What is the cheapest island in Hawaii to visit?
Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, with a total cost of $2,625. A Ko Olina Resort lagoon on Oahu. Maui is the most expensive island to visit, coming in nearly $1,000 more expensive, with a total cost of $3,600. The Grand Wailea in Maui, a luxury resort.
Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, with a total cost of $2,625. A Ko Olina Resort lagoon on Oahu. Maui is the most expensive island to visit, coming in nearly $1,000 more expensive, with a total cost of $3,600. The Grand Wailea in Maui, a luxury resort.
Molokai. 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.
Even though it's often called “the playground of the rich”, Maui isn't only accessible to a few. However, it's true that generally speaking Kauai is a bit cheaper.
In fact, Oahu is the cheapest of the Hawaiian islands for lodging, coming in behind both the Big Island and Kauai. Add to this its lower costs for food and transportation, and Oahu becomes a much more affordable option than Maui.
If you're looking to hole up at your hotel for the entire vacation, pick Maui and its sprawling oceanfront resorts. But if you're looking for adventure, to really experience the Hawaiian Islands and make the most of your well-earned vacation, Oʻahu should be your choice.
The Big Island is the third most visited in Hawaii and offers accommodation for all budgets. It tends to be cheaper than Maui and it has two very different sides: Kona (west side) and Hilo (east side). In Kona there are many resorts and hotels with prices usually a bit higher than in Hilo.
Niihau, also known as the Forbidden Isle, is a beautiful small island in Hawaii spread across 180 sq km. The island is off-limits to outsiders and only the Robinson family, their relatives, invited guests, government officials and US Navy personnel are allowed here.
Oahu - The Gathering Place
Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor and the famous beach known as Waikiki. These areas attract tourists by the thousands daily.
With its jagged cliffs, lush valleys, and paradisiacal beaches, Kauai is truly heaven on earth and is our top pick for the most beautiful island in Hawaii. While it would be impossible to squeeze in everything that makes Kauai so special, we have narrowed it down to the top 3 must-see destinations in Kauai.
What month is the cheapest for Maui?
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. Our personal preference is April - May.
Perhaps more than any of the other islands, Kauai is known for its natural beauty and its dramatic, beautiful sites. These include Waimea Canyon, the Coconut Coast and much more. You'll find gorgeous mountains and waterfalls, white sand beaches, sugarcane fields, and beachside cliffs such as those on the Na Pali coast.
Late Summer months into Fall Season
Fall starts on August 17 and ends around December 10: With the exception of Thanksgiving week, this is definitely Kauai's low season and a great time to find the best prices!
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.
The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well. The peak travel months of June and July are surprisingly not the most expensive months for flights, with middle figure prices.
Generally, the most affordable rates for both flights and hotels in Hawaii will be primarily during the fall and somewhat so during the spring. For accommodations, the months of September through November (sometimes into early December) offer the best hotel deals, again excluding Thanksgiving.
So, How Many Days Do You Need in Maui? If Maui is the only Hawaiian island you'll be visiting, you'll want at least 7-10 days to explore the island. That will give you enough time to do some day trips, take a few tours, check out the beaches, and have plenty of time to relax and unwind.
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.
Hawaii's Big Island
It's our favorite, too- and for good reason. The Big Island is by far the most diverse of all the Hawaiian Islands, and it's BIG. In fact, it's the size of all the other islands COMBINED! From barren grasslands to lush jungle, and from lava fields to snow-capped mountains - it's all here.
The short answer: Go to Maui if you want to be pampered at a resort with all the amenities. Book Oahu if you want to see Pearl Harbor and the famous Waikiki Beach. Visit Big Island if you want to hike Volcanos National Park (and maybe see flowing lava). Head to Kauai if you want to experience wild, untamed Hawaii.
What day of the week is cheaper to fly to Maui?
Having the flexibility to leave for your Maui vacation any day of the week is a huge advantage when looking for the cheapest time to fly to Maui. Flying during mid-week is the conventional wisdom on booking the lowest cost flights. Tuesday is the cited day to travel for the lowest cost.
So, it really depends on where you stay at Disney World! If you go with the Disney Moderate hotel, it would be cheaper than this trip to Aulani by $480.48. But, if you stay at a Deluxe Disney hotel, it would actually be more than this trip to Aulani by $2,091.54!
The island first earned its “forbidden” status in the 1930s, when the Robinsons completely cut off visits to Niihau to protect inhabitants from new diseases, including measles and, later, polio.
Kauai, Hawaii
Nicknamed the “Garden Isle”, the island is draped in emerald valleys, jagged cliffs, and sharp mountain spires, and its abundance of vegetation is perfect for anyone keen to get away from the greyness of city life. Not to mention it is the most secluded and least populated of the Hawaiian Islands.
Generally speaking, the best Hawaiian island to visit without a car is Oahu. This is because the bus system goes throughout much of the island and it's convenient enough to take the Oahu bus to different places, and there's also a bus from the Honolulu airport.
Oahu is the easiest island to get around. There are several car rental companies at the Honolulu Airport if you'd like to drive the island. If you're looking to save a few dollars on transportation, the Oahu bus system can get you within walking distance of almost anywhere on the island.
Lana'i is one of the most inaccessible islands in the state, which contributes to its signature raw, natural beauty and quiet atmosphere. Getting there will require an inter-island flight from select local airlines or a ferry from the Lahaina side of Maui.
With 227 miles of shoreline, Oahu is the best Hawaiian Island for beaches. Oahu has the best beaches in Hawaii due to Oahu's many protected bays, reefs surrounding the island, gold-sand beaches, and calm waters year-round.
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.
Kauai is the best Hawaiian island for travelers who like hiking, relaxing, and a quieter vibe.
Is everything on Maui expensive?
An average one-week trip to Maui costs around $7,000 to $10,000. For a luxury stay, expect to spend $18,000+ for top accommodations. If you're on a tight budget, an economy trip costs around $3,500. How much you actually end up spending on a Maui trip has a lot to do with where you stay.
High season— the busiest and most expensive time on Maui— is usually winter (when it's freezing cold elsewhere) and summer (the most popular family vacation time). Low season is usually in the spring and fall, with a short period in January as well.
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.
July is in the middle of the peak summer season on the island, so it's not the best month to visit Kauai if you're hoping for peace and quiet, especially on the southern coast. However, the warm and usually dry weather is perfect for popular activities like diving, hiking and visiting attractions along the beachfront.
Kauai is much more laid-back and rural than The Big Island. You won't find the huge crowds, so you can really get away from it all and enjoy your days in Hawaii. The locals are incredibly welcoming and can point you toward the best hidden spots, so you'll get a unique experience.
While living expenses are typically more expensive than on most of the Mainland and elsewhere, Kauai homeowners are free of many other expenses that clutter the daily lives of non-islanders.
| Quick Climate Info | |
|---|---|
| Hottest Month | August (80 °F avg) |
| Coldest Month | February (72 °F avg) |
| Wettest Month | December (2.06" avg) |
| Windiest Month | July (15 mph avg) |
Hurricane and tropical storms are historically rare events on Kauai, but it's still important to be prepared for storms if you visit during hurricane season - June through November.
You can get around Kauai without a car, as there are bus services on the island and taxis are also available. However, public transport isn't particularly frequent and is quite limited in the areas that you can visit, so if you're looking for total freedom when getting around Kauai then a rental car is recommended.
- Eat at the malls in Hawaii.
- Go to your local Hawaiian grocery store.
- Food truck venues in Hawaii.
- Cheap Happy Hour venues in Hawaii.
- Make your own meals.
- Use coupons or two for one dining offers.
- Shop at the big box stores like Costco, Walmart or Target.
- Cheap local take out or local Hawaii food venues.
How much should I budget for food per day in Hawaii?
Although the following figures are average estimates on what you might spend on necessities and fun in Hawaii, they may help you when planning your vacation budget: Breakfast and lunch: $8 to $16 per person. Dinner: $14 to $25 per person.
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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 |
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. 2019 monthly visitor data to Hawaii.
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.
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.
Book at least 3 weeks before departure in order to get a below-average price. High season is considered to be May, June and July. The cheapest month to fly from United States is February.
The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March. The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well. The peak travel months of June and July are surprisingly not the most expensive months for flights, with middle figure prices.
The cost of living is the lowest on Big Island – around 25 % lower than the Hawaiian average. Big Island is relatively affordable due to its large size, lack of infrastructure, and the risks posed by volcanic activity.
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.
Hawaii is a year-round destination, and that's good news for budget travelers. You can find deals on airfare and accommodations during the slower shoulder months — September and October, January and February, April and May — avoiding peak travel times like summer, winter and spring break.
What day of the week is cheapest to fly 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.
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.
While Maui is more developed as a tourist destination and offers generally drier weather, Kauai is the perfect option if you want to visit a rugged and authentic Hawaiian island that won't ever feel overly crowded, even in the summer months.
Kona is generally more expensive than Hilo in terms of hotel accommodations. Food also is a little more expensive on Kona side. In Kona, everything is centered around tourists and prices are usually high. Hilo has more locals than Kona and the prices are generally a bit cheaper than Kona.
- Be smart about rental cars. ...
- Drive the extra mile for groceries. ...
- Stay on cheaper islands. ...
- Arrange activities with a local concierge. ...
- Seek out free activities. ...
- Hunt down coupons and discount cards. ...
- Be smart and strategic about airfare.