Anyone have any ideas on how to do Hawaii on a strict budget?

[riv1964]

Just got back from 8 days on Maui and 3 in Oahu. Loved both islands, I am sure that all the islands have something to offer. Went with my hubbie and our two daughters and their fiancees. Had a 2 bedrrom condo at Kahana Village and 2 hotel rooms in Oahu. We really preferred the condo, it gave us space and we could cook our meals. I brought 2 softsided coolers filled with frozen meat and we ate all week like kings. The guys barbequed most of the time. Kept the meat cool with icy cools ( I think that is what they are called) . Our total flight was 12 hours and everything was still frozen.
I also think that the books by Doughty and Friedman called Ulimate Kaui or Maui Revealed were the best!
Hope this helps, have a great trip!

 

[iwannbindisnee]

We are going this April. I am having a very hard time finding any airline tickets for under $950- from Washington DC to Kuaui. Does anyone know by experience if I wait about 60 days out I'll get better deals? Or I am out of luck b/c of it being Spring Break? Any ideas on the timing of it? Debbie

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

We are going this April. I am having a very hard time finding any airline tickets for under $950- from Washington DC to Kuaui. Does anyone know by experience if I wait about 60 days out I'll get better deals? Or I am out of luck b/c of it being Spring Break? Any ideas on the timing of it? Debbie

This seems to be our dilema as well. AIR IS SO EXPENSIVE! When I searched more flexiable with my dates I found about $600 but some of the connections they had us making looked as though we would be flying with the chickens for a few legs of our trip! No thanks!!
Anyone know any secrets to great airfare???

 

[my3kids]

American also flies direct to Kauai, but most flights onto that island connect through Honolulu.

Thanks for the restaurant suggestions and reviews. GREAT information!!

To the person who went zip lining.....were your kids allowed to participate? That is something my whole family would love, but when I looked at the tour's homepage it said participants had to be 15 and at least 100 pounds. Who did you zip line with? The company I looked at is the same one that does the river tubing through the sugar cane plantations.

 

[Skatermom23]

We are going this April. I am having a very hard time finding any airline tickets for under $950- from Washington DC to Kuaui. Does anyone know by experience if I wait about 60 days out I'll get better deals? Or I am out of luck b/c of it being Spring Break? Any ideas on the timing of it? Debbie

I'm going in July to Oahu and got tickets from America West for $612 from Baltimore to Oahu. They had some for $589 but the dates didn't quite work. You may want to try flying out of there instead of DC. Oh and we have one layover in Phoenix. I wouldn't wait much longer. The fuller the planes get the price of the tickets go up. Good Luck!

 

[ThreeMusketeers]

I am interested in any "tours or other activities anyone has participated in on the island of Kauai.
Anything for kids around 5.

 

[d4est]

Anyone stay at an all-inclusive in Hawaii?

 

[momsgoofy]

Anyone stay at an all-inclusive in Hawaii?

Would love to know this answer also...and of course any comments and thoughts about it...

A question about air travel for those of ya'll who've been....and those who just are in the know unlike me...lol

I gather that most mainland flights will arrive in Honolulu...right? So, then it'd be a transfer on smaller airline or what?


And about those guide books????

I just got a Barnes and Noble extra % off so I'm looking to save 25% off the cost of one book and DH says I'd better buy my Hawaii guide book....I'd like to get a concensus of what ya'll think is good. I've seen mention of the Frommer's Budget Guide to Hawaii and was thinking it might be right up my alley...just as a comparison, I'm a big Passporter WDW fan...like the Unofficial Guide (which I did see has a Hawaii one, too)...if that gives any idea of what kind of guide book I like...so, can ya'll post which books, if any, you used, why and what you liked about them???? And if you would recommend it...or even use it again?

Also, for the poster who stayed on the big island...did you say that you ventured to the north end of island? (I'm still learning the names and directions for the islands...) Did ya'll go north of Capt. Cook up the coast? If so what can you tell me about it? Also, you mentioned AAA a couple of times and am wondering how their rates might be for trips to Hawaii? Any thoughts there?

Thanks to everyone for providing such great information! DH and DS am me...lol are really shooting for Hawaii for our next trip...unfortunately we have very restrictive travel dates and it usually ends up being Christmas break when we get a week or more at a time...if I want to do any plannning that is...if not we sometimes can grab a week during the first week of June depending upon DS's school... We'd like to go in 2006....not sure if it will happen, but with everything I'm learning here it just might...thanks.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I gather that most mainland flights will arrive in Honolulu...right? So, then it'd be a transfer on smaller airline or what?

Actually, some flights fly direct especially if you leave from a bigger city like Los Angeles. If you fly to Honolulu then, you just transfer to a smaller plane similar to a Southwest plane size. It really just depends on the schedule and the airlines. For example, I fly mainly Hawaiian airlines because I love their frequent flyer program. Well from my city there are no direct flights to any other island than Oahu. From there I must transfer to another plane to get to Maui, Kauai & the big Island.

 

[OurDogCisco]

I am interested in any "tours or other activities anyone has participated in on the island of Kauai.
Anything for kids around 5.

I highly recommend that you buy the guide book The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook or something similar. I wouldn't buy a generic book for all the islands because you won't get enough information about all the islands. This guidebook is great because it divides the island up in sections and then, tells you what you can do in each section of the island. They list out all restaurants, hotels/condos, tours, hikes, etc...

 

[OurDogCisco]

And about those guide books????

I just got a Barnes and Noble extra % off so I'm looking to save 25% off the cost of one book and DH says I'd better buy my Hawaii guide book....I'd like to get a concensus of what ya'll think is good. I've seen mention of the Frommer's Budget Guide to Hawaii and was thinking it might be right up my alley...just as a comparison, I'm a big Passporter WDW fan...like the Unofficial Guide (which I did see has a Hawaii one, too)...if that gives any idea of what kind of guide book I like...so, can ya'll post which books, if any, you used, why and what you liked about them???? And if you would recommend it...or even use it again?

I think, the ultimate guidebooks by Doughty & Friedman are the best. I've used the passporter for disney and the cruise and I would say there books are pretty similar. Although, passporter goes into more detail about rides (I didn't know passporter did one for Hawaii -- I'll have to check it out). The Ultimate guidebooks do give you lots opinions about restaurants and tours etc... I would just avoid books that are not island specific. You could probably go to Barnes and Noble and just spend a few hours looking through the guidebooks until you find one you like. Also, just to let you know you can check many of these books out at the library. I do that alot before I buy the book just to see if I want it. In the past, I didn't and I have a bunch of guidebooks that I don't really like.

 

[vhoffman]

Well, let me tell you how we got some great deals on hotels. We did the timeshare thing. I know, its not for everyone, but the deals we got were just too good to pass up. Actually, the deals we got attending the ts sales pitch was optional. They made it worth your while to show up (usually something like and extra $200 in restaurant credits, or something similar), however, in our case, we got a fantastic deal without even attending the ts pitch. We stayed at Embassy Suites for a total of 5 nights (4 people in a one bdr,one bath condo), included free breakfast buffet, free compact rental car (we paid a small fee to upgrade), free parking, free tickets to a luau, $100 in restaurant credits, a coupon book for area attractions, all for $980 (that included tax!). That particular property usually goes for $330 per night plus.

I don't think they're offering the same deals now, but go to www.hawaii.com. That's where we found that deal, and others come up from time to time. You just have to keep watching. Click on the "accomodations" line for the island you're interested in. Have a great trip!

 

[vhoffman]

There are many good guide books out there, however, I don't care for the "revealed" series for one reason--they're too heavy! They're very nice guide books, but written on heavy, glossy paper. They weigh you down, while traveling and while sightseeing. I found the one I carried with me and referred to time and again was the Fodors books. They're lightweight and easy to carry! Plus, I found the information to be accurate and timely, without a lot of "opinion" thrown in.

Insofar as budgetwise travel goes, there's one geared to students. It the "Lets Go" series. The "Lets Go Hawaii" has a lot of good budget ideas, even if you're not a student or past "student age". worth looking into.

 

[grlpwrd]

I gather that most mainland flights will arrive in Honolulu...right? So, then it'd be a transfer on smaller airline or what?

It depends on the airline. I know Hawaiian Airlines flies from different CA airports to HNL (Honolulu) and also offers interisland trips to the other islands. There are flights into HNL and Kahului (OGG) from Seattle and Portland.

Delta just started offering daily non-stop service between Salt Lake City and Kona and between Atlanta and Kahului.

I usually fly Northwest from Virginia into HNL. I know there is also NW service to Kahului or Kona plus they have an agreement with Hawaiian Airlines to Lihue (Kauai), Molokai, Hilo, and Lanai which means there is a stopover in HNL and a change in aircraft.

I know Continental and other airlines may fly to Hawaii, too, but I don't know their routes.

In general, yes, there is usually a stopover unless the airlines specifically offers a non-stop flight like the examples I have given.

 

[iwannbindisnee]

Thanks for the info so far--We have been looking for tickets since Spetember! And they have never been lower than $850 from anywhere in our area ( DC, Dulles or Baltimore) I have driven my self crazy doing direct to Kuaui, going to Honolulu & then also trying flying to Vegas, or LAX & going from there-I'll keep trying, but it sounds as if I should invest in a guide book, too-although the list earlier about eating places looked pretty good!! You guys are great-Anyone who thinks of something fun for teens to do w/uslet me know we are taking 2 girls ages 17 & 18. Thanks, Debbie

 

[momsgoofy]

I think, the ultimate guidebooks by Doughty & Friedman are the best. I've used the passporter for disney and the cruise and I would say there books are pretty similar. Although, passporter goes into more detail about rides (I didn't know passporter did one for Hawaii -- I'll have to check it out). The Ultimate guidebooks do give you lots opinions about restaurants and tours etc... I would just avoid books that are not island specific. You could probably go to Barnes and Noble and just spend a few hours looking through the guidebooks until you find one you like. Also, just to let you know you can check many of these books out at the library. I do that alot before I buy the book just to see if I want it. In the past, I didn't and I have a bunch of guidebooks that I don't really like.

Thanks for such great information! I really appreciate it! I think you are the 2nd or 3rd person to suggest Doughty and Friedman.

No, Passporters doesn't have a guide to Hawaii...the Unofficial Guide to WDW also has an Unofficial Guide to Hawaii...sorry for the confusion.

You actually suggested exactly what I've started to do...just sit at B&N with as many different guide books as they have to get an idea which one is best...that's how I decided that I really like the Passporter's for WDW. I'd forgotten about the library...did that for WDW, too...it's just been a long time ago so I'd not thought of it.

I gather from what several folks here have said...if we are doing a land visit...not a cruise around the islands...it is best to focus on 1 or 2 islands...hence better to get the guide books that focus on individual islands, too.

 

[momsgoofy]

And to everyone who's been so helpful to post all the info about flights....THANKS! I haven't even tried to look at that yet...just thought about it, but you've given some great info and advice! I really appreciate it!!

 

[WDWorld2003]

Also, for the poster who stayed on the big island...did you say that you ventured to the north end of island? (I'm still learning the names and directions for the islands...) Did ya'll go north of Capt. Cook up the coast? If so what can you tell me about it? Also, you mentioned AAA a couple of times and am wondering how their rates might be for trips to Hawaii? Any thoughts there?

momsgoofy, we did not go all the way to the north tip but went through the town of Waimea (not much to see here but kind of neat http://www.gohawaii.com/bigisland/about/Default.aspx We then stopped at the Waipio Valley overlook which was beautiful. We continued to the coast and stopped at the places I mentioned in my original post. If we had to do it again we would fly into Kona and out of Hilo so we didn't have to do the drive back. The drive across the middle is barren with very little scenery.

Also, as far as Captain Cook that was south of Kona. We used our AAA card for discounts at the luau and the snorkel cruise and saved probably $100 combined. It never hurts to ask if they offer a discount. We didn't use them for any other portion of our trip such as flight or car. We did use Entertainment rates at the condo in Kona and it was a great deal.

One thing that really amazed me is we talked to some local people in Kona who had never been to Hilo, and people in Hilo who had never been to Kona, and they are only 2 hours away from each other! They are the only larger towns on the island.

Any other ?'s let me know. We really loved Hawaii and hope to return in the next 5 years.

 

[momsgoofy]

momsgoofy, we did not go all the way to the north tip but went through the town of Waimea (not much to see here but kind of neat http://www.gohawaii.com/bigisland/about/Default.aspx We then stopped at the Waipio Valley overlook which was beautiful. We continued to the coast and stopped at the places I mentioned in my original post. If we had to do it again we would fly into Kona and out of Hilo so we didn't have to do the drive back. The drive across the middle is barren with very little scenery.

Also, as far as Captain Cook that was south of Kona. We used our AAA card for discounts at the luau and the snorkel cruise and saved probably $100 combined. It never hurts to ask if they offer a discount. We didn't use them for any other portion of our trip such as flight or car. We did use Entertainment rates at the condo in Kona and it was a great deal.

One thing that really amazed me is we talked to some local people in Kona who had never been to Hilo, and people in Hilo who had never been to Kona, and they are only 2 hours away from each other! They are the only larger towns on the island.

Any other ?'s let me know. We really loved Hawaii and hope to return in the next 5 years.

Thanks for the reply! I appreciate it! If I think of any more questions, I'll post again...

 

[Candleshoe]

Sorry if this has already been mentioned. We're planning a someday soon trip to Hawaii and I've been doing research. We want to stay on at least 3 of the islands. On the Big Island this is the place we'll be staying more than likely.

Arnotts

Have a great trip!