Hawaii on a budget

[sophie131]

Hi all,

I know this isn't particularly Disney related but I could really use some help from anyone that knows how to work Hawaii around a budget for 2 adults!

We have been given practically free flights from Europe so flights are sorted but now we are looking at the other things we'll need. It's all pretty poor timing as we are looking to buy our first home in 2016 too but the flights are too good to pass up.

Would love to stay at Disney but I think that is out of out price range! Any other hotels which are recommended but a bit cheaper? We could probably look to spend about $2000 for a week (however we are planning on going over Christmas week!).

Thanks for any help!

 

[DisneyMandC]

I assume since you said you'd love to stay at Disney that you're going to Oahu. I can't help with hotels since we stayed in an apartment while we were out there (DH's work sent him on business and had an apartment there), but there is a lot to do that's inexpensive! Assuming you will rent a car, take a drive around the island. There's plenty to see and it's not a long drive. Go up to North Shore and check out the sights, there's a cute little town with surf shops and some delicious ice cream. There's also the Dole Plantation, which I'm pretty sure is free to get into and was a lot of fun. There are also some SUPER high-end malls in downtown Honolulu. DH and I could never afford to even buy one thing from the stores, but it was awesome to just walk around and window shop, because how often do you see a Ferragamo store?! There are some great outdoor markets as well that are fun to walk through.

The one thing DH and I did splurge on was an ATV tour at Kualoa Ranch. A lot of movies and TV shows were filmed here (Jurassic Park, Lost), and it was pretty neat to see that. I think there are some cheaper tours or that maybe you can just go out there and check out some of the ranch. It was a lot of fun and well worth the money though. We also did a Luau out there. I can't remember the name, but I know it was right next to Aulani because they were opening that while we were out there. I honestly didn't really feel the luau was worth the money though. Save what you'd spend there and eat at some nice restaurants instead.

Just keep in mind that food and everything else on Hawaii is VERY expensive in general. I'd start trying to save points for a rental car and hotel now since you've got the year to do it. Good luck and have fun!

 

[tink9702]

I agree that food is outrageously expensive in Hawaii, but the seafood is amazingly fresh, the pineapples are to die for and who can complain about eating in paradise?!

Some other cheap entertainment ideas: hike Diamond Head, drive to the North Shore and watch the surfers, visit Pearl Harbor memorial, go to the beach

We stayed in the Hilton Hawaiian Village. It's a nice hotel and won't break the budget. It's also right on the ocean and in the downtown area.

 

[afan]

There are a lot of options in various price ranges but I would start looking now. For Christmas the rates are generally higher and they fill up. There are condo options as well, run by some of the same companies as the hotels. Aston and outrigger both have a lot.

It's also nothing to walk a block or two to the beach.

A car is good but there will be parking fees at the resort so it may be better to rent for a couple of days rather.than the whole trip. There are a lot of shuttles that run too.

A travel agent isn't necessary but if you know one.that knows the islands that would be best. When I worked at Apple vacations we would get agents that thought you could drive between the islands and that had no idea what they were booking.

 

[sophie131]

Thanks for the advice so far! Been doing more research since posting and looking at it now, an apartment is looking like the most affordable option.

 

[BelleBee]

Knowing what island you want to visit would help narrow down the answers.

 

[Moomduck1]

We went to Hawaii last January, staying at Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. We had great luck with airbnb

 

[georgina]

I was going to suggest airbnb as well; haven't used it in Hawaii but have many other places. We are going to Hawaii with a group of 6, so I used VRBO and Homeaway to look for houses/condos to rent, so that may be another option. Having a kitchen will make food easier.

 

[aprilchem]

We just got back from Hawaii on the 24th of December. I didn't find the food to be nearly expensive as everyone had told me - restaurant prices (for sit down restaurants) were about the same as where I live in Virginia. Fast food was also the same (although the combo meals at McDonalds were $1 cheaper than where I live). Groceries were more expensive by about 15-20%, but some things were about the same or cheaper. I'd heard horror stories of $9 a gallon milk, but we paid $5.10 for a gallon last week, which is about $2 more than what I pay at home. Fruit was WAY less expensive - mangos were 50 cents, papaya were 8 for $2, oranges were $2 for a HUGE bag. Most of the local veggies were less expensive than what I pay at our farmer's market. Gas was about $2.50 a gallon in Honolulu and about $2.75 a gallon on the big island.

We stayed at the Embassy Suites Waikiki and paid about $300 a night, but that was for 6 people. It included a full, cooked-to-order hot breakfast and a 2 hour reception each night with free beer, wine, and mixed drinks. It's in an awesome location for beach/shopping and is a wonderful hotel. I highly recommend it. On the big island we rented a house through VRBO.

 

[badiggio]

we've stayed 3 times at the ko olina beach villas through vrbo next to Aulani.We've always rented a 2 bedroom with another couple and split the cost.Beautiful huge condos and a lot cheaper than staying next door.Didn't find eating expensive what so ever and was actually surprised.

 

[bearzabout]

On Oahu, older condos can cost around $1000/week on VRBO. I look for condos 1-2 blocks from Waikiki Beach with free parking, then I rent a car and drive everywhere to cut costs on activities.

I love Maui the best. There are direct flights from the US, but I am not sure about Europe. VRBO has vacation rentals in every budget. Lowest priced condos are around $150/night. I have negotiated down to $99/night in Kihei.

Activities really bust a budget. Maui, (like every Hawaiian Island) has so much to see and do for free. All it takes is a rental car and some money for gas. A car will get you to the local dining spots that have good food cheap.

The Big Island is even cheaper than Maui. It is so large that it is best to stay on two sides of the island.

$2000 per week is near the minimum amount to spend in Hawaii but we do it every trip and always have a great time.

 

[manning]

I've heard if you eat at the same restaurants as the locals it is a lot cheaper.

 

[aheape1979]

We stayed a week at Aulani (on points) this past summer. Here are my suggestions:
1. Rent a car- you can go around the island and find a lot to do/see for free.
2. If you can get a condo or villa, it will save you money, because you won't have to eat out every meal.
3. There was a Costco in Kapolei and we got great meal ingredients there. (rotisserie chicken+ hawaiian sweet rolls= great little sliders, POG juice, pineapple......) We also went to the Super Target and got yogurt, bottled water, and a few sodas. We ate lunch at Aulani 2 days, but only paid for the burgers because we brought our drinks downstairs.
4. Look at restaurant.com or costco/sams for discounted gift cards to restaurants. We got a $100 gc to Roy's for $75 and had a very nice dinner there with leftovers!
5. Don't over-schedule yourself! Relax, enjoy the scenery, and save money not trying to do so many activities!

Enjoy yourself!

 

[ksh1111]

We travel to Hawaii at least once if not twice a year. If you are going to Oahu, I would suggest staying near Waikiki, vs Ko Olina. On Waikiki, you can get away with out a car, which will save a lot on gas, rental and parking fees. You can walk most places, or take public transport. There are grocery stores within walking distance. Having a room with a kitchen or at least a microwave and refrigerator will help costs stay down.

Look outside the standard Hyatt, Marriott, Hilton options and try Aston or Outrigger (both Hawaii based chains).

If you don't have a rental car, we use the Hawaii23 shuttle. It is a very small family run business, but they are great.

If you are going to a different island (Kauai is my favorite), please let me know and I can customize my suggestions.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I agree that food is outrageously expensive in Hawaii, but the seafood is amazingly fresh, the pineapples are to die for and who can complain about eating in paradise?!

.....

I hope you realize that pineapples primarily come from the Philippines these days!

 

[novatwinmom]

I hope you realize that pineapples primarily come from the Philippines these days!

NP here, They still taste better in Hawaii!

Anyway, I want to echo that you should hike Diamond Head (but start early in the morning!) and add that you should snorkel at Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve (closed on Tuesdays). Both can be done the same (long) day and I think both are accessible by TheBus, Honolulu public transportation or have a small parking fee. Snorkel equipment can be rented there. There's usually these "magazines" full of coupons available on the main tourist street that also have coupons for "tours" to Hanauma Bay, basically a ride there and back.

If you're interested in a whole island tour of Oahu, a friend really enjoyed the Grand Circle Island tour by Roberts Hawaii. It seemed to cover nearly everything I recommended she go to (except Pearl Harbor, which she wasn't particularly interested in anyway). And she saw turtles!

 

[crisi]

Over Christmas a car rental may be expensive. Car rentals on Hawaii can be pretty expensive anyway, so I would consider somewhere like Waikiki with good public transportation - or somewhere you can get to from the airport and be happy with what you can walk or take public transport to. With a $2000 budget, spending $500 on your car rental would make a huge dent in your ability to do anything.

 

[tink9702]

I hope you realize that pineapples primarily come from the Philippines these days!

It's been awhile since I visited Hawaii.

 

[AlohaNow]

If you plan to snorkel at Hanauma Bay, start early as well. It is capacity controlled due to overuse (that’s why it is closed one day a week) and if you don’t get there in the morning you could be turned away. The parking lots are only so large and you can’t see how full they are from the top of the hill. I can also recommend snorkeling at Shark’s Cove on the North Shore; bring water shoes with you. Be sure and cross the road to get some pizza sticks from Foodland if you go there. Man do we miss the pizza sticks!

 

[aprilchem]

If you plan to snorkel at Hanauma Bay, start early as well. It is capacity controlled due to overuse (that’s why it is closed one day a week) and if you don’t get there in the morning you could be turned away. The parking lots are only so large and you can’t see how full they are from the top of the hill. I can also recommend snorkeling at Shark’s Cove on the North Shore; bring water shoes with you. Be sure and cross the road to get some pizza sticks from Foodland if you go there. Man do we miss the pizza sticks!

This - we were there 3 weeks ago at 9 am and it was closed for capacity. Tried the next day and it was closed again. We never did get to Hanauma Bay.