How Much Does It Cost To Go On Vacation In Hawaii
If you have ever traveled to Hawaii, you may have wondered how much does it cost to go on vacation in Hawaii. Honolulu is the state’s capital and home to nearly 3/4 of the islands’ population (3.7 million) and has several notable companies headquartered there including major airlines Hawaiian Airlines, Matson, and Hawaiian Holdings. Its location in the Pacific also makes Honolulu an important center for international business.
As the most popular tourist destination in the world, Hawaii attracts over 8 million tourists every year. It’s no surprise why so many people travel to Hawaii: it’s beautiful natural scenery, a unique cultural history, and rich fusion of diverse cultures create an unforgettable vacation experience. The question is: How much does it cost to go on vacation in Hawaii?
How Much Does It Cost To Go On Vacation In Hawaii
When you visit the beautiful Hawaiian islands, you might be thinking of what to expect. You want to make sure that you leave Hawaii with an experience that is better than your expectations. When planning your trip to the isles of paradise, you need to know what your budget will allow. I’ll explain how much it costs for a week in Hawaii so that you can plan accordingly then give tips on saving money on certain things so that you can enjoy your vacation and not worry about money. In addition to the lower cost of living, visitors come to Hawaii for its white sand beaches, crystal blue water, and year-round sunny skies. Most people overlook the fact that living in Hawaii is pricey. It comes as no surprise that Hawaii is also one of the most expensive US states in which to visit. Tourism brings in about $16 billion dollars which accounts for a great percentage of the state’s total annual income. While most tourists head straight for Waikiki beach or downtown Honolulu, many choose to vacation on the more serene and wallet friendly neighbor islands.
Cost of a Trip to Hawaii & the Cheapest Time to Visit Hawaii
The average price of a 7-day trip to Hawaii is $2,023 for a solo traveler, $2,986 for a couple, and $4,371 for a family of 4. Hawaii hotels range from $96 to $433 per night with an average of $177, while most vacation rentals will cost $270 to $810 per night for the entire home. Average worldwide flight costs to Hawaii (from all airports) are between $968 and $1,580 per person for economy flights and $3,040 to $4,961 for first class. Depending on activities, we recommend budgeting $74 to $150 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 Hawaii
On average, these will be the cheapest dates to fly to Hawaii and stay in a Hawaii hotel:
- January 8th to March 4th
- August 13th to December 9th (except the week of November 19th)
The absolute cheapest time to take a vacation in Hawaii is usually early September.
Average Hawaii Trip Costs
Average Solo Traveler
The average cost for one person to visit Hawaii for a week is$1,783-$3,849($255-$550 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $74 to $150 per day for one person’s daily expenses
Flights: $545 to $1,347 for economy
Lodging: $120 to $169 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room
or $198 to $242 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental
Average Couple’s Trip
The average cost for a couple to visit Hawaii for a week is$2,845-$6,246($406-$892 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $148 to $300 per day for two people’s daily expenses
Flights: $1,089 to $2,694 for economy
Lodging: $120 to $169 per night for one 2 or 3-star hotel room
or $198 to $242 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental
Average Family Vacation
The average cost for 4 people to visit Hawaii for a week is$5,691-$11,772($813-$1,682 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $296 to $600 per day for four people’s daily expenses
Flights: $2,179 to $5,388 for economy
Lodging: $240 to $339 per night for two 2 or 3-star hotel rooms
or $298 to $364 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental
Traveling Cheap to Hawaii
How cheap can you make a vacation to Hawaii? The cheapest trip to Hawaii is about $185 per person per day for travelers willing to take standby flights, deal with inconvenience, and otherwise limit travel expenses. About 1% of rentals are available in the $0 to $100 range for an entire place, and vacation rentals can be booked for as low as $20 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 $82.
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 Hawaii for a week is$1,296-$2,950($185-$421 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $37 to $73 per day for one person’s daily expenses
Flights: $545 to $1,347 for economy
Lodging: $82 to $96 per night for one 1-star hotel room
or $151 to $182 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental
Budget Couple’s Trip
The lowest cost for a couple to visit Hawaii for a week is$2,092-$4,815($299-$688 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $73 to $147 per day for two people’s daily expenses
Flights: $1,089 to $2,694 for economy
Lodging: $82 to $96 per night for one 1-star hotel room
or $151 to $182 per night for a 1-bed vacation rental
Budget Family Vacation
The lowest cost for 4 people to visit Hawaii for a week is$4,192-$9,095($599-$1,299 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $147 to $293 per day for four people’s daily expenses
Flights: $2,179 to $5,388 for economy
Lodging: $164 to $192 per night for two 1-star hotel rooms
or $227 to $276 per night for a 2-bed vacation rental
Overall it is very difficult to travel to Hawaii cheaply.
The Cost of a Luxury Hawaii Trip
There is no true ceiling on the cost of a luxury trip, so our estimates are based on what most people do in Hawaii.
Luxury Solo Traveler
The high-end price for one person to visit Hawaii for a week is$3,863-$14,748($552-$2,107 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $151 to $298 per day for one person’s daily expenses
Flights: $1,360 to $3,308 for first class
Lodging: $241 to $433 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room
or $794 to $1,559 per night for a preferred vacation rental
Luxury Couple’s Trip
The high-end price for a couple to visit Hawaii for a week is$6,280-$20,135($897-$2,876 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $302 to $595 per day for two people’s daily expenses
Flights: $2,720 to $6,616 for first class
Lodging: $241 to $433 per night for one 4 or 5-star hotel room
or $794 to $1,559 per night for a preferred vacation rental
Luxury Family Vacation
The high-end price for 4 people to visit Hawaii for a week is$12,559-$35,512($1,794-$5,073 per day)
Food, Travel, and Sightseeing: $604 to $1,190 per day for four people’s daily expenses
Flights: $5,439 to $13,232 for first class
Lodging: $482 to $866 per night for two 4 or 5-star hotel rooms
or $1,191 to $2,325 per night for a preferred vacation rental
Hawaii Hotel Prices
The cost of staying in Hawaii is much higher than the average city. On average hotels are less expensive than vacation rentals. Luxury vacation rentals are more expensive in Hawaii 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.
Hawaii 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.
Key
Departure Day Prices
Return Day Prices
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 Hawaii, the difference between the cheapest and the most expensive week is about $612, so you can easily save about 63% 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 Hawaii can easily cost $551 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $37 per person. Private tours can cost $1100 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.
