Is Honolulu Expensive?

Is Honolulu expensive to visit?

Honolulu is a popular destination that is also moderately priced. It falls in the middle range of travel cost prices globaly with a daily average travel cost of $284. If we compare it to the rest of North America, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a moderately priced place to visit. It ranks in the top 50% of cities in North America for its travel costs. Its travel costs are comparable with places such as Los Angeles and Chicago.



Honolulu, Hawaii

How expensive is Honolulu?

For a trip to Honolulu, travelers spend on average $284 per day (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations from previous visitors. As this is an average cost, your individual spending may vary, especially since there's a wide range of accommodation, food, transportation, and entertainment options here. If you stick to moderately-priced hotels and restaurants, as well as take advantage of some of free things to do in the area, you can stick close to the average budget. See more travel costs for Honolulu here to see how all of the average spending costs pan out.

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

On average, a weekend trip to Honolulu costs about $851 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a weekend trip costs $1,702.

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

A one week trip to Honolulu costs about $1,985 per person on average, based on the previous expenses of other travelers. This includes accommodation, sightseeting activities, transportation, food, and nightlife. For two people, a one week trip costs $3,970.



Honolulu, Hawaii

Is it expensive to backpack in Honolulu?

With more than 5 hostels in the area, Honolulu is a fairly popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $40 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Honolulu here.) There's a wide range in prices for beds, as the cheapest hostels cost $38, but the most expensive can be more than $41 per night.

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

  • $38 for a dorm bed at The Beach Waikiki by ALOH
  • $40 for a dorm bed at Seaside Hawaiian Hostel
  • $40 for a dorm bed at Polynesian Hostel Beach Club Waikiki

Are hotels expensive in Honolulu?

Examining hotel prices in Honolulu, we can see that they are moderately priced when compared to hotels in other cities. The average cost for a night in a hotel room is approximately $273. The city is equipped with about 8 five-star hotels, boasting an average nightly rate of $945. For travelers aiming for a comfortable yet budget-conscious stay, three-star hotels come in at an average of $273 per night, while two-star hotels offer a more pocket-friendly choice at $144 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Honolulu
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 8 $945
4 stars 28 $298
3 stars 97 $273
2 stars 16 $144
1 star 5 $252
No rating 9 $490

349 Seaside Avenue Honolulu, HI 96815, Honolulu
Overall Rating 8.8
2299 Kuhio Avenue, Honolulu
Overall Rating 8.7

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Honolulu?

In Honolulu, 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 $40 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $55.

    • 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
    • Full Day Private Customized Sightseeing Tour in Oahu Hawaii: $179
    • Sunrise Plus Island Tour: $165
    • Honolulu Content Creators Tour for Social Media : $95
    • Private South Shore of Oahu Tour: $179

    Is food expensive in Honolulu?

    In Honolulu, 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 $53 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $58.

    • Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
    • Lanai Tabura curated Aloha Plate Hawaii Food Tour from Honolulu: $208

    Is transportation expensive in Honolulu?

    Local transportation in Honolulu can vary in price depending on the type of transit used. Generally, other travelers have spent $26 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 Honolulu

    If you're planning a trip to Honolulu, 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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