What's a trip to Hawaii cost?
A one-week trip to Hawaii for two people averages around $3,900, including $150 per night for accommodations, $600 per person for flights, $100 per person daily for food, drink, and activities, and $200 in total for transportation. Cost-saving strategies like early booking, opting for budget-friendly activities, and avoiding tourist traps can help keep expenses within this range.
Hawaii is a truly magical place, and it holds a special place in our hearts for that reason. Although it is a state, it is located in a far-flung Pacific location and has an off-the-continent magic all its own.
From pineapples and glittering seascapes to jungle scenery and volcanoes, Hawaii is truly unique, both as a culture and a vacation destination. Spend a week there, and you’ll enjoy sunbathing, jungle hikes, amazing fusion food, and more.
Of course, you can’t make a good vacation plan without an idea of your basic trip to Hawaii cost. Here’s a look at the main costs you’ll have to cover as well as ways to keep everything affordable. So grab a cup of Kona coffee or a Mai Tai and settle in!
Average Trip to Hawaii Cost in 2024
An average one-week trip to Hawaii for two people will cost around $3,900:
- Average Accommodation Cost: $150 per night
- Average Flight Cost: $600 per person
- Food, Drink & Activities: $100 per person, per day
- Transportation: $200 total
- Total Cost: $3,900
The above figures are averages, as stated, but that doesn’t mean you can’t meet them on your trip.
The best ways to save money in Hawaii is to book well ahead of time so you can find the best flights and accommodations (although there is an argument to book your flights last minute, discussed below) and to stay out of restaurants.
Other good ways to save money include staying off the beaten path, choosing cheap or free activities (like hiking and sunbathing) over expensive paid ones (such as boating or volcano-viewing), and avoiding souvenirs and tourist traps.
Overall, with the right mindset and planning, you can stay within your budget pretty easily.
Hawaii Trip Cost: Average by Item
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The average trip to Hawaii cost includes considerations of accommodations, flights, food and drink, activities, and transportation. If you choose, you can add separate budgets for other common tourist costs: souvenirs, partying, or clothing.
However, by eschewing these categories altogether, you can keep your trip much more reasonably priced.
This is, obviously, an individual decision. That said, let’s take a look at exactly what you’ll have to cover on your trip to Hawaii and how much it will cost on average.
Accommodation Costs
Prices vary depending on which island you’ve chosen for your trip. In Honolulu on the Big Island, plan to pay about $100 a night for budget accommodations and $200 to $300 for a resort or spa.
In Maui, hostel prices range around $125, while hotels can be $300 for mid-range options, even in the off-season. It’s much more expensive.
If you want something in the middle – mixing privacy and elegance with away-from-the-city vibes and lower costs – try Oahu. You’ll find hotels for between $100 and $200, where you can relax without a resort experience but with plenty of amenities to stay comfy.
One of the best ways to get good hotel prices is to set alerts and buy as soon as you see lower-than-normal costs. Overall, plan on about $150 a night wherever you go.
Flight Costs
Flying from the West Coast to Honolulu can be as low as $200 in the off-season, and more like $600 during the high season. From New York City, you’ll pay more like $900, without a lot of steep discounting during the off-season.
Most airlines from the West Coast can fly right into the capital cities of each island, saving you the additional cost of hopping between them.
However, if your goal is to see more than one island on your trip – which is only advisable if you have more than a week to spend – then plan to pay an average of about $200 round trip. One of the best ways to save money traveling to Hawaii is to buy your tickets short-term.
Airlines are often looking to fill flights in the weeks to month before a plane takes off, so they will give you a deal. If you have the flexibility, this is a better way to do it than booking well ahead of time.
Overall, given the wild swings depending on your location and the time of year, plan to pay about $600 on average for a flight to Hawaii. If you’re going to island hop, up that to about $800 per person.
Food, Drink & Activity Costs
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One of the best low-cost activities to do in Hawaii is hiking. The islands, formed by hotspots that moved across the tectonic plate and produced upwelling volcanoes, boast magnificent elevation and rich vegetation grown in volcanic soils.
For that reason, many people come to Hawaii to hike their hearts out, and the islands offer any number of grand hiking spots. Although you can find nature hikes around town that are free, the best hiking spots typically cost money.
Expect to pay entrance or parking fees at national and state parks, ranging from $15 to $30 on average, though some are more and some are less.
Make sure to find out what that park is known for, whether it’s sunrise, sunset, a volcano, or a particular view. Some of these experiences may cost a few extra bucks, so look that up too.
Other activities include boating tours (usually around $100 per person and often including food and drink), snorkeling, and tours along Maui’s Road to Hana (about $220 to $250 for a full day). However, you can rent a car to do the latter for only about $30 a day and do that drive yourself if you prefer.
Similarly, you can rent a boat for about $150 an hour. If you go on a three-hour snorkeling tour with four people, then you can pay for almost three hours of self-guided boating for the same price.
If you go on a tour with six or eight people, the cost of renting your own boat becomes ever more reasonable. As for food and drink, Hawaii is known for being expensive, from the Big Island to Oahu to Maui and beyond.
Restaurants cater to tourists and are happy to take advantage of their money, so expect to pay between $20 and $60 per plate at a restaurant. If you eat at the grocery store, on the other hand, you can eat all day for the same amount.
Overall, if you avoid alcoholic drinks – by far the highest-price food items other than expensive seafood – then you can get by on about $75 a day for food and a tour or two. If you want to have a little more cushioning, plan on $100 per person, per day, which is probably closer to the average.
Transportation Costs
Getting around Hawaii can be very inexpensive or pretty spendy, depending on how you choose to travel. Many people fly into a “home base,” then walk to restaurants and the beach, meaning they spend almost nothing on transportation.
Others like to really see an area, so you’ll need to plan to pay for a rental car, a driver, or a tour – with increasing prices as you move up the line. One of the most affordable ways to see Hawaii is by bus.
The public transportation on the Big Island, for instance, is incredibly cost-effective. You can get from Honolulu to Manoa Falls (an hour and a half away) for only $3 one way.
If you’re smart, rent a car for a few days, take buses or use foot power, and avoid flying, you can see Hawaii for a week for only about $100 for two people. Assuming you want to take one private tour, plan to pay more like $300, for an average of $200.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Here are some frequently asked questions about budgeting your trip to Hawaii:
Is it Hawaii or Hawai’i?
Hawaii is the Americanized version of Hawai’i, which is how the locals spell it. You can use either.
Is Hawaii expensive?
Yes, Hawaii is considered expensive. While it’s a deal relative to, say, Europe, it’s not a bargain trip compared to somewhere else in the US – or even Canada and Mexico. However, its weather is more reliable than continental North America, and it has that gorgeous tropical vibe that so many are looking for, so it’s worth the increased costs.
Are there any safety concerns?
No, Hawaii does not pose any safety concerns. Its rate of crime is lower than the US average. As long as you practice basic precautions – watching out for your purses, bags, and drinks as well as sticking to a group at night – you’ll be fine.
So, What’s the Average Cost of a Trip to Hawaii?
| 🛎️ Average Accommodation Cost | $150 per night |
| ✈️ Average Flight Cost | $600 round-trip |
| 🍽️ Food, Drink & Activities | $100 per day |
| 🚕 Transportation | $200 total |
| 💲 Total Cost | $3,900 |
The average cost of a one-week trip to Hawaii is around $3,900 for two people. Given the magic of this island getaway, it is absolutely worth it!