keep in mind that the full Hawaiian experience requires a car.
• 🍗 Food – To keep food costs under $15 a meal, eat at budget-friendly options like local establishments, food trucks (there are many in Hawaii), and fast food chains like L&L. You can also consider shopping at grocery stores like Foodland to make your own meals.

• 🌋 Entertainment – Tours and activities are usually $50 or more in Hawaii, so enjoy the many free natural attractions where you’ll only need to pay for parking occasionally. Most of Hawaii’s national parks have an entrance fee, but not all do.
• ☀️ Travel Season – The best time to travel to Hawaii for the best deals is during the off-season, which runs from April to mid-June and September through mid-October.

The summer months in Hawaii are a popular time to visit, but the travel peak season runs from December to March when visitors are escaping their home country’s winters.

💰 Mid-Range Budget Traveler – Hawaii Trip Cost

A mid-range budget traveler like myself can expect to spend approximately $250 per day or $1,250 for five days of travel in Hawaii, excluding flights. I break down my trip expenses by travel category below.

About My Hawaii Trip

To give context to the expenses below, here’s what you need to know about my trip:

• Maui : 8 days
• Big Island : 4 days

Maui is Hawaii’s second most popular and  most expensive destination . Oahu is Hawaii’s most visited island and the most affordable one.

• ☀️ Low season – I went to Hawaii in September, which is considered the low season.

Hawaii’s high season runs from December to March when visitors are escaping their winter months.

• ✌️ Group travel . I traveled with at least one other person at all times, so we were able to split some costs, such as housing.
• 💰 Mid-range budget – I consider myself a mid-range budget traveler, and these expenses reflect that. I don’t aim to travel on a budget, but I’m thoughtful about how and where I spend.
• 🍀 Self-funded – My trips are self-funded, so I paid for everything listed below. None of my excursions or experiences are sponsored.

All costs listed in this post are per person and in US dollars.

Hawaii Trip’s Total Cost: $2,761

My almost two-week trip to Hawaii cost a total of $2,761 , including flights.

See the highlights of my trip in these  Maui and Big Island itineraries.

💰 Cost Breakdown for Hawaii

Here’s a quick overview of my expenses by travel category:

🗓️ Daily Budget in Hawaii: $209

My Hawaii trip cost $209 per day , excluding my round-trip flights from and to the United States.

A mid-range budget traveler can expect to spend about $250 per day in Hawaii. This generally entails splitting a mid-range hotel that costs $180 per night, eating at $ to $$ restaurants, renting a standard car every day, and doing a mix of free activities and paid tours.

✈️ Flight Cost to Hawaii: $225

Here’s how much my round-trip flight from the West Coast of the United States to Hawaii cost:

A round-trip flight between the continental US and Hawaii that costs under $150 is considered cheap; those flights typically cost over $200.

🏠 Accommodation Cost in Hawaii: $1,667

My average cost of accommodation in Hawaii was $139 per night. I was able to split accommodations with others at all times.

Here are the accommodations I stayed at and how much I paid for each:

On Maui, the most expensive island, the average price of a mid-range hotel room is $200 per night . A budget hotel is usually at least $120 per night. Luxury hotels easily surpass $900 per night. On Oahu, the cheapest island, a mid-range hotel can be about $150 per night .

🍛 Food Cost in Hawaii: $315

My average cost of food in Hawaii was $26 per day.

A mid-range budget traveler can expect to spend about $60 per day on food in Hawaii.

Cheapest Meals in Hawaii

Here are the most affordable meals I ate during my trip:

You can keep your meal cost low by eating at local establishments, fast food chains like L&L, and food trucks. I recommend getting the affordable fresh poke at Foodland, a local Hawaiian grocery store.

Most Expensive Meals in Hawaii

Here are the most expensive meals I ate during my trip:

🚙 Transportation Cost in Hawaii: $508

My average cost of transportation in Hawaii was $42 per day. I split rental cars with other travelers and had to use Uber once since I had a different departure time than others.

Here are the transportation methods I took and how much I paid for each:

Expected Costs of Transportation in Hawaii

There are several ways to get around Hawaii, and the prices can drastically vary, depending on the level of inconvenience you’re willing to accept.

• Rental car – The best way to get around Hawaii is by renting a car; not having a rental car will limit your options. The average cost for a standard car is $30 per day, not including gas. Keep in mind that you’ll also typically have to pay $2 to $10 for parking in some areas.
• Public transportation – All Hawaiian islands have at least some bus public transportation system. Oahu has a decent bike-sharing system where you can pay $12 for unlimited rides for 24 hours. Maui has a limited bus system, and it costs $2 for a one-way bus ride.
• Island hop – Flight tickets between Hawaiian islands are in the $50 to $100 range for one-way trips. $39, which is how much I paid to fly from Maui to the Big Island, is a great deal (I traveled during the low season).

🤿 Entertainment Cost in Hawaii: $46

My average cost of entertainment in Hawaii was $4 per day. Unlike many of my other trips, I didn’t spend much on attractions. I primarily did free activities and enjoyed the island’s natural beauty.

Costs of Activities and Attractions in Hawaii

Here are all the activities and attractions I paid for and how much each cost:

The Haleakalā sunrise, Maui’s most popular activity, has a $30 entrance fee , but I brought my Nationals Park Pass, which waived the cost. Instead, I only had to pay the $1 reservation fee.

Learn how to catch the epic Haleakalā sunrise (or sunset) .

Free Things To Do in Hawaii

If you’re on a tight budget, a great way to save money is to enjoy Hawaii’s many free natural attractions , where you’ll only need to pay parking fees if necessary.

In Hawaii, tours and activities are usually $50 or more per person (for example, the popular manta ray snorkeling tour on the Big Island is generally $100 or more per person).

🏝️ Free Things To Do on Maui

Here are all the activities I did in Maui that were free:

• Road to Hana – Maui’s second most popular activity, the Road to Hana is a two-day road trip featuring waterfalls, hikes, and more. There’s no entrance fee, but you have to pay for parking and a rental car.
• Kihei Beach – Kihei Beach is a decent snorkeling area with tide pools to explore.
• Papalaua Beach – This is a local spot with strong waves.
• Honokeana Cove – This is a popular and beautiful snorkeling spot.
• Honolau Bay – Another popular and beautiful snorkeling spot, Honolau Bay gets crowded if you don’t get there early.

🐢 Free Things To Do on the Big Island

Here are all the activities I did on the Big Island that were free:

• Kapalua Coastal Trail – This is a scenic, easy trail with beautiful ocean views.
• Captain Cook Monument Trail – Captain Cook is a medium-difficult trail that leads to clear and stunning snorkeling.
• Kilauea Iki – This is a hike in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. At the crater, you can walk over a solidified lava lake.
• Punalu’u Black Sand Beach – This beach is known to have sea turtles resting.
• Kukio Bay – Kukio Bay is a non-crowded snorkeling spot where I saw a sea turtle swimming in the ocean.

Cost Breakdown by Island in Hawaii

Below are my trip expense breakdowns for Maui and the Big Island. These two major islands are often featured in first-timers’ travel itineraries.

🏖️ Maui Trip’s Total Cost: $1,890

During my eight-day trip to Maui, I averaged  $237 in daily travel expenses.

I stayed at Hyatt Regency Resort for a wedding and split a mid-range hotel, Castle Kamaole Sands , with several others before staying at the resort. I had a rental car every day and mainly did free activities except for a dragon fruit farm tour.

See great things to do on Maui .

Maui is Hawaii’s most expensive island, and an average day there can easily be $300 for a mid-range budget traveler.

🤿 Big Island Trip’s Total Cost: $862

During my four-day trip to the Big Island, I averaged  $215 in daily travel expenses.

I spent $0 on entertainment and primarily enjoyed hiking and snorkeling the beautiful beaches on the Big Island.

Check out great things to do on the Big Island .

The Big Island is neither the most expensive nor cheapest in Hawaii. On a mid-range budget trip, you can expect to spend  $200 per day .

Do You Need Cash in Hawaii?

Like other places in the United States, Hawaii has an  excellent credit card infrastructure , so you’ll only need to carry a bit of cash.

Below are tips on bringing and using cash in Hawaii.

🏧 1. Carry about $50 worth of cash per day in Hawaii.

On a typical day, a mid-range budget traveler in Hawaii will need  about $50 in cash  to cover food and attractions. At a minimum, $50 will cover a meal for two people from vendors on the side of the road.

I keep my cash in my crossbody bag , but if you want extra protection against pickpocketing , carry it in a hidden money belt instead.

💵 2. Certain places in Hawaii are cash-only.

While credit cards are commonly used in Hawaii, I still had to use cash a few times during my trip. Here are some of the places that were cash-only in Hawaii:

• Local food stalls – Huli Huli Chicken on the Road to Hana was cash-only and cost about $20 per person.
• Food trucks – Hawaii has popular food truck areas, and I went to several that were all cash-only.
• Markets – For example, Maui Swap Meet has a $0.50 admissions fee that’s cash-only, and some vendors at Maui Gift and Craft prefer cash.
• Tipping – Tipping service workers is typically done with cash.

💰 3. Tipping is customary in Hawaii.

Like the rest of the United States, a  10% to 20% tip is customary  and expected in Hawaii. Good service should receive a 15% to 18% tip, and exceptional service should receive a 20% tip.

• Dining out – A 15% to 20% tip is standard for tourists and locals.
• Valets – A $2 tip is standard when they bring your car to you.
• Tours – A 10% tip is standard for a group tour, and 15% to 20% is standard for private tours.
• Massages and spas – A 10% to 20% tip is standard for these places.

To make your travel planning easier , download the trip planner below and use it as a starting point. The planner has country-specific travel information, an itinerary, a packing list, and a map with key places pinned.

The trip planner is built on Notion, which I use for all my travel planning (I genuinely love this tool). If you don’t have Notion, creating an account is free .

Thoughts? Questions? Leave a comment below .

Hawaii Travel Guides

• 🏝️ Maui Amazing 5-Day Itinerary + Great Things To Do
• 🌋 Big Island: 3-4 Day Itinerary + 10 Great Things To Do
• ☀️ Haleakalā Sunrise: Firsthand Review & Tips
• 🚗 Road to Hana Guide: Map, Great Stops + Is it Dangerous?
• 🤿 Hiking Captain Cook to Snorkel in Kealakekua Bay Guide
• 🎒 Complete Maui Packing List: Tips + What To Bring

🧋 Support Lukiih

Lists by Lukiih is a humble website that I fund with my own savings. If you find my tips helpful, I appreciate you saying thanks with a bubble tea !

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• How much does a trip to Hawaii cost? Price and estimated budget

Hawaii is a dream destination, and with good reason! It's a safe bet that you'll fall in love with the islands of Hawaii at first sight , but you might as well be warned from the outset: Hawaii is an expensive destination , especially if you want to enjoy local activities or stay in one of the beautiful resorts by the ocean. To give you an idea, the state of Hawaii is the one with the highest cost of living in the USA . So to succumb to Hawaii's charms, you'll need to put your hand in your wallet . But to what extent? 

To give you an idea of the price of a trip to Hawaii and help you prepare your budget , we're going to detail the different types of expenditure and the budget to allow for each of them, not forgetting our tips for bringing the bill down . Prices are voluntarily mostly given in $USD so as not to be impacted by the regularly fluctuating exchange rate.

1 The average price of a trip to Hawaii

2 price of a plane ticket to hawaii, 3 price of domestic flights in hawaii, 4 budget accommodation in hawaii, 5 the budget for food in hawaii, 6 budget for getting around hawaii, 7 prices for activities and visits in hawaii.

On average, for a 3-week trip to Hawaii , you'll need to budget between $4,000 to $5,000/person (based on a 2-person stay) , price including flights, accommodation (mid-range condo rental), domestic flights , car rental for each island and meals . To this budget should be added any excursions, the price of parking lots or pay parks. On a daily basis, this comes to around 220$/person/day.  

But beware, this is an average price, as the price of your trip to Hawaii will depend greatly on the length of your stay and the level of services of the accommodation/transportation you choose. You may also consider that this budget will be larger if you plan to travel during the high season (mid-June to mid-August and Christmas/New Year) when the price of domestic flights, hotels and car rentals will be higher. You can also largely reduce this average cost if you opt for the camping solution and do your daily shopping at the supermarket to avoid expensive restaurants.

If you want to go through a travel agency , you should know that the price of a trip prepared by a professional will be higher than if you make your itinerary and reservations yourself. For example, count on around $6,000/person for a 3-week trip in 3-star hotels, bearing in mind that you'll need to add flights and meals and some optional activities. In the end, the bill can quickly approach $8,000 for an all-inclusive package tour for two people.

Hawaii is an easily accessible and remotely bookable destination. So if your budget is limited, I encourage you to take the time to prepare and book your stay yourself . And that's just as well, because here you'll find a comprehensive guide and hundreds of articles to help you plan the trip of your dreams :-) 

Contrary to what you might think, your airfare to Hawaii won't be your biggest expense. If you plan well enough in advance and scan the promotions , you'll be able to find a very attractively priced ticket. Finally, overall, airfares to Hawaii are back to pre-Covid levels. I haven't seen any major increases or decreases since tourism picked up again, although ticket prices still tend to rise in line with inflation.

From Canada or the USA

Several Low Cost airlines operate flights from the USA (mainland) to Hawaii. As a result, it's possible to regularly find affordable fares especially since the arrival of Southwest on the Hawaiian market. Expect prices from $270 return from a few west coast cities and $500 return for the east coast, excepting Toronto which benefits from very attractive prices to Hawaii. Occasionally, some promos get tickets as low as $200 roundtrip for the West Coast and $400 roundtrip for the East Coast.

From Canada , promotions at $500 roundtrip happen a few times a year from Montreal. From Vancouver , prices sometimes drop to $300 .

As an example, we paid $400/person for the multi-destination trip Seattle - Kona (Big Island) - Los Angeles from August 12 to 24, 2022, and purchased only 15 days before from Hawaiian Airlines and United .

From Europe

On average, prices for a flight to Hawaii from Europe are in the 900€ return range. This can rise into the 1200€ range or even higher during the traditional summer school vacations and Christmas celebrations. However it's not uncommon for airlines to promote to Hawaii during the middle and low seasons. For example, if you look at the prices, you can find flights in the €750 range from Europe, with prices as low as €400 return on special offers from airlines like Condor.

Our tip for lower prices

It's possible to buy 2 separate tickets : the first to a city on the west coast of the USA or Canada (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oackland, San Jose, Seattle, Vancouver...), then a second to Hawaii . This could save you a nice sum on your round trip, especially since Southwest is serving Hawaii with very affordable fares and baggage included, departing from a few cities in California at the moment. So with this combination, count on fares in the 600€-700€ roundtrip range from Europe.

But beware , in the case of tickets purchased separately, the connection is no longer guaranteed between your flights. If your first flight is delayed, you won't be reimbursed if you miss the next one. This means that you need to allow enough time for your stopover to be completed safely, or even spend a night on site.

The price of domestic flights is an expense to consider when traveling to Hawaii. Chances are you'll have to travel from island to island, and the more islands you do, the higher the bill. The average is around 3 islands on a 2-3 week trip, but it's not uncommon to visit all 4 main islands on a trip of 3 weeks or more.

Overall prices are stable all year round. Expect to pay between $29 and $80 for each domestic flight with the exception of the end-of-year holidays when prices tend to double (mid-December to early January). Note also that a flight between Kauai and Big Island is bound to be more expensive than a flight between Oahu and Maui.

Our tips for saving money on domestic flights

• If you're planning to visit several islands, consider taking a multi-destination flight when you come to the archipelago, which will save you a domestic flight. Their prices are generally the same as classic round-trip flights, and the 4 main islands all have international airports .
• If you choose to travel with Southwest , the posted price includes free of charge 2 checked baggage items. Finally, prices sometimes tend to fluctuate with promotional operations at discounted prices several times a year. If you find a weekday one-way ticket for $29 or $39, don't delay in booking!
• If you choose to travel with Hawaiian Airlines , be aware that prices on domestic routes tend to rise rather than fluctuate. For this reason, remember to book your flights as soon as possible . You can benefit from a $10 discount on your checked baggage if you consider subscribing before you check in to the Hawaiian Miles loyalty program, membership of which is free (not to be confused with the payment card. It is possible to associate your membership number with your reservation after ticket purchase, as long as check-in has not been completed. Please note that the purchase of hold baggage is only possible once at the airport on the automatic kiosks (it is not possible to include it when purchasing tickets online).

Accommodation-wise, expect relatively high prices compared to the rest of the USA and especially since COVID! In fact, the health crisis has strongly impacted the islands of the archipelago and accommodation prices have almost doubled since 2019 (except on Oahu, where the increase has been more reasonable) . This increase concerns all types of accommodation , so unfortunately you won't escape it, and knowing that property prices have followed suit with a dizzying rise, there's not much chance of prices returning to their former levels , even if I think a slight drop remains conceivable in the months/years to come. 

As the range of accommodation on the islands is so varied, prices fall within a very wide range depending on the type of accommodation and the level of comfort required. In other words, the more atypical your accommodation, the higher the potential price. But let me reassure you, there are ways to lower the bill, such as renting a condo.

Hotel prices in Hawaii

For a classic, unpretentious stay in a 2-star hotel (sometimes without air-conditioning or shared bathroom), prices start at around $130 /night on Big Island (on the Hilo side), followed by Oahu (from $150 /night), then Kauai (from $190 /night) and climb to Maui, where it'll be tough to get in.strong>$150/night), then Kauai (from $190 /night) and climb to Maui, where it will be difficult to find accommodation for less than $230 without going through another type of accommodation. 

More generally, for one night (double room) in a 2 or even 3-star hotel, count $160 on Honolulu (where you'll most likely have to add parking fees), $270 on Big Island (around Kona), $300 on Kauai and $320 on Maui.

For a luxury stay , honeymoon-style, prices can explode, because in Hawaii, luxury comes with a hefty price tag. For 4-star hotels and above , prices start from $350 per night for the cheapest, with an average around $500 per night, not forgetting to add taxes to be paid locally . In some very high-end establishments, prices soar beyond $1000 a night! You've been warned!

Youth hostels and Airbnb

If you're on a smaller budget or you're traveling alone , you can push open the door to youth hostels, which are pretty welcoming , but still very expensive, starting at $100 /night for one person in a dormitory. Yes, you read that right! Here are some of the hostels in Hawaii.

On the Airbnb side, it's better but still very expensive (private individuals have adopted hotel prices) and you systematically have to add cleaning costs , which are substantial for short stays. Prices are extremely disparate and it's impossible to give a range here. Service charges are of the order of 15% . However, this may be profitable for multi-day stays (3 days and more).

You can also find vans at over $200/day , shared rooms at $80/night or single accommodations at slightly lower rates than hotels, but you're still in for some very expensive stuff.

The price of camping in Hawaii

For tight budgets, you can opt for camping . Expect to pay around $30/night for a pitch in State Parks . If you don't feel like bringing your camping gear, some people rent vehicles with all the necessary camping equipment for around $150/day .

Note that wild camping is strictly forbidden in Hawaii. Also take care to choose your campsites carefully , as some are unfortunately not all very well frequented . Choose campsites far from towns for greater peace and quiet. Most campsites are generally situated by the sea .

Note that to obtain permission to camp in State Parks or County Parks , you'll need to acquire a permit from the County knowing that each island has its own regulations. Permit applications must be made in advance via forms depending on the area where the campsite is located. The system is explained on each island's official website . There are also private campsites located outside the parks, but there are quite few of these.

The right plan: rent a condo in Hawaii

What's a condo? They are small apartments or houses in condominiums , made available by their owners. They come in all sizes, from the small studio room economy to the 3-bedroom house . It's an excellent alternative to hotels and a great choice for staying within a budget I'd call "reasonable" . Condos are comfortable with nice amenities (garden, pool, close ocean, beach and picnic equipment...) and are usually managed by a janitor company who looks after maintenance and security. This is the solution we have chosen for our stays in 2018, 2019 and 2022. 

The big advantage of renting a condo is that you'll always have a kitchen , or at the very least a fridge and microwave . This way you can cook at home and lower your budget (restaurants are very expensive in Hawaii). In most cases, a parking space is allocated with the rental and it can also happen that owners leave all their beach equipment (towels, games, fins and masks, cooler, chairs...) which is still super convenient, especially for kids!

And what's the price of a condo in Hawaii? Prices start around $120/night and remain lower than hotels. A rental is generally worthwhile from 3 days and even more so if you're staying longer or with your family . Below 3 nights, it's pretty unlikely to be rented to you and the end-of-stay cleaning fee won't be advantageous. Of course, all linen, towels and toiletries are provided.

During our last stay in Hawaii of 12 days in August 2022 , we were thus able to rent a condo for 4 people in Kona, 100m from the sea with ocean view , one bedroom with a King Size, a living room with sofa bed, a state-of-the-art, fully equipped kitchen , a large covered balcony (lanai) with sea view , a parking space and a sea-facing pool for $166/night . That's still a budget, but given the amenities, it's completely worth the price! For this, we went through Kona Vacation Rentals and were very pleased with the service. If there are only 2 of you, or with a small child, renting a small studio will be much cheaper (from $100/night ).

To find a condo, you can visit VRBO , Booking or go through local rental agencies because the prices charged are generally lower  (you'll find plenty by searching for "Hawaii vacation rentals" in your favorite search engine).

Here's a factor not to be overlooked: the cost of food is very expensive in Hawaii , which is mainly due to the fact that the archipelago is located right in the middle of the Pacific and the supply of the majority of foodstuffs has to be done by plane or boat .

Restaurant prices are very high in Hawaii, bearing in mind that you'll need to add between 15 and 20% tip depending on the quality of service. On average count $50 for a restaurant meal with service bearing in mind that prices can vary from simple to triple depending on the restaurant you go to.

But fortunately there are plenty of small snacks or trucks where you can eat for less (on average $15-20 dish + drink) usually served in cardboard trays.

For ice cream lovers, also count on average $5 to $8 for a Shave Ice , the unavoidable Hawaiian flavored crushed ice .

Our tip for eating local and cheap in Hawaii 

For fans of raw fish, be aware that you can buy Ahi bowls (bowls of hot rice topped with marinated raw fish), a Hawaiian specialty for around $10 a bowl at supermarkets like Safeway, Big Save or Foodland . 

To do this, head to the back of the store, where you'll discover an entire shelf of fish (salmon or tuna) in a variety of flavors. You can choose either to order a "bowl", or take rice and fish separately.

Shopping at the market or supermarket

If you want to reduce the price of your trip to Hawaii we recommend shopping in markets and supermarkets . The market option is the first to go if you want to eat good local produce but not necessarily cheaper than in a supermarket. These markets are called "farmers markets" because local growers come there to sell their fruit. Some are very popular, like the farmers market in Hilo on Big Island . Count $5 to $6 for a pineapple, which will give you an idea of local prices... (fruit prices have also doubled since 2019...)

At the supermarket prices will be higher than on the mainland . Some products are even overpriced there, like milk, packets of potato chips, cakes... basically all the products that can't be made locally. You'll have to completely rethink your diet if you want to stay within a decent budget. Chicken remains a good option.

Finally, we noticed that supermarket prices varied from island to island, with Kauai being the most expensive .

Our tips for saving money when shopping

• Some stores have preferential prices for certain types of product: For example, we found a gallon of mineral water at $1.25 at Big Save Market, while the same brand sold for $2.50 at Foodland and $3.50 at Safeway. Another example is pineapples, at $0.89 a pound at Safeway and often much more expensive elsewhere. In some cases, we even found huge discrepancies for certain products, ranging from simple to double depending on the store.
• Take dishes whose date is about to expire . There's usually -30% to -50% on them.
• Supermarket chains such as Safeway or Foodland have a loyalty card system that will enable you to get very substantial discounts on certain products. Don't hesitate to ask for the loyalty card at the checkout on your first visit, it's free .

Except on the island of Oahu where it's possible to use the bus network as long as you stay in town, we strongly recommend renting a car to get around the islands . 

The price of a car rental in Hawaii 

Surprisingly, car rental prices in Hawaii have largely  dropped since the Covid crisis to 2019 levels. Rates start at $35-50/day for the rental of a small city car off-season and increase according to the type of vehicle chosen, the period, the rental company or intermediary chosen. The average price of a car rental in Hawaii is around $65/day in low and mid-season , and approaches $80/day during summer and the holiday season .

Our tip for cheaper car hire

To find a cheap car rental in Hawaii , don't hesitate to take a tour of Discount Hawaii Car Rental . This is a very reliable reservation center that was founded in 1999. Thanks to their local history, their prices are probably the most competitive in the archipelago. We systematically rent our cars with them every time you return to Hawaii, and we've never found a professional rental company cheaper.

Gas prices in Hawaii

Expect to pay more for fuel than on the mainland . To give you an idea, gasoline costs around $5 a gallon (October 2022 rate). As with many things, prices vary by island and area. To find the cheapest gas, don't hesitate to check out the GasBuddy website or app.

It's hard to go to Hawaii without enjoying some activities in the archipelago. You may want to take a helicopter flight , take a boat trip , attend a Luau or do one of the many sporting activities available in the Hawaiian Islands.

But having fun in Hawaii comes at a price, because when you say Hawaii, you say expensive! So expect to put your hand in your wallet if you decide to indulge in a little excursion or activity, and all the more so since here too, prices have sometimes doubled since 2019 ...

It's hard to put a price list here, such is the sheer number of activities and excursions. But by way of information, you should know that helicopter tours start at $350 ($170 if you prefer a small plane of the Cessna/Air Van type). To see Manta rays it will be from $160 and renting a kayak will cost you in the $100 per person for the day. You'll have understood that the bill will rise quickly, while not forgetting that tipping is recommended for supervised excursions .

But fortunately, the vast majority of State Parks and County Parks located in the archipelago are free , even if the trend since last year has been towards pay parking . In fact, more and more payment terminals are springing up on the various State Park parking lots (which sometimes include beaches), generally at $15 a day ticket. 

As for the 3 National Parks , they are paying:

• Volcanoes NP: $30 , 7-day pass for 1 vehicle
• Haleakala NP: $30 , 3-day pass for 1 vehicle
• Pu'uhonua o Honaunau Historical Park: $20 , 7-day pass for 1 vehicle

If you plan to visit all 3 parks , the annual Hawaii Tri-park pass is sold for $55 at the entrances to each park, and which will allow you unlimited access for 1 year in the 3 National Parks listed above. Note that the America the beautiful pass is accepted in Hawaii's National Parks and will be very useful if you combine visiting Hawaii with other mainland parks .

There are also many paying spots on Oahu , a victim of its crowds. By way of example:

• Hanauma Bay State Park (Oahu): $25 per adult + $3 parking fee
• Diamond Head State Monument (Oahu): $5 per person or $10 per car
• Waimea Valley (Oahu): $25 per adult / $14 per child
• Hawaii Tropical Bioreserve & Garden (Big Island): $25 per adult / $12 per child
• Pearl Harbor (Oahu): access to the memorial is free, but admission to tours and museums ranges from $22 to $30 . There are many passes available, see our dedicated article: Pearl Harbor: everything you need to know to organize your visit .

We hope this article has been useful to you! Don't hesitate to share your feedback with us in the comments !

Did Smartrippers help you? Do you know that you can thank us by making some of your reservations directly from our links (activities, hotels...)? This sometimes allows us to earn a small commission without changing the price for you. Don't forget that with Smartrippers everything is free, no advertising, no placement of links at the request of brands... Every little click makes us so happy! Thank you so much!

We are Sandrine and Flo, French thirty-somethings. In 2019 we quit everything to live our dream, become nomads and travel around the world. We left with our baby, Lena, who was only 5 months old at the time. After a first trip around the Pacific Ocean by plane and a long 3 months stay in Hawaii, we left to discover Iceland for 3 months on board our 4WD pickup truck and truck camper. Then we continued our adventure in North America.

Today, if we can continue this adventure, it is above all thanks to our blog, Smartrippers! We created it one day in 2016, with the desire to share our good travel tips, without thinking that it would lead us there! We have developed it a lot over the years and have become experts on our 3 favorite destinations: Hawaii, Iceland and the American West. We now guide you to these destinations to help you plan the trip of your dreams!

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Setting your budget for your Hawaiian Vacation

• Flights: $1,200
• Inter Island Flights: No Entry
• Lodging: $2,040
• Transportation: No Entry
• Activities/Tours: $1,000
• Food: $1,400
• Lei Greeting: No Entry
• Insurance: No Entry
• Shopping: No Entry
• Supplies: No Entry
• Spa: No Entry
• Child Care: No Entry
• Pet Care: No Entry
• Cruise: No Entry

Your Total Budget

When planning your Hawaiian vacation you will probably want to set a budget. But we realize that you really may not know what a good budget would be. This page will help you figure out what things will cost and what not to forget in your budget plans. Once you have your budget you can decide if your dates are feasible, how much you need to save each month, and if you can splurge on that luxury activity when you get there.

Your budget can vary greatly depending on what you do, how far you have to travel there, your mode of travel, what level of experiences you want to have on the islands, whether you want to stay on the beach or just nearby, how long you are staying, and more. We’ll go through each section and help guide you to find the right numbers to add to your budget.

Each section below will take you through all the areas that your most likely to experience on your Hawaiian vacation. We’ll take you through flights, hotels, arrival, transportation, activities, food, and a whole lot of smaller and sometimes optional items for you to consider. Once you’re done you should have a much better idea of what you need to plan for. We look forward to hearing about your Hawaiian Vacation.

One of the 3 largest items in your budget will most likely be your flights. This is the way that almost everyone gets to Hawaii and the only way we recommend doing so. The only other way is by boat, and that means you’ll be at sea for about 3-4 days each way, wasting a week of vacation that could be spent on the islands having fun. To set your budget for your flights, head over to Google Flights and do a quick search from your location to the island that you are thinking about visiting. At this point you are just looking for an idea on the cost. If your dates are too far out and there are no flights for those dates, just pick a date about 4 months out and find the cost for that time.

Next, add at least $25, but possibly $50 for one optional piece of luggage. While it is possible to go completely carry on (and some valid reasons to do so), you will most likely be purchasing souvenirs in Hawaii to bring back, also having 1 checked bag allows you to send all those liquids that you cant get otherwise.

Don’t forget taxes, and any upgrades you may want. For example, if flying by Delta we recommend upgrading at least to the main cabin (cost of $25) so you can sit by your companions while traveling to Hawaii. It’s a long flight to be squished between 2 strangers.

Finally don’t forget any taxes and other fees. Add all this with your cost of the flight for your total flight cost.

We’ve seen round trip flights for as low as $450 from Las Vegas, and about as high as you can imagine. Hawaiian Airlines has some very nice seats that actually recline 180 degrees. If your budget allows, that may be a nice treat so you arrive relaxed in Hawaii.

Accommodations/Lodging

There are several options for how you want to stay. Hotel, Motel, Hostel, Timeshare rental, Home Rental, or even camping.

You could stay in a high end resort, which has many of the amenities like a pool, being close to beaches, etc. but usually do not have things like a kitchen. If you choose this option, your food budget may be a little higher, but a hotel or resort can be exactly what you need. The average price for a 3 star hotel is about $350. We’ve seen some under $200 and for ones with the best features you could be looking at $600 or more. We don’t recommend skimping here, you’ll be spending a lot of time here. We normally recommend finding something for around $300 a night for 2 people. Don’t forget taxes though, that can add another $40 to that cost.

Another option is to purchase a timeshare rental. You can find great options at tug2.net marketplace. You are not required to go to any timeshare presentations with a rental. We’ve done this several times and you get great quality resorts for just a little more than a hotel would cost.

Other options include home or condo rentals. You can get some of these through sites like airbnb.com and the average that we’ve seen is still around $200 a night per couple after fees. This option also allows you to have a kitchen so you can eat breakfast before you leave, and perhaps even pack a lunch to keep your food costs lower.

Finally there are some options for camping. Rules for camping vary so check where you want to go and what those costs may be. This is usually the cheapest option.

Lei Greeting

This is an option that we truly recommend. When you arrive in Hawaii there will be many people who are being greeted and given a flower lei as the way to welcome you to the islands. This stems back for ages, and is something that we really recommend. Other vendors offer other upgrades in the type of lei you’ll receive. Some are flowers, some shells, and some even have nuts (not edible).

Inter Island Flight

This will apply to you if you are planning to visit more than 1 island on your trip. There’s no means of travel between islands other than flights (or chartering your own boat). The only alternative was a ferry that got shut down due to environmental impact on the whales. We certainly do NOT want to cause the whales to go anywhere else so we’ll manage. The cost is fairly inexpensive, between $55 to $120 per flight. You can book a flight with Hawaiian Airlines, Mokulele Airlines, or SouthWest Airlines. However, unlike in the past where you’d normally have to purchase an island flight on all travel outside Oahu, most commercial flights will now have options directly onto the island you are planning on visiting and we recommend that option in most cases. The exceptions are Molokai and Lanai, which are the only two islands that do have a ferry.

• www.southwest.com
• www.hawaiianairlines.com
• www.mokuleleairlines.com

Transportation

You’ll need to get around once you get there. On some trips, if you plan on staying at the hotel other than when you book excursions (who will usually pick you up), you could do without a car at all. However, in our experience this can end up being a more expensive option if you plan on doing very much (even if you plan on being at the beach, are you going to want to do the same beach?).

Our recommendation is to book a car rental. First, it will allow you to do some island tours on your own (we can show you some options), go to multiple beaches, and be able to explore the islands. Vehicle rental competition is brutal on the islands, which is in your favor, it keeps the prices lower. You can rent a small car for about $500-$800 a week (about $200 of this is taxes and fees). You can even rent a convertible for just over $700 which we definitely recommend on some island tours like the Road to Hana, just remember not to heave the top down as it does rain in Hawaii (to keep the islands green). Or a jeep if you plan on going anywhere back country.

See a list of Car Rental companies here

Parking Fees, National Park Fees and Fuel

Along with your car you will have other driving expenses. If you are parking at a resort you may have daily parking fees, and many places around the island will have parking fees as well. If you plan on going into any National Parks you may have entrance fees (usually pretty low). The biggest part of this budget line will be your fuel. Depending on where you are driving to, you could expect an average of about $50 a day in gas. With the other fees, we recommend estimating about $70 a day for this category per vehicle.

Experience and Activities

Your budget could vary widely in this area. Do you plan on taking advantage of all the activities offered? Do you plan on one or more flight tours. We recommend budgeting at least $125 per day per person for things like snorkeling trips, whale watching tours, luaus, bike tours, parasailing, ziplining, and more. You’ll need to increase that if you plan on doing things like helicopter tours or doing more than one thing per day. You can decrease it slightly if you plan on spending a lot of time on the beach (we recommend spending at least a day or two relaxing), or if you plan to go out on your own on driving tours.

You can book tours directly on our site by clicking here

Click here for a list of experiences we recommend on each island

For some of you, you won’t return to the islands for many years and for some not at all (we’re very sorry), so make the most of your trip. We don’t recommend overbooking, so make sure to plan for some downtime, but budget enough to experience much of what the islands have to offer.

The cost of food can vary depending on your lifestyle. However, the cost of food at the grocery store can be high compared to the mainland, so be prepared for expenses regarding your food. If you plan on eating out every meal, we recommend budgeting about $150 a day per person. You can reduce that if you have a kitchen in your place of lodging, so you could have breakfast, and even pack a lunch. We do recommend experiencing some of the island food while you are here. In the case that you prepare some food at home, and taking into account that cost, you would still expect to budget about $50 per person per day. Food at luaus and on other excursions may be covered in your activity costs, so you can take that into consideration as well. We recommend budgeting about $100 a day if you plan to eat out some, but prepare some of your own meals (especially lunches), and perhaps cook some breakfasts at home (we actually bought a toaster on one of our trips and used that each morning).

On our Packing List you’ll find that you will need a few things to bring with you. We recommend purchasing some ahead of time, and some on the island, but either way you need to budget for all the items you do not have. Take a look at the list and note which ones you need to purchase, and put the total of all supplies in this section.

Optional Items

Shopping and souveniers.

We recommend picking up a few things when you first get to the island, such as towels, shirts, hat, etc. (see packing list). Bring money for that. You (or your spouse) may also want to do a little shopping while you are there, and you’ll probably want to pick up an item or two, perhaps ship a few pineapples back home. You should budget at least some for shopping. We’d suggest a minimum of $100 per person, but if you really like to shop, you’d better add a little to that.

Spa Treatments

We recommend at least trying the Lomi Lomi Massage while you are on the islands. Of course this category could vary widely, we recommend starting with $120 per person for 1 massage and going from there.

Whether we like it or not, there are certain financial risks when traveling. These risks vary from the inconvenient, like a delayed suitcase, to something much more substantial, like a hurricane hitting the Hawaiian islands just before your departure. A travel insurance plan can cover losses incurred by your big Hawaiian vacation. The cost can vary depending upon your personal requirements, but usually averages about 5% of your trip cost.

If you are bringing kids to the islands you have the option to have them taken care of by an approved care service. We recommend care.com but the choice is ultimately up to you. If you add child care, expect about $10 an hour per child.

No, we don’t expect you to bring your pets with you, although for some you may. This is to remind you that you may need to get boarding for your pet back home. Again, care.com is a good option. Another option is rover.com. Cost would be roughly $30 a day.

There is an option that can replace your accommodations and food budget (for the most part). That would be to take an inter island cruise. The only cruise we know about is the Pride of America by NCL. You can get a room for about $1,600 for the week (per person), but upgrading to a balcony will allow you to experience the Na Pali Coast on Kauai and the Volcano on Hawaii from your own room. It’s also nice to be able to sit there and listen to the beach. We took this cruise and it was a great way to see all the islands, but it’s not a good way to really interact with them as you only spend 1 or 2 days in each island. When you take into account that you have to pay this per person (so about $3,200) it’s also not the best value option, but it includes housing and food, so it’s not too bad. It does offer a neat perspective of all the islands on one trip. Check it out at https://hawaiianplanner.com/discover/information/details/norwegian-cruise-pride-of-america

Your budget is ultimately up to you, but it can vary widely. Using this guide you can hopefully narrow it down. We also recommending adding a small amount to a contingency fund, for things that go over your estimate and for unforeseen events. A good estimate for a trip for 2 to Hawaii for 7 days, 6 nights would be between $4,000 - $10,000.

Extreme Budget Conscious Sample Budget for 2 for 7 days

Budget with increased activities, Resort accommodations for 2 for 10 days

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$58 Find cheap flights to Hawaii

This is the cheapest one-way flight price found by a kayak user in the last 72 hours by searching for a flight from the united states to hawaii departing on 9/23. fares are subject to change and may not be available on all flights or dates of travel. click the price to replicate the search for this deal., search hundreds of travel sites at once for deals on flights to hawaii.

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Best Hawaii Flight Deals

Cheapest round-trip prices found by our users on KAYAK in the last 72 hours

Good to know

Faqs - booking hawaii flights, i’m traveling to big island. which airport should i choose when booking flights to hawaii.

The best airport for passengers traveling to Big Island will probably depend on the reason for your trip. If you’re going mainly for the resorts and beaches on the West Kona side, then the best airport is Kona International Airport. If you’re going for the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, then the best airport is Hilo International Airport.

I want to hike in Hawaii. Which island should I travel to?

Kauai, Big Island, Molokai, Oahu, and Maui are the best islands in Hawaii for hiking. Big Island, Oahu, and Maui are all served by major international airports with nonstop flights from the continent. Kauai and Molokai also have airports, but travelers from the States will need to travel to Honolulu (in Oahu) first, and then take an inter-island flight to their final destination.

How can I travel from the Honolulu airport to Waikiki beach?

Waikiki Beach is less than 20 min from the Honolulu Airport. You can travel by private shuttle ($18 per person on average), taxi ($30 per ride on average), or you can use a rideshare service ($23-30 per ride on average). If you’re planning on exploring the island beyond Waikiki, you can rent a car at the airport. You’ll find offices for Avis, Budget, Hertz, National, and Enterprise at the baggage claim area.

Which airports in Hawaii are closer to the beach?

The airports in Hawaii closest to the beach are Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on Oahu island (13 min to Ala Moana Beach Park), Kona International Airport on Big Island (7 min to Wawaloli Beach Park), and Kahului Airport on Maui island (6 min to Kanaha Beach Park).

How long is the flight to Hawaii?

An average nonstop flight from the United States to Hawaii takes 7h 32m, covering a distance of 3302 miles. The most popular route is Los Angeles - Honolulu with an average flight time of 5h 34m.

What is the cheapest flight to Hawaii?

The cheapest ticket to Hawaii from the United States found in the last 72 hours was $25 one-way, and $96 round-trip. The most popular route is from Los Angeles to Honolulu and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was $96.

Which airlines fly to Hawaii?

United Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines & Korean Air fly the most frequently from the United States to Hawaii.

What are the most popular destinations in Hawaii?

Based on KAYAK flight searches, the most popular destination is Honolulu (56% of total searches to Hawaii). The next most popular destinations are Kahului (17%) and Kailua-Kona (12%). Searches for flights to Lihue (11%), to Hilo (1%) and to Kapalua (0.7%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travelers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Hawaii

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Hawaii flight deals.
• If you’re looking for beach- and family-friendly destinations when booking your flights to Hawaii, look for flights into the islands of Kauai, Big Island, Maui, and Oahu. They are served by Lihue Airport (LIH), Kona International Airport (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO), Kahului Airport (OGG), and Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL), respectively.
• If you want to take your time exploring the islands, you can fly from the mainland into Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu on Oahu island, and then take domestic flights to the other islands. Hawaiian Airlines and Southwest are two of the companies that operate inter-island flights.
• Most first-time travelers to Hawaii choose Maui as their destination, but keep in mind that there are fewer nonstop flights from the continental US landing at Maui’s Kahului Airport. Most flights from the mainland connect via the Honolulu airport on Oahu island.
• If you’re planning to go on whale-watching tours, look for flights to Hawaii on the island of Kauai. Although practically every island is excellent for whale-watching activities, Kauai has a greater range of possible spotting locations.
• For golfers, Hawaii means golf courses that are as gorgeous as they are high-quality. If you don’t know where to start, consider traveling to the airport of Oahu. With 37 golf clubs, it’s the island with the most golf courses in America’s 50th state.

Top 5 airlines flying to Hawaii

They put me on a chair in between two men, one overweight who was almost falling on top of me, and the other was even uncomfortable because I was half falling because of what the other was pushing me. I stayed with. my feet were swollen from fluid retention and from being unable to accommodate myself. it was very uncomfortable. I asked for help but they told me that the flight was full and they couldn't help me. I got off the plane almost unable to walk due to the inflammation. and then at FLL airport I asked for help because I couldn't go to my next flight, which was a connection.

The walk from baggage claim to the taxi is very difficult for older people I will never fly into JFK again. It is physically challenging

Overall fine but both ways for this trip was delayed.

Flight was delayed by almost 5 hours. Suitcase was not loaded despite the flight being near empty (my colleagues’ suitcases did reach JFK, unlike mine). Had to argue on phone to get JetBlue to deliver the case to my hotel. Never again

The flight was excellent. The crew was welcoming and attentive.

Great! I love Jet Blue. My favorite airline! Very efficient, clean and timely.

Run out of snack choices. Why are the seats not padded for your butt? Are we sitting on blocks of wood or metal for $250-300 a pop? This ain’t spirit. Let’s get it together people

We were told that our flight would be delayed for 90+ minutes because of weather, so we went to get something to eat only to have them randomly start boarding 15 minutes after the announcement, with no warning.

Entertainment... No earphones passed out. Many including me couldn't use the TV. Legroom was good. Crew was indifferent and a bit surly. Free wifi was a nice convenience. Check in desk location was unknown. Gate number on the boarding passes was wrong.

Going through JFK’s security is a mess. The TSA security said no shoes on the bins. So, we place our shoes in the belt and they came out all over the belt. Boarding was delayed and Flight as well.

The baggage handlers broke the handle on my bag that they put under the plane that I checked on the jetway. They traded it out for a less quality bag in Tulsa. But, they said they would try to fix it. Bologna! There was no fixing that bag handle. Someone didn’t care how they treated the bag.

The entertainment wasn’t playing in the app or online.

It is a modern tragedy that any airline expects you to travel for 14 hours in such discomfort and that the only way to add comfort is exorbitant prices. I was in pain by the time we landed. Shameful.

Original plane sidelined. Had to wait an hour for replacement.

Crew was very cooperative and professional. Passenger's first checked in bag should be free.

No real agent onsite helping you for missing luggage there. Not like the other airline next to UA desk, they have staff attending in their desk assisting answer/helping luggage issue, even after midnight.

Horrible, the flights kept delaying, so it is obvious that we won't be able to make it to the next connection. No easier/real agent on site to help you figure this out. UA agent on other counters refuse to assist you and direct us to use the QR code/call customer service. So inefficient and poor. While technology seems convenient, but it's not the best interest/experience for customers need help while there is active issue need assistance.

After the morning frenzy of 35 min wait through CLT security at 4;30 AM, it was nice to have a smooth pleasant boarding experience. This 6:30 AM flight was not full. We were able to get seated swiftly and took off promptly. Nice touch they distributed the old fashioned headsets with 8 mm jacks. Snacks were decent and arrival was uneventful.

My window shade didn’t work. So I missed coming into my city. ☹️

Flight was delayed in the gate by 5 hours and ultimately cancelled- rebooking service by United agents was terrible

For the money that I paid it was a good deal. I sat in the back of the plane and didn't pick a seat and my wife I sat together. Mission accomplished.

Seats are weirdly bent, I felt hunched the entire time.

Paid for premium economy had no tv the whole time the crew tried to reset/reboot but would not work they said they would put a trouble ticket in for it. We had 3 seats my tv was the only one that didn't work. They cancelled our flight re worked us on another that left us at airport over night on the floor I have a ten year old and a 78 diabetic mother which also had shingles and suffers from nerve pain in legs and back. Requested wheelchair service at all airports after the re route NO wheelchair service was there to help. WORST experience we have ever had. Went to American airlines assistance it was closed. I AM FURIOUS!!! I expect some sort of compensation from this traumatic experience and no need for flying points we don't plan on using American airlines again!!!!

This is by far the worst experience I have had with American Airlines. The start of this trip was a complete disaster. I purposely planned my trip so that I would weather any delays so that I could make very important meeting at the Pentagon. My flight was cancelled because of maintenance and I was put on the first flight the next day but I was late to the meeting. After a long week at the Pentagon I just wanted to go home and my flight home which was early in the day was delayed. Eventually the flight was delayed until the next day. I was not authorized a hotel room because DCA was my point of origin. So I paid for a hotel out of pocket. The flight this morning was boarded then deplaned because the aircraft was hot. The flow of information was not happening in DCA and made it worse when the news was bad. I am going to take a break from American for my next few military flights. Hopefully whatever has been going on with American Airlines will be resolved.

We had a 2 hour delay. The seats were smaller than most other airlines. The person in front of us wanted to lay back and we had to stop her because she was pressing against my girlfriend’s legs. We had to ask her to sit up and not lay back due to the lack of room.

Everything was fine once we actually got on our flight. It was more then annoying they canceled (delayed) our flight. We lost out on a day of our trip along with money on our stay. Plus we had to book another hotel. So expensive.

This flight was canceled and delayed several times without explanation. The plane was freezing cold and no wifi for messaging. Getting off the plane was terribly unorganized and felt like it took forever….

The flight was delayed several times without explanation. The seats were terribly uncomfortable and wifi isn’t included. All these make for a less than ideal flight.

The flights was delayed by hours and it was the firmest landing I have experienced in my life. My back is still sore.

Internet service was erratic. Crew service was poor and slow. My luggage on this non-stop flight was lost and not recovered

My flight was delayed then cancelled My elder parents were upstairs waiting for a spirit rep to bring them downstairs to where my sister waited for 2 hours. My elder parents are not able to walk . My dad was wet of urine from where he could not hold it .waiting for some spirit personnel to wheel chair them back down stairs to where my sister was waiting for them for two hours . That is not ok

Poor response to delay, getting on plane, off plane and back on again

My flight was uncomfortable and crammed. There were no pockets to store things, I couldn’t move my seat back slightly. Beverages including soda cost extra. My husband flew on another spirit airline flight, which was delayed a total of 48 hours, only to be canceled.

Two delays in less than 24hrs. They need to improve everything and restructure the whole company.

Terrible leg room, seats don’t recline, delayed flight, and even water isn’t free onboard

Flight was canceled less than 6 hours before takeoff, rebooked on a flight that was twice as long and left earlier so we couldn’t make it, when using text support option took over 2 hours to speak with someone.

Not enough help at airport during boarding process. Flight was delayed. Overall WORST flying experience I’ve ever had. Will NEVER FLT SPIRIT AGAIN

Terrible legroom, seats do not recline, tray table the size of an iPhone, delayed flight, have to pay 5$ to get a cup of water onboard.

Could have TV/Movie and some water ou soda free

Flight was good and clean but delayed over an hour on the return flight.

They wouldn’t let us on the flight even tho we were an hour early. No refund not even our bags that were prepaid

I brought a ticket and car rental through Travelocity. There was no where to add a KTN. So I thought i’d add it by looking up ticket on frontier website. I tried 3 times with the frontier chat bot to add my KTN it never updated my boarding pass. So then I tried showing up early to do it in person at the airport. The first employee update my ktn in the system and gave me a new boarding pass. I was sent back by tsa to join regular line. Then I was told to add my Ktn. It would cost me $25 extra. Given the length of the cue I did pay. Congratulations! BUT I will NEVER fly frontier again. Plus the plane was very old. It had actual ashtrays and old looking tray backs. Worst travel experience ever. Im warning my friends and family not to use frontier ever.

I did not enjoy the trip home on Frontier for several reasons: there is too much cost besides the flight, which was more than I would normally pay, then having to pay for luggage, and carry-on, seat (if you want to reserve when booking) then you must pay over $3 for a can of soda, and $4 for a snack. A cup of water is free.

Did not realize seats did not recline. Best to travel in an exit row... No question

I strongly dislike Frontier. I find them barebones, the seats not particularly comfortable, the nickel and diming is maddening, the app is TERRIBLE - super confusing to navigate, and the last 4 frontier flights I have flown have been on AVERAGE 2 hours late, one ruining a fancy night out in Vegas with reservations made well in advance, which was nodded to with a measly 5000 miles, which translates to almost nothing. At least credit a free checked bag or something.

8 hr delay. had to buy another ticket with another airline

Four and a half hour delay in total. What frustrates me most is the poor communication and disorganization.

I appreciated the upgrade to free cary-on bag and seat selection at no charge

FRONTIER SUCKS! The agent downstairs tricked me into booking, just to get to the gate. At the gate, they told me they couldn't help. I then called Customer Service. They and the gate attendants kept blaming each other. Neither side was willing to help the customer.

The agent at check-in was strident, unwelcoming, and condescending to customers ahead of me.

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Cost of a Trip to Maui, HI, US & the Cheapest Time to Visit Maui

The average price of a 7-day trip to Maui is $2,515 for a solo traveler, $4,517 for a couple, and $8,468 for a family of 4 . Maui hotels range from $102 to $467 per night with an average of $181, while most vacation rentals will cost $240 to $440 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Kahului Airport ( OGG ) are between $929 and $1,500 per person for economy flights and $2,915 to $4,707 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $69 to $161 per person per day for transportation and enjoying local restaurants.

See below for average , budget , and luxury trip costs. You can also look up flight costs from your airport for more tailored flight pricing.

The Cheapest Times to Visit Maui, HI, US

On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to OGG and stay in a Maui hotel:

• January 8th to March 4th
• April 16th to April 29th
• August 20th to December 9th (except the week of November 19th)

The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Maui is usually early September .

Average Maui Trip Costs

Average solo traveler.

The average cost for one person to visit Maui for a week is $1,728-$3,746 ($247-$535 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $69 to $161 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $513 to $1,245 for economy

Lodging : $130 to $229 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room

or $122 to $149 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Average Couple’s Trip

The average cost for a couple to visit Maui for a week is $3,556-$6,628 ($508-$947 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $138 to $322 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,026 to $2,490 for economy

Average Family Vacation

The average cost for 4 people to visit Maui for a week is $5,082-$12,236 ($726-$1,748 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $276 to $644 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,052 to $4,980 for economy

Lodging : $260 to $458 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms

or $183 to $224 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Traveling Cheap to Maui

How cheap can you make a vacation to Maui? The cheapest trip to Maui is about $183 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 0% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $140 per night. These inexpensive rentals must be booked as early as possible and may not be in the most desirable areas. 1-star hotels are more likely to be available, with rooms starting at around $83.

Even cheaper trips are possible depending on where you live and whether you can drive. Check the cheapest times to fly for more saving ideas.

Budget Solo Traveler

The lowest cost for one person to visit Maui for a week is $1,284-$2,871 ($183-$410 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $39 to $78 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Lodging : $83 to $102 per night for one 1-star hotel room

or $140 to $180 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental

Budget Couple’s Trip

The lowest cost for a couple to visit Maui for a week is $2,070-$4,662 ($296-$666 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $78 to $156 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Budget Family Vacation

The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Maui for a week is $4,140-$8,892 ($591-$1,270 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $156 to $312 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Lodging : $166 to $204 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms

or $224 to $288 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental

Overall it is very difficult to travel to Maui cheaply.

The Cost of a Luxury Maui Trip

There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Maui.

Luxury Solo Traveler

The high-end price for one person to visit Maui for a week is $3,862-$10,641 ($552-$1,520 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $152 to $338 per day for one person’s daily expenses

Flights : $1,406 to $3,523 for first class

Lodging : $232 to $467 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room

or $440 to $792 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Luxury Couple’s Trip

The high-end price for a couple to visit Maui for a week is $6,332-$16,530 ($905-$2,361 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $304 to $676 per day for two people’s daily expenses

Flights : $2,812 to $7,046 for first class

Luxury Family Vacation

The high-end price for 4 people to visit Maui for a week is $12,664-$30,684 ($1,809-$4,383 per day)

Food, Travel, and Sightseeing : $608 to $1,352 per day for four people’s daily expenses

Flights : $5,624 to $14,092 for first class

Lodging : $464 to $934 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms

or $704 to $1,188 per night for a preferred vacation rental

Maui Hotel Prices

The cost of staying in Maui is much higher than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Maui due to very high property costs. The graphs below show how much cost can vary depending on the type of experience you’re looking for.

Maui Lodging Cost by Star Status

The average price for the class of hotel is on the (y) axis. The hotel class (out of 5 stars) is on the (x) axis.

Prices are based on Maui hotel averages and may not reflect current prices. In some cases, we extrapolate prices to estimate costs, and hotels with your desired star rating may not be available.

Vacation Rental Prices

The percent of vacation rentals in the price range is on the left (y) axis. Price range is on the bottom (x) axis.

There are a healthy amount of vacation rentals serving all budgets in Maui.

Flight Costs to Maui

Averaging flights around the world, prices go from a high of $1,500 average in late December to a low of $929 in early September. Median flight price is $901. These prices are based on millions of flights. For Maui our data includes 431 originating airports, and 106 airlines. The area has more variance in price compared with other locations. Flying to Maui from an airport like Shevchenko ( SCO ) in Aktau (Kazakhstan) for an average $7,753 trip fare will obviously cost a lot more than from an airport like Hana ( HNM ) in Hana, HI (the United States) at an average of just $96.

Average Flight Cost by Season

Average flight cost by day of week.

The cheapest day to fly in is typically Tuesday, and the cheapest day to fly back is usually Tuesday. Click here to see data for the cost of flights from your airport. In Maui, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $571, so you can easily save about 62% simply by using our free flight guides and booking in advance.

Daily Expenses Budget

Daily vacation expenses vary more based on what you’re interested in doing. A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Maui can easily cost $580 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $39 per person. Private tours can cost $1164 per day, but self-guided tours to see the outdoor sights can be free. Costs vary wildly, so recommendations are made based on the cost of living and averages we see for this type of vacation.

Other Maui Guides

Travel costs nearby.

• Makawao, HI, US
• Paia, HI, US
• Kihei, HI, US
• Haiku, HI, US
• Kula, HI, US
• Kahului, HI, US
• Wailea, HI, US
• Maalaea, HI, US
• Haleakalā National Park, the United States
• Wailuku, HI, US

Travel Costs in Popular Places

• Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• New Orleans, LA, US
• Hoi An, Vietnam

How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost for Two People? (2024)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase through my links we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Read about our affiliate policies here .

Hawaii has always been a popular vacation destination with the price tags to match. With stunning landscapes, excellent snorkeling, and a general paradisiacal vibe, you’d probably expect costs to be high. 

Prices have only increased in recent years with factors like a post-COVID travel boom and inflation fueling hikes in prices. There’s also the simple fact that Hawaii is an isolated chain of islands, making everything naturally more expensive. 

2024 is still expected to be a busy year for tourism in Hawaii, with millions of visitors expected, despite the devastating fires on Maui .

Here’s what a trip to Hawaii costs for two people in 2024. 

We have a bunch of great budget resources for your Hawaii vacation: We have a full list of coupon codes to help you save on tours, our itineraries , and more! Learn about booking your vacation using points to save hundreds, even thousands on your trip! We almost always use Discount Hawaii Car Rental to book rental cars – they have the best rates, no prepayment, and free cancellation! Plus check out how we book our travel , and tips on getting a cheap flight to Hawaii !

How Much Does a Trip to Hawaii Cost for Two People?

It’s no secret that a trip to Hawaii can be expensive. A little bit of research and choosing where to go wisely can make a difference of thousands of dollars for your trip. After doing our own research and a recent getaway to the islands, we have the first hand knowledge to give you an estimate of how much you can expect to spend on a Hawaiian vacation for two.

On average, a 10-day trip for two people to Hawaii will cost around $8,000. 

Ultimately, this number depends on how many activities you want to do, where you’re flying from, and what city or island you’ll be based on for your trip to Hawaii. We factored in variables like flying from the East Coast to help give a better perspective on what your trip might cost, while also using the least expensive Hawaiian island of Oahu for most expenses.

Cost of Airfare

Flights to Hawaii might not be as expensive as you think, especially if you’re flying from large cities on the West Coast. 

After doing some research and averaging the price of flights, we estimate that the typical cost of airfare for two people flying to Hawaii is around $1,600.

Roundtrip flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu (HNL) for mid-January (as of October 2023) per person are…

• Alaska Airlines $783
• Hawaiian Airlines $612
• Southwest (reservations open 6 months prior to departure)
• United Airlines $828
• Delta Airlines $1,120

Factors like where you’re traveling from in the United States (or if you’re coming from even further afield) and what Hawaiian island you’re traveling to can affect pricing. As a rule, Oahu is the least expensive hub to fly into. 

Low-cost carriers to Hawaii include Southwest Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines. United and Delta, while they do have non-stop flight options, are typically much more expensive. Of all the options, Hawaiian Airlines is our favorite because it feels like you’re on a Hawaiian vacation as soon as you step aboard. They really go above and beyond to make passengers feel special and get them excited for their Hawaii travels.

Check out our guide for more information on how to snag the cheapest airfare to Hawaii.

Cost of a Hotel Stay

Lodging is going to be your biggest cost on a trip to Hawaii which makes finding inexpensive hotels or resorts ideal. Considering that most visitors to Hawaii choose to stay in a hotel, we’ve based our estimates off of some of the more popular hotel options on Oahu. Oahu is the least expensive place to visit in Hawaii and your best option for a budget-friendly trip.

Here are some nightly prices for Oahu hotels in January…

• Hilton Hawaiian Village $297 
• Queen Kapi’olani Hotel $270
• Waikiki Beachcomber by Outrigger $268 per night 
• The Laylow, Autograph Collection $346 per night

Resort fees ranged from $30-$55 a night, depending on which hotel or resort you choose. It’s almost impossible to escape these sneaky fees which makes it important to factor them into your budget.

Cost of a Rental Car

When renting a car in Hawaii, the best way to go is through locally owned, discount rental companies. One of our favorites is Discount Hawaii Car Rental .

We have typically saved around $60-$75 per week on car rentals when we book through Discount Hawaii Car Rental. During the busiest time of year, between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, you can easily save hundreds of dollars!

The estimated price for a 10-day, standard-size car rental through Discount Hawaii Car Rental on Oahu in mid-January was $411. This includes 2 drivers, an automatic car, and unlimited miles. You can also cancel for free at any time.

Estimating that gas will cost around $100, give or take a bit, and including parking fees at hotels in Waikiki, which are around $35 a night, you can guess that both fuel and parking will cost around $450.

Gas prices vary depending on which island you’re visiting , with Oahu being the least expensive and Kauai being the most expensive.

Cost of Food

Eating out in Hawaii can get really pricey, really quick!

For two adults on a trip to Hawaii, you’ll most likely spend around $150 a day on food with a comfortable budget.

We estimated that the average adult will spend about $75 a day on food. Visitors should expect the typical dinner to cost somewhere between $50-$100 per person. This number will fluctuate depending on what kind of restaurant you’ll be dining at and how many beverages you order.

This is where staying in a vacation rental and cooking can really lower your overall food costs. Seeking out grocery stores can also be a great way to save money by grabbing a picnic lunch or even to try out an inexpensive poke bowl to go. 

Seeking out hotels with an included breakfast option is another trick that will save you money in the long run. The convenience is an added bonus! Some resorts and hotels even offer special deals on happy hour drinks that can really help keep costs down if you know you’ll want to indulge in a few cocktails. 

Cost of Activities

Many of Hawaii’s best activities are completely free! Snorkeling along the abundant reefs, swimming in lagoons, hiking along cliff faces, and evening stopping by sights like the Pearl Harbor Memorial are all examples of free – and exciting – experiences. 

Depending on what you’re looking to get out of your Hawaii vacation you can spend next to nothing on tours and activities, go wild and break the bank, or find a happy medium somewhere in between.

Here are a few examples of some of Oahu’s best tours and what they cost for two to give you an idea of what you might spend…

• Kualoa Ranch’s UTV Jurassic Valley Tour : $304
• Polynesian Cultural Center Ali’i Luau Package : $380
• Ko Olina Adventure Snorkel & Sailing Tour : $378 

The total cost for these three activities for two people comes out to $1,062 (gratuity not included). You’ll want to factor in a tip of $10 to $20 per person for any guided tour.

Be sure to book your tours and activities for your Hawaiian vacation in advance, especially in the busy season. Popular tours, like the UTV Jurassic Valley Tour , can sell out quickly.

Check out more of our favorite, can’t miss activities and tours : Our Favorite Molokini Crater Snorkel Tour from Wailea (sunrise and mid-morning tours) The Best Whale Watching Tour from Waikiki Mountain Tubing Adventure

How to Cut Costs on Your Trip Without Sacrificing the Fun

With a bit of preparation and know-how it’s easy to cut costs for your trip to Hawaii. Here are a few hints on how to save money on your vacation to the “Aloha State”.

Stay in a Vacation Rental

Choosing to stay in a vacation rental over a resort or fancy hotel is one of the best ways to save money on your trip to Hawaii. Accommodations will most likely be the biggest cost of your trip, as it is with any holiday. Finding less expensive vacation rentals can save you hundreds of dollars and can be a great option if you like a more laid back experience, without sacrificing amenities like pools and beach access.

Staying in a vacation rental can also help you penny pinch because it allows you to cook at home and often park for free. These are both big money saving considerations as eating out can get really expensive in Hawaii and parking costs add up quickly. Finding a vacation rental with free parking can easily save you over $300 in fees.

We have narrowed down some of the best vacation rentals across the islands The Best North Shore Oahu Hotels and Vacation Rentals Where to Stay on Maui: Hotels and Vacation Rentals for a Range of Budgets Where to Stay on the Big Island: best areas, hotels, and vacation rentals

Use Points for Your Accommodations

Ever heard of using credit card miles and points to book accommodations and flights for free ? Depending on what credit card you use, you can also get free nights or stays at hotels that you’re loyal to, for instance, Hilton or Marriott. Sounds pretty incredible, right?

Using points to book your Hawaii vacation can save you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, and get you access to luxury resorts or even business class flights at a fraction of their normal cost – or better yet, for free! We use points and miles on a regular basis to lower the cost of our frequent trips to Hawaii. Check out our guide on booking travel to Hawaii for more tips on using points and miles.

Visit During the Shoulder Season

The best time to visit Hawaii is during one of the shoulder seasons, from Labor Day to Thanksgiving (September to November) and April to May. Not only are costs for everything, from accommodations to tours down, but crowds are at an all time low. These months typically have good weather too, although Oahu sees the most rain in November and January. A cheaper vacation and getting the beaches all to ourselves? Count us in!

Enjoy Food Trucks

Not every meal has to be at the resort or a fancy restaurant. In fact, Hawaii’s food trucks offer up local fare and are legendarily delicious! Mixing in meals from food trucks while also sneaking in a few special meals at nice restaurants will go a long way towards your budget without sacrificing any opportunities to try local grindz. 

Some of the best food trucks to check out on Oahu are Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck , Haleiwa Bowls , and Leonard’s Bakery Malasada Truck . Another great option for an inexpensive meal on Oahu is the Maui Brewing Co. in downtown Waikiki. If you’re planning a trip to one of the other islands, check out our food truck guides for Maui and Kauai .

Choose Your Tours Wisely

Try not to fill up your already busy trip with too many tours. Choosing one or two will help balance not only your schedule but also your pocketbook – and leave you with lasting memories. Most visitors will want to book classic experiences like a luau or snorkeling excursion, which both make for great options if you’re only choosing a few tours. 

Check out our favorite snorkeling tours on Oahu and Maui .

If we haven’t already made it obvious, Oahu is the cheapest to visit of the Hawaiian Islands. Your vacation budget will stretch much further than other areas of this tropical archipelago. Save the more expensive islands, like Maui, for a second trip if you’re wanting to visit Hawaii on a budget this time around. Oahu has all the charms of a picture-perfect Hawaiian vacation, like luaus, stunning scenery, and snorkeling, without the huge price tag that other islands can incur.

Our Oahu guide will help you get your trip planning started right.

Cheat Sheets and Even More Insider Tips

Get fast facts and the best beaches, local grindz (eats), and must do activities for each island with our free Hawaiian island cheat sheets .

By grabbing our cheat sheets, you’ll join our growing community of Hawaii travel enthusiasts. We make most of our recommendations from personal experience traveling to Hawaii countess times and living on Oahu and Maui. We also love hearing from our newsletter readers about what made their Hawaii vacation unforgettable.

Our newsletter goes out twice a month and is packed with current need-to-know info, insider tips and tricks, personal stories, and more!

Love your newsletters Jordan!! Been going to Maui for 25 years and you always have something new I didn’t know about in it!! Holly F.

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I'm the co-founder, with my husband Jordan, of The Hawaii Vacation Guide. We have lived on Maui and Oahu and continue to travel, experience, and learn about the Hawaiian Islands. We travel with our kids, Henry and Edith. I am a planner! I love to plan trips from the mainland and island-hopping adventures, excursion days, and everything in-between. I spend a lot of my time in Hawai'i on a SUP and my favorite time of year in Hawai'i is whale season!

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How much does it cost to go to Hawaii? Money-saving tips for a trip to Hawaii for two :: Budget tips

Now, we’re talking about Hawaii here, so “cheap” is relative…

Can a trip to Hawaii for two cost under $2,000?!

How much money an average trip to Hawaii costs is hard to say definitively because there are a lot of factors that can make your Hawaii vacation cheaper or more expensive.

But spoiler: It can possibly cost under $2,000 if you really  want it to!

Total Hawaii trip cost for two: $1,900 minimum

This $2,000 price tag for the cost of a trip to Hawaii includes:

• Flight $900
• Place to stay $450  (yes, really!)
• Activities $100
• Travel insurance $100
• A few extras $100

Yes, if your timing is right, and you really want to make it happen, you can go to Hawaii for under $2,000!

Well, if you fit the profile of the above considerations. 😉

Which means that a trip to Hawaii might end up costing you more than that.

But, just HOW can you come as close as possible to the costs listed above on your own Hawaii vacation?

Below will break down exactly how you can do just that!

How to save money on your hawaii vacation.

Below you will find information on how to save money on your Hawaii vacation, including:

• How to find the cheapest flights to Hawaii
• Places to stay to save money on accommodation
• How to save money on food costs
• The best cheap and FREE activities in Hawaii

You know that Hawaii is seen as an expensive destination.

And if we’re being real, Hawaii kind of is expensive compared to other US destinations, or other popular destinations for Americans.

But, if you’ve got Hawaii on your mind, there are some things you can do so your trip to Hawaii won’t be as expensive as you might think it is!

You might have to sacrifice a little here and there so the cost to go to Hawaii will be lower, but you can decide what sacrifices you want to make based on what you want out of your vacation.

Even with small sacrifices, there’s a very good chance you will still LOVE your Hawaii vacation — it is Hawaii after all!

Just make sure you do some short hikes with the best views , snorkeling at the best spots , and a road trip around the island !

And if you DO go snorkeling in Hawaii , make sure you don’t do anything you should NOT do on a first trip to Hawaii , including being sure to wear reef-safe sunscreen !

And if you are willing to spend money on experiences, also look into yoga retreats and surf camps in Hawaii too.

Hawaii is home to one of the best surfing destinations in the world.

So here on this page will be an estimated budget that you can use as a start to planning your dream vacation to Hawaii!

This will give you some ideas as a starting point when you have no clue where to start your planning process.

First, know this:

Whether you’re planning an annual family vacation, destination wedding, honeymoon, or anniversary trip in 2018, here are just a few of those reasons that can influence the cost of a trip to Hawaii:

The time of year you go to Hawaii ( Is there a WORST time to visit Hawaii?! )

When you buy the big-ticket items (flights and accommodation)

Where you are flying from

How many people are in your family

Which Hawaiian islands you go to (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island)

How long your Hawaii vacation is

What type of things you want to do in Hawaii

What type of place you want to stay at in Hawaii

How much of a budget traveler vs luxury traveler you want to be, or somewhere in between!

But, to at least get you started to give you at least some idea, listed below is pretty much the absolute minimum it costs to go to Hawaii, and from here, the expenses will go up.

Of course, there are always exceptions, but in general here are some price points to expect.

So for the sample Hawaii budget outlined on this page, this is what’s considered:

Trip for two

7-day vacation (6 nights)

Going to the Hawaiian island of Oahu only

Flying out of California

Active travelers, and don’t mind tons of walking! 😉

Budget travelers

If you’re headed to the Big Island, see specific tips on the cost of a trip to the Big Island .

And now…

Below is exactly how you can keep your costs down and save money on your Hawaii vacation!

Whether you are 2 people or a family of 4 going on a trip to Hawaii, these are travel budget tips that can be applied.

How to figure out the best Hawaiian island for you!

One of the hardest parts about planning a trip to Hawaii just might be choosing which Hawaiian island is best for you! Each island will provide you with a different experience.

Have a look at this Hawaii island guide  to help you decide which island to choose. (Be sure to check the preview!)

Here’s how to get a free Hawaii travel guide from the Hawaii state tourism department.

These are really popular guidebooks for planning a trip to any of the Hawaiian islands!

So, how much for a trip to Hawaii for two?

Let’s break it down for a one week Hawaii vacation…

Flight to Hawaii

San Jose to Honolulu flight for two: $900

Generally speaking, flying from the west coast will naturally get you the cheapest flights to Hawaii. And you might be able to find flights to Hawaii from San Jose at $400 per person.

The flight from California to Hawaii is about a 5-6 hour long direct flight.

Alaska Airlines tends to offer some of the cheapest prices, and Hawaiian Airlines and American Airlines can be competitive too.

As of 2019, Southwest Airlines will start flying to Hawaii for the very first time!

This should be good news for the cost of flights to Hawaii, especially from west coast since that’s where the Southwest flights will originate from in the beginning.

On top of that when you consider that Southwest is pretty much the ONLY airline that flies to Hawaii that offers free check-in luggage on domestic flights.

If you’re planning on checking in luggage, be sure to consider the airline baggage fees on your flight to Hawaii in your budget.

If you’re planning on making 2 islands a part of your vacation, Southwest also offers inter-island flights as well within the Hawaiian islands.

See for yourself how much your flight to Hawaii might cost from where you live:

Kiwi flight search

This compares a bunch of airlines at once.

This is perfect if you have flexible dates and want to get an idea of the cheapest time to fly to Hawaii  with the assortment of tools available. Search for flights here.

Hawaiian Airlines monthly calendar

When you go to search for flights directly on the Hawaiian Airlines website, right near the search button, select the price calendar or price chart.

This lets you see the cheapest prices to fly in the whole month.

You can also check the price calendar to see the cheapest dates to fly to Hawaii, and then use the other flight search engines to check more airlines for those dates.

If Hawaiian Airlines doesn’t fly from a city near you, try searching any west coast airport just to get an idea.

Are layovers worth it on a flight to Hawaii?

Also be sure to see whether the flight itinerary will require you to stop in another city.

If a flight with a layover vs a direct flight has a price difference of $20, you may consider that extra cost to be worth it to have a direct flight to Hawaii to minimize travel time.

Extra time at an airport for a layover could also mean extra money you spend in the way of airport food.

You can bring your own food (carry-on friendly!) but if you don’t, airport food is typically expensive!

What time do you want to arrive to Hawaii?

You will also want to look at the time of arrival into Honolulu airport. You might not like the idea of arriving to an unfamiliar city at night.

Packing for your flight

When you’re thinking about what to pack, try to pack light for Hawaii without any big containers of liquids so you can avoid any extra baggage fees.

Most airlines will charge you from the first checked bag, but look into this once you’ve booked your flight. (Or before, if you definitely will be checking in a bag, so you can compare total price of the flight with baggage fees.)

And pick these seats on your flight to Honolulu airport to have the best chance of aerial views of Oahu!

How to find the cheapest flights Hawaii

If you’re ready to start really thinking about booking your flight, there are 2 newsletters you might want to know about to find the cheapest flights to Hawaii .

Place to stay in Hawaii

Vacation rental: $450

This is based on paying $75 per night on  these types of vacation rentals on Oahu . (Find a referral link there to get up to a $40 discount on your booking to save more money on your trip to Hawaii!)

It could be possible for you to find nightly rates that are closer to $60 if your timing is good!

If you’re going solo to Hawaii, you may be able to find rentals for under $50 a night. This means your cost for accommodation becomes closer to $300. There are also hostels in Honolulu that are cheaper.

If you are taking a trip to Hawaii as a family of 4 or 5, it could be possible for you to find vacation homes in the $450 price range as well. But again, this will depend much on your timing and what you’re looking for.

Have a look to see what’s available a few months out to get a little bit of an idea with the types of rental properties available and what the cheaper rentals are like.

Vacation rentals in Hawaii tend to be a cheaper option than the popular Waikiki Beach hotels, making accommodation a great area to save money!

So take a look.

Hotel prices in Hawaii

Or, if you’re not feeling the airbnb thing, have a look to get a better idea of how much you can expect to pay for other types of accommodation:

• Best hotels in Waikiki
• Best Waikiki hotels for families
• Best hostels in Waikiki

Eating in Hawaii

Food for two: $250

Staying at a vacation rental also gives you the chance to save some money on food too. Find a rental in Hawaii that will give you kitchen access so you can cook food instead of eating out all the time.

Head to the grocery store in Hawaii: Foodland, Safeway, Times Supermarket

Before you leave for Hawaii, look for some grocery stores that are located close to where you’re staying so you know where to go.

Foodland, Safeway, and Times Supermarket are considered to be more of the discount grocery stores.

You can sign up for the loyalty cards when you’re at the cash register to save a few more dollars.

While making your own food will likely come out to be cheaper than eating out, the prices for almost all groceries in Hawaii are probably higher than what you pay at home.

Cheap meal idea #1

To save money, make things like pasta. As an example, flavor it with tomato paste diluted with water, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Your vacation rental host may have some of these seasonings available for use. You can buy jars of pasta sauce in Hawaii too, but tomato paste is usually cheaper.

You may consider bringing dried pasta from home, and if you do so, make it elbow macaroni to get more food for less space in your suitcase.

Cheap meal idea #2

While not the healthiest of options, pasta-roni or rice-a-roni type of dishes can make for easy and cheap food in Hawaii.

You can probably find it for $1 at your home grocery store on sale, so be on the lookout for it.  Knorr has these in a pouch  instead of a box so they will take up less space in your luggage.

Make it at night ahead of time, wait for it to cool down, and then put the cooked food in a ziplock bag, then the fridge, so you can have it as a picnic lunch the next day!

The pouch says it includes multiple servings, but when you’re quite active throughout the day, the whole thing makes for a good meal for a single person.

Try this at home first to see if you like it.

And when carrying it in your daypack, it’s also a good idea to put the food with an extra layer like with a plastic bag or a ziplock storage bag to protect against any spillage.

Spend money on fruits and veggies

But also spend a few extra dollars on fresh produce or frozen vegetables to make sure you’re not completely neglecting healthy eating. You want to make sure you have plenty of energy during your Hawaii vacation!

Food that’s special to Hawaii to spend money on

Another area you may want to spend a few extra dollars:

1.  Leonard’s Bakery for a malasada donut: about $1 per person

2.  Matsumoto for shave ice: about $4 per person

3.  Paina Cafe for a poke bowl Hawaiian dish: about $10 per person

4. Dole Plantation for a Dole pineapple whip : about $7 per person

Leonard’s kind of near Diamond Head and Matsumoto’s on the North Shore are popular tourist points of interest.

And there is a Paina Cafe location near the popular attractions of  Hanauma Bay for snorkeling and Koko Head for hiking .

Dole Plantation you may consider fitting in on your way to the North Shore from Waikiki.

Of course, cost of food also depends on your appetite!

And the more active you are in Hawaii, the more you may want to eat!

If it goes with your food, like pasta or rice, add canola oil to your food to give you more calories. This can help so you don’t get hungry as easily, so you’re not feeling like you’re depriving yourself or that you need to buy more food.

Activities in Hawaii

Activities for two: $115

Much of this cost of activities in Oahu are for bus tickets.

If you like hiking, snorkeling, or just lazing on the beach, there are plenty of budget activities with free and cheap things to do in Hawaii!

Some activities do require more time in transit on the bus when you’re in Hawaii on a budget, but not renting a car when you are two people can often mean money saved.

The bus costs $5.50 for a single day pass. Here’s more about taking the bus on Oahu.

Oahu is really the most convenient Hawaiian island to take the bus to get around to different places of interest for tourists. In this aspect, it makes Oahu a budget-friendly island when it comes to a Hawaii vacation.

You may consider renting a car for one day to do a drive around Oahu , but that’s not included in this sample Hawaii trip for two.

Renting a car can be around $40-50, and your total cost will also depend on how much gas you use up.

Also consider that parking fees in Waikiki can add up, but you may be able to avoid those fees with a vacation rental in a residential neighborhood! See all of the perks that come with these types of vacation rentals  that help you save money? 😉

As a start, next are some sample days that can help you to stay on budget in Hawaii.

The costs below include bus tickets and admission fees, if there are any.

Since the bus will be $5.50 per person, consider that it will cost $11 for two if you’re not staying within walking distance of any of your activities.

This is also assuming that you’re staying somewhere within walking distance of Waikiki.

Also, while there is snorkel rental on Oahu available, you may want to bring your own snorkeling gear.

So now, here is how much some days in Hawaii may cost you, with the price listed being the total for two people:

Diamond Head hiking (fee)  +  Waikiki snorkeling  = $15

Hanauma Bay snorkeling (fee)  = $25

Lanikai Pillbox hiking  + Lanikai Beach + Kailua Beach  (walk between these places) = $10

North Shore: Shark’s Cove snorkeling + Waimea Valley waterfalls and botanical garden (fee)  (walk between these places) = $45

Manoa Falls hiking = $10

Pearl Harbor = $10

What other budget-friendly activities are there in Hawaii?

Well, good thing there’s this Oahu map for you to explore! 😉

• Best short hikes on Oahu
• Best snorkeling spots on Oahu
• Hawaiian culture activities
• Things to do in Oahu by bus

things to do in oahu | map >> waikiki –  east oahu – north shore – central oahu

Protecting your trip to Hawaii with travel insurance

Travel insurance for two: $85

There are a few different factors that determine how much your travel insurance will be.

There are also different levels of coverage.

This price point is under the best coverage (top plan) that includes emergency medical, travel delays, baggage delays, as well as the trip cancellation and trip interruption that comes with the most basic plans.

This may seem like a lot to tack on to your cost of a trip to Hawaii, but you’re likely planning your Hawaii vacation months ahead of time.

You just can’t predict what will happen during that time. And for during your vacation itself, the more active you are, the chance of something happening does increase a little.

And if something does happen to your flight itinerary or your luggage, or worse yet, to you, the amount that you spend on travel insurance can save you a ton of money! (And stress!)

Extras: $100

There are probably things that you will come across when you’re in Hawaii that you’ll want (or need) to spend money on. And for that, an extra $100 has been added in. How generous. 😉

One expense that you will be sure to have that wasn’t listed in any of the categories above is getting to and from the Honolulu airport . As a budget traveler, it is possible to take the bus to get to your vacation rental.

But if this is your plan, you need to travel with a backpack, as large suitcases are not allowed on the bus.

You need to be able to sit it on your lap and not overflow into someone else’s space. You can also likely get away with a carry-on suitcase on the bus, but do so at your own risk! (I have seen carry-on suitcases on buses.)

Otherwise, it really depends on where you’re staying, but you can likely expect to pay $30-40 for a taxi from the Honolulu airport to Waikiki or somewhere around there.

Although taking an uber from the airport used to be illegal , it may be an option now. And then you’ll need to pay the same to get back to the airport.

Calculating your own travel budget for a trip to Hawaii

This guide to a Hawaii travel budget isn’t meant to serve as a definitive guide at all .

There are so many factors that can influence how much it will cost you to go to Hawaii.

This ranges from what type of traveler you are to the timing of purchasing your flight and vacation rental.

But, hopefully it gives you a start in terms of things to think about!

Some of the estimates listed above may require you to try a little bit harder to stay within that price range.

Some of the numbers in this Hawaii budget may initially seem unrealistic. Well, this mainly applies to food.

But again, if you plan ahead of time and are committed to saving money on a trip to Hawaii, it is possible!

Remember, this cost estimate also doesn’t include anything you’ll want to buy to bring to Hawaii.

This can include things like snorkeling gear that you might want when you’re thinking about what to wear snorkeling and hiking gear that you might want when you’re thinking about what to wear hiking .

HAPPY HAWAII TRIP PLANNING!

Best shoes for your active vacation, swimwear for snorkeling and beach.

5 Myths About Traveling to Hawaii—Debunked!

A re you worried about going on a hawaii family vacation find out the top myths about traveling to hawaii and what’s actually true.

Thinking about a family vacation to Hawaii but keep hearing a few things that make you second guess?

It’s easy to stumble across myths about this tropical paradise that might make you hesitate.

As a mom who has ventured to Hawaii over 40 times with my two boys, I’ve heard all the myths you can imagine—and I’m here to set the record straight.

Let’s jump into the top five myths about traveling to Hawaii and reveal the truth, so you can plan your family vacation with confidence!

Myth 1: Hawaii is Too Expensive for Families

The reality.

While Hawaii can be pricey, there are plenty of ways to make a Hawaiian vacation affordable for families.

Yes, things like airfare and accommodations can be major expenses, but with some savvy planning, you can manage the costs effectively.

Budget Tips

Travel off-peak.

Flight and hotel costs drop during the shoulder seasons— late spring and early fall —making these times ideal for visiting.

Use Points and Miles

Like we often do, take advantage of airline miles and hotel points to cut down on travel and lodging expenses.

Eat Like a Local

Dining out at popular tourist spots can be costly. Instead, try local eateries or food trucks , which offer delicious meals at a fraction of the price.

Myth 2: Hawaii is Overly Commercialized

Sure, areas like Waikiki are commercialized with their array of hotels, shops, and restaurants catering to tourists.

However, Hawaii still boasts countless places that are unspoiled and rich with natural beauty.

Each island offers unique landscapes and authentic cultural experiences far from the commercial hustle and bustle.

Authentic Experiences

Explore smaller towns.

Visit places like Hilo on the Big Island, Hanalei on Kauai, or Paia on Maui, where the pace of life is slower and the local culture shines.

Enjoy Nature

Spend time exploring Hawaii’s national parks, like Haleakalā National Park on Maui or the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , where the natural landscapes are breathtaking and largely untouched by commercial influence.

Myth 3: Hawaii Isn’t Suitable for Young Children

Hawaii is a playground for kids of all ages! With its beaches, nature trails, and family-friendly activities, there’s no shortage of adventures that are suitable for children, even toddlers.

Kid-Friendly Activities

Many beaches, such as Waikiki Beach on Oahu and Poipu Beach on Kauai, have gentle waves and lifeguards on duty, perfect for young swimmers.

Educational Centers

Places like the Maui Ocean Center offer interactive displays and activities that engage children while educating them about marine life.

Cultural Activities

Learn to hula or make lei at various cultural centers and resorts which often host family-oriented workshops.

Myth 4: It’s Hard to Get Around Without Renting a Car

While having a car offers flexibility and is handy, especially when traveling with family, it’s not always necessary.

Public transportation, especially on Oahu, is quite reliable. TheBus, Honolulu’s bus system, offers extensive routes that cover major tourist spots. And the Waikiki Trolley is also a great way to get around.

Many resorts also offer shuttle services to popular attractions. Here are some options for getting around Oahu or Maui without a car .

Alternative Transportation

Bikes and scooters.

In more urban areas like Honolulu, renting bikes or scooters can be a fun and practical way to get around.

Tour Groups

Joining organized tours can alleviate the stress of driving and navigating through unfamiliar territory.

Uber/RideShare

If you just occasionally want to leave your resort or need a ride from the airport, Uber is a good option.

Myth 5: You Need to Spend a Lot of Money on Activities

While there are many pricy guided tours and activities, some of Hawaii’s best experiences cost little to nothing.

Exploring the islands’ natural beauty often comes free of charge, and many historical sites have minimal fees.

Here are some free and cheap things to do on Oahu , Maui , Kauai , and the Big Island .

Cost-Effective Activities

Trails like the Diamond Head State Monument offer small entrance fees and provide panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean.

Historical Sites

Visit the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor , where entry is free but it’s wise to reserve a spot ahead of time.

Simply spending a day at the beach provides endless fun without touching your wallet.

Here are some kid-friendly beaches on Oahu , Kauai , and the Big Island .

Biggest Hawaii Myths Wrap-Up

Don’t let myths and misconceptions hold you back from experiencing the wonders of Hawaii.

With the right knowledge and preparation, a Hawaiian vacation can be both enjoyable and affordable for families.

From the rich culture and stunning natural environments to the kid-friendly activities and diverse dining options , Hawaii remains a top travel destination that offers something for everyone.

So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen , and get ready to debunk these myths firsthand as you discover the true beauty of the Hawaiian Islands with your family!

Looking for more Hawaii tips? Check out Just Booked Your Hawaiian Flight? Here’s What Every Mom Needs to Do Next , The Hawaii Planning Guide Every Mom Needs , Top Hawaii Questions Tourists Have Before Their First Trip to Hawaii , and The Truth About Renting a Car in Hawaii !

The post 5 Myths About Traveling to Hawaii—Debunked! appeared first on Hawaii Travel with Kids .

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Renew an adult passport

Find out if you can renew your passport or need a new one. Learn how to renew your passport by mail, get it changed or corrected, or what to do if it expires soon.

Renew early. Passport processing times  vary. And some countries and airlines deny entry if your passport expires in less than 6 months.

Determine if you can renew your passport

If any of the following are true, you cannot renew your U.S. passport and must instead apply for a new passport in person using Form DS-11:

• Issued before your 16th birthday
• Issued more than 15 years ago
• Damaged, lost, or stolen. Learn how to report a lost or stolen passport.
• Issued in your previous name, and you do not have a legal document like a marriage license to prove your legal name change

If none of the above situations are true, you can renew your U.S. passport. 

Can you renew an expired passport?

You can renew an expired passport, but only if it was issued within the last 15 years.

How to renew your passport and what documents you will need

Passports can only be renewed by mail, and the renewal process for passport books and cards is the same. You will select which type of passport you want when you fill out the application form. Online renewals are currently paused. Because it can take up to three months to process your application, it is important to renew your passport before it expires.

Typically, you will need the following items to renew your passport:

• You can fill out Form DS-82 online , or
• Download Form DS-82 and fill it out by hand, or
• Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency and pick up a copy.
• Passport photo
• Passport fee
• Your most recent passport - Your most recent passport will be mailed back to you separately after your new passport is mailed.
• Name change documentation, if necessary

Learn how to submit all your documentation and passport fees and where to mail them.

Check with the Department of State to find out the current processing times for passport renewals .

If you need your passport quickly

Learn how and where to get your passport fast for emergency or urgent travel or to get expedited processing. The time it takes for each varies throughout the year, and there may be additional fees. Use the fee calculator or chart.

Check the status of your passport renewal

Learn how to check the status of your passport renewal online . Or check its status by phone (call wait times may be long).

If you need to change your name or correct your passport

After you receive your renewed passport, if you change your name or find an error, you will need to get an updated one to reflect the change. The process, cost, and forms you need depend on how long you have had your current passport. Follow the steps from the State Department to change your name or correct your passport.

If you are outside the U.S.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate near you to request a passport while outside the U.S.

If you need help with your passport application

If you have questions about your U.S. passport, the National Passport Information Center (NPIC) can help. Get contact information for NPIC and find out when to contact them based on when you are traveling.

Be aware of passport expiration rules for your destination

Some countries and airlines will not allow a U.S. passport holder to enter if their passport expires in less than 6 months. 

Check your destination country's U.S. passport expiration rules on the  Department of State's country information page .

• On the left, search for the country name in the "learn about your destination" box.
• On that country's page, look for "passport validity."

LAST UPDATED: May 15, 2024

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Apply for a Child Under 16

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Respond to a Letter or Email

• Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
• If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply with their child, you will need to show us more documents.
• You cannot renew your child's passport using Form DS-82.
• Passports for children under age 16 are only valid for 5 years. 

Steps to Apply

1. fill out form ds-11 and print it.

Use our Form Filler tool  to fill out your child's form on a desktop or laptop computer and then print it. If you are experiencing technical issues with the Form Filler, download a PDF . 

Tips to complete your child's form :

• Do not sign your child's form until asked to do so by a passport acceptance agent or employee. 
• You can apply for a passport book , a passport card , or both documents.
• You may ask for a larger passport book with more visa pages, at no extra cost, by checking the 'large book' box at the top of the DS-11.

2. Get Evidence of U.S. Citizenship (and a photocopy)

Your evidence must be an original or replacement copy. The document must have the official seal or stamp of the office which issued it. You must submit one of the following documents for your child:

• Issued by the city, county, or state of birth
• Lists applicant's full name, date of birth, and place of birth
• Lists the parent(s)' full names
• Has the date filed with registrar's office (must be within one year of birth)
• Has the registrar's signature
• Has the seal or stamp of the city, county, or state which issued it
• Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth
• Certificate of Citizenship
• Please note you must also provide a document, such as a birth certificate, that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Full validity means the document is or was valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16. 

If you cannot submit one of these documents, go to our  Citizenship Evidence page  for more information.

Paper only : You cannot submit digital evidence of U.S. citizenship such as a mobile or electronic birth certificate. You must submit physical evidence of U.S. citizenship and a photocopy of the document. 

Returning your child's document : We will return your child's document in a separate mailing up to 8 weeks after you receive the new passport.

Tips for making a photocopy :

• Black and white (no color)
• Use 8.5 inch by 11 inch paper
• Use a single side of the paper

If you do not submit a photocopy, you must submit a second copy of your citizenship evidence. We will keep this copy for our records.

3. Show Your Relationship to Your Child

You must submit a document that lists the parent(s) or legal guardian(s) of the child. Examples include:

• U.S. birth certificate (also evidence of U.S. citizenship)
• Foreign birth certificate
• Adoption decree
• Divorce or custody decree
• A court order

Some documents, like a U.S. birth certificate, show  both  U.S. citizenship and parental relationship. These documents must be originals or certified copies (not photocopies).

You and your child may have different last names, as long as the document showing your relationship to your child lists your full name.

If your name is different than the one on the document showing your relationship to your child, submit proof of your legal name change.

4. Get a Photo ID (and a photocopy)

Both parents or guardians must bring a physical, photo ID and a photocopy of it. If your photo ID is from a different state than the state in which you are applying, bring a second photo ID. 

You must show at least  one  of these photo IDs:

• Valid or expired, undamaged U.S. passport book or passport card 
• In-state, fully valid driver's license or enhanced driver's license with photo
• Certificate of Naturalization 
• Certificate of Citizenship 
• Government employee ID (city, county, state, or federal)
• U.S. military or military dependent ID
• Current (valid) foreign passport
• Matricula Consular (Mexican Consular ID) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) used by a parent of a U.S. citizen child applicant
• Trusted Traveler IDs (including valid Global Entry, FAST, SENTRI, and NEXUS cards)
• Enhanced Tribal Cards and Native American tribal photo IDs
• In-state, fully-valid learner's permit with photo
• In-state, fully-valid non-driver ID with photo
• Temporary driver's license with photo

If you do not have one of these photo IDs, go to our  Identification page  for more information.

5. Show More Documents (if both parents or guardians cannot apply)

• Both parents or guardians must approve that we can issue a passport to a child, and go with the child to apply in person.
• If one or both parents or guardians cannot apply in person with their child, you will need to show more documents.

Important : Submit  Form DS-3053  and other notarized statements within three months of signing them.

6. Provide a Photo

You must provide one photo with your child's application. Go to our  Passport Photo page  for photo requirements and to see examples of photos. 

• Do not attach or staple your child's photo to the form. The acceptance agent or passport employee will review the photo and staple it to your form.
• Some  passport acceptance facilities
• A company which offers photo services
• Home. Ask your friend or family member to take your child's photo. Print it on glossy or matte photo quality paper. 

7. Calculate Fees

When applying using Form DS-11, you will pay two separate fees - an application fee and an execution (acceptance) fee. You will pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State, and the execution (acceptance) fee to the facility which takes your application. 

• Add $60 to your application fee if you want  expedited service .
• Add $19.53 to your application fee if you want us to ship your completed passport in 1-2 days after we issue it.  

Child Applicants :

For more information on how to pay and a full list of fees, go to our  Passport Fees  page.

*How to fill out your check and pay the application fee to the U.S. Department of State. Please note you must pay a separate execution (acceptance) fee. 

Families may write one check or money order to the U.S. Department of State if they are applying at the same time. The check or money order must include the name and date of birth of each applicant.

8. Find Location to Apply

In the United States:

• Traveling in more than 3 weeks?  Go to a  passport acceptance facility  such as a post office, library, or local government office. Check with the facility to see if you need to make an appointment. 
• Traveling in less than 3 weeks?   Make an appointment  to apply at a passport agency or center.

In another country:

• Contact your  U.S. embassy or consulate .

9. Track Your Application Status

You can  subscribe to email updates  about your application status, and  learn more about each status update .

It may take 2 weeks from the day you apply until your child's application status is “In Process.” 

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you send my child's passport and supporting documents.

You will get multiple mailings. The number of mailings depends on what document(s) you asked for.

Passport Book : You may get your new passport and citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We will return the passport book using a trackable delivery service.

Passport Card : You may get your new passport card and your citizenship documents in two mailings. You may wait 8 weeks after getting your passport before you get a second mailing with your citizenship documents. We only send the passport card via First Class Mail. We do not send cards using 1-2 day delivery services.

Both a Passport Book and Card : You may get three separate mailings:

• New passport book
• New passport card
• Citizenship documents

Contacting Us : If you have been waiting more than 8 weeks for your documents, call us at  1-877-487-2778  to report that you have not received your documents. 

If you want us to reimburse you for a lost supporting document, you must contact us within 90 days of the date which we mailed your passport. You will also need to provide a receipt to show the cost of replacing the document. 

Can I pay for faster delivery and return shipping?

Yes. You may choose one or both of the following shipment options:

• Delivering application to us : Pay for Priority Mail Express for faster shipping. The price for this service varies depending on the area of the country.
• Returning the passport to you : Pay $19.53 for 1-2 day delivery. This means you will receive your passport   1-2 days after we send it. Include this fee with your check or money order payable to the U.S. Department of State. Do not submit a return envelope to us with postage pre-paid. 

You may receive your passport and supporting documents in separate mailings. If you are renewing a passport card, we will send it to you via First Class Mail. We do not use 1-2 day delivery services if you only applied for a passport card.

What countries require Form DS-3053 "Statement of Consent" to be notarized at an embassy or consulate?

In certain countries, a DS-3053 must be notarized at a  U.S. embassy or consulate  and cannot be notarized by a local notary public. Currently, these countries include:

Special Passport Fairs

Find a Special Passport Fair  near you!

We're holding special passport fairs all across the United States to help you get your passport more easily. New events are added to our site every week.

Most events are for first-time applicants and children, (who use Form DS-11). If you can use Form DS-82, you can renew by mail at your convenience!

Processing Times

Routine:  6-8 weeks*

Expedited: 2-3 weeks and an extra $60*

*Consider the total time it will take to get a passport when you are booking travel.  Processing times only include the time your application is at a passport agency or center.

• It may take up to 2 weeks for applications to arrive at a passport agency or center. It may take up to 2 weeks for you to receive a completed passport after we print it. 
• Processing times + mailing times = total time to get a passport

Urgent Travel:  See our Get my Passport Fast page. 

How to Apply for your Child's Passport

Watch this video to learn how to apply in person for your child's U.S. passport!

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