10 budget-friendly ways to explore Hawaii

There's a saying in Hawaii: paradise comes at a price. Among all US states, Hawaii had the highest cost of living in 2022, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. The median price for a single-family home on Oʻahu exceeds $1 million, and gas hovers around $5 per gallon.

However, there are numerous low-cost (and even free) ways to experience the best of the islands—pristine beaches, local cuisine, and breathtaking natural landscapes—allowing you to extend your stay and enjoy more. This guide on daily expenses in Hawaii, paired with essential tips for budget travelers, will help you save money.

As of November 1, 2023, all regions of Maui (except Lahaina) affected by the catastrophic wildfires in August are now open to visitors. Respectful travel is encouraged to support local businesses in Hawaii that depend heavily on tourism.

Consider a vacation in fall or spring

Hawaii is a year-round travel destination, which is great news for budget-conscious travelers. You can find discounted airfare and lodging during the quieter shoulder months—September and October, January and February, and April and May—helping you avoid the busy peak seasons like summer, winter, and spring break.

Be strategic about island-hopping...

Why limit yourself to just one island in Hawaii? If you're eager to explore more than one during your trip, look for affordable interisland airfare options.

Southwest Airlines sometimes offers one-way fares as low as $39, providing a no-frills experience without assigned seating. Mokulele Airlines operates Cessna 208EX Grand Caravans, accommodating up to nine passengers and flying into smaller airports, with round-trip tickets available for under $200 per person.

Travel tip: If you’re in Maui and wish to explore Lanaʻi, consider taking the Expeditions Maui-Lanaʻi Passenger Ferry. However, note that this service was heavily affected by the wildfires and is currently in the process of rebuilding. Fares start at $30 one way and the journey takes about an hour. Bonus: if you travel between islands from January to April, you might spot humpback whales along the route.

...Or you can simply choose to remain on one island

Island-hopping can get expensive due to extra airfare and accommodation costs. If you're not on Oʻahu, renting a car will likely be necessary, and rental prices can vary based on demand.

Staying on one island allows you to thoroughly explore its offerings. Oʻahu is lively, packed with restaurants, shopping spots, beaches, museums, and hiking trails. Maui is equally vibrant, featuring charming rural areas and picturesque towns like Hana and Makawao.

Among all the islands, Kauaʻi is the most relaxed, showcasing lush landscapes, stunning beaches, and a more tranquil lifestyle. Hawaiʻi Island, also known as the Big Island, features active volcanoes, expansive ranchlands, and the allure of old Hawaii.

Limit your car rental duration

While forgoing a car rental for your entire stay may save money, it can also restrict your experience. Even on Oʻahu, which has a solid public bus network, getting away from tourist hotspots to explore different neighborhoods and discover local eateries is essential to truly experiencing the islands like a local.

Rather than renting a car for your entire visit, think about hiring one for just a few days to keep your expenses under $100.

Utilize local ridesharing and rental options

All major islands offer ridesharing services like Uber and Lyft, with O‘ahu providing the best coverage. Additionally, there are emerging local services available.

In June 2021, Holoholo, a new ridesharing service, launched across Oʻahu, Maui, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi Island, and Lanaʻi, offering a diverse range of rides including hybrid, electric, and luxury vehicles, options with vaccinated drivers, and drivers approved for access to US military bases, along with services for those needing extra mobility assistance.

Fares are determined by distance and calculated upfront, with the ability to schedule rides in advance. Additionally, Turo has entered the Hawaii market, allowing you to rent vehicles directly from local owners at more affordable rates.

Hui Care Share is a round-trip, station-based car-sharing service available only on Oʻahu, allowing you to reserve a vehicle by the hour or day, either now or in advance. With 170 vehicles stationed at 65 locations throughout urban Honolulu – including downtown, Waikiki, Kakaʻako, Ala Moana, Mānoa, Kaimukī, and Ko Olina – this service includes gas, insurance, and roadside assistance at no extra cost.

Utilize public transportation

You can completely forgo cars and the hassle of parking by opting for public transportation instead.

On Oʻahu, you can use TheBus, a public bus system featuring a fleet of 542 buses that operate daily across 101 routes on the island. Adult fares are $3 (one way), payable in cash upon boarding, with discounted rates available for seniors aged 65 and over and youth aged 6 to 17. TheBus conveniently services many of the island’s top attractions, including Waikiki, Ala Moana Center, Bishop Museum, Kualoa Ranch, Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, Waimea Valley, and Hanauma Bay.

Maui also has a public bus system that provides service in various areas of the island, from Kaʻanapali to Upcountry.

Explore by bicycle

Another option for getting around Oʻahu is by bike using the island’s sole bikeshare program, Biki, which offers 1300 bikes at over 130 self-service Biki Stops throughout Honolulu.

This is a fantastic choice for quick trips to the beach or for grabbing lunch nearby. Rental fees are $4.50 for a single ride up to 30 minutes, $12 for unlimited rides within 24 hours, or $30 for 300 minutes that can be used in any combination throughout the year (the best value for an entire vacation stay).

Some beaches, hiking trails, and gardens in Hawaii do have entry fees.

Experience the highlights of Hawaii – its stunning beaches, lush gardens, parks, and hiking trails – without breaking the bank.

Most beaches in Hawaii are free and open year-round. However, some locations, such as Hanauma Bay on Oʻahu and Hāʻena State Park on Kauaʻi, require advance reservations and charge a small fee for visitors. The beautiful nature reserve at Hanauma Bay features an online reservation system, capping daily visitors at fewer than 800. The entrance fee is $25 per person (free for Hawaii residents and children under 12), plus $3 for parking ($1 for residents).

To access Hāʻena State Park, which features Kēʻē Beach and the beginning of the Kalalau Trail along the beautiful Nāpali Coast, you must make a reservation and pay a $5 entry fee along with a $10 parking fee (free for residents).

Although state-operated hiking trails are generally free, some require a small fee. Non-residents pay $5 to hike to the summit of Diamond Head (Lēʻahi in Hawaiian) on Oʻahu, plus $10 for parking (both fees payable by credit card only), or to enter the popular ʻIao Valley State Monument on Maui. Make sure to reserve your spot online in advance.

Most botanical gardens charge a small entrance fee, but some, like the well-loved city-run Hoʻomaluhia Botanical Garden on Oʻahu, are free to visit.

Savor affordable local dishes: bento boxes and poke bowls

While each island features upscale farm-to-table dining that can strain your budget, Hawaii is also celebrated for its hearty local fare. Plate lunches, bento (Japanese box meals), and poke bowls (seasoned cubed ahi served on rice) are widely available and budget-friendly.

Indulge in generous servings of teriyaki beef, shoyu chicken, or hamburger steak with gravy at famous drive-ins like Rainbow Drive-In on Oʻahu, Hawaiian Style Cafe on Hawaii Island, and Tin Roof on Maui.

Discover okazu-ya (Japanese deli-style restaurants) that offer à la carte portions of local favorites, such as shoyu pork, chow fun noodles, shrimp tempura, and musubi (rice balls). Notable spots include Kawamoto Store on Hawaii Island, Fukuya Deli on Oʻahu, Honokowai Okazuya & Deli on Maui, and Po’s Kitchen on Kauaʻi. Poke bowls are also widely available—affordable and satisfying meals even found at convenience stores.

Planning tip: If your vacation rental includes a kitchen, consider cooking your meals to save money. Visit one of the numerous farmers markets hosted by the Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau Federation or FarmLovers Markets. You'll meet local farmers, purchase fresh produce, and find artisan goods like jams, hot sauces, cookies, vinegars, and honey. Many markets also feature prepared food options.

Explore free and inexpensive activities and tours

You can fully engage with Hawaii’s vibrant culture without the cost of an extravagant lūʻau or helicopter ride by participating in free (or affordable) classes available in the area.

Numerous hotels and shopping centers provide free entertainment and workshops on cultural traditions, such as lei-making, ukulele strumming, and hula dancing. The Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki hosts all these activities, along with lauhala weaving and complimentary Hawaiian performances. Meanwhile, Kāʻanapali Beach Hotel by Outrigger in Maui offers guests free cultural classes at its Hale Hoʻokipa, where you can learn hula, make tapa cloth, restring kukui nut leis, pick up basic phrases in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (the Hawaiian language), and navigate using traditional techniques called pānānā.

On Oʻahu, you can rent surfboards at stands along Waikiki Beach for around $20, or opt for a lesson from a beach attendant for a bit more. Additionally, Surf in the City Waikiki offers rentals for surfboards, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, boogie boards with fins, snorkel gear, and more.

Consider self-guided tours to keep your expenses down. For instance, Hōlualoa Kona Coffee Company on Hawaiʻi Island provides free coffee-roasting tours and tastings for a nominal fee. You can leisurely explore the grounds of Kauaʻi Coffee Co, the largest coffee producer in the state, to learn about coffee's history in the islands.

For approximately $35, join a walking tour of Oʻahu’s historic Chinatown with the Hawaiʻi Heritage Center. This tour delves into the neighborhood's rich history, the story of Chinese immigration to Hawaii, and local architecture. The fee covers gallery admission, visits to culturally and historically significant sites, and tastings from local shops and eateries.

Planning tip: Download the Shaka Guide app for self-guided GPS audio tours of popular attractions throughout the islands. Tours include the Road to Hana on Maui, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park on Hawaiʻi Island, and Waimea Canyon on Kauaʻi. Each tour is available for $20 and can be used offline.

An overview of daily expenses in Hawaii

Hostel accommodations: $40 to $150 per night Standard room for two: $150 to $300 per night Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): $80 (for a private room) to $6,000 per night (the same location where President Obama stayed in Kailua) Public transport fare: Adult tickets on TheBus in Oʻahu are $3 (one way), with discounted rates for seniors 65 and older and youth aged 6 to 17. Coffee: $2.25 (for hot coffee at Starbucks) to $12.50 (for Kona Estate coffee brewed fresh using the Chemex pour-over at Honolulu Coffee) Sandwich: $7 (from Andy’s Sandwiches & Smoothies) to $13 (at Sprout Sandwich Shop) Dinner for two: $50 to $500 Beer/pint at a bar: $7 to $12