Intro
Planning a trip to visit Oahu can feel challenging when you’re on a budget. I personally have had many moments in my life where I couldn’t afford traveling anywhere. Not even around my home state and it’s a very defeating feeling. I want to validate how hard it can be to save money for a trip and how much you longer you wonder it will take before you can finally get to your dreamy Hawaiian vacation. Believe me, I feel you.
While there are some prices that come with visiting Oahu that you can’t control, there are other ways to save some dollars while you are there. Hopefully these tips will give you a little peace of mind and allow you to enjoy the wonderful experience that Oahu has to offer.
*Note* This post does have affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of my affiliate links, I would make a small commission at no extra cost to you. It’s not required, but it is very much appreciated!
Table of contents
How to Save on Flights
Going (Scott’s Cheap Flights)
I have been a Going member for around three years now. And I don’t really have much to say about them other than I simply love it! With Going, they will send you flight deals directly into your email from your home airport as well as nearby airports on really great flight deals. I know that depending on where you live and what airport you are close to can influence the prices and deals that you get. I live in Oregon in the Portland Metro area. So I have gotten multiple deals to Hawaii over the years. It is not a one stop shop, but Going can certainly help keep cheaper flights on your radar.
The catch to their system is that the flight deal itself will only last a day or two. And the dates for the flight deal will be random, meaning you could get a flight deal to Honolulu, but it may not be for your original dates. But it is still a great option to see what kinds of flight deals are out there! You may be persuaded to change your dates if you see how cheap those prices can be.
Using Flight Points/Miles
If you are a frequent traveler and you’re savvy with your points then this is an option on getting a cheaper flight to Honolulu. To be honest, I am not an expert on using flight points (yet!) because I haven’t joined any programs (yet!). But I know that there are many valuable articles that can better guide you on this. I have found some of the most resourceful articles to be ones from Going.
Watching Google Flights/Being Flexible with your travel dates
You also don’t have to sign up for any platform to be on the watch for flight deals. If you use Google Flights, you can add in your home airport to Honolulu and then plug in the dates you want and ask google to send you a notification if the prices drop. I admit that I have spent hours across several days and weeks just watching flights to see how much further they will drop before I book. This is truly my main method for finding flights alongside using Going. I have been able to find myself some great deals.
Another lesson I have learned from Going is that it really does pay off to have some flexibility in your travel dates. I understand that for some situations this isn’t possible or ideal, but if there is even the slightest chance of flexibility, you’ll want to use it. Especially if you’re trying to visit Oahu on a budget. Because in some cases, leaving a day or two earlier than planned or even arriving on an entirely different week can save you hundreds on a plane ticket.
Additionally there are other apps that track flights and such but I have honestly never had to use them. Once I find something that works very well for me, I tend to stay pretty loyal to it. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t something better out there and if I find a better method on cheap flights then I will definitely be updating this post.
How to Save on Other Costs
Alright, I mentioned some ways on getting a flight to visit Oahu on a budget. Now let’s focus on the ways that you can save some of your tourists dollars while you are there!
Shop at Costco
If you have a Costco membership then you can really make those food dollars stretch by getting your groceries there. While some prices are gonna be inflated (I paid $14 for a watermelon), others aren’t. I was able to get a massive loaf of local bread for $5 as well as a big tub of Costco croissants for $5. Even if you are staying in a hotel, you could still buy peanut butter and jelly sandwich supplies to save on lunch. It does help when you have reusable sandwich bags, like these ones I use, because it helps for packing food on the go and I can just wash and reuse it for something else. Or even buying snacks from Costco can help mitigate some of the food costs. *Bonus.* And if you’re a Costco member, you could also get some discounts on your rental car. It’s a win-win!
Eat at local restaurants
During my time in Honolulu, I learned that eating at the local restaurants not only promotes the local economy, tastes better but can actually be more affordable than eating at some of the chain restaurants. The beauty with Honolulu is that there are so many options. And some of these really tasty places don’t have online ordering or a website or can’t be found on Google Maps. I know it’s hard if you’re a planner like me who wants a solid itinerary. But with some things, we have to open our minds to being more serendipitous like finding restaurants. Spend some time to walk around and see the options around you.
My partner and I found an amazing ramen restaurant right across the street from where we were staying. They had no online presence, but we went there and got two massive bowls of ramen, a side of fried rice, a side of pot stickers and a drink for $37. And this was including the tax and tip. Believe me, the good and affordable food is there. You just need to be willing to look around for it.
Take advantage of free activities (beaches and hiking)
There is truly no point in visiting Hawaii if you’re not going to go outside. I actually had a friend recently tell me that when her family last went to Oahu, they didn’t even go to the beach. This was quite baffling to hear because it’s Hawaii. The beaches are the reason for going! But anyways, yes, a great way to save some money while you visit Oahu on a budget is to take advantage of the free activities such as outdoor recreation. There are an endless array of beaches that require no fees to get into.
If you are going to a beach in Honolulu and you’re taking a rental car, then you might have to pay for parking. But there are many state parks and beach parks that are completely free for you to use. Additionally, there are also trails within the state parks that require no fees for you to hike. I know that social media is very quick to show you how absolutely stunning places like Diamond Head and Hanauma Bay State Park are. And they absolutely are. But my point is that you really don’t *need* to pay to enjoy warm beaches or to hike with a fantastic view.
Conclusion
It is difficult when finances are the only thing that is standing between you and a trip you have been yearning for for so long. However, there are always things that we can do to save a little bit of money along the way. And I do believe it is possible and doable to visit Oahu on a budget. Don’t let people scare you into thinking that you will go over budget being in Oahu. Shop at Costco, eat local and enjoy the warm weather on the many free beaches. And be sure to check out my other articles on Oahu to assist with your future planning!
