How much does it cost to travel to Hawaii?
You should plan to spend around $342 per day on your vacation in Hawaii. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $77 on meals
- $37 on local transportation
- $427 on hotels
A one week trip to Hawaii for two people costs, on average, $4,782. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Hawaii has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Hawaii expensive to visit?
Hawaii is a somewhat more expensive place to visit. Located in the United States of America, which is a moderately priced country, visitors will need to plan for the extra expenses of this destination. It is in the top 25% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. When visiting, expect to pay somewhat higher prices for accommodation, food, and activities.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Hawaii is a somewhat more expensive destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in North America for its travel costs. While some cities in the region are more expensive, Hawaii is generally more expensive than most.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Hawaii Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Hawaii?
The average Hawaii trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Hawaii travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Accommodation1(Double Occupancy) | $427 |
| Local Transportation1 | $37 |
| Food2 | $77 |
| Entertainment1 | $38 |
| Tips and Handouts1 | $6 -18 |
| Alcohol2 | $10 -29 |
Accommodation Budget in Hawaii
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Hawaii is $214. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Hawaii is $427. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Accommodation1Hotel or hostel for one person
$214
Accommodation1Typical double-occupancy room
See AlsoHow Much is a Trip to Hawaii: Your Budget Planning GuideWhat Is a Typical Hawaii Trip Cost in 2024? - NerdWalletExamining the high cost of living in Hawaii in 2023A Guide to Grocery Costs in Paradise$427
Hotel Prices in Hawaii
Looking for a hotel in Hawaii? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Find the best hotel for your travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.
Transportation Budget in Hawaii
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The cost of a taxi ride in Hawaii is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $37 per person, per day, on local transportation in Hawaii.
Transportation1Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$37
Recommended Services
Flights to Hawaii
How much does it cost to go to Hawaii? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
Rental Cars in Hawaii
The price of renting a car in Hawaii will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Hawaii
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
While meal prices in Hawaii can vary, the average cost of food in Hawaii is $77 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Hawaii should cost around $31 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Hawaii is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
See AlsoCost of Living in Hawaii 2023Food2Meals for one day
$77
Recommended
Entertainment Budget in Hawaii
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
Entertainment and activities in Hawaii typically cost an average of $38 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Entertainment1Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$38
The Go City Oahu Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Oahu. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.
Recommended Activities
Tips and Handouts Budget in Hawaii
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Hawaii is $12 per day. The usual amount for a tip in Hawaii is 10% - 20%.
Tips and Handouts1For guides or service providers
$12
Alcohol Budget in Hawaii
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
The average person spends about $19 on alcoholic beverages in Hawaii per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcohol2Drinks for one day
$19
Recommended
Water Budget in Hawaii
Average Daily Costs
Calculated from travelers like you
On average, people spend $15 on bottled water in Hawaii per day. The public water in Hawaii is considered safe to drink.
Water2Bottled water for one day
$15
Hawaii on a Budget
Kauai Coastline, Hawaii
Located towards the center of the Pacific Ocean and the northeast corner of Polynesia, Hawai'i is the 50th state of the United States of America. It is a major tourist destination for travelers from around the world and as such, its economy is very dependent on the tourist dollar. Historically, the state had strong whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, but today tourism and the military make up a significant part of the economy. The state includes many islands that spread over 1,500 miles, but there are eight main islands which have a diversity of natural beauty and interesting landscapes. The islands offer visitors many impressive features from the beautiful beaches to the lush interior. There is a lot of hiking, snorkeling and scuba diving available throughout the islands. The capital of the state is Honolulu, which is also the largest city. Both Hawaiian and English are spoken throughout.
Hawaii's climate is similar to what you would find throughout the tropics. There are almost constant trade winds from the east that do keep the temperatures and humidity milder. Summer highs are around 88 degrees Fahrenheit and winter highs are around 83 degrees Fahrenheit. You might find snow at elevations above 13,800 feet on Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the "The Big Island".
Sights
The sights in Hawaii are diverse and beautiful. There is natural beauty and hiking opportunities that will impress even the most jaded traveler. There are cultural and historical sights that let you glimpse the unique history that these islands hold tight to. There are also beaches and wildlife viewing opportunities that are unlike anywhere else in the world. Popular sights throughout Hawaii include Pearl Harbor, Diamond Head, the North Shore and Dole Plantation, and Molokini Crater, among many others.
Regions
Hawaii is an archipelago that has many distinct volcanic islands, but there are eight major islands with six open to tourists. These six are Hawaii (The Big Island), Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Lanai. Niihau and Kahoolawe are the remaining two islands, the former of which is privately owned and limited to Native Hawaiians and the latter is a former U.S. Navy bombing range.
Activities
Hawaii is full of activities that appeal to adventuous outdoor lovers. There are hiking and eco tours available on most islands. There are snorkeling and scuba diving options everywhere as well. Other interesting options include taking helicopter tours over the volcanos, whale watching, or taking surfing lessons. If you're looking for an adventure then any of the islands will have something that appeals to you.
Food and Dining
Hawaiian food is a mix of Hawaiian, Portuguese, American and Asian-Pacific flavors. Seafood is abundant and excellent and there is local beef available that comes from Maui. Coffee is typically grown on the Big Island. Popular tropical fruits include pineapple, mango, bananas, guavas, and papaya. If you're on a tight budget, a filling and traditional meal is a plate lunch. It is available at lunch wagons or food courts and typically includes a meat or fish and sides of rice and macaroni salad. Perhaps the most famous Hawaiian dining experience is the luau. This is a traditional Hawaiian feast that involves music, dance and barbecue. Modern luaus that are prepared for tourists are typically buffet style and provide entertainment and delicious food. They are held throughout the islands at resort hotels and some restaurants, but they are expensive, often costing between $50 and $100 a person (half price for children).
Transportation
Most international flights to Hawaii pass through Honolulu. Once you're in the state, air travel is the most common and easiest way to travel between islands. It is typically cheapest to make a "triangle route" if you're planning to visit more than one island. This means you arrive and depart from different islands. There are many scheduled flights between islands and it is usually possible to buy tickets a day or two in advance, although prices may be significantly higher if you book last-minute.
There are charter boats that travel between some islands as well. This is particularly true in the Maui-Molokai-Lanai area, but crossing the channels between islands can be very rough at times.
On the island of Oahu you'll find a decent public transportation system that travels between Honolulu, Waikiki, Makaha, Schofield Barracks, and elsewhere. The system is referred to as "The Bus" and you should pick up a route schedule from a local ABC Store once you arrive. The other islands offer very limited or no public transportation. They are very rural and a rental car is advised. It's also possible to get a campervan. For the best prices, make a reservation as soon as possible. The rate per day usually goes down the longer you rent the car. Also, check with your hotel to confirm the price for daily parking, if any.
Related
Looking for a party hostel in Hawaii or Miami? Traveling alone to LA or New Orleans? Want a budget hostel in NYC?
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.
