Anyone have any budget suggestions for a Hawaii trip?

[punkin]

I got some inexpensive tickets, so now I have to plan a trip. We have never been there and I am unsure where to start the planning. I could use some help and you guys are usually so knowledgeable about everything.

 

[dex08]

Which island(s) are you going to?

 

[punkin]

Which island(s) are you going to?

We are flying into Honolulu, but we will be there for two weeks so I'd like to hit at least one other island. I need suggestions as I am just starting my research.

 

[*pixie*dust*]

When are you going? How many people? Are you hiking, biking people? Lay on the beach people? Want a hotel or condo type of accomodations?

 

[apnep]

Pearl Harbor
Hanauma Bay for beach and snorkel time
Dole Pineapple Plant
Diamond Head hike-- up to top of old bunker for an excellent view
Polynesian Cultural Center
International market downtown
Ala Moana Beach
Makapuu Point Lighthouse
Waimea Beach
Laniakea Beach
Iolani Palace
Waikiki
Zoo

There is tons to do! Take me with you!

Check out Frommer's and Fodor's for things to do and see.
Here is a great link on Frommer's: http://www.frommers.com/community/f...hawaii/first-time-hawaii-island#ixzz0gbJRsjkV


Oh! And don't forget to eat out on the beach. When you're driving along you'll see campers on the road. We also checked out a Japanese tea house and were walked through a traditional tea ceremony.

Have fun!
Angela

 

[punkin]

When are you going? How many people? Are you hiking, biking people? Lay on the beach people? Want a hotel or condo type of accomodations?

We are going in the summer. There are 4 of us, DH, me, DD17 and DD11. We hike, kayak, love the beach. DD17 wants hula lessons. DD11 wants surf lessons. DH wants 2 rooms (so maybe condo would be cheapest). I want to go to the Big Island to see the volcanoes.

 

[jcanary]

I always do hawaii on a budget and we usually go from the east coast every 3 years. I always get a condo, 2 bedroom. The sites I use are www.homeaway.com, vrbo.com and tug2.net. We are going back in 2011 and have found our condo on the BigIsland thru vrbo and I am renting some points from a wyndham owner for 3 nights on Waikiki. My kids love Waikiki because of the activities there are to do. They are now 22 and 29 but the first time we went, about 7years ago they did surfing lessons and loved it there. Two years ago we went and went over to Kauai for a day and did zip lining which was a blast. For tours I have found backcountry tours or something like that. they were really accommodating. We are mostly beach people but I myself like to do the tour stuff also. You can find grocery places that you can order food to be delivered to condo and it helps save money. With kids it is to hard to do breakfast so that is always in the condo and everyone is on their own except for tour day. On the big Island we will be doing ATV around to different waterfalls and a Volcano tour. My oldest is going to do a swim with the dolphins in the Hilton that is next to our condo resort. We also do one luau and this time we hope to try one on the big island. hope this helps

 

[andrews_dad]

Go the condo route on www.homeaway.com


Get the Hawaii Entertainment book. They are 50% off right now. You'll find lots of deals in there for food and touring. Our first trip to Hawaii we went for a bit over 3 weeks to 4 islands, that that Ent book saved us a TON of money.

I would vote to not spend too uch time on Oahu. If you do, North Shore is nicer. Instead I'd try to split time at Big Isle and Maui. If you love hiking and waterfalls, Kauia might be better.

 

[andrews_dad]

Also, get the "Revealed" series books. Big Island Revealed, Oahu Revealed, etc. They have blue covers. Check them out at a local library. Those are 100% the BEST. By locals, it gives you the scoop on all of the touristy AND non-toursity places to see.

 

[maggiew]

How did you get cheap tickets! Please tell!!

Maggie

 

[mrsklamc]

Yes, please share how you got cheap tickets!

 

[jemmouse]

Good luck on trying to stay economical in Hawaii...If you can do it, GREAT, but I myself find it very hard to stay on a budget there or frankly even trying to use that word there. I suppose if you are into laying around at the beaches and stuff it could be done but the excursions are costly and the food well wait till you see what a piece of toast sells for. We were having breakfast the first day at the Moana Surfrider(our hotel) and I almost fell off my rocker, best toast we ever had(HA).But in the end the main thing is you will be blown away at how BEAUTIFUL it is there!!! The landscaping alone is breathtaking. Every morning our lobby would have a new centerpiece in it, the flowers are great, the tranquility, and the fruit is wonderful. If you like pineapple its the best there.
Best advice is get a travel book and decide what is important to you and then start from there.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

My family is also interested in vacatioining in Hawaii in the next couple of years. It seems like the biggest expense for us is going to be airfare. Does anyone know which are the cheapest east coast airports to fly to Hawaii from? I would assume Honolulu would be the cheapest airport to fly in to?

Thanks!

 

[01spirit750]

We are using www.vrbo.com to rent a condo. We plan to eat dinners out, but our other meals will be at the condo.

Airfare is a big part of the expense. I was able to use airline miles to fly the five of us to Maui in first class. (We made the best of the credit card miles, during our home remodel we used our credit card to pay for everything we could, and then paid the balance off every month using our construction loan, I also fly to Asia on business a lot).

Also, remember a luau is about $100 per person.

 

[HeatherC]

You could also rent someones timeshare week. We have used myresortnetwork.com many times in different places and have never had a problem. If you rent a week, you DO NOT have to do a timeshare tour.

I would suggest Maui as a second island. We stayed in Wailea ...which is a little quieter than Lahaina and had an awesome time.

Have a great time planning!!!

 

[Disney-Kim]

I got some inexpensive tickets, so now I have to plan a trip. We have never been there and I am unsure where to start the planning. I could use some help and you guys are usually so knowledgeable about everything.

I just got an email from Outrigger hotels with rates as low as $79 per night on Oahu....that is awesome.

go to their website and check it out...oh...it is for this Spring travel period

 

[punkin]

How did you get cheap tickets! Please tell!!

Maggie

Kayak alert. I've been stalking prices for 3 months.

 

[shortbun]

Two weeks would be a 3 island trip for me, especially if I had never been to Hawaii. I'd spend maybe 4 nights on Oahu then off I'd go to Maui for 5 and then off to Hawaii for 4 and home. Check out the bed and breakfast system over there. It's always been good OR get condos and an island hopper car rental. Shop at the locals grocery, sign up for the discount program. Get lots of fresh seafood, fruit and coffee. Go out for lunches, it's cheaper. Study up and do your own sightseeing on each island. Spend one day doing an island tour then days on the beaches and just relaxing.

 

[bonoriffic]

I've been to all the islands and the Big Island was the least interesting, even with the volcano. The Big Island is extremely dim due to the telescopes so even basic travel at night is impossible. Try finding a resort for dinner in the dark. The volcano itself takes a long time to get to and isn't really what you would expect. You won't see lava unless you hike down and go near dusk.

As commercial and busy as Oahu is, we love it and makes for a great hub. Get snorkel gear from Snorkel Bob's for the week and return it at your last stop, you can return it at another island. Hilton Hawaiian Village is the perfect spot on Waikiki. Wide open beach, but still walking distance to the other places further down the beach. (If you can call that part a beach) If you see the Sheraton Annex Rooms and think they are amazingly cheap for a beach front hotel, there is a reason. They are moldy dorm rooms. Worst mistake we even made.

Maui is our next favorite island. We stayed at the Four Seasons so that probably doesn't equal a budget option.

Kauai was nice if you aren't interested in too many sites. Hyatt has an amazing pool at Shipwreck Beach. Even if you aren't staying there, it is worth a visit with public beach parking. The beach is great for boogie boarding, although can get a bit rough. The water slide requires a wrist band, but the rest of the pool and lazy river do not if you don't mind being a bit sneaky. We also stayed there free on points and loved it.

 

[TammyAlphabet]

I have found a hotel in Waikiki called the Best Western Coconut. Every so soften they run a special for 99 per night and the location is fantastic. It is also top rated in Tripadvisor.