Pay 
Language 
Currency 
No results found
How much does it cost to go to Hawaii? Prepare your budget and save money
A trip to Hawaii costs $1,350 per person for a week. Learn the exact breakdown and find money-saving tips.
Did you know that Oahu is the cheapest island in Hawaii? Or that visiting Maui can easily double your Hawaii vacation cost?
Facts like these are good to know when budgeting for your trip, but a breakdown of the exact figures is even better. So, how much does it cost to go to Hawaii – really?
We cover everything from flights to gifts you can take back home in our complete guide below. Plus, we show a way to get unlimited data in Hawaii without breaking the bank.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
How much does it cost to go to Hawaii in total?
A week-long trip to Hawaii can cost anywhere from $1,350 to $10,000 per person. Exact costs depend on the accommodation, tours, and dining experiences you choose during your stay. A two-week trip to Hawaii can cost almost double, ranging from $2,500 to close to $20,000.
But what about shorter stays? Here’s a per-person breakdown for those quick visits::
- How much does it cost to go to Hawaii for 3 days? An average trip to Hawaii for three days will set you back around $650 for cheaper islands while going to Maui can cost roughly $800. For a premium trip, anything over $4,000 will do.
- How much does it cost to go to Hawaii for 5 days? An average trip to Hawaii for five days ranges from $850 to $1,000 on cheaper islands and $1,000 to $1,250 on more expensive islands like Maui. Premium trips for five days start at around $5,000.
How much does a trip to Hawaii cost: The breakdown
Hawaii is an ideal place for all types of travelers. From a luxurious trip to a tight-budget vacation, the cost varies based on your plan.
However, it also depends on which islands you’re visiting, so let’s give a breakdown of everything to consider when calculating your Hawaii vacation cost.
Flights
The price of flights to Hawaii vary greatly depending on the city you depart from.
Round-trip flights from LAX Airport range from $255 to Honolulu to $500 to Lanai. Other West Coast cities like San Diego, Portland, and Seattle have similar prices.
Traveling from East Coast states like Florida, Connecticut, or New York can increase prices by almost double. A round-trip ticket to Honolulu costs $600, while a flight to Lanai costs $700 from the JFK Airport, for example.
Peak season flight prices increase by about 10% compared to the rest of the year, making it accessible even during popular periods.
Accommodation
Hawaii accommodation prices vary greatly based on the island and where you’re staying, but you’ll find options from basic rooms to luxury resorts where you go.
Nightly Airbnb pricing ranges from $40 to $160 on Hawaiʻi, otherwise known as the Big Island, while in Maui, it ranges from $70 to $240 per day. Options range from a simple guest suite to luxurious hotel rooms and some eco-friendly lodges for ecotourism seekers.
Hotel prices range from $70 for a basic hotel to over $1,050 for a 5-star luxury hotel like the Sense Lanai.
Your Hawaii trip accommodation costs can range from $300 to $450 for Airbnb rooms or less-luxurious hotels to over $7,000 in a 5-star hotel for just a week.
Note: Visitors in Hawaii have to pay a 10.25% state fee known as the Transient Accommodations Tax, a 4.7% General Excise Tax, and 3% for country surcharges, so make sure to include this in your accommodation budget.
Transportation
In Hawaii, your feet will be your main mode of transport, as you’ll be walking around national parks and other points of interest.
But for those longer journeys, here’s a quick breakdown of the other transportation methods available in Hawaii:
- Car rentals: For longer rides, let’s say from Hawi to Pahala, renting a car is the best plan. Car rental prices average $30 to $150 per day. You’ll also need to consider parking fees ranging from $1.50 per hour to over $50 per day in some hotels. And don’t forget to add some money for gas.
- Bike or scooter: Renting a bike can be a cheaper alternative, costing around $80 a week, while scooters cost around $145 a week.
- Public transportation: The ultimate way to reduce the cost of a trip to Hawaii. With buses and shuttles working all day, you can spend $2.75 per ride, meaning you could take 20 rides for just $55.
- Taxis: The average price for a taxi is $27.50 for a 1-mile ride.
Tours and activities
Planning tours and activities in Hawaii require two things:
- An open budget based on the tours and activities you’re interested in
- Creating a proper Hawaii packing list based on your tours and activities
Private tours, such as a two-hour tour exploring the Polynesian culture and volcanic landscape, cost over $250.
Watching traditional Hawaiian performances at Waimea Valley costs over $130 for a three-hour show.
Another famous activity in Hawaii is watching marine life. Private tours to see turtles, whales, and other endemic species cost $50 to $100 and last two to three hours.
But there’s much more to do across Hawaii’s islands. Here’s a small list of additional activities to consider:
- Visiting museums: The Pearl Harbor Memorial Museum ticket prices start at $99 for self-guided visits, and guided tours can cost around $69 to over $200.
- Water activities: Snorkeling around endemic turtle and ray species can cost around $85 to $100, rafting can cost over $200, and watching the sunset on a private boat costs an average of $120.
- Outdoor activities: Some top-tier activities in Hawaii are the 5-line Zipline Adventure at Maui for $149, the Koloa Zipline in Kauai for $169, and a safari adventure in Volcanoes National Park for $379.
You’ll need anywhere from $50 for one tour to over $1,000 for an unforgettable trip that includes water and outdoor activities and visits to local museums.
Food and drinks
Food in Hawaii ranges from cheap to luxurious restaurants, and pricing can increase based on which island you’re on.
Hawaii’s fast food prices are low, with an average cost of $6 to $15 per meal. When visiting restaurants, pricing increases from $10 to $30 per meal.
To eat in a luxurious restaurant, like Fête or Merriman’s Big Island, you’ll need $100 for a single meal
Planning to party? Add $40 to $100 for one or two nights out, as beers start at $4 and cocktails at $9.
You’ll need around $80 to $90 per week for meals and $40 to $100 for partying. If you plan to eat in a famous restaurant, add at least $100 to your budget.
Note: Tipping is common in Hawaii, so expect to add around 15% to 20% for good service at restaurants and up to $2 for a drink at a bar.
Miscellaneous
No trip to Hawaii would be complete without bringing souvenirs home for your friends and family. A bar of Manoa or Maui chocolate back home, with pricing ranging from $6.50 to $12.
It’s best to set an open budget based on your spending habits which can go towards small expenses like these.
Miscellaneous expenses can also include things like using public bathrooms, entry tickets that weren’t on your itinerary, buying a bottle of water after a long day walking.
These can add anywhere from $50 to $500 to your trip. So set aside the extra dollars, and if you don’t use them, they can go straight into the pot for your next vacation!
How to save money on a trip to Hawaii
A trip to Hawaii can easily drain your savings, especially if you’re going for a luxurious vacation.
However, there are some ways to save money. Here are some top tips for you to consider:
- Walk as much as possible: While public transportation is fairly cheap, walking around the coastline, volcanic landscapes, and the main points of interest will help you save some money.
- Don’t plan excessive tours: Tours can take a hefty amount of your budget. Think about which ones you truly want to experience and book them before your trip.
- Book in advance: To take advantage of offers or special discounts, flights and accommodation to Hawaii should be booked two to three months earlier.
- Travel off-season: The best months to visit Hawaii are from March to September when there’s less rain but a huge price difference. Plan your trip from October to February, and you can cut around 20 to 30% of your final budget.
- Eat outside tourist areas: Eating in popular areas, like Waikiki, will increase the food prices, so move one or two blocks away to find better prices.
- Get a Go Oahu card: This card is ideal for visiting multiple attractions, as it offers special discounts on museums and activities in Hawaii.
Cut costs in Hawaii with an Holafly eSIM
After discovering just how expensive Hawaii is, you’ll no doubt be looking for ways to cut costs on your next trip.
Many mainland US carriers already offer coverage in Hawaii. However, if you’re visiting from outside of the US, or your carrier doesn’t have the best connection on these Pacific islands, you may need to consider another way to stay connected.
The Holafly eSIM for Hawaii is one of the cheapest ways to access unlimited data and local networks in Hawaii. It costs $6.90 for one day, with one week coming in at just $4.27 per day. The final price will be lower if you stay longer, costing as little as $1.55 for long-term stays.
With the eSIM, you’ll get other benefits like the following:
- Up to 1 GB of data sharing per day
- 5G connectivity, when available
- 24/7 customer support in different languages
- Up to 90 days of data plans
So, prepare to cut costs using a budget-friendly connectivity alternative and get ready to explore some of the most outstanding volcanic landscapes.
Match your eSIM to your vacation
Choose a plan lasting between 1 and 90 days so you never pay for days or data you don't use.
Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
