Travel Budget for Honolulu Visit Honolulu on a Budget or Travel in Style

Honolulu, Hawaii, United States of America

How much does it cost to travel to Honolulu?

You should plan to spend around $284 per day on your vacation in Honolulu. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $53 on meals
  • $26 on local transportation
  • $365 on hotels

A one week trip to Honolulu for two people costs, on average, $3,970. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $284
  • One Week Per person
    $1,985
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $3,970
  • One Month Per person
    $8,508
  • One Week For a couple
    $3,970
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $7,941
  • One Month For a couple
    $17,016
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Honolulu cost?

A one week trip to Honolulu usually costs around $1,985 for one person and $3,970 for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to Honolulu on average costs around $3,970 for one person and $7,941 for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in Honolulu will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to Honolulu on average costs around $8,508 for one person and $17,016 for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to Honolulu has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is Honolulu expensive to visit?

Prices in Honolulu are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.

Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Honolulu is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Boca Raton or Chicago.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Honolulu Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to Honolulu?

The average Honolulu trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Honolulu travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) $365
Local Transportation 1 $26
Food 2 $53
Entertainment 1 $40
Tips and Handouts 1 $6 - 18
Alcohol 2 $3 - 10
Accommodation Budget in Honolulu
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Honolulu is $183. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Honolulu is $365. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $183
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $365

Hotel Prices in Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Honolulu? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in Honolulu based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $273. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in Honolulu
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in Honolulu is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $26 per person, per day, on local transportation in Honolulu.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $26

Recommended Services


Flights to Honolulu
How much does it cost to go to Honolulu? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in Honolulu
The price of renting a car in Honolulu will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.


What did other people spend on Transportation in Honolulu?

Typical prices for Transportation in Honolulu are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Honolulu, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $35
  • Airport Shuttle for Two
    $30
  • Hilton Parking
    $24


Food Budget in Honolulu
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in Honolulu can vary, the average cost of food in Honolulu is $53 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Honolulu should cost around $21 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Honolulu is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $53

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food in Honolulu?

Typical prices for Food in Honolulu are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Honolulu, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Dinner for Two
    $73
  • Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream
    $5.55
  • Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)
    $53
  • Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)
    $34
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)
    $7.50
  • Hot Dog with the Fixins'
    $8.30
  • Sushi Dinner for Two
    $73


Entertainment Budget in Honolulu
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in Honolulu typically cost an average of $40 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $40

The Go City Oahu Pass offers great discounts on attractions in Oahu. With the Go City Explorer pass, you can choose to visit specific sights and attractions at a discount. Or, you can visit as many included attractions as you like with a multi-day All-Inclusive Pass. The average visitor saves 30% off of the regular admission prices.


Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment in Honolulu?

Typical prices for Entertainment in Honolulu are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Honolulu, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Parking for Hike
    $5.00
  • Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two
    $12
  • 2 hr Dinner Cruise
    $85
  • 1 Day Kayak Rental
    $36


Tips and Handouts Budget in Honolulu
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in Honolulu is $12 per day. The usual amount for a tip in Honolulu is 10% - 20%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $12



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Alcohol Budget in Honolulu
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $6.47 on alcoholic beverages in Honolulu per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $6.47

Recommended


Water Budget in Honolulu
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $20 on bottled water in Honolulu per day. The public water in Honolulu is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $20


Honolulu On a Budget
Honolulu Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.

Honolulu has a tropical savannah climate that has fairly consistent temperatures throughout the year. Highs usually range between 80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and lows are between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The summer months are the driest and the winter months make up the rainy season although even during the rainy season, sunny days are very common.
Sights
The most popular destinations in Honolulu are, of course, Waikiki Beach and Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor is located in Western Honolulu and was made infamous by the December 7,1941 attack by Japanese forces which killed more than 2,000 people. The site is still functioning as a navy base and today there are several memorials found there as well as the USS Arizona Memorial.

Waikiki Beach is a white sand beach that has many hotels and tourist amenities. Diamond Head Crater is in the background. This is a great beach for swimming, sunbathing, or any number of water sports.

Other nice beaches in the area include Hanauma Bay, Halona Beach Cove, Sandy Beach and Makapu'u Beach. There are also some great viewpoints in the area including Nu'uanu Pali Lookout, Pu'u Ualaka'a Park, and Diamond Head.
Neighborhoods
Honolulu is split into several districts. The downtown area has the harborfront as well as the state's government buildings and many of the area's museums. Waikiki is where the tourists flock. It has white sand beaches, highrise hotels, and crowds of sunbathers and surfers enjoying the atmosphere. Manoa-Makiki gives you a view of more tropical scenery in the Koolau Mountains. It's also home to the University of Hawaii. Eastern Honolulu is more residential in nature and has some nice beaches and snorkeling areas. Western Honolulu is where you'll find the city's airport as well as the military memorials of Pearl Harbor.

Activities
Outdoor recreation opportunities are plentiful in and around Honolulu. Do make sure you get out of town and enjoy some hiking. The views in Hawaii are absolutely breathtaking and the natural scenery is unlike anywhere else. Many people take a surfing lesson while they're in the area. Waikiki Beach is a great place to try surfing for the first time. There are also luaus and traditional hula shows that many visitors enjoy seeing. Concerts, clubs and bars are also abundant around town.
Food and Dining
Food in Honolulu can be expensive, but there is a diversity of options available. Seafood and sushi options are plentiful, as are other Japanese dishes. A favorite Hawaiian chain restaurant is Zippy's, which is comparable to Denny's. It's a favorite of the locals and prices are reasonable if you're on a budget. Chili is particularly popular at this restaurant. Other dining options around town include burger joints, Korean restaurants, cafes, and bakeries. The quality of the food can vary so it is best to avoid heavily trafficked tourist destinations and instead find out where the locals eat.

Shaved ice is another Hawaiian specialty. Waiola is the oldest and one of the best places to try it. The flavors are surprisingly diverse with some unique options available.

Transportation
Most visitors to Hawaii at least pass through Honolulu as it has the state's largest airport. Hawaiian Airlines is one of the most popular as it serves most of the major cities in the U.S. with routes to Hawaiian cities. Consider flying Business Class on Hawaiian Airlines if you want a nice upgrade.

Many of these visitors choose to spend at least a few days exploring the city and its nearby beaches. Renting a car during your time here will make your visit more efficient and enjoyable, particularly if you plan to visit some of the more outlying areas or explore the whole island of Oahu.

If you're planning to stay only in Honolulu, there is a decent bus system so a car is not necessary. Traffic can be frustrating, so if you can avoid driving in the city itself that is for the best. The public bus service, called TheBus, offers a decent number of routes around town. It is also possible to catch an intercity bus to other towns on Oahu. The Circle Island Route, #88A, goes around the entire island.

Within Waikiki there is the privately operated Waikiki Trolley that runs three lines for tourists. The Green trolleys run every 35 minutes around Diamond Head to Kahala Mall. The Red Trolley runs every 40 minutes and connects the downtown, Chinatown, and Hilo Hattie. The Pink trolleys run every 10 minutes and go to Ala Moana Mall.

You can pick up a taxi at Honolulu International Airport that will take you to Waikiki Beach for about $40 excluding a tip.
Related
Looking for a party hostel in Hawaii or Miami? Traveling alone to LA or New Orleans? Want a budget hostel in NYC?

We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.