Founder of HawaiiGuide & certified travel expert with 20+ years of experience in Hawaii tourism.
It's no secret that Americans love to go on vacation. But when it comes to their favorite type of destination, people feel the most relaxed when they're enjoying the beach. This makes it easy to understand why Hawaii tends to be at the top of everybody's travel bucket list.
If you're looking to relax at the beach and sip from a coconut with your loved ones, you might be wondering how much a Hawaiian family vacation costs. That's where this guide comes in. Consider it your financial guide to knowing everything about Hawaii and what it might cost you.
Bust out the spreadsheet, and let's get started.
Getting to Hawaii
First things first, you got to get to Hawaii.
The airfare to Hawaii varies on cost, it can be relatively expensive, but there are often sales to look out for. Considering Hawaii's popularity, do enough research, and you'll be able to find flash sales, promotions, and different deals.
Avoid the summer months and holidays since these tend to be on the more expensive side. If you're traveling from within North America, you can find airline tickets as low as $400 and as high as $800.
As you may have guessed, people who live on the west coast will most likely have cheaper flights than those who live on opposite sides of the world.
Hawaii Transportation
Once you're in Hawaii, you'll want to get around with ease. The cost of transportation in Hawaii completely depends on the area you stay in.
If you're staying in a bigger city, you could rely on public transportation. The bus costs around $5 for a daily ticket.
However, if you're looking to explore or don't want to wrangle your family up to take the bus, you should rent a car. This can cost around $40-$100 without insurance.
Staying in Maui? Renting a car is basically a necessity unless you want to book a tour for each of your activities.
When you arrive from the airport, there are plenty of shuttle services to get you close to your hotel or villa. This is a more budget-friendly option since it is more affordable than taking a taxi.
If you plan on visiting multiple islands, you're going to need to budget an additional $250 per flight.
Hawaii Hotels
One of the most enjoyable aspects of planning a vacation is finding the right hotel. When you're with family, you want a place that is enjoyable for everybody but won't break the bank.
Accommodation is a big expense, and the final cost of your trip will depend on how extravagant you want the hotel to be. There are budget options, mid-range, and luxury. More popular cities will be more pricey in comparison to the less known areas.
For example, a midrange hotel in Waikiki can cost you around $200 per night during the high season.
Remember that this price can vary wildly depending on what you're looking for. Some people prefer to spend most of the budget on their accommodation since they plan on spending a significant amount of time there. Other families will only be use lodging for sleeping and resting, preferring to dedicate more money to the activities or food.
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Food and Drink
Prepare to make food and drink a hefty part of your budget. Even groceries will be pricier than you expect. It won't be too easy to eat cheap, but you'll be delighted by all the delicious food that Hawaii offers.
Expect to pay around $15 for breakfast, $20 for lunch, and $50 for dinner and a drink. Of course, this is per person. A family of four can expect to pay around $350 for food per day.
Don't cancel all of your plans yet! There are ways to lower this number down, especially if you have some flexibility. You can find plenty of great food trucks and takeaway spots that are better for your wallet.
You also don't need to worry about spending money on drinking water since Hawaii's tap water is safe for consumption.
Things to Do in Hawaii
Let's be real, the main reason you come to Hawaii is for its attractions. You can spend an entire day at one of the beautiful beaches, check out different film sets, swim with dolphins, and even participate in a Luau.
You'll always have something to fill your days with, which is wonderful, but it can also be quite expensive.
Before booking the flight, sit down with your family and find out what the "must-do" attractions are. Day trips will end up costing around $100. Use that as your baseline.
As tempting as it is to make spontaneous decisions once you arrive in Hawaii, this can get pricey quickly.
Sometimes you can get a discounted rate for some of these attractions, depending on any deals going on at the time. You can also find affordable options.
Have some days that you explore the local area and other days where you pay for an experience. This is the best balancing act for getting the most out of your vacation without emptying your savings.
Additional Spending
Remember to budget for shopping trips and add some cushion for any emergencies. It's always a good idea to have a little extra than you budget for, in case something happens.
Hawaii is full of beautiful artwork, clothes, and jewelry that you'll be dying to take home, so be sure to add some coins in the piggy bank for that!
The Perfect Hawaiian Family Vacation
If you're part of the majority of Americans who desperately need a vacation, it's time you figure out how much it'll cost you. The better you prepare for your travels, the more you can enjoy paradise without stressing over finances.
The final cost of your trip can vary wildly depending on spending habits and how luxurious you want your vacation to be. There's a great Hawaiian family vacation for every budget.
Once the worry of money is out the way, you can focus on the memories you make with the people you love.
Looking for amazing Hawaii travel tips and guides? We got you covered! Check out our Hawaii essentials to get started.
