Hawaii Travel Guide

Hawai’i Travel Costs

Hostel and camping prices – A bed in a 4-6-bed dorm costs $50-70 USD per night. For a room with 8 beds or more, expect to pay around $30-45 USD. Private rooms with a shared bathroom cost $80-100 USD per night. Free Wi-Fi is standard and many hostels also include free breakfast, free shuttles to the beach, and free tours. Prices don’t vary much throughout the year.

Hawai’i also has lots of campgrounds. To stay at any of Hawai’i’s state parks (camping.ehawaii.gov), apply for a permit ($30 USD per night for non-residents for a campsite that can accommodate 4 people) at least a month in advance. Otherwise, you might not get a spot.

You can also find private campgrounds for as little as $10 USD per person. Some people recommend wild camping on beaches for free, but this isn’t actually allowed in most places due to the delicate environment. Plus, it’s too easy to wander onto sacred grounds, which is a big no-no.

Budget hotel prices – Hotel prices vary depending on where you are. Expect higher prices in the more touristy areas of Hawai’i, especially along Waikiki Beach and around Maui. Nightly rates for a budget two-star hotel room start at about $200-300 USD for places in Waikiki and Maui and $150-175 USD if you stick to the less touristy areas.

There are lots of Airbnb options around Hawai’i. Private rooms start at $75-90 USD per night while an entire home or apartment start at $125-200 USD per night. Expect to pay double if you don’t book well in advance.

Note: There are strict laws around short-term rentals in Hawai’i and each island has its own rules. Be mindful of this when booking.

Food – Hawai’ian food is a mix of Polynesian and mainland US influences, with other Asian influences (especially Japanese) thrown into the mix as well. Seafood is the main staple, with tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo being some of the most popular offerings. Pork and chicken are common as well (especially Kalua pig, which is slow-roasted pork cooked underground).

Poke (diced or cubed raw fish) is one of the most popular dishes as it mixes well with all kinds of fresh salads. Of course, you can also find numerous Spam dishes here as well. Spam was served to soldiers in World War II, owing to its long shelf life and the fact it didn’t need to be refrigerated. It evolved into a cultural staple from there.

For food on the go, hot dogs cost around $4 USD. A meal of poke or a hearty salad from a deli costs about $11 USD while a half-chicken is $10 USD. A classic Spam musubi starts at $3 USD. Drop by a 7-11 for a similar experience to a Japanese konbini with Hawai’ian delicacies.

You can find plates of chicken, rice, and salad (what locals call a “plate lunch”) for $10-15 USD. A big plate of garlic shrimp costs $12 USD. Vegetarian dishes cost about the same. Buffets on the islands start at $25 USD.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs $9.50 USD for a combo meal. A piña colada or wine costs $10-15 USD while a beer costs $7-10 USD. For a latte or cappuccino, expect to pay around $5.50 USD. Bottled water costs $2 USD.

At a typical sit-down restaurant serving Hawai’ian food, a main course starts at $30 USD for seafood or steak while pasta or vegetarian is only slightly cheaper at $20 USD for a dish. Burgers are $16-19 USD and soup and salad starters are about $12 USD.

A main dish at a Chinese takeout restaurant costs $12-14 USD while the same at a Thai place costs $15-17 USD.

If you have a bigger budget, a whole prix-fixe menu with three courses costs at least $50 USD, while a luau costs between $50-150 USD.

If you cook your own food, expect to pay $75-80 USD per week for groceries that include pasta, vegetables, chicken, and other basic staples. You can save money if you shop at discount stores such as Cost-U-Less (Big Island and Kaua’i), Don Quijote (O’ahu), and Big Save (Kaua’i), which offer reasonable prices for food and alcohol.

Backpacking Hawai’i Suggested Budgets

If you’re backpacking Hawai’i, plan on spending around $85 USD per day. On this budget, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all of your meals, do free activities like hiking and walking tours, limit your drinking, and take public transportation to get around.

On a mid-range budget of $255 USD per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out for most meals out at inexpensive restaurants serving traditional cuisine, do some surfing or diving, have a few drinks at the bar, and take the occasional taxi.

On a “luxury” budget of $4890 USD per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out at nicer restaurants and have some drinks, take private guided tours, snorkel or dive, rent a car to get around, and do as many activities and excursions as you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Hawai’i Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Hawai’i is expensive. It’s a tourism hotspot, most of its food is imported, and there’s a LOT to see and do. But if you want to lower your costs, here are some ways to save money in Hawai’i:

1. Stay at Maui’s Banana Bungalow for free tours – The Banana Bungalow on Maui runs daily free tours, covering most of the island’s highlights. Cut costs by staying here.
2. Travel off-season – Traveling during low seasons (mid-April to mid-June and mid-September to mid-December) can save you money on lodging.
3. Buy local – Due to high import costs, many products and groceries can be expensive. Instead, take advantage of the plethora of local produce and goods. A great way to find them is at farmers’ markets all across the islands. Not only do they sell fresh produce to cook at your hostel, but many local food purveyors also set up shop so you can stock up on pre-made meals. Check these websites for different market options.
4. Visit the discount groceries – Discount stores such as Cost-U-Less (Big Island and Kaua’i), Don Quijote (O’ahu) and Big Save (Kaua’i) offer inexpensive food and alcohol. Note that locally-grown produce is significantly cheaper than imported stuff, so stock up on local food as much as possible.
5. Redeem hotel points – Be sure to sign up for hotel credit cards before you go and use those points when you travel. Many of the nice resorts here are owned by big hotel chains where you can stay for free with points.
6. Stay with a local – If you’re on a tight budget, stay with a local via Couchsurfing. You’ll not only get free accommodation but you’ll get access to an insider who can share their tips and advice with you.
7. Rent a bike – If you’re on O’ahu, download the Biki app to access the island’s bike-sharing platform. Single rides start at $4.50 USD, a one-day pass with unlimited 30-minute rides is $12 USD, and a 300-minute pass is $30 USD.
8. Be smart with your car rental – If you want to rent a car just for a few hours, the Hui Car Share app has vehicles available in many tourist hot spots for an hourly rate. It may be cheaper than a full-day rental depending on your needs. Prices start at $12 USD per hour or $125 USD per day, which includes gas.
9. Skip the taxis – Uber and Lyft are cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi. The shared/pool option (where you share a ride with other people) offers even better savings.
10. Get a Go Oahu pass – This discount pass offers discounts to over 40 O’ahu attractions. Passes are available from 1-7 days, starting at $84 USD for a one-day pass.
11. Take a free walking tour – I love free walking tours. They’re a great way to get oriented and see the major sights without breaking the bank. Try the tour of Honolulu with Hawaii Free Tours (currently suspended due to COVID-19). Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
12. Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is generally safe to drink so skip the bottled water. You’ll save money and reduce your environmental footprint. LifeStraw makes a reusable bottle with a built-in filter that ensures your water is always clean.

Where to Stay in Hawai’i

Hawai’i has lots of hostels. Here are my recommended places to stay in Hawai’i:

• The Beach Boutique Hostel (O’ahu)
• Banana Bungalow (Maui)
• Aloha Surf Hostel (Maui)
• My Hawaiian Hostel (Big Island)
• Pineapple Park (Big Island)
• Hilo Bay Hostel (Big Island)

How to Get Around Hawai’i

How you get around Hawai’i depends on which islands you’re visiting. Some islands (like Maui and O’ahu) have better infrastructure for getting around compared to places like Kaua’i.

Bus – Buses are the only public transportation option in Hawai’i (though Lana’i and Moloka’i do not have buses). O’ahu has the most extensive transit system, with decent coverage and frequent buses. It’s simply called The Bus, and a single ride fare is $3 USD, which includes 2.5 hours of unlimited free transfers.

Your daily fare will be capped at $7.50 USD providing you have a HOLO Card, which you can get for a one-time fee of $2 USD at transit centers, supermarkets, and convenience stores around the island. The bus company’s official website is terrible for trip planning so you’re better off using Google Maps.

Maui Bus, Kauai Bus, and Hele-On Bus (Big Island) also operate island-wide, with prices starting at $2 USD and daily passes costing $4-5 USD. Again, none of these websites are very user-friendly so use Google Maps to plot your route.

Flying – Flying is the main (and often only) way to travel between the islands. Flights are generally cheap, quick, and super casual (most of the time, you don’t even get assigned seats). Hawai’i’s domestic airlines are Hawaiian Airlines and Mokulele Airlines. Southwest also has some flights between islands as well.

Flights are generally affordable. For example, one-way flights from Maui to Honolulu cost around $40-50 USD while Kaui to Maui is $40-75 USD. Honolulu to Hilo (Big Island) is also $40-50 USD.

Car Rental – While not usually the cheapest option, having a car in Hawai’i is the best way to get around. Prices start from about $50 USD per day (if you rent for a week or more). For shorter rentals, expect to pay $65 USD or more per day. For the best rental car deals, use Discover Cars.

Ferry – You can only take a ferry between Maui and Lana’i. Everywhere else, you’ll need to fly. The ferry is about $30 USD each way. You can reserve a ticket on go-lanai.com.

Taxis – Taxis are expensive. Everything is meter-based and starts around $3.50 USD and then costs an additional $3 USD per mile. Skip the taxis if you can!

Ridesharing – Uber and Lyft are cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to take a bus or pay for a taxi. They’re available on most of the islands.

Hitchhiking – This is one of the easiest places to hitchhike in the US. For tips and info, check out Hitchwiki. It’s the best hitchhiking resource.

When to Go to Hawai’i

Peak season in Hawai’i starts in the middle of December and lasts until the end of March/mid-April, as that is when mainland Americans are trying to escape the colder winter months. The average daily temperature during this time is 78°F (26°C).

Traveling during low seasons (mid-April to mid-June/mid-September to mid-December) offers nice weather and fewer crowds (and slightly cheaper prices). The average daytime summer temperature is 85°F (29°C).

It’s always hot and sunny here so there’s never really a bad time to visit!

How to Stay Safe in Hawai’i

Hawai’i is a safe place to visit. Violent attacks are rare and tend to be confined to certain areas of Honolulu (specifically where drug and gang violence are a problem). As a general rule, however, avoid walking alone late at night in the city.

You may encounter petty crime, like theft, so keep your valuables secure. The islands are notorious for car break-ins so make sure yours is always locked. Never leave any valuables in your vehicle overnight.

Heed any warnings or alerts about severe weather or volcanic eruptions (although they’re rare). Always check the weather before you go hiking.

If you’re not a strong swimmer, stay out of the ocean. NEVER swim alone — the rip tides here are strong.

Above all: respect the land. Much of Hawai’i is considered sacred. You will show enormous disrespect if you trespass onto any sacred, private property, or litter anywhere on the islands. Do NOT do it.

Bring a refillable water bottle and skip single-use plastics like straws and cutlery. Plastic bags are banned so be sure to bring a reusable tote for groceries or shopping.

Lastly, the Hawaiian sun can be very intense so respect it and your skin by making sure you wear ample sunscreen. All sunscreen must be reef safe to protect the habitat. This local brand works well and is safe for kids too.

If you experience an emergency, dial 911 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones, so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you: