7 easy ways I save money traveling around the Islands and elsewhere.
Here’s what I’m doing to save money as I travel. I’m now thinking more about what I really need while traveling and what I can live without.
1. Pass on Hotel Internet Service and my laptop. Daily Savings: $13 on average.
You may find that you have more free time by staying less connected on a vacation. I’m now toting my iPhone 3GS instead of a laptop or netbook. That helps with luggage issues as well. It’s unbelievable to me that many hotels still charge for daily Internet service.
2. Find Cheap Parking. Save $17 daily in Honolulu for example.
Time is a valuable commodity. If I can’t find a cheap parking spot, I’ll let the hotel win instead of circling around the block for a half hour each time I go out. Before I surrender, I check my options.
In Honolulu, the zoo parking lot is no longer 25 cents an hour so I’ll try the Waikiki Shell parking lot for free if there’s space. Another option is parking along Ala Wai Blvd where there are no meters (almost impossible at night).
Frugal Hawaii travelers who plan to stay mostly in Waikiki and Honolulu can skip parking fees and just take the bus.
3. No Checked Luggage. Save $10 per bag, per person (inter-island).
Even in Hawaii inter-island travel, two of the three carriers already charge for the first bag and Hawaiian will soon follow. With all the things I’m leaving out of the luggage, I’m just doing carry-on.
4. Reduced Hotel Quality: Definitely not necessary!!! Savings: $125 per day, on average.
This is perhaps the best news for me, as I really like to stay in great hotels. I’m either using Priceline or negotiating directly with the hotels I’m considering (usually via telephone). What I used to pay $200+ a night for, I’m now paying an average of $75.
5. Restaurant Meals Reduced. Daily Savings: $40 per person.
I’ve cut out more than half and saved big-time (while eating much healthier). I hit the grocery store and tote a standard kit of basic kitchen tools for the hotel room. When I take my meals out, I’m eating where the locals do. One example is my recent review of Honolulu’s Nico’s at Pier 38. Instead of $50 for dinner, I’m spending less than $20.
6. Cheaper Rental Car. Daily Savings: $30 on average.
I don’t need a Jeep or SUV. Usually I opt for a mid-size or compact instead. I compulsively check all the available codes or use Priceline to find the best deal. A week before my trip I check the rates again in case there’s something better.
7. Shopping: Buy Less and Pay Less.
It’s still fun to shop when traveling for a plethora of reasons. I’m shamelessly negotiating the price of virtually everything except groceries. My lastest deal was at Nordstrom’s shoe department at Ala Moana, where a quick comparison check on the iPhone found the same shoes for 30 percent less elsewhere. Nordstrom quickly matched the price.
My question to you: What are you doing to spend less (while enjoying more) in your travels?
Elina (2 years ago)
The Zoo parking is now 25 cents per 15 minutes. It costs a $1 to park for one hour. But parking across the street at Kapiolani Park is still free.
James (2 years ago)
We recently took advantage of the kama’aina special at the Sheraton Kapiolani, one advantage of which was free parking. (A $20 a day savings.)
I wonder if a call to the hotel would get the same discount for non-kama’aina?
Jeff (2 years ago)
Thanks for the comments!
James, I think your idea is brilliant. Find the Kama’aina (Hawaii resident) rate, and call the hotel. I’m betting you can get it no matter where you live.
Aloha, Jeff
Colleen (2 years ago)
We save a BUNDLE on food by ‘sharing’ meals and dessert. Most portions in most restaurants are huge and we manage to eat very well for much less that way.
My idea of a vacation is NOT cooking or packing picnic lunches – I want to eat GREAT food at GREAT restaurants and be waited on. We can do that and not break the bank by sharing.
We have done this for several years. Don’t be afraid to ask if it is ok – so far, we have had no problems at all. We also tip ‘generously’ – especially if they split the meal in the kitchen! That way the wait staff doesn’t feel like they have lost out because we have spent less.
We also eat a large breakfast (depending on where we are and what we order – we often share this meal as well) and can usually skip lunch altogether and then enjoy (split again) a nice dinner and dessert.
This works for us! This way, we enjoy nicer restaurants without spending a fortune and we have also managed NOT to gain weight while on vacation – an added bonus :0)