As we transition from summer into a much slower fall travel season here in Hawaii and elsewhere, there’s promising news for travelers wanting to explore the islands. The post-pandemic surge in travel demand appears to be fast-slowing, creating a more favorable environment for those seeking affordable Hawaii vacations.
While luxury experiences continue to attract some high-income travelers, many consumers are already scaling back on their travel expenditures due to economic pressures. This shift leads to more competitive Hawaii airfares, and hotel deals too should be just around the corner.
Airfare deals to Hawaii: this fall may just be perfect.
If you’ve been thinking of a Hawaii vacation, this week’s trends reflect noticeable decreases in Hawaii airfare prices. Airlines have lower flight costs on popular routes to Honolulu, Maui, Kona, and Kauai.
For example, round-trip flights from Los Angeles to Honolulu dropped this week to the $250 RT range, which is just one of many examples. San Diego and San Jose departures also feature aggressive pricing for fall.
Some routes, like San Jose to Kona, are now priced at just over $200 RT. Even distant departure cities like Houston and Atlanta start at about $350 RT.
These sales are just now popping up on all the airlines flying to Hawaii. We suggest checking Google Flights for your city pairs, preferred airlines, and to find availability and shop for the best prices.
This trend of lower Hawaii airfare is set to continue throughout the fall, if not longer.
Hotels in Hawaii: fall discounts and perks lie just ahead.
While base rates for hotels in Hawaii have not seen any notable reductions yet, which is a source of frustration for many, there are strong and encouraging signs that those are also on the horizon. Hawaii hotels, particularly those aligned with loyalty programs, are already starting this trend by offering favorable point conversion bookings, free breakfasts, and upgrades.
Hawaii vacation rentals are under pressure too. That is the result of multiple factors, not the least of which is Maui trying to eliminate some 7,000 of them. These will offer favorable deals and overall good value too.
Flexibility always pays off big: last-minute spontaneous Hawaii travel.
Hawaii travelers are continuing the trend of waiting until much closer to their travel dates to finalize plans. Depending on what availability is left, this can lead to substantial savings on both flights and accommodations. It’s a smart, calculated risk.
Overall, Fall 2024 may be shaping up as the first golden time to travel to Hawaii in quite a while.
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Laura’s – Southwest just came out with a free companion fare if booked by 9/5 and travel by 11/20 roundtime
I am going to the Big Island Oct. 13 – Oct. 27 and I have not booked my flight from Boston yet. Based on your article above, should I wait a little longer before booking? I have not seen anything with good flight times for less than $1100 – $1200…which is not a great price in my opinion. I am getting nervous that if I wait too much longer, I will pay much more than that. Any suggestions?
As a way to show show how a ticompetive as ha merger airfares out of tbe pnw areway higer then the deals you mentio ed.
How maui eliminati g 7000 rentals and therefore going to create a man made shirfage which will lead to price hikes in any way go for tourists? This will shift / slipp on to other islands.
Thanks for the heads up on this sale. I just got a good deal on our next trip to Hawaii! I appreciate all your tips and news updates.
Prices go down a lot slower than they go up.
Unfortunately the government at all levels make it difficult to do business of any kind. The government complains there is not affordable housing being built but affordable housing requires a government/Private partnership but developers can’t trust anyone in the government so their won’t be affordable housing in Hawaii in Hawaii.
In general it is very difficult to do business in all of Hawaii because of the government.
Going to HNL for 3 weeks in Dec/Jan. Really not a lot of downwards movement in prices that I can detect. A lot of businesses still closing though, the cost of doing business in Hawaii is steadily killing off not only a lot of remaining old line mom and pops but also many national brands as well. Particularly chain restaurants which are leaving the islands in a general exodus due to labor shortages, costs, and regulations.
Great to hear that some of the costs for visitors to Hawaii are coming down. We arrived in Kauai 2 days ago for a 3+ week stay at one of the major time shares on the island. Went out to get some groceries at the major chain store on the island, and nearly staggered when I arrived at the milk cooler. Prices per gallon ranged from $7.99 to well over $10! Stopped at Bubba’s the local hamburger chain to find the single paddy burger is $7.50. Even if you get a cheap flight, be sure to bring your fully stocked wallet!
Mahalo for your great service to all of us on the email list.
Hi Gary.
Our best to both of you!
Aloha.
I have been checking daily rates at our favorite condo in Wailua
and they haven’t come down at all.
Ala Moana Hotel at $575/night! Cheaper airfare will not offset that.
Get to Maui in Sept and October. Lots of vacancies and the locals need your support. They want you there.
Thanks! Just booked end of Sept to end of Oct San Jose to Kona for $201 on Hawaiian.
Flights aren’t the problem. A quick check at The Grand Wailea for our dates results in a room rate of over $1,000 / night Before resort fees, taxes, parking and Valet (easily a couple hundred bucks per day). Saving $100 bucks on the flight doesn’t offset outrageous hotel rates.
We’ll be looking elsewhere (Mexico, Caribbean, etc) Hawaii is lovely, but has prices itself beyond reason.
BoH, Many thanks for your information. Wailea condos have the same beaches as the Wailea hotels, are typically 1/2 the price and provide more space including a full kitchen in case you don’t want to pay hotel restaurant rates for food.
I haven’t seen these deals. The prices I see are higher.
What about renting a vacation home instead of a hotel? Do you have any tips on finding good rates on those in Hawaii?
This push for more visitors is more mixed messaging. On one hand, Hawaii wants to promote sustainable tourism, but on the other hand, they’re pushing for more people to come with these deals. Which is it?
Not impressed. Even with these flight deals, Hawaii is still way more expensive than other places. Lets see what the hotels really do.
Hotels perks instead of price cuts – just another marketing trick. I’d rather get a discount than a free bottle of champagne or whatever.
What about cruises? Do you think they’ll be on sale too?
Great timing on this one! I was just looking for a spontaneous fall getaway, and will check to see if I can make this work to Hawaii. Thanks.
Ahh, this is great news!!!
Already booked outbound flights for Feb 2025 for my family of 5, and hotel for 5 nights on Waikiki.
2nd hotel stay (hopefully North Shore or another island) and return flight bookings are in limbo due to resorts keeping booking discounts within fall travel time frames. Would Love to book with some of these current discounts, but for the Feb 2025 timeframe. Not sure that will happen, though.
Same! Going to Kauai in February and hoping for lower airfare then.
Hawaii’s super high prices, anti tourism sentiment and Lahaina burning to the ground is sending tourists to other destinations where the locals appreciate the tourists dollars coming into their economies. The airlines, with Alaska taking over Hawaiian and Southwest revamping the their whole program will soon be charging much higher rates than we have ever seen, further putting downward pressure on the Hawaiian economic future.