Honolulu on a Budget
A famous beach, a moving memorial and a volcanic crater walk that all cost little or nothing, here’s how to keep the rest of the trip affordable too.
Honolulu has a genuine reputation for being expensive, hotel prices and flights especially, but several of its best experiences, Pearl Harbor’s memorial, Waikiki Beach itself, cost little or nothing. Here’s how to keep the rest of the costs down without cutting the trip short.
Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Beach are free
Pearl Harbor National Memorial and the USS Arizona Memorial boat program cost nothing beyond the one-dollar Recreation.gov booking fee, and Waikiki Beach itself is free to enjoy. Diamond Head charges a modest entry fee, considerably cheaper than most paid attractions elsewhere.
Visit outside peak holiday weeks for lower prices
Hawaii’s prices spike around Christmas, New Year and major US holidays, considerably higher than the rest of the year. Booking outside these windows offers noticeably lower rates on flights and hotels alike.
Use TheBus over rental cars if you’re staying central
Oahu’s public bus system, TheBus, is genuinely comprehensive and cheap, worth considering if your itinerary sticks mostly to Waikiki and nearby sights. A rental car becomes worthwhile only if you’re planning to explore further around the island.
A plate lunch beats a Waikiki tourist restaurant
A plate lunch from a proper local spot is widely a Hawaiian institution, filling and considerably cheaper than a sit-down restaurant on Kalakaua Avenue. A poke bowl from a grocery store or local counter remains one of the better cheap eats in the city too.
Consider staying a few blocks back from the beach
Hotels with direct beachfront access sit at the top of the price range given the location. Rooms a few blocks inland run noticeably cheaper while staying an easy walk from Waikiki Beach itself.
That’s everything I’ve got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government’s latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
