White sands, lush palm trees swaying carelessly on the beach with the light breeze, and aquamarine waters that are ideal for swimming, diving, fishing, and surfing. For many people, Hawaii is the dream vacation. Friendly locals wear colorful shirts and greet travelers at the airport with an “Aloha!” and a festive lei to welcome you to a place like no other. The resorts are some of the most beautiful in the world, complete with professional level golf courses, swimming pools, full bars with specialty cocktails, buffets, and five star service.
Hawaii has its own attitude and its own pace that it moves at, and nobody enters or leaves without a smile and a new outlook on life. The only downside to a place as pleasant as Hawaii is the cost. Of course there’s a cost. You didn’t think all of this was free, did you? On the contrary, it’s actually one of the most expensive travel destinations on the planet, where even a weekly budget of five thousand dollars is considered cutting corners. Here are ten ways you can save some costs while still taking the dream vacation to Hawaii. And remember, if you are visiting from outside the USA you can apply for an ESTA visa online.
1. Plan your trip during the right time of year. The spring and summer seasons are when prices on airfare and hotels will be lowest, and it is also when the weather is best.
2. Book your Hawaii airfare intelligently. Look around for the cheapest deals and make sure you book well in advance and not during peak seasons. AirfaresFlights lists cheap Hawaii flights from Australia on the one page.
3. Check out package deals. Hawaii is incredibly expensive, and food and drink costs alone will add up to a number you don’t want to look at. If you book a package deal or an all-inclusive, you can figure some of these costs into the price and save yourself a great deal of stress, planning, and spending.
4. Take the public transportation. Even though public transit will cost more in Hawaii than it would in any other state, it is still less expensive than having a car. It’s a much better way to meet the locals, too. Try The Bus.
5. Look into renting a condominium if you’re staying for a longer period of time or if you are traveling with more people. Condominiums are more luxurious than hotel rooms and come equipped with a kitchen, a washer and dryer, and extra sleeping space. You’ll pay more than you would at a hotel, but the stay will be better and you’ll get a better cost efficiency.
6. Speaking of the kitchen, prepare some meals at home. If the resort offers free breakfast, take advantage of it. Otherwise, cooking your breakfast at home will save tons of money. The same goes for lunch and dinner. You can either pocket the difference or put it towards your activities, a rental car, or better meals when you do go out.
7. Ask about any discounts you might be eligible for. This includes seniors, families, members of certain associations, or anything else.
8. Book everything well in advance. This will get you the best rate. Likewise, you can book very close to your date, especially if you’re traveling during the slow season when hotels are just trying to fill rooms.
9. There are plenty of free activities you can partake in. Ask the front desk what the area has to offer.
10. Bring everything you can from home. As previously mentioned, Hawaii is one of the most expensive travel destinations in the world. Simply going to the store to buy a towel will cost you spare change that could have been spent more efficiently elsewhere. Just as you would with any other vacation, plan wisely and well in advance and you’ll notice that you’re spending much less than your neighbor who didn’t think things through. If you can do all of this, Hawaii could end up being a reality instead of just a dream.
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