Budget Travel In Hawaii

For millions of people around the world a trip to Hawaii is a dream. For many it will remain a dream only because they think that Hawaii is too far to get to, too expensive, and reserved only for the rich and famous. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Okay, admittedly, Hawaii is far away – from everywhere. The island archipelago is the remotest on the planet. But that doesn’t mean you have to spend thousands of dollars to get there. From Japan or the Philippines you can find prices as low as $300 each way and from the U.S. mainland, budget travelers can find flights for as low as $150 each way if they think ahead, watch for flight specials, and travel during the off season.

The off season in Hawaii generally corresponds with the times that U.S. schoolkids are in classes.
Once you arrive in Hawaii, there are many ways to save money and still have a fabulous vacation. Just one block away from Waikiki is Lemon Road which has a stretch of budget hostels available for travelers to have fun in. Ultra budget travelers can get a dorm bed for less than $25 per night and for those who want a little privacy, these hostels offer en suite rooms for as little as $40 per night. Many of the hotels in Waikiki offer room discounts during the off season so that you can stay for $50-$70 per night in resort style comfort.

If you want to experience something even more fantastic, why not look into renting a vacation rental. Vacation rentals are available on all the islands and can run from $20 to $4000 per night.

Camping is also an option in Hawaii. On Oahu’s North Shore you can camp for just $7 per night and wake up to the sound of the surf.

Once you are in Hawaii, there is plenty to do that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. The beaches are free and surfboard rentals can be had for as little as $10 a day. There are plenty of free hula shows and entertainment in Honolulu. If you think that food is going to be a problem, think again.

An ultra budget traveler can eat for as little as $3 a day if they don’t mind doing some self catering, eating cheap sushi, and maybe having a sandwich from Jack in the Box. In addition, most of the hostels offer free toast and coffee in the mornings.

As to transportation, you can rent a car if you want to spend the big bucks, but the public transportation system in Hawaii is cheap and efficient. $2 will get you just about anywhere on any of the islands. In fact, you can hitch in Hawaii safely too, though not so much in Honolulu or Waikiki.

Is Hawaii a dream that you can’t afford? Only if $300 airfare, $300 accomodation, $25 for transportation, and a $50 food budget sounds out of reach for you. A week in Hawaii for less than $700? That sounds like a dream come true to me!

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