Hawaii Travel Tips: Money-Saving Hacks for Your Vacation— Ep 63

Affordable Hawaii: Smart Strategies for a Dream Vacation

In this episode of the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast, host Marcie shares her extensive experience from 42 trips to Hawaii to help listeners plan an affordable Hawaiian vacation. She discusses budget-friendly strategies for flights, accommodations, activities, and food. Tips include utilizing the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare, booking vacation rentals with kitchenettes, and shopping at local grocery stores. Marcie also highlights free and low-cost activities, such as hiking and beach hopping, and recommends using city passes for multiple attractions. The episode is packed with actionable advice aimed at helping travelers maximize their Hawaiian experience without breaking the bank.

00:00 Welcome to Hawaii Travel Made Easy
00:33 Marcie's First Trip to Hawaii
01:19 Avoiding Common Travel Mistakes
02:18 Saving on Flights to Hawaii
06:56 Accommodation Tips and Tricks
09:29 Island Strategy and Timing
11:48 Affordable Activities in Hawaii
17:09 Eating Well on a Budget
23:05 Transportation and Souvenirs
28:08 Final Thoughts and Action Plan

Who this episode is for: Anyone looking for concrete, actionable ways to cut costs across flights, accommodations, activities, and food on a Hawaii trip.

What you'll learn: Specific money-saving hacks for booking flights, choosing accommodations, timing your trip, finding affordable activities, eating well on a budget, and saving on transportation and souvenirs.

Activities discussed:

• Booking flights using the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare
• Booking vacation rentals with kitchenettes
• Grocery shopping at local stores
• Hiking and beach hopping as free activities
• Using city passes for multiple attractions

Marcie's recommendations:

• Use the Alaska Airlines Companion Fare to cut flight costs
• Book vacation rentals with kitchenettes to save on food costs throughout the trip
• Shop at local grocery stores instead of relying entirely on restaurants
• Time your trip strategically as part of an overall island/timing strategy to control costs
• Prioritize free and low-cost activities like hiking and beach hopping
• Use city passes to bundle multiple paid attractions at a discount
• Apply savings strategies to transportation and souvenirs, not just the big-ticket items
• Avoid common travel mistakes that quietly inflate the total cost of the trip

Related Hawaii Travel Made Easy episodes: 

• Hawaii on a Budget – How to Save Without Sacrificing Fun— Ep 55
• Is Hawaii With Kids Worth It? A Brutally Honest Comparison— Ep 103
• Hawaii Travel Tips for First-Time Visitors: Essential Hawaii 101 Guide— Ep 2
• Budgeting for a Hawaii Vacation: What to Expect— Ep 16

Related articles:

• 105 Expert Travel Tips to Enjoy Hawaii on a Budget
• 10 Hawaii Travel Hacks for Families on a Budget
• Get Your FREE Hawaii Family Budget Planner!
• FREE 5 Day Email Course: How to Save Money in Hawaii

Additional resources:

• Discount Hawaii Car Rental (Marcie's affiliate link)

About Your Host: Marcie Cheung is a Certified Hawaii Destination Expert who has visited Hawaii 40+ times and spent 20+ years as a professional hula dancer. Through Hawaii Travel with Kids, she helps families plan authentic, affordable Hawaii vacations that respect local culture while creating unforgettable memories.

Learn more at hawaiitravelwithkids.com

Connect: @hawaiitravelwithkids on Instagram | Book a Consultation

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Transcript

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  Aloha and welcome to the Hawaii Travel Made Easy podcast. I'm your host, Marcy, and if this is your first time listening, welcome to our ana. For those of you who've been with me on this journey, Mahalo for coming back week after week. You know, I was just looking at my photo album for my latest trip to Maui.

It was trip number 42. Can you believe that? And I relay something. Every single one of those trips taught me something new about how to experience Hawaii without completely emptying my bank account. And trust me in those early days, I definitely made some expensive mistakes. My very first trip to Hawaii was actually when I was just 10 years old, back in 1994.

It was a family vacation. The sparked my lifelong love affair with the islands, but my first real adult trip. That was 2004 when my best friend and I decided to splurge on a girl's trip to Oahu. We were so excited to finally plan our own Hawaii adventure and oh my goodness, did we overspend? We booked a resort hotel because it looked amazing online.

Check we every single meal at resort restaurants because we thought it was just what you did check. We booked tours through the hotel concierge because it seemed convenient, double check. By day four, I was literally calculating in my head whether I could afford that smoothie by the pool. We came home with incredible memories, but also some serious credit card regret.

But you know what? That expensive lesson taught me everything I know today about traveling smart in Hawaii, and that's exactly what we're talking about today, how to have that dream Hawaii vacation without the financial hangover. Whether you're a family trying to make your vacation budget stretch further, a couple planning your first romantic getaway to the islands, or maybe you're a solo traveler who wants to see everything but doesn't have unlimited funds.

I've got strategies that actually work. The topic has been coming up so much in my dms lately. People telling me they've been dreaming about Hawaii for years, but every time they start researching and adding up the costs, they just feel overwhelmed and end up putting their trip off for someday. If that sounds like you, this episode is definitely for you.

So grab your favorite beverage, maybe some cone of coffee if you're feeling the Hawaii vibe, and let's dive into my proven strategies for making Hawaii affordable. And I promise you, we're not talking about roughing it or missing out on the magic. We're talking about  📍 being smart, strategic, and still having the time of your life.

All right. Let's start with the big one. The expense that usually makes people's eyes water when they start planning. Lights, the big kahuna of Hawaii. Vacation expenses. I mean, we're talking about getting to the most isolated island chain in the world. So yeah, it's gonna cost something, but here's the thing, you absolutely do not have to pay full price, and I'm gonna share some strategies that could literally save you hundreds, maybe even over a thousand dollars.

Let's start with my absolute favorite hack, and this is brand new information that just happened this summer. The Alaska Airlines Companion Fair.

Okay. You've probably heard of Alaska Airlines famous companion Fair before it's been around since the 1990s, but here's what changed everything. As of July of 2025, you can now use that companion fair on Hawaiian Airlines flights too. I am talking about booking one ticket at regular price and getting the second ticket for just $122 total.

That's $99 plus taxes starting at around $23. And now because of the Alaska Hawaiian merger, this works on Hawaiian Airlines flight within North America, including all the Hawaii routes. So let me paint you a picture of how this works. Say you're flying from Chicago to Honolulu. You could book Alaska Airlines from Chicago to Seattle, and then Hawaiian Airlines from Seattle to Honolulu, and use your companion fair for the entire journey.

Or you could fly Hawaiian Airlines direct from a city like Los Angeles to any Hawaiian island. I just used this for my family and we saved $487 on my husband's ticket. That's almost enough to cover our entire food budget for the week. Now to get this companion fair, you need either the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card or the Alaska Airlines Visa Business card.

After you spend $6,000 in a card member year, you get the companion fair certificate. And here's a pro tip. Sometimes the offer companion fair as part of the signup bonus, so you could potentially use it right away. The beauty of this deal is that both passengers earn full miles.

The beauty of the deal is that both passengers earn full miles. Both tickets are eligible for upgrades, and you're treated just like any other paying passenger. It's not some restricted blackout date nightmare like some airline deals. Now, if credit card churning isn't your thing, and I totally get that, it's not for everyone.

Let's talk about maximizing the points you're already earning. I always tell people to use apps like AwardWallet to track your points across different programs. It's so easy to lose track, and I've seen people literally forget about thousands of points sitting in various accounts.

If you have a travel rewards card, pay attention to transfer partners. Sometimes you can transfer points to airlines at a one-to-one ratio, which can be an incredible value for Hawaii flights. I recently helped someone transfer Chase points to United, and she got a round trip ticket to Kauai for just 40,000 points, plus $11 in taxes.

And here's something a lot of people don't think about. If you're just starting out with points and miles, look for credit cards with big signup bonuses. Some of those bonuses are worth enough for a free round trip ticket to Hawaii. Just make sure you can meet the spending requirement naturally. Never go into debt to earn points.

All right. Flexibility is your secret weapon. This is where the real magic happens. Friends, being flexible with your dates can save you more money than any hack I know. I live by Google Flights and Hopper for tracking prices. Set up those price alerts and be patient. I've seen flights drop by 200 to $300 per person just by shifting travel dates by a few days.

So here's what flexibility looks like in practice. Instead of flying out on a Saturday and returning Saturday, try Tuesday to Tuesday or Wednesday to Wednesday. Weekday travel can save you a hundred dollars to $200 per ticket easily. And seasonal flexibility, even better, may, September and October are my favorite months for Hawaii travel.

You get good weather, fewer crowds, and significantly lower prices. I'm talking about differences of $300 to $500 per person compared to peak season. I know, I know you might be thinking, but Marcy, I have kids in school, or I can only take vacation at certain times and they hear you. But if you do have any flexibility at all, use it.

Even shifting by a week can make a huge difference. One more flight tip before we move on. If you're on the East Coast, don't automatically assume that you need to pay for direct flight. Sometimes routing through the West coast with a connection can save serious money, especially if you're using that Alaska Companion Fair Strategy.

I mentioned, okay, so you scored a great deal on flights high five, but now you need somewhere to stay, and this is where a lot of people's budgets start to spiral out of control. But don't worry, I've got you covered. So let's be real for a minute about Hawaii accommodations. When you start looking at those gorgeous resort photos with the infinity pools and ocean views, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you need to spend 500 to $800 a night to have a good time.

But here's what I've learned after 42 trips where you sleep matters way less than what you're doing during the day.

So I'm a huge fan of vacation rentals when you're trying to save money, and not just because they're usually cheaper than hotels, although they are. We're looking at an average of about $170 a night, plus taxes for vacation rentals compared to 350 to $450 for decent hotels. But here's the real reason I love them.

The kitchen, having a kitchen changes everything about your food budget. We will talk more about food costs in a bit, but just know that being able to cook some of your own meals can easily save you 50 to a hundred dollars per day per person. I always look for places on Airbnb or VRBO that have at least a kitchenette, you know, a fridge, microwave, and maybe a stove top.

You don't need a gourmet kitchen to make breakfast pack lunches or even prepare simple dinners. Some of my favorite places to stay include Honu Kai on Maui. It's a condo resort with full kitchens on Oahu. I love the vacation rentals in Kailua. You are right by some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and the nightly rates are usually much cheaper than Waikiki. So here's a pro tip. If you're traveling with another family or a group, vacation rentals become an even better deal.

Split a three bedroom condo four ways, and suddenly you're paying 40 to $50 per person per night instead of $200 to $300 per person for hotel rooms. Now, if you prefer hotels, and there are definitely advantages to hotel stays. Let's talk about maximizing your points and rewards. If you have a hotel credit card, this is where it really pays off.

I've stayed at beautiful Hyatt resorts in Hawaii, just using points, no cash out of pocket except for resort fees and incidentals. Even if you don't have a ton of points saved up, sometimes the points plus cash rates can be great deals. So instead of paying $400 a night cash, maybe you can pay $15,000 points plus $150.

That might be worth it depending on how you value your points. And here's something people often overlook. Hotel booking flexibility. If you can book a refundable rate, keep monitoring prices. Hotels sometimes drop their rates and you can rebook at a lower price. I do this religiously, and I've saved hundreds of dollars by rebooking the same hotel at a lower rate.

Okay, let's talk about island strategy and timing. Here's something that can make a huge difference in your accommodation costs, which island you choose and when to visit.

Oahu is typically the most budget friendly island for accommodations. You've got the most options, the most competition, and generally lower prices. Maui, on the other hand, is the most expensive, sometimes 50 to 70% more than comparable places on Oahu. The big island in Kauai usually falls somewhere in between.

But here's the thing about the big island. Prices can vary dramatically depending on which side you stay on. Kona side is generally more expensive than Helo side, but Helo gets more rain. It's all about what trade-offs you're comfortable with. In timing, this is huge.

Booking at least six months in advance gives you the best selection and the best prices, but here's what's really important. Avoiding peak season, December through April is peak season in summer months when kids are outta school, also see higher prices, those shoulder season, months I mentioned for flights, may, September, October.

They're magic for accommodations too. You're looking at potentially 30 to 40% savings just by shifting your travel dates. I just booked a place on Maui for October, and the same exact unit was $200 a night for my October dates versus $420 for a night in March. Dates. That's $140 night difference, nearly a thousand dollars savings for week long trip.

There's also a location strategy. Here's something I learned the hard way on my early trips. Paying a premium to stay right on the beach isn't always worth it. Some of the best value accommodations are a five to 10 minute walk or drive from the beach, and honestly, you're probably gonna be out exploring the island most of the day anyway, on Oahu.

Staying in Waikiki is convenient but pricey. Look at places in nearby neighborhoods like Alam, Moana, or even consider the North Shore. If you don't mind, a bit of a drive to other parts of the island on Maui. Everyone wants to stay in Yle or Kaanapali. But consider areas like KeHE or even upcountry if you want a different experience.

The key is thinking about what you really need. If you're the type of travelers who are out from the breakfast until sunset, maybe you don't need the ocean front room. Save that money for experiences instead. Speaking of experiences, let's talk about activities and how to enjoy everything Hawaii has to offer without spending a fortune.

Okay, here's where Hawaii can either make or break your budget. You've got snorkeling tours for $150 a person helicopter rides for $300, luaus for $200. It adds up fast. But here's what I've discovered. Some of the most incredible experiences in Hawaii don't cost a dime. And for the paid activities, there are so many ways to save if you know what to look for.

Okay? Let me tell you about one of my favorite days in Hawaii, and it was so affordable. We were on Oahu and we started the morning with a hike up Diamond Head. Yes, there's a small entrance fee. I think it's about $5 per person, but the views from the top are worth a million bucks. After the hike, we drove to Shark's Cove on the North Shore.

We brought our own snorkeling gear, more on that in a bit, and spent hours swimming with tropical fish. No tour guide needed, no crowded boat, just us in the crystal clear water. For lunch, we stopped at a local food truck, still keeping costs low, and then spent the afternoon at Sunset Beach, just relaxing and people watching.

As the sun started to set, we drove to the west side of the island and watched one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever seen. The total cost for the day, maybe $25 for food and gas. The total value of the experience. Priceless. The point is Hawaii's natural beauty is free. Every single beach is public In Hawaii, that's the law.

You can spend days just beach hopping and never get bored. Some of my other favorite free activities are hiking Yme Canyon on Kauai. They call it the Grand Canyon of the Pacific for a reason, exploring the lava fields on the big island, walking through downtown Honolulu and checking out historic sites like Yani Palace from the outside.

Driving the Road Hana on Maui Gas money only, but one of the most beautiful drives in the world now for the paid activities. Let's talk about the Ghost City passes because this is where you can save serious money if you're planning to do multiple things. The Oahu All Inclusive Pass now includes more than 45 attractions and activities, and you can save up to 50% compared to buying everything individually.

I'm talking about access to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Sea Life Park, Pearl Harbor Tours, Kaman Cruises, all included. So here's how the math works out. A seven day pass costs about $369 per person. That might sound like a lot upfront, but think about it, that's about $53 per activity for unlimited activities.

A single lu out usually costs 150 to $200 per person, and the past includes a premium lu out experience. You are basically getting everything else for free. At that point, the three, four and five day passes are usually the sweet spot for most travelers.

They give you enough time to hit up the major activities while leaving some days free for beach time and exploring on your own. But here's the key, you need to plan ahead. Most of the popular activities require reservations. Even with the pass. Don't just show up and hope for the best. Download the Ghost City app.

Make your reservations as soon as you buy your pass and plan your itinerary around availability. So if passes aren't your thing, there are other ways to save on activities. Groupon can have good deals, but be careful. Sometimes the discounted price is actually the regular price, or there are hidden restrictions always compared to booking directly with the operator.

Speaking of booking directly, that's often your best bet for things like snorkeling tours or boat trips. Cut out the middleman. Call the operator directly and ask if they have any discounts. Military discounts come I a rates if you know locals or even just asking, is this your best price? Can sometimes save you money.

Another strategy I love is booking sunset activities, sunset sailing, cruises, sunset yoga classes, sunset horseback rides. The uping costs the same as daytime activities, but feel more special. Plus you get your activity and your sunset viewing all in one. Here's something that can save you a ton of money over multiple trips.

Bring your own gear when possible. Snorkeling gear, beach umbrellas, coolers. These things add up fast when you're renting them.

Good snorkeling gear rental can cost 20 to $30 per person per day. Multiply that by a week long trip for a family of four and you're looking at hundreds of dollars. You can buy decent snorkeling sets for 30 to $40 each and use some trip after trip. Same thing goes with beach gear. That beach umbrella rental might be $25 a day, but you can buy one for $40 and use it for years.

And here's a big one, W Reef Safe sunscreen Hawaii requires Reef safe sunscreen. And buying it there costs 15 to $20 or more for a small bottle. Stock up before you go and bring plenty.

All right. Just like with accommodations, timing matters for activities. Booking morning activities is often cheaper than afternoon. Ones Tuesday through Thursday. Activities sometimes cost less than weekend activities. Also, consider the shoulder season advantage for activities too. Not only will you save money, but you'll often have smaller groups and more personalized experiences.

I've been on snorkeling tours in peak season with 40 people on the boat and off season tours with just 12 people. Guess which experience was better? One more insider tip, if you're staying for a week or more, look for local activity. Companies that offer package deals, sometimes buying multiple activities from the same operator, get you a discount.

All this activity planning is making me hungry, which brings us to our next topic, food. And boy do I have some eye-opening information about food costs in Hawaii, plus strategies to keep you well fed without going broke. All right. Let's talk about the elephant in the room. Food costs in Hawaii. I'm not gonna sugarcoat this.

Eating in Hawaii is expensive, but I'm also gonna show you exactly how to navigate this without surviving on peanut butter sandwiches for a week. Okay. Let me give you the current numbers because I think it's important to go into this with realistic expectations. If you're eating out every meal at restaurants, you're looking at about $15 for breakfast.

$25 for lunch and $45 for dinner per person. That's $85 per person per day, or almost $600 per person per a week. For a family of four, we're talking about $2,400 just for food for one week. Ouch. Even grocery shopping is pricey. Milk costs about $7 and 64 cents A gallon bread is more than $6 and a dozen eggs will run you about $5.

These prices aren't tourist traps. This is what locals pay too, because almost everything has to be shipped across the Pacific Ocean. But here's the thing, knowing these numbers means you can plan around them and make,

but here's the thing, knowing these numbers means you can plan around them and make smart choices about where to splurge and where to save. So one of my favorite ways to eat well for less is to eat where the locals eat. And I'm not just saying that to sound cool. Local spots are genuinely cheaper and often more delicious than tourist restaurants.

So let me tell you about Plate Lunch Culture. This is a Hawaii tradition where you get a protein, maybe teriyaki chicken or glue of pork served with rice and macaroni salad, or green salad. These meals are filling authentic and usually cost around $8. Ano Barbecue is a local chain that does this really well, and you'll see locals lined up there during lunchtime.

Food trucks are another gold mine. Giovanni's Shrimp Truck on Oahu is famous for a reason, and maze and garlic shrimp for about $12. But there are incredible food trucks on every island. Korean barbecue, fresh fish, acai bowls, shave ice, all much cheaper than sit down restaurants. And can we talk about Poque for a minute?

This is Hawaii's gift to the world. Fresh, raw fish served in cubes, usually over rice. You can get amazing poque at grocery stores like Foodland for six to $10, and it's often better than what you can get at Fancy Restaurant for $25. Farmer's markets are another secret weapon. Every island has them.

Usually once or twice a week, you'll find fresh tropical fruit at much better prices than grocery stores, plus local specialties and sometimes prepared food. All right, let's talk about a grocery store game plan. Having access to a kitchen changes everything about your food budget. Even if you only cook breakfast and packed lunches, you can easily save 40 to $50 per person per day.

So here's my grocery store strategy. Shop at Costco or Safeway for basics. Yes, there are Costcos in Hawaii. The prices are still higher than the mainland, but they're the best you'll find in the islands. Stock up on breakfast items, cereal, fruit, yogurt, coffee. Make your own coffee instead of stopping at cafes.

That's five to $7 per coffee or saving. Buy sandwich supplies for lunch. Grab snacks and drinks to keep in your beach. And here's a fun fact. Costco in Hawaii has some of the best souvenir shopping, macadamia nuts, Kona Coffee, Hawaiian honey, all at much better prices than tourist shops for produce hit up local grocery stores like Foodland or Time Supermarket.

They often have better selection of local fruits and sometimes better prices on Hawaiian grown items. Now, I'm not saying you should never eat out, that's part of the fun of traveling, but be strategic about when you splurge. Happy Hour is your friend. Many restaurants offer significant discounts during happy hour, sometimes 30 to 50% off food and drinks.

In Waikiki, you can find happy hours from two to 6:00 PM at many places. Lunch portions are often dinner sized, but cost about 30% less. If you wanna try that fancy restaurant with the ocean view, go for lunch instead of dinner and consider the strategy. Cook breakfast and lunch, and then splurge on dinner.

Or cook dinner most nights and splurge on one or two special dinners during your trip. Okay, let's talk about alcohol for a minute because this can really add up. Hawaii has high taxes on alcohol, so cocktails at resort bars can easily cost 15 to $18 each. And beer at restaurants is often seven to $9.

If you drink alcohol, buy it at grocery stores or Costco and pre-game at your accommodation. Then maybe have one or two drinks when you're out, instead of drinking all night. At restaurant prices. For non-alcoholic drinks, water bottles can cost $3 to $4 each at tourist areas.

Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up. Many restaurants will give you free water and many accommodations have filtered water available.

Okay. One area where I do recommend surging at least once is on a traditional luau. Yes, they're touristy, and yes, they're expensive. Usually 150 to $200 per person, but a good luau is about more than just food. It's cultural education, entertainment, and an experience you'll remember forever.

If you get a go city pass, many include a premium luau, which is great value. Otherwise, do your research and pick one that focuses on authentic Hawaiian culture, not just a dinner show. The key with all food spending is balance. Have your peanut butter and jelly lunch so you can afford the amazing seafood dinner.

Make coffee in your room so you can splurge on that acai bowl at the farmer's market. Now that we've covered the big budget categories, let me share some of my favorite miscellaneous money saving tips that can really add up. Okay, we've covered the big expenses, flights, accommodations, activities, and food, but there are so many little things that can either nickel and dime you to death or save you significant money if you know what to look for.

These are the tips I wish someone had told me on my first trip. Let's start with getting around. Once you're there, the automatic assumption is that you need to rent a car for your entire trip, but that's not always true. If you're staying in Waikiki on a Oahu, seriously consider skipping the rental car altogether.

The bus system is actually pretty good, and a monthly pass is only $70. Compare that to rental car costs. We're talking 200 to $50 to $400 per week, plus four to $5 per gallon for gas, plus parking fees, which can be a 25 to $40 per day in Waikiki. I know a couple who stayed in Waikiki for 10 days, used the bus and occasional Uber rides, and spent less than $150 total on transportation.

That would've been more than $600 on a rental car. Now if you're staying on other islands or want to explore beyond the main tourist areas, you'll probably need a car. But here's a strategy. Instead of renting for your entire trip, rent for just a few days, maybe rent a car for two days to drive the road to Hana on Maui.

Then return it and use other transportation for the rest of your trip on the big island. Consider renting a car only for the days you wanna visit Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, or drive to the other side of the island. Then the rest of the time, you might be fine with resort shuttles or staying local to your accommodation.

Oh my goodness. Souvenir shopping can destroy a budget so fast. I've seen people spend $300 on airport souvenirs that they could have bought for $75 elsewhere. So here's my souvenir shopping hierarchy. First choice is Costco. Seriously, they have. Macadamia nuts.

Kona Coffee, local honey, all at much better prices than tour shops. A bag of macadamia nuts might cost $25 at a tour shop and $8 at Costco. Second choice is a B. C stores. Yes, they're touristy, but they're everywhere and their prices are relatively reasonable. Third choice is local markets and farmers markets.

Great for authentic locally made items. Last choice. Never shop at airports or resort gift shops unless you absolutely have to. The markup is insane. And here's the tip for families with kids. Set a soothing your budget before you go. Give each kid a specific amount to spend and let them choose how to use it.

It prevents meltdowns and overspending. There are so many things you can bring from home. Instead of buying in Hawaii, let's talk about packing smart. There are so many things you can bring from home instead of buying in Hawaii. We already talked about snorkeling gear and reef safe sunscreen, but let's expand on this.

Beach towels, hotels and condos usually provide them, but if you're planning on beach days, bring a couple extra beach towel. Rentals can be $5 to $10 per day. Portable cooler, even a small soft sided cooler can save you money on drinks and snacks For beach days, a bottle of water costs a dollar at a grocery store versus three to $4 at the beach.

Basic first aid supplies, band-aids, ibuprofen, antiacid. These cost a fortunate resort shops, laundry detergent pods. If you're staying somewhere with a washer and dryer, bring a few pods instead of buying a whole container there. Power strips and phone chargers, hotel rooms, never have enough outlets. And buying these in Hawaii is expensive.

And here's some random but totally useful tips. Download offline maps before you go. Data roaming charges can be expensive, and you don't wanna rely on finding wifi when you're trying to navigate to a remote beach. Take advantage of hotel and condo amenities. You're already paying for pool Fitness center, business Center, wifi.

You're paying for all these through resort fees anyway, so use them. Look for free wifi. Instead of paying for hotel internet. If there are charges, many coffee shops, restaurants, and public areas have free wifi. Bring reusable water bottles for everyone in your group. Staying hydrated is important in the tropical climate, but buying water bottles constantly gets expensive.

Take photos of your rental car when you pick it up and when you return it. Rental companies in Hawaii can be strict about damage charges and having photo evidence protects you. Okay, we've touched on this throughout the episode, but it's worth repeating. Timing is everything in Hawaii. Shoulder season isn't just cheaper for flights and hotels.

Everything is cheaper Activity. Companies offer discounts, restaurants have more specials, and even some shops have sales to attract the smaller number of tourists. If you can travel during these times, which is late April through May, September through mid-October, you're looking at potential savings of 30 to 40% across all categories.

Even if you can't do shoulder season, midweek travel is usually cheaper than weekends, tuesday through Thursday, flights, hotels, and even some activities cost less. So here's what I want you to remember from all these tips, small savings add up to big savings.

Saving $20 here and $30. There might not seem like much. But by the end of a week long trip, these strategies can easily save you $500 to a thousand dollars or more. And that money you save, you can put it toward that sunset dinner you've been dreaming about, or an extra day trip, even extending your vacation by a day.

The goal isn't to be cheap, it's to be smart with your money so you can spend it on the experiences that matter most to you. Let me wrap this up with some final thoughts and your action plan. 

Want even more money saving strategies personalized to your specific trip. My Hawaii travel consultations cover budget planning, including realistic cost expectations, and where to splurge versus save. For $149, you'll get a 60 minute consultation with me.

And because you're working with me, my travel agent partner waives her planning fee. And Kim at Stuff Suitcase often has access to exclusive deals. Or grab a quick 30 minute consultation for $69. Visit Hawaii Travel with kids.com to book and stretch your Hawaii vacation budget further. Okay.

Wow, we covered a lot of ground today. I hope your notepad is full of ideas or maybe you're already opening browser tabs to start planning your trip.

But before you jump into booking mode, let me give you the recap and your action plan. Okay, so here's the reality check. I want you to have the average Hawaii trip costs about $393 per person per day. If you're not being strategic, but using the strategies we talked about today, you can easily bring that down to 200 to $250 per day, and if you're really budget conscious, under a hundred dollars per day is totally doable on Oahu.

For a family of four on a week long trip. We're talking about the difference between spending $11,000 and spending five to $7,000. That's real money friends. And if you're ready to start planning, here's what I want you to do. First, decide on your dates with as much flexibility as possible. Remember, may, September and October are your money saving sweet spots.

Second start with flights. Set up those price alerts on Google Flights and Hopper. If you're interested in the Alaska Airlines companion for strategy, look into getting the credit card sooner rather than later. 'cause you'll wanna start earning toward that spending requirement. Third accommodations, start looking at vacation rentals with kitchenettes, especially if you're traveling with family or friends.

Book early for the best selection and prices. Fourth, make a rough activity plan. Decide what's most important to you. Is it that helicopter tour? The luau, the snorkeling adventure? Budget for your must use first and then see what else fits. And finally start gathering your gear, snorkeling equipment, SAF sunscreen, reusable water bottles.

These upfront investments will save you money trip after trip. But here's what I really want you to remember. The goal isn't to spend the least amount of money possible. The goal is to spend your money wisely so you can have the experiences that matter most to you.

Maybe for you, that means cooking breakfast every day so you can afford that sunset dinner cruise. Maybe it means staying in a budget condo so you can splurge on a helicopter tour. Maybe it means bringing your own snorkel gear so you can afford an extra day trip to another island.

The point is, when you're smart about some things, you can be generous with yourself on others. You know, after 42 trips to Hawaii, people sometimes ask me if it ever gets old, and honestly, every sequel trip still feels magical to me. Maybe it's watching my kids experience their first sea turtle siding, or discovering a new hidden beach, or just sitting on the lanai with my morning coffee watching the sunrise.

Hawaii has this incredible ability to reset your soul, to remind you what's really important in life. And that experience, that feeling is not just about the money you spend. Some of my most treasured Hawaii memories cost absolutely nothing. So yes, be smart with your budget. Use these strategies. Save money when you can, but don't forget to be present and soak up every single moment of your time in Paradise.

I wanna hear about your Hawaii planning. Are you working on your first trip or are you a Hawaii veteran looking to save more money? Which of today's tips are you most excited about? Send me a DM on Instagram at Hawaii, travel with kids. Or visit my blog for even more detailed guides and tips. I love hearing from listeners and honestly, you guys often teach me new things too.

And if this episode was helpful, please just take a minute to subscribe and leave a review. It helps other dreamers find the show and start planning their own affordable Hawaii adventures. And check out the show notes. I'm dropping a link to my free Hawaii budget planner.

Until then, keep dreaming about those turquoise waters and trade winds. And remember, your Hawaii vacation is closer than you think. Mahala for listening,  📍 and I'll see you next week. Aloha.