- BUDGETING and SAVINGS
- BUDGETING
It’s easy to understand why Hawaii is known as a Pacific Ocean paradise. From sunny beaches and colorful coral reefs to lush river valleys and steep volcanoes, the islands’ spectacular scenery would impress nearly anyone. Visitors can enjoy a range of adventures, from surfing some of the world’s best surf spots, such as Jaws and Pipeline, to milder pursuits, including stand-up paddleboarding, mountain biking, and hiking.
There’s no doubt about it, a Hawaiian vacation is not cheap. Just getting there (without adding accommodations, car rentals, dining, and activities) can be expensive. The good news is that you can find lower airfares if you have the flexibility to fly during certain times of the year. Here, we show you how you can fly to Hawaii for less.
- Visiting Hawaii can be expensive, but there are ways to score cheaper airfares.
- Midwest and West Coast departures are generally cheaper than those from the East Coast or the South.
- No matter what time of year you travel, you may be able to score better deals if you travel midweek.
Cheapest Seasons to Visit Hawaii
Midwest and West Coast departures cost several hundred dollars less than those from the East Coast or the South. We searched Google Flights for the best roundtrip fares to Honolulu for one week booked one month in advance (flying on May 24), and found it would cost about:
- $481 out of Atlanta
- $445 out of New York (either JFK or LGA)
- $297 out of Oakland, California
Note that airfares change constantly, so you may not be able to replicate these results.
Airfare on Google Flights out of Atlanta for most of May hovered around $481 and higher. As soon as June hit, fares climbed to between $720 and $1,100, depending on the departure date. Traveling out of Oakland for May was just under $300 and jumped to between $320 and almost $500 the following month.
If you’re trying to save money, avoid traveling during peak holidays:
- Fares from Atlanta during most of October and November exceeded $750. when we checked. If you depart on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, though, plan on paying closer to $900
- Fares during the first three weeks of December were listed at about $750 and jumped to over $1,000 for the peak days during the holiday week
Some say that traveling on an actual holiday, such as Christmas Day, can be cheaper, but we didn't find that in our research. It could be worth checking, though, if you must travel during the holidays.
The chart below highlights the best times of year to travel to Hawaii, according to Hawaii Guide:
Budget Direct suggests you travel to Hawaii in February. Traveling during the second month of the year allows you to take advantage of cheaper fares. The weather is also warmer and there's minimal rainfall during the month, which lets you enjoy the outdoors around Hawaii.
Want the cheapest fare possible? Consider traveling midweek and avoid Saturday departures. If you were to book a flight out of Atlanta to travel during the middle of May, you might pay about $480 to $650 to travel on a Wednesday, but about $600 to $875 if you fly on a Saturday. It’s the same story out of Oakland, where the cheapest Wednesday flight in May was $252 and the cheapest Saturday flight was $337.
Hawaii by the Numbers
A large number of Hawaii’s visitors hail from the continental United States. Other significant markets include Japan and Canada.
Hawaii's travel and tourism industry showed an uptick in visitors and spending from the same month in 2023. As many as 772,480 people visited the island, spending $1.66 billion in February 2024. Compare that to 753,750 visitors in February 2023 with spending totaling $1.64 billion. But these figures pale in comparison to pre-COVID statistics when 780,827 people flew to the islands.
Keep in mind that 2019 was a banner year: A record 10,424,995 million people visited the islands. That means that on any given day, the state hosted an average of 249,021 visitors.
Fuel prices affect airfares, and it’s possible to see changes depending on current and anticipated fuel costs.
Do I Need a Passport to Fly to Hawaii From the United States?
You don't need a passport if you are a U.S. citizen or legal resident flying to Hawaii. This means you can use any government-issued photo identification that you would use to fly anywhere else in the country. You can find a list of approved travel documents on the TSA website. A passport is required if you're not a citizen or legal resident of the U.S.
How Can I Get the Lowest Airfare?
There are several tricks and tips you can follow to ensure you get the best possible airline fares. The most important thing is to be flexible in your travel dates. This may be difficult, but if you can look as far ahead as possible, you can certainly lower your travel costs. Other considerations include:
- Setting up price alerts
- Shopping in advance
- Looking for sales
- Comparing airline prices
- Checking budget sites and all-inclusive deals
You may also be able to find some great last-minute deals by scouring the internet or through travel agencies.
Is Hawaii an Expensive Place to Travel?
That depends on a few factors. Hawaii can be an affordable vacation destination if you avoid peak seasons. You can also find great deals on accommodations, including hotels and short-term rentals. Consider all-inclusive deals and packages that may come with attractions and other perks like a car rental. Having said all this, doing some research and comparison shopping, and knowing what you want to get out of your trip to the Hawaiian islands can help you get the most bang for your buck.
The Bottom Line
Airfare to Hawaii fluctuates throughout the year, largely as a function of supply and demand. Traveling costs more if you visit the islands during peak periods, but you can often find better deals in low seasons. If you can travel midweek, you’ll likely save money. You can probably save a little money on airfare and other expenses if you're flexible, which can make your trip to Hawaii a bit more affordable.