Can You Travel to Hawaii on a Budget?

Hawaii is an alluring destination that draws visitors from all over the world. But can you travel to Hawaii on a budget? Before going to Hawaii, we discussed several ideas for exploring the state as cheap as possible because we obviously weren’t driving our travel trailer there. Everything from backpacking the perimeter of O’ahu to work camping on the Big Island came up. In the end, we decided to get a small vacation rental to use as our base camp to explore the Big Island.

From the Big Island, we went to O’ahu because we had to see the capital building in Honolulu. This was our 50th state capital tour which means, after seven years of full-time traveling, we completed our goal of seeing them all.

Two months on the Big Island and one month on O’ahu has given us some insight we want to share about how our budget-minded RV family fared trying to explore the 50th state without our trailer. Use these tips to save if you feel like Hawaii is calling.

Book a Longer Stay

We know everyone can’t get away for an extended time, but planning for a longer adventure can make for a less expensive stay on Hawaii Island. Booking a longer stay of 28 to 30 days can get you a cheaper rate on your lodging. Some rental units offer discounts for staying a month. You may also find more options for monthly stays because some areas don’t allow short-term rentals or require special permits for them.

Use a reputable, local vacation rental company to secure your rental. Going through a company with people on the island who know the area well helps ensure your accommodations are handled professionally and someone is available if you have any issues or complications.

If you plan to rent a car, staying longer is advantageous as well. You can get lower rates when you keep the rental car for a month. Having a car to explore the Big Island is highly recommended. The island is really big and takes about two hours to drive across. So if you drive to the other side of the island from where you stay, it’s at least four hours of driving time that day for your round trip.

With your own car, you can explore the island as you see fit. For example, we took several trips into Volcanoes National Park. Buying the annual National Park Pass for $80 meant we could explore the park as often as we wanted. The park is about an hour drive from either of the more visited sides of the island where you find the most accommodation options. So with driving time and hiking time, visiting Volcanoes National Park is a full day of fun. Having a car lets you spend as much or as little time in each place as you like.

Plan for the Outdoors

On the Big Island, you’ll discover a variety of incredible landscapes that constantly take your breath away. Everywhere you turn, you see blue water and beaches in a variety of colors, unique wildlife you won’t see anywhere else, and luscious forests that feel unreal. When planning your trip to Hawaii on a budget, plan for spending time in the outdoors. You’ll find tons to do without breaking the bank.

Beaches

Many of the Big Island’s beaches are free to visit. Some may charge a small fee for parking. In Hawaii all beaches are open to the public. However, access to beaches can be restricted to certain areas. Bring a picnic and a day at the beach is an inexpensive way to get to know the island. You can visit many different beaches on the Big Island, from the greensands of the south to the black sands of the east. Many days in Hawaii are ideal for visiting the beach.

Hiking

Hiking is another great outdoor activity you can do for free in several amazing spots around the Big Island. Check out the desert hike at Volcanoes National Park. The parking area is outside the park entrance, so you don’t need the park pass to explore this interesting trail.

For a superior view of older craters and the entire island, a drive to the Mauna Kea peak is just the thing. You must have a four-wheel-drive vehicle to get to the highest point, but the visitors center at 9,200 feet is accessible in any vehicle. Here, you’ll find a small gift shop and informational displays about the telescopes on the peak and why scientists chose the location.

From the visitors center, you can hike the rest of the way to the peak. Get there early if you want to attempt the hike. It’s about 10 miles to the top and you have to hike there and back or get a ride down because you have to be out by sunset. We just hiked around near the visitors center and still got great views.

These are just a few of the amazing hiking options that are totally free on the Big Island and help making it possible to spend time in Hawaii on a budget.

Activities

Lots of activities take place outdoors in Hawaii. Whether whale watching from north shore or snorkeling near Kailua-Kona, the outdoors is always calling when you’re in this South Pacific paradise. Take a tour of a Kona coffee farm to learn what makes this type of coffee so special. These tours are often free and provide the opportunity to sample a few flavors. Although, don’t blame us if you leave with a bag or two of the Big Island’s irresistible brew.

Check out Rainbow Falls, which gets its name because you can see a rainbow in its mist if you visit at the right time of day. Parking for the falls is free but can be tricky, as it’s a popular spot, but people constantly come and go. The water cascades into a beautiful azure pool surrounded by dense vegetation, making it worth seeing at any time.

Spend some time at a farmers market. You’ll find many farmers markets across the Big Island. Most of these markets are free to get in or only cost a few dollars for parking. Vendors offer local fruits, vegetables, and handmade goods that can cost less than what you pay at the grocery store. Most of the island’s farmers markets also have food trucks where you can get tasty meals at a fair price. While you may end up spending money at a farmers market, you’ll come away with fresh produce and good memories.

Eat Like a Local

Food in Hawaii is expensive, and some items are really expensive. Changing your eating habits so you buy more local foods and consume what the locals are eating can help you save on food cost while you’re staying on the Big Island. Cook meals in your rental instead of eating out. Choose meals that use rice instead of noodles and cook with produce you get from the farmers market. You may want to shop around to get the best prices. This can mean going to multiple grocery stores or hitting up several local stands that sell what you need.

Seeing a stand on the corner that sells pineapples and papayas isn’t uncommon in Hawaii. You might also see someone selling fish or poke. These spots often have competitive prices and are worth checking out.

Food trucks are also big in Hawaii. You can get cheaper meals from a food truck than a restaurant, plus they often congregate where other food trucks are, giving you a selection. When you have a family to please, a selection is always a bonus. Find a spot where you can get an authentic loco moco, garlic shrimp, or poke and tasty malasadas for desert.

Hawaii was by far our most expensive state to visit. This is mostly because we couldn’t bring our travel trailer home with us. Fortunately, we were able to use the tricks we share in this guide to help us visit Hawaii on a budget, and we hope they can help you get to Hawaii on a budget.

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