How long should you plan a vacation to Hawaii? (2023)

How long is the average Hawaii vacation?

Hawaii Vacation Cost Considerations:

The average Hawaii vacation trip length is 7 days, which is the recommended amount of time to see one island well, or two islands quickly.

As a rule of thumb, book early - no later than 2-3 months before you go! It's not uncommon for the Best Accommodations in Hawaii to get booked quickly, especially during the summer months over holidays.

A 10-day Hawaii itinerary is a perfect length of time. As a first-time visitor, we recommend you check out two Hawaiian islands. The first being Maui and then we give you two options – Kauai or Oahu. Kauai is for those looking for the outdoors, jungle hikes, and solitude (no crowds).

Even if it may seem long, 3 weeks in Hawaii is not enough to discover the archipelago. There are so many things that we have heard about and haven't been able to get close to. We passed in front of dozens of trails that looked great without being able to discover them and we only flew over some parts.

How many days are enough in Hawaii? While you might never want to leave Hawaii, usually people plan to stay 7-10 days during their vacation to Hawaii. That gives enough time to get over jet lag, participate in a few scheduled activities, explore the Hawaiian island a bit, and have time to relax and unwind.

The best time to visit Hawaii is between March and September. This is when the islands see the highest temperatures and the lowest amount of rain. It's the perfect time to enjoy the beach or the water.

The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March. The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well. The peak travel months of June and July are surprisingly not the most expensive months for flights, with middle figure prices.

How much should I budget for a trip to Hawaii? A reasonable budget for two for a week in Hawaii is around $3,273. The above cost is based on staying in good, mid-range accommodation and having a few meals out per week, while preparing some yourself.

How Long to Stay in Hawaii. The average stay in Hawaii is about 7 days. I think this is a good minimum time for a trip, although 10-14 days is better if you want to visit multiple islands.

How long should you visit Hawaii? To really get the most out of your trip when visiting Hawaii for the first time, it's recommended to plan for a minimum of around ten days. It's recommended to see at least two islands per trip.

Where should I go in Hawaii for the first time?

Usually, I recommend that first timers start off with a trip to Oahu. It's the most popular Hawaiian island, as well as the cheapest. Plus there are tons of attractions, activities, great food, and shopping. That's why I think it's the best island to visit in Hawaii for the first time.

Island hopping in Hawaii is absolutely worth it. The islands are all incredibly different and it's easy to get from island to island. But it's important to know that island hopping can be time-consuming so you want to make sure your trip is long enough for these extra travel days.

There is a good chance that you will fall in love with the islands of Hawaii at first sight, but you should warn yourself now: Hawaii is an expensive destination, or even very expensive if you want to enjoy local activities or stay in one of the beautiful resorts along the ocean.

When is the Best Time to Visit Hawaii? The best weather in Hawaii is in April, May, September, and October. November to March are the rainiest months, and June through November is hurricane season – though big storms are rare. Winter also brings the best waves for surfing, especially on north shore beaches.

Like November, December is very quiet as most Mainlanders are preparing for the holidays. Up until about December 20th, you'll practically have the islands all to yourself. After that, don't even think about going to Hawaii is you're hoping for a very slow time.

Seeing the best parts of the state in one week is tricky, but it isn't impossible. While you shouldn't expect to experience everything Hawaii has to offer in a mere seven days, a week is certainly enough time to fit in some amazing highlights.

When is hurricane season in Hawaii in 2022? Hurricane season in Hawaii runs from June to November, though the Aloha State sees the most hurricanes in July, August, and September.

The wettest months are from November to March, but winter rains do not generally disrupt vacation plans, since the weather is very localized. This means that if it is raining where you are, there is almost always a sunny spot to be found around the coast.

If you wish to discover the island as a whole, we recommend that you stay at least 5 days so that you have time to enjoy its various attractions and go on a few hikes. If you prefer to make only a quick stop to get an idea of life in Honolulu and do only the essentials, 3 days may be enough.

How much does it cost to go to Hawaii for 7 days?

The average price of a 7-day trip to Hawaii is $2,023 for a solo traveler, $2,986 for a couple, and $4,371 for a family of 4. Hawaii hotels range from $96 to $433 per night with an average of $177, while most vacation rentals will cost $270 to $810 per night for the entire home.

The average monthly cost for groceries in the United States is about $355.50 a month per person. However, everything seems to be more expensive in Hawaii. Here, the average person spends $556.76 per month on groceries just for themselves!

In 2019 we estimated that a comparable mid-range trip to Hawaii would cost $10,100 for a family of four. In 2021 the same trip cost $8,914. The price increased 37 percent in 2022 to $12,239 as demand for Hawaii vacations surged once travel restrictions ended.

The short answer: Go to Maui if you want to be pampered at a resort with all the amenities. Book Oahu if you want to see Pearl Harbor and famous Waikiki Beach. Visit Big Island if you want to hike Volcanos National Park (and maybe see flowing lava). Head to Kauai if you want to experience wild, untamed Hawaii.

If you want a quick rule of thumb, to see and experience the major highlights of each island, you're going to need at least four days for Molokai and Lanai and five days minimum for Oahu, Maui, Kauai and Hawaii's Big Island.

Many visitors enjoy taking bus tours to conveniently explore the Islands. For most islands you can also get around by shuttle, taxi, ride-sharing app such as Uber or Lyft, or public transportation.

Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head State Monument, Oahu

Waikiki, with its beautiful stretch of oceanfront beach, is Hawaii's biggest tourist attraction.

Visit Hawaii Volcanos National Park. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park sits at the top the Big Island bucket list for many visitors. It's one of Hawaii's most famous landmarks!

Maui vs Oahu: Oahu is right for you if you want more of a cosmopolitan vacation, enjoy the nightlife, are excited about historical and cultural activities, or want to travel on a budget. Maui is right for you if you're looking for a romantic island, great snorkeling, a relaxing vacation, or more outdoor activities.

5. Price Points. Typically, given the longer air transit time (6 hours from Los Angeles) and higher cost of living, a trip to Hawaii will cost more than a jaunt to the Caribbean. Again, a lot depends on where you're traveling from, but overall, you'll get more for your money in the Caribbean.

Which Hawaiian island is most touristy?

Oahu is the most visited of all the Hawaiian islands, at nearly 4.7 million visitors annually. Oahu is primarily defined by the state capital of Honolulu, as well as Pearl Harbor and the famous beach known as Waikiki. These areas attract tourists by the thousands daily.

Oahu is the cheapest Hawaiian island to visit, with a total cost of $2,625. A Ko Olina Resort lagoon on Oahu. Maui is the most expensive island to visit, coming in nearly $1,000 more expensive, with a total cost of $3,600. The Grand Wailea in Maui, a luxury resort.

Demand is up.

But now that all travel restrictions have been lifted and people feel comfortable traveling again, demand for hotels have seen a huge surge. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority, in April 2022, room demand was up 58% vs April 2021. So hotels are adjusting their prices accordingly.

Generally, the cost of things in Hawaii is 30% more than on the mainland. Hawaii is the most expensive state in the U.S. while California ranks third. When you compare the cost of living in Hawaii and that of California, you will likely find that Hawaii's cost of living is considerably higher.

Under Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the system established by U.S. government, those approved for Travel Authorization through ESTA are permitted to travel to Hawaii without holding visa. Although visa is not required for general trip to Hawaii, be sure to apply for ESTA before travel.

Hawaii's dry season ocurrs from April to October while the wet season occurs from November to March. Although summer sounds like the best time to travel to Hawaii, the climate is actually very hot and humid, something to keep in mind if you struggle with extreme temperatures.

But if you want a second opinion on the matter, December is considered by most to be one of the worst months to visit Hawaii. This is due to a combination of different factors, including it being the rainiest month of the year, along with how busy it is during that time period.

With a week, ten days, or two weeks, you can feel comfortable splitting up your time between two islands. To really enjoy an island, you should be able to spend at least three to five days per island. If you visit three or more islands, though, you may only end up scratching the surface of each.

Is 4 days enough time in Hawaii?

So, as you might imagine, it's tough to condense it down into merely 4 days on Oahu. However, 4 days is certainly enough to get the best out of a trip to Oahu. Limiting your time to 4 days in Oahu can give many travelers extra time to explore Maui and the gorgeous Haleakala National Park or the big island of Hawaii.

The cheapest time to fly to Hawaii is during February and March. The most expensive month to fly is December when the holiday period falls, with January being very expensive as well. The peak travel months of June and July are surprisingly not the most expensive months for flights, with middle figure prices.

While many vacations are five to seven days long, we recommend staying for at least 10 days to enjoy your Hawaiian vacation. The time change is difficult to adjust to at first and takes about 3 days to get fully acclimated. So, allowing a couple days to get over the jet lag is important.

Some visitors do visit Hawaii for 4-5 days, but it's a long way from the US mainland (or anywhere!) for a short trip and you'll spend the first few days adjusting to the time zone change. That said, if it's all you can manage, it's better than no time in Hawaii!

Even though it's a much larger area (with slower driving) than you might expect, you'll cover a lot of ground with this Big Island itinerary for 5 days. You'll have a chance to experience what make the Big Island so unique and explore the best things to do on the Big Island of Hawaii!

If you want to explore more of the state and see different attractions, then Florida would be the better choice. On the other hand, if you want a more intimate experience of the state and don't mind spending more time on the beach, then Hawaii is the place for you, especially the Big Island.