Updated December 2019. Frugal Hawaii may not seem like words that go together, but they certainly do in 2020! And still, it’s always easy to get caught in Hawaii’s tourism money trap. We’re here to say there are so many creative ways that run the gamut to help you reduce costs.
We like to make it all a game instead of a burden, while saving on airfare, accommodations, ground transportation and activities. Below you will find just updated tips and tricks that may be new to you. We look forward to more ideas from our savvy readers like you. Also, if you don’t already, subscribe to our free email updates and never miss a Hawaii deal.
1. Ride the “Southwest Effect.” With Southwest Hawaii flights ever expanding, airfare to Hawaii has never, repeat never been cheaper. Competition with Hawaiian Airlines is fierce, as is also the case with Alaska Airlines and others. Last week alone we had fares as low as $77 each way!
2. Travel during the off-season when you can. One of our perennial top tips. Even coming to Hawaii at the shoulder seasons, like late summer instead of mid-summer, will result in far lower costs across the board, plus reduced crowding. The most expensive times to visit Hawaii are over the Christmas holidays, followed by summer (June 15 to early August), then spring break.
3. Plan far ahead for peak seasons or be spontaneous and wait for Hawaii deals. Everything you might want to know and more is found in our Cheapest Time to Fly to Hawaii post series.
4. Consider travel insurance, whether or not you eventually buy. Do not purchase through an airline, tour company or cruise ship. Read how travel insurance just saved us $600. Start shopping within a few days of making your first trip reservation as waiting can result in reduced coverage options. Consider how much money is at risk (think non-cancellable) and how much you are willing to lose in the event of a trip cancellation, early termination or loss of luggage. Shop around for the best insurance for your specific needs and do not buy on a whim. You need to do your homework to avoid throwing away money and perhaps even then not getting the coverage you need.
5. Be creative in buying Hawaii activities. Go to the vendors’ website and you may find online deals for a direct booking. We have seen this many times for boat tours and restaurants. Read how we saved $144 each and had a blast using the Go Oahu card.
6. If you’re coming here to celebrate a special event, be sure to mention this. Birthdays, honeymoons and anniversaries may all qualify for that potential upgrade or other perk. Keep in mind, however, that it doesn’t always work, and it has been tried oh so many times.
7. Check restaurant websites and Yelp too. Many restaurants have discounted menus on certain days of the week or for early dining. We’ve also found discounts and freebies for Hawaii restaurants on Yelp.
8. How far are you willing to drive to save money on airfare? Consider neighbor airports to you. One example is San Jose and another is San Diego. Both frequently have great Hawaii deals on airfare when compared with neighboring airports. It doesn’t always work, but it is certainly worth checking.
9. Plan a 7-Day Cruise on NCL Pride of America. Another personal favorite we never tire of. See four islands and have your meals and accommodations covered in one price. The food is very good overall, by the way, and we’re not easy to please.
10. In Honolulu, if you aren’t going to rent a car, consider in advance how to get from the airport into town. The Bus is definitely the cheapest way at $2.75 if you don’t have over sized luggage. Or buy an all-day pass for just $5.50. There will be a rail system in the near future. Otherwise, our unequivocal pick is Uber (which can now pick up and drop off at airports). Alternatively there are many choices of taxis, shuttles or tour buses, none of which come totally cheap.
11. Car rental prices can be all over the map. Look at our guide to save money on 2020 Hawaii car rentals. And by the way, don’t forget to check the gas. Our recent rental came to us with a nearly empty tank, but we were so busy looking for dings that we forgot to check the gas until well after we’d left the rental lot. Ugg.
12. Travel with a nylon duffel bag. Especially if you’re traveling with only a carry-on, this can be helpful when buying too much on your Hawaii vacation and are needing to check a bag on the return.
13. Hawaii is replete with wonderful and abundant free activities. Take advantage of them from hiking to beaches to incredible Hawaii sunsets and more.
14. Purchase a buffet breakfast at your hotel. Many Hawaii hotels offer lavish buffets where you can eat enough to only need to buy dinner. Find out in advance what’s offered. When purchased with a room rate, these can often be had at about half the cost of buying them at the restaurant once you’ve arrived.
15. Please share your best Frugal Hawaii tips!
Updated 12/23/19.
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Lucy says
What is the cost of admission to state parks on O’ahu?
KENNETH M says
We will be vacationing in Hawaii from 9/14/20 to 9/24/20.. when is the best time to look for airfare from NY. My wife would like to fly Hawaii Air. As of now round trip is 806$.Is this A good price or do you think it will drop?
Mazie B. says
We are planning a family trip during Christmas 2020. There could be up to 10 of us all adults. We are thinking Airbnb house, what’s the best/cheapest island to do this on to get the most out of our stay. We all want to visit pearl harbor, snorkel, surf, and hike. We were wondering if there are all inclusive vacations or just go with Airbnb in which we could eat 2-3 meals at the house.
Do flights ever go on sale? meaning is there a time in which the flights are best price for booking during Christmas?
Jess says
Hi there,
My extended family and I are planning to go to Kauai in August 2020 for a week. We will be flying from Toronto. When would it be a good time to book tickets? Also would it be cheaper to fly directly to Kauai or to the mainland and then catch a inter island flight. We’re also thinking about staying a week on the big island. Please advise the best way to book the tickets.
Thanks,
Jess
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Jess.
Book perhaps 3 months in advance and expect to pay no more than $500 RT midweek starting the second week of August. No savings by booking multiple tickets. You can fly into Kauai and out of Kona.
Aloha.
kiawe says
Hi! If you are coming from the mainland, and you can’t get away without at least one checked bag, consider making it a squashable duffel. Unless you are visiting someplace that needs some formality, Hawaii is fairly laid back about dress codes; we tend to bring a few things on vacation we can discard, which gives us more room for souvenirs, and the duffel can easily roll up and be packed itself. At the end of the trip, mail back some things; you can cram a lot into a large size flat rate box, and the USPS will deliver to your door so you won’t have to wait at baggage claim.
Dan M. says
I know that on Maui Costco sells gas typically $.60 or $.70 a gallon less than other gas stations.
Janes B. says
I agree about Costco !!
Donna says
Hello from the cold Canadian Prairies! Thank you so much for sharing so much information on this site – I just booked our flights to Oahu for the end of January and I’m SO excited! I am having a really hard time figuring out accomodation though – it’s a lot more expensive (even the VRBO’s and AirBnB’s and Bed & Breakfasts) than I had expected. Are there usually post-Christmas sales on hotels or is black friday a good time to book? Is it safe to leave it last minute and hope for a last minute sale or can I run the risk of paying even more? Thank you so much for any insight you could provide!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Donna.
Cyber Monday is a possibility, but we don’t expect to see significant discounting at that time, due to high demand. One other constraining factor is the issue with Airbnb rentals on Oahu, and many have been removed from the listings.
Aloha.
terri s. says
Don’t stay right on the water. Stay a couple of blocks away and mountain view is ALWAYS cheaper.
Karen Z. says
Help! Is it true that home rentals like AirBnB and VRBO are no longer legal so we have to get a hotel? We are planning a January trip. Thanks for any info.
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Karen.
Not true at all. Just needs to be a legal rental. Look for vacation rental number. Should not be any issue.
Aloha.
Linda F says
I am thinking of going to Hawaii in the next couple of years. I am wondering since I am a big cruiser would it not be cost effective to fly into San Francisco or San Diego and take a cruise to Hawaii. The cruise is your hotel and food all in one and they stop at multiple islands where you can get off or take one of their excursions.
terri s. says
They give you limited time on each island and sometimes it may take a full day for a particular excursion like on Oahu going to the North Shore you have to consider traffic and it’s a long day if you also want to visit Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach too. Or on Maui the Hana Trip and Haleakala Crater
Lisa says
I had a friend who did a cruise through the islands, she loved it. Me, I prefer a land based vacation, with a home to stay in. It really depends on your preference. Having lived in Hawaii in the past, when I returned, my choice was definitely to plan my own vacation using AirBNB and VRBO to stay in areas I wanted to revisit.
daniele says
Question please. I plan on going to Hawaii in December 2019 with my 3yr old granddaughter to visit my son and his wife. I’m not sure if the island yet because they won’t be there until July 2019. I want to go first class only and would like to know the best airlines to go with and the best times to find seats for the trip. Help Please,
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Daniele.
It all depends on where you will be flying from. For first class, price is not going to vary by waiting so you can start that process right now. Also, 2nd half of December is especially pricey due to holidays.
Aloha.
aaron d. says
Hi! Needing advice please. My wife and I are planning on celebrating our 10yr anniversary to Hi. We will be traveling roundtrip from ATL to Maui (OGG) around the 3rd week of sept 2019. We have done extensive research on your site (thx) and others. We are waiting on southwest to start their sale to Hi so we havent bought any tickets yet. Here are a few things we need help in?
1. Best/cheapest way to fly roundtrip from ATL? Will there be a cheaper option than southwest?
2.Best/cheapest way to stay there? Should we buy a vacation package from Costco/other retailers including airfare or should we book airfare and lodging separately?
3. Is it better/cheaper to book a condo, hotel, VRBO/AirBNB? Looking for a very nice/unique fun place to stay
4. Ideas/tips of renting car? Do they UBER in Maui?
5. Ideas/tips on taking short term trips (24-48 hrs) to other islands? Is it better to fly or take ferry?
6. which Island(s) would be best to visit via ferry from Maui
7. Any other ideas you can give us to enjoy the islands frugally?
I know its a lot of questions but any help would be greatly appreciated.
thanks
Aaron D
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Aaron.
1. Southwest with a connection is one way. Other airlines will respond to SW so keep that in mind and check others too once SW announces.
2. Costco or other packages won’t save you money, but you may find them more convenience. It depends on how you like to do things. Do you want to control each element or do you prefer the package concept of buying it all in once place?
3. We greatly prefer vacation rentals to hotels for all but the briefest of stays. Especially in Hawaii. It also saves money since you’ll have a kitchen and probably laundry and parking too.
4. You need a car on Maui. Read our post on car rentals for more ideas.
5. There’s only one ferry and that’s from Maui to Lanai. Otherwise, stay put as changing islands is expensive and sucks up a minimum of 1/2 day in each direction.
6. Answered above.
7. Do look at our guidebook suggests. That will really help you navigate the islands and not miss anything.
Aloha.
Lisa says
Costco package certainly saved me $ so there’s that!
Janes B says
I agree about Costco !!
Gary B says
This will be our third trip in two years to Hawaii all based on Beat of Hawaii flight tips! We’ve saved hundreds. Mahalo!!
February we travel to the Garden Island for the second time and was excited to read your “reviews” of the best luaus. Disappointed to read about only one. Seems like a pay for play instead of an unbiased review. Did I miss something?
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Gary.
We have no recommendation or affiliation regarding any luau and to be honest we don’t even like them. Maybe once in a lifetime.
Suggest you check out luau’s on Kauai Revealed.
Aloha.
suzy says
we DO like luaus and enjoyed both the Old Lahaina Luau and the other one we saw (sorry, forgot the name). I am a tourist and i LIKE touristy things.