Is Hawaii Expensive?

Is Hawaii expensive to visit?

Hawaii is a well-liked but higher-priced destination. It's generally considered to be a somewhat expensive destination, and our cost analysis agrees as the daily average travel price is $342. When compared to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a somewhat more expensive place. It stands in the top 25% of cities in North America for its overall travel costs. This makes it comparable to other cities in the country.

Even though Hawaii is a less common destination, visitors still find some nice destinations to visit. One of the more expensive places to visit is Honolulu. For a more affordable option, you can visit Honolulu.


Average daily price of selected cities in Hawaii, by affordability
City Average Daily Cost
Honolulu $284


Honolulu, Hawaii

How expensive is Hawaii?

Travelers spend an average of $342 per day when visiting Hawaii (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Hawaii here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Hawaii?

Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Hawaii costs around $1,025 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $2,050.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Hawaii?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Hawaii will cost around $2,391 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $4,782.

Is it expensive to backpack in Hawaii?

With more than 5 hostels around town, Hawaii is a fairly popular backpacker destination. Hostels usually cost an average of $40 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Hawaii.

  • $38 for a dorm bed at The Beach Waikiki by ALOH

Where to find affordable hostels in Hawaii
City Number of Hostels Average Price for a Dorm
Honolulu 5 $40

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Hawaii?

In Hawaii, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $38 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $55.

    • Private Stand Up Paddle Boarding Tour in Turtle Town, Maui: $149
    • Complete Island Tour & Sunrise Photo Experience : $170
    • ETOHI: Exclusive Island Tour - Oahu • Private • Custom • No Rush: $286
    • Native Hawaiian Circle Island Tour: $130
    • 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $65
    • Afternoon Adventure Snorkel from Ka'anapali: $169
    • Bee Farm Ecotour and Honey Tasting in Waialua, North Shore Oahu: $135
    • Kayak Whale Watching Tour (7am-10am): $125

    Is food expensive in Hawaii?

    In Hawaii, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $77 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $58.

    • Private Sunset Dinner Horseback Ride: $251
    • Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class: $149
    • Lunchtime Walking Food Tour in Honolulu: $99
    • From Ma'alaea Harbor: Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Aboard Calypso: $130
    • Haleakala's Best Sunset Tour with Dinner: $179
    • Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150

    Is transportation expensive in Hawaii?

    The prices of local transportation in Hawaii can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $37 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $46. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.

    More for Hawaii

    If you're planning a trip to Hawaii, Hawaii, check out these other informative travel guides.



    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.



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