Hawaii conjures up specific feelings for most people. Just the mention of the word "Hawaii", and one starts to imagine golden sand beaches lined with majestic palms, turquoise crystal waters beckoning for you to cool yourself, and exotic dancers with hips that move so fast they literally rock the palms! For people who have experienced all those things and more, Hawaii conjures up dollar signs! Hawaii no doubt can be one of the most expensive travel destinations in the world, but it doesn't have to be. We have been tourists in Hawaii, and now we are residents of Hawaii. Through our travels and local experiences, we have come up with some fantastic ways to visit the Aloha state without breaking the bank...keep reading and we'll have you on your way to your dream vacation in no time!
The most expensive portion of your trip will no doubt be the airfare. The first way to save money and travel to Hawaii on a budget is to book your airfare in the most cost effective way. Usually, that means avoiding purchasing your tickets directly from the airline! It is rare that someone would find those special fares that airlines offer directly for other cities, simply because Hawaii is so far removed from any other state and it's more expensive for the airlines to fly here than anywhere else in America. That being said, you can still find incredibly amazing fares through other venues. Websites specializing in last minute travel deals, such as Travelocity, can offer an immense savings! The trick is to purchasing at the right time. Because the fares for these websites are constantly changing, start looking for the cheapest deals about 21 days before the date of your travel. An example of budget airfare to Hawaii would be about $680 RT (U.S.) or less. I have personally booked airfare to Hawaii ten days before travel time for $450 U.S., which was a steal! Of course, this will require multiple stops, so there is a tradeoff. However, the shortest travel time from U.S. mainland to Hawaii is 5.5 hours, so if you are coming from anywhere other than the west coast, you can expect upwards of 6 hours non-stop in the air. It is beneficial to have multiple stops for this reason, so don't see it as a sacrifice, look at is as a way to stretch your legs and get some fresh air! A word of warning here: booking airfare through last minute travel websites is not for the faint of heart! It requires persistence, patience, and the ability to not be upset by fluctuating prices, as well as the ability to know when to just go for it! You are more likely to find the cheapest airfare between 4 and 10 days of your anticipated travel time, so be prepared! Of course, don't forget to seek the assistance of a travel agent. They buy airfare at wholesale, and can save you quite a bit of money.
The second most expensive portion of your Hawaiian vacation is the hotel accommodations, but it doesn't have to be. You can choose to purchase an all-inclusive package when you are searching for your airfare, and doing so will save you significantly. Even if you don't book an all-inclusive package, here's a word to the wise: look for budget hotels when planning your vacation. You will be spending very little time in your hotel once you get here, so all you really need is a place to lay your head and a staff that is knowledgeable, and most are. If you envision a vacation that involves room service, lounging by the pool, and hotel boutiques, choose another destination. You can do that anywhere in America for a lot cheaper. Really ask yourself why you are coming to Hawaii...most say they come here to see paradise. You won't find paradise in your hotel room. Some say they come here to learn about the culture. The culture is found in the community, not a hotel suite. Is this making any sense now? You should no doubt book clean, hospitable, convenient hotels, but don't worry about the rest! You will only be in your hotel for the 6-8 hours your eyes are closed at night anyway. Don't believe me? Write me when you get back from your vacation and tell me how much time you spent away from your hotel!
Now here's where things get a little dicey, and things can go haywire. Rental cars, luaus, and tour services, oh my! Rental cars have their place in a Hawaiian vacation, but you will not need a rental car every day you are here. And you have to take into account parking: all of Waikiki (where most hotels are located) is paid parking only, which will run you at least $20 a day (that's being conservative!). That means for a 5 day vacation, you are paying $100 or more just to park your car. If you are staying in Hawaii for 5 days, I would suggest renting a car for two days. On those two days, have everyone get up early in the morning, eat a quick drive-thru breakfast, and fill your day by driving the entire island. Keep your day open so you don't have to get to another scheduled event and you can take your sweet time! Once you return your rental car, you can get anywhere on the island by city transit at $2 round trip. We have one of the best public transportation systems in the country here...make use of it! You will not only be saving money from avoiding parking fees and rental expenses, but it is an eco-friendly way to enjoy your vacation. (Plus, all of our buses are hybrids!)
Chances are, as soon as you step foot off the plane, you will be greeted with glossy, colorful, exotic brochures depicting luaus and tour services. If this is your first time to the island, you probably really want to visit a luau. Keep in mind that it is a tourist-dominated event, and locals don't sit around having luaus every night, but it is fun and you this can be your "extreme-tourist" moment of your vacation! All kidding aside, be prepared to spend big bucks on any luau! And when I say big bucks, I mean somewhere in the neighborhood of $80 per person. What is a luau, you may be asking? Luaus that are being represented today are not the ancient form of feasts and festivities. In fact, the term luau wasn't even used until around 1860. The ancient culture did not celebrate in this way. However, you will learn about hula, you will experience amazing food, and the utmost in hospitality. The modern luau is a buffet featuring local favorites, and entertainment ranging from traditional hula to silly dances for the sake of entertainment. Attending luaus supports our local economy, as they are almost all locally owned and operated, and that's always a plus! Your luau will range from 2 to 3 hours, so plan your evening accordingly.
Tour services are a dime a dozen on these islands, and they can be extremely beneficial if chosen in an educated manner. First, not all tour services are created equal. Many (I would venture to say the majority) travel the same routes and provide the same information. Some may offer a few different places from the next, like a drive through Oahu's most expensive neighborhoods, but by and far, you will see the same locations, the same beaches, and the same sites. While these tour operators are very knowledgeable and friendly, there's nothing to set each company apart from the rest of the pack. This is where you're small tour guide services come in. If you take a guided tour, I would recommend a small tour group. Many of the company's out there take as many as 100 people at a time. It can be really difficult to get personal service and in-depth information in such a large group. Also, if you are going to pay the money, choose a tour service that is unique; a tour service that is really part of the culture of the islands. The only way to learn about true Hawaii is not by driving to multi-million dollar estates, but by going to the cultural sites, and learning the real history. My company, Cultural History Tours of Hawaii, does just that, and we are the only tour service that offers it. There is too much history on these islands to not learn about it! And the history is fascinating!
So now all that's left is food and souvenirs. Three words: less is more! Eat at local mom-and-pop restaurants or local chains (avoid the mainland eat-in chains); go to the closest farmers markets and buy fresh fruit and veggies for snacks; avoid the kitschy souvenirs that will break before you get home, and opt for post cards and chocolate covered macadamia nuts to take home as gifts. Post cards are nostalgic and endearing. Chocolate covered macadamia nuts are cheap yet delicious...who's gonna complain about that???
So let's summarize how to vacation in Hawaii on a budget:
Budget airfare
Budget hotel
Limited rental car time
City transit
Local small business
Mom-and-pop restaurants
No junk souvenirs!
Now all you have to do is pack, and you can check out my pointers for that in my article "Hawaii Bound - Preparing for the Trip of a Lifetime!" See you soon!
Courtney Reed Owner, Cultural History Tours http://www.culturalhistorytours.com
