How to Travel Honolulu on a Shoestring
For pure paradise — tropical fruits, birds and volcanos to boot — Honolulu is an ideal holiday location and we've got a guide to doing it on the cheap.
Honolulu, Hawaii is one of those magical places that is soul-restoring every time you visit. It balances its history and spirituality alongside the modernity of city living. Each visit makes you wonder why you’ve left in the first place.
But, how do you relax and recharge your weary soul in Honolulu when you’ve spent all your coins feeding your demons back home? Together with Jetstar, we’ve found things you can do, eat, drink and see in Honolulu on a tight-fisted budget. Plus, with Jetstar’s Price Watch, you’ll be notified when fares hit a budget you’re happy with. That way you’ll have extra cash on hand so there’s no need to keep ducking into wifi to check your bank account. Go on, book a flight to paradise, follow our itinerary through the Hawaiian capital on the cheap and leave all financial worries at home.
There’s never a bad time to travel to Hawaii as the islands lie on the edge of the tropical weather zone meaning they really only have two seasons: summer (April–October) and winter (November– March), both of them warm. Even in the rainy season (winter) it never rains for more than three days straight — and even then it’s usually only a morning or afternoon shower, as not to interfere with some prime tanning opportunities.
If you wanted to grab your passport and swimmers and walk onto a plane today, it really wouldn’t be too hard. If you add in more time for planning and sign up for Jetstar’s Price Watch, then you’ll receive notifications when the airfare hits your budget so you can cruise into your holiday with some cash to spare. Also, Jetstar will let you know when any deals and sales come about, to kick-start any lackadaisical holiday planning.
If you’re thrifty and plan your days out before you go (leaving room for exciting adventures you might find along the way), then stock on groceries for snacks and breakfast once you’re there, you can easily budget for $75 AUD a day in Honolulu. This will easily cover things like an all-day bus pass ($5.50), daily tour which includes lunch, a couple of happy hour drinks and dinner.
Catch some truly beautiful sights at The Orchid Gardens and Manoa Falls, and get up-close-and-personal with a tiger shark at the Waikiki Aquarium. And when it comes to sunset, head to The Edge of Waikiki bar, then onto the neighbouring House Without a Key where you can listen to traditional Hawaiian music. Finally, make sure to get your mitts on some Caramacs — macadamias covered in caramel and then coated in milk, dark or white chocolate. They also make a great gift to bring home (if you don’t eat them all first).
UNDER $5: SEE A VOLCANO WITHOUT BURNING A HOLE IN YOUR WALLET
If you’re missing your Crossfit and F45 classes back home, how about a morning workout up the side of a volcano? Well, the Diamond Head Volcano Park and trail to the top open at 6am — and it’s a good idea to get there early (or towards the end of the day) to avoid the crowds. Though it may only be 1.2 kilometres long, the trail winds steeply upward, gaining 170 metres, so you’ll need either plenty of energy or plenty of time to make it to the top. If you need to stop and catch your breath, check out the observation bunkers along the way, dating from World War II. Once you arrive at the summit, gulp down some water while looking out at some of the finest panoramic views on Oahu.
UNDER $20: GET YOUR HANDS ON SOME OF THE ISLAND’S FRESHEST FOOD
Situated at the University of Hawaii the KCC Farmers Markets are a great way to stock up the pantry in your hotel with some of the freshest food on the Island. Browse and taste the best fruits, vegetables and flowers, and purchase top quality beef, aqua-cultured seafood, baked goods, handmade pasta, local honey and locally sourced coffee. Stock up for the week on Saturday mornings at 7.30am till 11am, or make a fun free evening adventure on a Tuesday night from 4–7pm. Local tip? Get there at 7.30am on the Saturday for the freshest produce, and stick around for the fresh ginger soda with a side of the local sweet shrimp skewers.
Demetrius Fordham.
UNDER $20: DRINK LAVA COCKTAILS
Any local will tell you that the first place you should head for a drink is Duke’s on Waikiki. The minute you walk through the door of the bar named after surf and swimming Olympian Duke Kahanmoku, you’re greeted by the sight of bar staff shaking their signature Lava Flow cocktails, a blend of pineapple juice, coconut syrup, strawberries and lots of rum. For lovers of craft beers, the Surf Sampler is a great way to taste some of the local brews including Fire Rock Pale Ale, Duke’s Blonde Ale, Lavaman Red Ale and Hapa Brown Ale. Hit up the daily happy hour from 3–5pm.
UNDER $50: GET THE LAY OF THE LAND WITH A GUIDED TOUR OF HONOLULU
The whole island of Oahu is steeped in history, and nothing epitomises this more than the Pearl Harbour and USS Arizona Memorial. It’s one of the most popular visitor destinations with lines forming as soon as the sun rises. So, how do you see the memorial and learn more about the city of Honolulu without a ridiculous amount of crowds? The Pearl Harbour Trust hosts tours, which, for $39.99 USD, include transportation, lunch and highlights like Oahu’s Pacific Historic Park, King Kamehameha the Great Statue and authentic film footage of the WWII attacks. The centrepiece of the tour is entering the USS Arizona memorial, which floats above the sunken vessel aboard which 1177 sailors were killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
Demetrius Fordham.
UNDER $50: SPLASH OUT ON THE ORIGINAL MAI TAI SERVED IN A PINEAPPLE
Want to feel like a big spender without breaking the bank? Head to the Royal Hawaiian hotel’s famous Mai Tai Bar and sip on some history. It’s here where you’ll find Hawaii’s most meaningful mai tai, right on the sand’s edge of Waikiki. The original mai tai is said to have been created by ‘Trader Vic’ Bergeron in 1944 and brought to Hawaii in 1953 — and rumour has it the drink was first served here at The Royal Hawaiian. Pro tip: Ask for your Royal Mai Tai cocktail using the original ‘Trader Vic’ to be served in a freshly cut Maui Gold pineapple.
UNDER $50: SNORKEL AND FEED THE FISH AS YOU GO VOLCANO SPOTTING
For those setting a more relaxed pace for their volcano viewing adventures, Hanauma Bay is your spot. Formed within a volcano cone, the area was declared a protected marine life conservation area in 1967. Every year the site sees upwards of one million visitors (locals and tourists alike) and is a must-do for any visitor to the island of Oahu. $25 USD plus a $7.50 park fee will get you a return trip from any Waikiki hotel on the Hanauma Bay Shuttle, plus snorkel, fins, food to feed the fish and a guided tour. Note that the park is always closed on a Tuesday, to allow the fish a day of uninterrupted feeding — because you wouldn’t like to be constantly interrupted during your lunch either.
ACCOMMODATION
Hot spots to stay around town on the cheap.
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AQUA BAMBOO
On the more affordable end of the scale (in a city that is increasingly becoming more expensive) the Aqua Bamboo hotel prides itself on its service and hospitality, making you feel like you’re staying at the Royal Hawaiian. Situated right near everything you need, the hotel is a two-minute walk to the beach, right outside the main bus line and around the corner from Duke’s. -
OHANA WAIKIKI EAST
Now the hotel might not be directly on the beach, but it is situated across from it and is also only a two-minute walk to the main tourist drag of Kalakaua Avenue. Plenty of rooms have wide ocean views, as well as kitchenettes, so you can save on meals by cooking in your room. Pro tip: buy a couple of beers at the local store and watch the sun go down from the privacy of your hotel room.
Book your trip to Honolulu on Jetstar to access the lowest fare available and save yourself some time shopping around thanks to their Price Beat Guarantee. And while you’re at it, book your accom and make sure to organise that ever-important travel insurance — Jetstar’s got you covered there, too.