How far out should you book a flight to Hawaii?
On average, the best time to buy your ticket to Hawaii is between 21 and 121 days before departure, with the period between 40 and 50 days often mentioned as a golden rule. The figures mentioned above are valid for domestic flights within the USA.
As a rule of thumb, book early - no later than 2-3 months before you go! It's not uncommon for the Best Accommodations in Hawaii to get booked quickly, especially during the summer months over holidays.
April thru June and mid-August thru mid-September are Hawaii's "low seasons," and airfares are lower then. No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.
The best time to book a flight is one to three months before your departure for domestic airline tickets and two to eight months prior for international flights, according to Scott's Cheap Flights. “We call these the 'Goldilocks windows,'” says Keyes. “Not too early, not too late—just right in the middle.”
Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be June and July. The cheapest month to fly to Hawaii is January.
Time your booking right
“For international flights — [it's] four to 10 months.” If you're traveling during an off-peak season, you're going to want to look at airfares one to three months in advance for domestic flights, and two to eight months ahead of the flight for international trips.
January, February, September, and October have the fewest people on the Hawaiian Islands. To avoid the crowds, these months are the best time to visit Hawaii. September and October are the least crowded as visitor counts drop to the islands after Labor Day.
Oahu (Honolulu) and Maui (Kahului) tend to be the two cheapest Hawaiian airports to fly into from the continental United States, but this may not be the case for your particular route. Always compare airports and consider tailoring your vacation itinerary if a different arrival airport offers better savings.
The average cost of a one week trip to Hawaii is $4000. Accommodation in Hawaii is the most expensive cost at an average of $275/night. Flights range from $500-$1000 roundtrip, and the average food and drink cost is almost $100/day. How much should you save for a trip to Hawaii?
Flights to Hawaii are more reasonable midweek
To get the best airfare prices, look to fly on Tuesday and Wednesdays. All summer long, midweek flights are a better price.
What is the slowest month in Hawaii?
According to their forecast, January, February, May, September and October are slower times to travel to Hawaii. Their forecast shows the busiest months for the islands are in April, June, July, November and December.
The best time to visit Hawaii is between March and September. This is when the islands see the highest temperatures and the lowest amount of rain. It's the perfect time to enjoy the beach or the water.
Specifically, plane tickets usually don't get cheaper closer to the departure date. Instead, flights tend to be the most inexpensive when you book between four months and three weeks before your departure date.
When searching for a great travel deal, it's best to search both logged in and anonymously to compare all the deals, because it can make a difference — but not a significant difference. Flight prices can vary based on the day and time at which you perform your search.
Tuesdays and Wednesdays are the cheapest days to fly domestically. The cheapest days to depart if you're flying within the U.S. are midweek — generally Tuesday or Wednesday. For economy tickets, Tuesdays are about 24% lower than peak prices on Sundays, which translates to savings of about $85 per ticket.
Hawaii is a stunning location with plenty of fun things to do, no matter which island you visit. If you're in the market for a beachy, relaxing vacation, you may want to head to Maui. Otherwise, consider Honolulu for its abundance of hotels, things to do and plentiful flight connections to other U.S. cities.
While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.
Due to the abundance of hotels, activities, tours, and attractions, Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit. Between the competitive prices and myriad of things to do, those looking for a budget vacation to Hawaii will find that Oahu is exactly what they've been searching for.
“In 2023, we expect that [trend] to reverse and year-over-year fares to fall,” Keyes said, pointing to Federal Reserve data indicating recent, modest drops in airfare—a shift that comes as airlines have begun to add more flights, fueling competition.
The general rule is that for domestic flights, travelers should start searching for flight tickets one to three months in advance. For international flights, the best prices are typically available from two to eight months in advance. But with gas prices this volatile, waiting to buy can have its benefits, too.
Should I book my flight 6 months in advance?
Generally, you should book domestic flights one to four months in advance. For international flights, you should book at least six months in advance. You'll want to give yourself more time for research for the latter than when traveling on domestic itineraries.
Molokai is the least visited island of Hawaii. With about 65,000 visitors, the island attracts only a fraction of all the tourists that visit the island group each year. The island is more rural and doesn't have resorts. Molokai is most definitely a destination off the beaten path.
Kauai is the Best Island for Secret Beaches + Fewer Crowds. Kauai is the best place to go in Hawaii if you're a nature lover… those who aren't looking for top tier resorts, restaurants, or night life. Still, there are plenty of excellent activities on Kauai.
Most visitors travel during breaks, so summer and mid-spring are busy. But the busiest time in Hawaii is actually winter – specifically the last two weeks of December through early January – as people are fleeing cold climates for sunny beaches and warm weather.
Most visitors arrive in Kona. There is also the option of flying into Honolulu International Airport (HNL) on Oʻahu first and then taking a short, 35-40 minute flight to the island of Hawaiʻi.
Oahu Brings the Best of City Life and Country Living
Oahu is the most popular first stop for most visitors, due in part to the higher number of nonstop flights into Honolulu from international and Mainland U.S. cities.
The average price of a 7-day trip to Hawaii is $2,023 for a solo traveler, $2,986 for a couple, and $4,371 for a family of 4. Hawaii hotels range from $96 to $433 per night with an average of $177, while most vacation rentals will cost $270 to $810 per night for the entire home.
In 2021 the same trip cost $8,914. The price increased 37 percent in 2022 to $12,239 as demand for Hawaii vacations surged once travel restrictions ended. How does the cost of a Hawaii vacation measure up in 2023? A 10-day trip to Hawaii in June 2023 for a family of four is quoted to cost $13,493.
For a one week trip, that means you'll spend anywhere from $350 to $1000 per week. Just remember that if you do choose to get a car rental in Hawaii, you'll need to be aware of parking fees. Parking fees around the cities cost just a few dollars per hour.
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Total Cost for a 10-day Trip to Hawaii.
| Category | Cost |
|---|---|
| Airfare | $3,600 |
| Accommodation | $6,000 |
| Transportation | $ 900 |
| Food | $2,500 |
What time of day are flights cheaper?
If you are committed to getting the cheapest airfare possible, what time of the day to buy your ticket also matters. Online research has shown that the answer to when are flights cheapest to book on any given day is around 05:00. So, set the alarm, and get up early for that flight deal.
While airfare prices fluctuate based on when you book, midweek travel is likely cheaper than flying on weekends. “Travelers who fly midweek, usually Wednesday, can save an average of $56 per ticket on domestic airfare throughout the year,” according to Hopper data.
If it's your first trip to Hawaii
Chances are, the Big Island of Hawaii has everything you're looking for. But depending on what you want to do, one of the other islands accessible from the mainland — Maui, Oahu or Kauai — could be a better fit.
Hawaii has a dry season (April to October) and a rainy season (November to March). However, even the rainy season can be relatively dry when many parts of Hawaii suffer drought conditions.
August is usually the warmest month in Hawaii. The average high is 90 degrees and the average low is 75 degrees. The average precipitation is just above 1 1/4 inches of rain over the month. August sees some of the peak season traffic that June and July do, but it starts to drop off.
2. Booking too early (or too late) The belief that you can find the best rate by buying flights as early as possible is outdated. You can book flights 11 months prior to departure, but Hopper's Chief Data Scientist Patrick Surry warns that this isn't the time to book if you want the lowest ticket price.
- Check the cheapest days to fly out. ...
- Check which locations are on offer. ...
- Use flight price search engines. ...
- Book through travel agents for students. ...
- Last-minute deals aren't always cheaper so book early. ...
- Beware of extra costs on budget airlines. ...
- Go incognito when booking flights.
Is Hopper legit? Yes, it is! So, the Hopper app is definitely legit. And it's one of the best tools to find great deals on flights and hotels.
Whenever possible, beginning planning 6-12 months in advance will give you time to find the best prices on airfare, lodging, and activities without the stress. If you're planning a shorter, more spontaneous trip, don't panic! Planning 1-3 months in advance should be plenty for less elaborate and inexpensive getaways.
Searches don't affect prices
There's a persistent myth out there that you need to clear your cookies or search in incognito mode when looking for flights.
Do airline prices change at midnight?
Tuesday Around Midnight is the Cheapest Time to Book
However, this is only applicable to about 1.6% of U.S. markets, meaning that it's not likely you'll find the same savings on your specific route. And midnight later in the week actually gets more expensive. So put the "always book at midnight" myth to bed.
According to Skyscanner's research, the best time to book on any given day is around 5 a.m. So, it's true that the early bird gets the worm. Or, the flight deal, that is. In addition, whether you want to save on domestic or international flights, you should also fire up your laptop on Sunday.
For the past four years, Sunday has been the best day of the week to book flights. Another recent study done by Google found that flight prices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays were 1.9% cheaper on average than flights on Saturdays and Sundays.
All of the islands have so much to offer, and it is important to make sure you have time to take full advantage of this paradise. While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation.
The average cost of a one week trip to Hawaii is $4000. Accommodation in Hawaii is the most expensive cost at an average of $275/night. Flights range from $500-$1000 roundtrip, and the average food and drink cost is almost $100/day.
Our advice here will help you with your Maui trip planning. We recommend booking six months in advance to secure the best prices for rental cars and hotels. Plus, you will be able to pick your preferred hotel room for the dates you want. Things do sell out on Maui so book ahead for peace of mind.
Most wedding planning timelines recommend that you start booking things for your honeymoon about 6 months before you plan to leave on vacation. If you are choosing Hawaii as your romantic honeymoon destination, these islands will most definitely not disappoint!
How many days are enough in Hawaii? While you might never want to leave Hawaii, usually people plan to stay 7-10 days during their vacation to Hawaii. That gives enough time to get over jet lag, participate in a few scheduled activities, explore the Hawaiian island a bit, and have time to relax and unwind.
So, as you might imagine, it's tough to condense it down into merely 4 days on Oahu. However, 4 days is certainly enough to get the best out of a trip to Oahu. Limiting your time to 4 days in Oahu can give many travelers extra time to explore Maui and the gorgeous Haleakala National Park or the big island of Hawaii.
The average price of a 7-day trip to Hawaii is $2,023 for a solo traveler, $2,986 for a couple, and $4,371 for a family of 4. Hawaii hotels range from $96 to $433 per night with an average of $177, while most vacation rentals will cost $270 to $810 per night for the entire home.
How much should I budget per day in Hawaii?
You should plan to spend around $342 per day on your vacation in Hawaii, which is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors. Past travelers have spent, on average, $77 on meals for one day and $37 on local transportation. Also, the average hotel price in Hawaii for a couple is $427.
Due to the abundance of hotels, activities, tours, and attractions, Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit. Between the competitive prices and myriad of things to do, those looking for a budget vacation to Hawaii will find that Oahu is exactly what they've been searching for.
Maui Accommodations & Rates
If you're looking for the best deals on accommodations, spring and fall are the cheapest months to visit the island because demand is down. This means the island is less crowded as well, which is another benefit of visiting during these months.
How Many Days on Maui. You will never want to leave Maui, and there are enough beaches, hikes, road trips and adventures to easily fill a week or more on the island. At a minimum, though, I recommend three days on Maui if you are island hopping or five days on Maui if this is your only stop.
Flights to Hawaii are more reasonable midweek
To get the best airfare prices, look to fly on Tuesday and Wednesdays. All summer long, midweek flights are a better price.
Maui vs Oahu: Oahu is right for you if you want more of a cosmopolitan vacation, enjoy the nightlife, are excited about historical and cultural activities, or want to travel on a budget. Maui is right for you if you're looking for a romantic island, great snorkeling, a relaxing vacation, or more outdoor activities.
Oʻahu is one of the best places to visit in Hawaii for couples that are looking for a destination with a truly varied offering. As the most populated island in the archipelago, Oʻahu certainly doesn't disappoint when it comes to the range of things to see and do.