Hawaii visitors may need to brace for unexpected travel costs in 2025 as fast-paced economic and industry shifts greatly reshape cost. While airfare and hotel rates have always fluctuated, new pressures could impact what travelers pay. Unlike past years, when more predictable patterns allowed visitors to plan around seasonal price swings, the current landscape is proving more uncertain.
From airline seat availability to resort fees, and perhaps a sudden increase in the 18% accommodation tax, here’s what you can do to keep more money in your pocket.
Why Hawaii’s travel costs are becoming unpredictable.
The latest state forecast points to slower tourism growth, shifting demand patterns, and rising operational costs across multiple sectors.
One key factor is Hawaii’s ongoing labor shortage, which disrupts hotel, restaurant, and transportation services. These operational strains have led some businesses to introduce new fees or increase existing ones rather than lower base prices.
Additionally, Hawaii’s reliance on U.S. travelers remains unusually high due to the sluggish recovery of international markets, particularly Japan. Canadian travelers, who were already showing a decline before these economic shifts, may now be even less inclined to visit due to the current state of the economy and potential tariffs.
If American visitors reduce spending due to economic concerns, businesses may adjust pricing to compensate, resulting in higher travel costs.
Airfare surprises ahead.
Hawaii airfare pricing remains unpredictable due to airline restructuring at Alaska/Hawaiian, demand fluctuations, the industry’s masterful grip on pricing, and rising operational expenses. In the past, fare increases followed a clearly understood pattern tied to peak travel periods, but current trends are breaking from any tradition.
Recent changes in airline schedules have already impacted flight availability, with carriers including Southwest adjusting capacity and flights to balance costs. If economic factors lead to reduced travel demand, airlines may cut routes or reduce additional flight frequencies to make seats more expensive on remaining flights.
Your strategy to save on airfare: Continue to focus on booking during historically lower-priced travel windows. Mid-April through early June and mid-September through early November have traditionally offered the best savings, though this may not hold entirely in 2025. Track price trends and set alerts for deals through Google Flights or Hopper. It can help you find and lock in Hawaii flight savings before prices fluctuate.
The real cost of Hawaii accommodations.
Hotel and vacation rental pricing continues to evolve, and new trends suggest that visitors may be paying more than expected. While hotel base rates may appear stable, many properties are playing with alleged promotional rates like our recent article on the Grand Hyatt Kauai, or increasing fees in ways that aren’t immediately visible when booking.
Resort fees have become a standard practice. However, new charges continue to surface, including increased parking rates (we’ve paid as much as $69/day!), mandatory service fees, and added costs for previously included amenities. Even vacation rentals, which once provided an alternative to expensive resorts, are seeing increased cleaning and service fees that can significantly raise total Hawaii vacation costs. Honestly the pricing tricks are endless.
Your strategy to save on accommodations: To find the nightly rate, you must drill down to see total costs with all taxes and fees added. Some hotels and vacation rentals provide all-inclusive rates with fewer surprise charges, while others do not. Hotel prices fluctuate by island and you might find better savings by not being attached to a specific island. Another option is to travel with friends and family and split the vacation rental cost. As always, having a kitchen, refrigerator, and microwave will help you save on food. Some hotels offer microwaves on request, be sure to ask before booking.
Have you noted the latest trick on booking.com?
Have you noticed the latest trick on Booking.com? When you see a favorable rate for a cancellable, non-prepaid reservation, the price can suddenly jump just before payment—unless you opt to pay right away. However, this price increase isn’t revealed until you’re nearly ready to finalize the booking, not on the initial offer page.
Are visitor taxes/fees set to rise again?
State and county officials have increasingly turned to visitor-generated revenue to address budget shortfalls, and new fees may be on the horizon.
Hawaii’s occupancy tax is currently 18%, the highest in the U.S., and the state legislature is at this moment considering increasing it. Additionally, car rental taxes and state park entrance fees continue to rise, creating additional, unanticipated expenses for travelers.
Your strategy to save on taxes and fees: Most of this is out of your control, but needs to be factored into your total costs. Staying updated on fees and planning accordingly can help travelers avoid expenses. As you look for things to do, consider, for example, the savings of an all-inclusive travel pass offered on Oahu. On all islands, prioritize your list of must-do activities to stay within your budget.
By staying flexible and strategically planning, travelers can enjoy Hawaii without unexpected budget surprises. We invite your comments on how you plan to cope with rising costs.
UHEROForecastForTheStateOfHawaii25Q1Lead Photo Credit: Beat of Hawaii on the island of Molokai.
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Just keep in mind, as I’ve pointed out before, 50% of the country doesn’t have $400 in the bank. 70% can’t come up with $1000 unless they “beg, borrow, or steal” it… Simple numbers can explain a lot…
Best Regards
The easiest strategy of all is to draw a line in the sand, and say “enough “! We choose to visit a place primarily because it’s affordable and welcoming. Hawaii is neither, and there are many destinations that are a better choice now.
Decreased tourists will force airlines to give cheaper fares as this is their bread and butter. Local merchants will raise prices to obtain the profit margins required to pay their bills. This means less product to order and less stocking needed. IMO all in all the state will place pressure on establishments to raise prices to obtain some set sales tax/hotel tax monthly goals. The result unemployment payments still get paid so why work? Tourist’s suffer and less services offered. IMO Hawaii might be redeveloped with only country club’s and the rest is a huge set of golf courses.
Great article and advice Rob and Jeff but sorry didn’t mention the most important part. That is factor in a considerable amount for tips, tips and more tips. Aloha Spirit at it’s best.
If demand goes down how can prices go up? Given opec+ is raising oil production airfares should go down.
The state is again killing the Golden goose with trying to raise already highest occupancy taxes and going after stress. They need a reality check
That you can stay in Tahiti for way less then maui.
The labor shortage you refer to which impacts visitor costs – is that because there are physically not enough people to do the work, or there are not enough people who want to work? In the recent past, people have become accustomed to the government providing funds to the unemployed, so they feel it’s better to not work.
We’ve been coming to Hawaii (Big Island) since 2010. The costs have escalated significantly, especially since Covid (2020) – housing (condo rentals increase over 100% where one still pays the 18% tax), food (both in restaurants and stores), and fees (state parks and attractions). And there is no end in sight to the increases.
This is our last year. Europe, the Caribbean, or eastern US vacation spots would a lot better and cheaper overall. I feel sorry for the State of Hawaii. As costs and prices increase, less people visit, so they will increase everything again. Eventually everyone, except the waelthy will be able to exist.
Not going to hawaii At All seems like a great way to save money. Especially since hundred / thousands of Maui residents said they didn’t want us there on reddit after the fires. 🤷♂️
Baji, Mexico is another choice that is being filled by former Hawaii visitors. They are taking up the difference and are very competitive.