Cheap Trips to Hawaii: A Guide

From city to ocean to jungle, Hawaii offers dreamy weather and diverse scenery. Here’s how to enjoy it on the cheap.

Maui
Take a scenic drive around the island or up into the mountains (bring your camera!), hike the Iao Valley, or just lounge at the beach. Spring (except for the last week of April) and fall are the best times to save money on airfare and accommodations, and enjoying the area’s natural beauty always gets you maximum bang for your buck.

Honolulu, Oahu
This busy metropolis isn’t known as a cheap tourist destination, but if you focus your itinerary on enjoying the area’s natural wonders, you can save a lot of dough. Try a hostel to save money on accommodations, and stay outside most of the time: take a group surfing lesson, go for a hike, or head to the famed Diamond Head State Monument, site of the 3,500-foot Diamond Head crater—just $1 per person or $5 per car.

Lanai
This laid-back escape (there isn’t a single traffic light on the entire island) offers up stunning scenery. Rooms at the charming Hotel Lanai start at just $99 a night. Visit the amazing Garden of the Gods, hike Munro Trail, or head for Shipwreck Beach for little- or no-cost fun.

-- Text by Meagan Francis

Photo credit: Scenic viewpoint on Maui, Hawaii (Tor Johnson/Hawaii Tourism Authority)

Comments

[Nacole maiden]

I'm looking for a deal with airlines n hotal for June 23 2012, this well my 50th bday an I would like to Hawaii. So Please send me a good deal soon as possible thanks

[Nacole maiden]

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[Guest house Gurgaon]

our best bet is to avoid them altogether...Some of them have some good deals, but you must remember...Keep saying NO......Take the free stuff and go home.....don't let them talk you into anything, if you want to buy a time share or anything they are offering, you can do it another time.Watch out for hidden fees for the trip, hotel surcharges etc. airline surcharges etc.

[Hanna]

I agree with everybody's comments. It is possible to have cheap Hawaii vacation if you carefully plan it and if you include a lot of outdoors activities, which are free.
My advise is to check into budget hotel, as all the luxury in Hawaii is residing outside under the blue sky - mountains, beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes etc.
Another tip is to use coupons to get discounted meals and activities.You can find them online or upon arrival in the tourists booklets at the airports and in the street stands..

[Cha of Vacation Rentals In Hawaii]

I echo your tip about saving money by doing things outdoors in Hawaii. I've lived on the mainland for a few years and I think the best thing about Hawaii is it's natural beauty! You cannot beat the weather, in my opinion, and the scenery of mountains, ocean, trees, blue skies, and sunsets.

With the "open air" feeling, visitors should picnic, relax at parks, beaches, etc. while vacationing in Hawaii. Even after living here most of my life, I still LOVE coming back to the trade winds, coconut trees, and sunsets. And, like you said, it's all FREE!