1. Ride The Bus for $2 each from Airport to Waikiki.
When it was standing room only I told Jeff to meditate on how much money we saved. We eliminated the cost of hotel parking ($15-$20 per day), rental car and gas. Honolulu is congested and parking not easy to find.
You can bring 1 suitcase to place on your lap or under your seat. Bus 19 or 20 will get you from the Airport to Waikiki. Frequent riders can buy a 4-day bus pass for $20 at all Waikiki ABC stores.
Another option is to rent a car in Waikiki for a day to explore Oahu and take The Bus for your local travel.
You’re not a good fit for The Bus if….you want to make an entrance at your hotel, plan to spend most of your time outside of Honolulu or travel with heavy luggage.
2. Skip the expensive boat excursions.
Try an Outrigger Canoe ride instead for $15. It’s a great way to get exercise and see Waikiki from the ocean. Everyone paddles hard and then raises their arms in glory to enjoy the rush of riding a wave.
3. Take in some free Hawaii culture.
Borders at Waikiki -Ward Centre, features Hawaiian music entertainers some evenings during the month.
The Hawai’i State Art Museum is free during the week. Bus 2, 13 or Route B will get you there.
Honolulu Academy of Art is free the first Wednesday and third Sunday of each month. Take bus 2 or 13.
Ala Moana Center Stage has a full schedule of entertainment.
Mana Hawai`i features authentic art and crafts produced in Hawaii. Check out their free cultural programs. Located at the new Waikiki Beach Walk on Lewers Street.
4. Consider a non-oceanfront hotel for the best buy.
We liked our stay at Hotel Equus which included breakfast, Internet and computer. Rooms start at under $100 a night.
5. Save on food.
We shopped ABC Superette for lunch supplies. An inexpensive dinner option is the 24 hour Wailana Coffee House (across from the Hilton Hawaiian Village). For $11.50 I had a fresh Ahi dinner with salad bar. Both located on Ala Moana Boulevard.
Now that we’ve shared our ideas with you, please tell us how you saved money in Waikiki.
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