How To Visit Hawaii On A Budget
The Aloha State is not as crowded as it once was. Seize the opportunity to nab a deal on a Hawaiian hotel deal.
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Assigning Editor When deciding where to travel, Hawaii checks all the boxes for many tourists. The islands' lush, tropical landscape provides an escape from everyday life. It's a far-off getaway that doesn't require a passport, and there's no shortage of luxury.
But while Hawaii might have a laid-back, low-stress vibe, it's generally one of the most expensive vacations you can take in the U.S. Hawaii welcomed 9.69 million visitors in 2024, who collectively spent $20.6 billion, showing continued strong demand despite higher costs.
However, you can still save money on a Hawaiian vacation. Here’s how to travel to Hawaii on a budget.
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Choose your destination
There are six major islands to visit in Hawaiʻi, which are Kauai, Oahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui and the Big Island. Of those, four (Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island) are accessible from the U.S. mainland and are generally considered the primary islands for tourism. Of course, there are many more smaller Hawaiian islands.
There are all sorts of guides to help you choose the best island for you. Some swear Maui is best for honeymooners, and Kauai is best for outdoor adventures. But you came seeking to find how to visit Hawaii on a budget, in which case, the answer is nearly as clear as the water in Hawaii. By almost every metric, Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit.
According to May 2024 data from the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, hotel rooms in Oahu average about 21% less than the state as a whole. The average room rate in May 2024 across all of Hawaii was $342, but in Oahu it was just $272 (about $70 less per night).
If you're a budget traveler, you'll find Oahu's midscale and economy rooms are comparatively even cheaper. Midscale and economy rooms in Oahu cost $151 per night on average, which is 30% less than the average price for the same class of room across the entire state.
But even realize that prices vary depending on where in Oahu you're staying. Most tourists stay in either Waikiki, Ko Olina or the North Shore. Ko Olina tends to be the priciest of the bunch. But there aren't many North Shore hotels, which also can limit options.
Save on airfare to Hawaii
So you've chosen an island. While you can certainly save an annoying layover by booking a direct flight to that island, it might be cheaper to fly to one island, and then hop on a smaller, connecting flight. The practice is called island-hopping, and in Hawaii it's fairly convenient, as most flights between islands take less than an hour.
Compare deals using tools like Google Flights. Generally speaking though, most of the best interisland deals are for flights through Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Oahu.
Be flexible on dates, too. Southwest has plenty of interisland airfares for less than $50 — but if you’re married to a specific flight time or book last-minute, realize that some flights cost more than $200.
Book with points or other airline rewards: There are many ways to book cheap Hawaii flights with points and miles, especially if you’re willing to transfer miles between partner airlines. Among the biggest airlines flying to Hawaii are Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Do you have a Southwest Airlines Companion Pass that you're looking to maximize? Hawaii makes for an excellent opportunity to use it. The pass is essentially a buy-one-get-one deal on your Southwest flight, where you book a flight with cash or points, and you can book another at no cost aside from taxes and fees (typically just $5.60 per one-way trip).
Use hotel points or free night certificates to save on lodging
Most of the major hotel brands have a strong presence in Hawaii, which can be handy if you have hotel points or free night certificates.
Visiting Hawaii with Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott is a massive hotel brand, so it unsurprisingly has a range of hotels for every budget. But on Oahu, it stands out for some especially delightful, historic properties. That includes some of Oahu’s most famous luxury hotels, including the historic Moana Surfrider, a Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach as well as The Royal Hawaiian, a Luxury Collection Resort, Waikiki.
Given their icon status, these hotels tend to be the most expensive. To experience these memorable properties without crushing your budget, turn to Marriott Bonvoy points. Those can be earned through Marriott credit cards as well as general travel credit cards that accrue points that transfer to Marriott.
Visiting Hawaii through Hilton Honors
Hilton is an especially big player in Hawaii, and its lodging runs the gamut from affordable to opulent. If you have a Hilton free night certificate, which can be earned through certain Hilton credit cards, head to Maui. There you’ll find the Grand Wailea, a Waldorf Astoria Resort. One of Hilton’s most grandiose resorts, the Grand Wailea hosts a 2,000-foot-long pool complete with waterfalls and slides. Standard nightly room rates can easily run more than $1,500, but free night certificates can cover it.
Consider Disney's Aulani Resort
For families, Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina offers the magic of Disney combined with Hawaiian culture. While it's positioned as a luxury resort, savvy travelers can find value through Disney Vacation Club rentals, package deals, or visiting during shoulder seasons when rates are lower than peak times.
Save on attractions with multi-attraction passes
One of the best ways to save money on Hawaii activities is through multi-attraction passes. These passes bundle popular attractions at a discounted rate compared to paying for each separately.
Go City passes for Oahu
Go City offers several pass options for Oahu that can save travelers up to 50% on admission prices:
- Explorer Pass: Choose 3, 4, or 5 attractions from over 40 options including the Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor attractions, Diamond Head, Bishop Museum and water activities. The pass is valid for 30 days after first use.
- All-Inclusive Pass: Available in 2- to 7-day options, providing unlimited access to 40+ attractions. The multi-day passes include one premium attraction and can be used on non-consecutive days within a 14-day period.
Popular attractions included in these passes:
- Battleship Missouri Memorial.
- Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.
- Polynesian Cultural Center.
- Diamond Head State Monument.
- Iolani Palace.
- Waimea Valley.
- Sea Life Park Hawaii.
These passes work particularly well for active travelers who want to pack multiple experiences into their trip. The savings increase with the number of attractions you visit.
Other ways to visit Hawaii on a budget
Consider vacation rentals
If you’re traveling as a family or with a group, consider booking a vacation rental through a service like Airbnb or Vrbo. They are sometimes cheaper than hotels and typically don’t require you to pay resort fees, which are otherwise common. They also often have driveways and kitchens, so you can avoid expensive hotel parking and the cost of dining out.
Dine out strategically
Dining out can also eat up a huge chunk of your budget. Understand when you’re paying for mediocre food but a stellar view. If you’re up for adventure, head to a convenience store for fresh poke and Spam musubi, then find a beach (there’s no shortage of them) for a free, oceanfront dinner view.
Sidestep the paid luau
As far as entertainment, you can certainly pay hundreds of dollars for your group to experience a luau. While the array of entertainment and buffet food can be worth it for some travelers, there are plenty of free ways to watch hula, hear Hawaiian music and learn about the culture. Many major malls in Hawaii, such as Waikiki’s Royal Hawaiian Center mall, offer free shows and classes in lei making, hula, ukulele, lauhala weaving and more. On the Big Island, free coffee farm tours are abundant.
Some hotels also make their entertainment available to the public. Head to Marriott’s Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa to watch the nightly lele kawa (cliff jumping).
If you do want the full luau experience, look for deals through discount ticket providers or consider attending during weekdays when prices may be lower.
Swap ticketed activities for cheaper counterparts
Some major, ticketed tourist attractions offer some components of their tours for free. At the Maui Tropical Plantation, you might pay $25 for a tram tour, but you can still explore a good chunk of the grounds, including its market, craft studios and cafe, at no cost. On Oahu, Dole Plantation tours start at $7.75 per person, but purchasing a ticket might not be necessary. Admission to the grounds is free, and there you can typically find no-cost activities like pineapple-cutting and chocolate-making demonstrations, as well as a fish feeding pond.
Go for the free activities
Hawaii offers countless free outdoor activities like hiking, swimming and beachcombing. Many islands have free museums and cultural centers. And depending on when you go, you may find free concerts, festivals and cultural events.
Time your visit strategically
Visit during shoulder seasons: As mentioned in our guide to the best times to visit Hawaii, the shoulder months of April, May, September and October typically offer the lowest prices on both flights and hotels. During 2024, visitor spending fluctuated throughout the year with shoulder months showing more favorable rates for budget-conscious travelers.
Avoid peak holiday periods: December 2024 saw 910,055 visitors, representing peak season demand and higher prices. If possible, avoid traveling during major holidays, school breaks, and winter months when demand drives prices up.
Monitor current trends: The average length of stay in Hawaii decreased by 2.5% in 2024, which may reflect travelers shortening trips to manage costs. Consider whether a shorter, more focused trip might work better for your budget.
The Aloha State offers incredible experiences for travelers at every budget level. With strategic planning around timing, accommodation choices, and activities, you can enjoy Hawaii's natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality without overspending. Use points and miles when possible, take advantage of multi-attraction passes, embrace free activities, and remember that some of Hawaii's best experiences — like watching a sunset from the beach — don't cost a thing.
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- 1. SSA.gov. 2026 Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) Fact Sheet. Accessed Oct 24, 2025.
- 2. SSA.gov. Retired worker beneficiaries in current payment status at the end of June 2025. Accessed Dec 2, 2025.
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