Hawaii is a popular vacation destination that offers beautiful beaches, stunning scenery, and a relaxed island vibe. However, vacations to Hawaii can also be quite expensive given the high cost of airfare, hotels, dining, and activities. For budget-conscious travelers, timing your Hawaii trip during the low season can lead to significant savings. Here's a guide to finding the cheapest time to visit Hawaii.
Best Times for Cheap Hawaii Vacations
The cost of visiting Hawaii fluctuates significantly based on the time of year you choose to go. Here are the best times to find airfare deals and discounted hotel rates in Hawaii:
Shoulder Season: April - May, September - October
The shoulder seasons in Spring and Fall offer the best combination of affordable pricing and ideal weather. You'll enjoy warm temps in the 70s-80s without excessive rain or humidity. Flight and hotel prices drop from their winter highs during this period. While you'll still find crowds, they won't be nearly as intense as summer. Activities like luaus, surf lessons, and boat tours often offer discounts as well.
Summer: June - August
If you're looking strictly at airfare costs, summer is the cheapest time to fly to Hawaii. Increased competition and expanded capacity means more flight deals, especially from the US mainland. Accommodations won't be as deeply discounted at this popular time though. And you'll have to contend with bigger crowds everywhere. If you plan in advance, you can still score good packages and specials on Maui, Kauai, or the Big Island during summer.
Fall: September - October
Overlapping with shoulder season, Fall is another good time for finding Hawaii travel deals. Kids are back in school so families avoid trips during this time. Hotels drop prices to attract visitors and airlines compete for customers with low fares before the holidays. The weather is beautiful, with average highs in the mid-80s. Fewer visitors mean less crowded beaches and attractions too.
Winter: January - March
Winter is considered peak season in Hawaii, so costs will be highest for flights, hotels, and vacation rentals. Most northerners seek an escape from the cold during these months. Prices also jump around the busy Christmas and New Year holidays. Still, you can find some airline sales after the New Year. And the island weather stays consistently warm and sunny all winter, with temperatures in the 70s.
Advice for Finding the Cheapest Time to Go to Hawaii
Visiting Hawaii doesn't have to drain your bank account. Use the following tips to keep your trip budget-friendly:
- Go during shoulder season: Hawaii's shoulder seasons of spring and fall typically offer the lowest rates on flights and hotels before and after the summer high season.
- Travel in the off-season: For the absolute lowest prices, aim to visit Hawaii in the off-season months of November through early December. Just know that the weather can be rainy.
- Fly midweek: Flights tend to be cheaper if you depart and return on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. The weekends tend to have higher airfare.
- Book a vacation rental: Apartments, condos and vacation rentals offer savings over hotels. You can cook some meals in to save more.
- Rent a car: Public transportation is limited on the islands, so renting a car gives you the freedom to explore at your own pace for cheap.
- Take advantage of free activities: Hiking, snorkeling, swimming, and simply relaxing at the beach are all free ways to enjoy Hawaiian paradises on a budget.
- Look for discounts: Ask about discounts for AAA members, seniors, military members, students or other groups whenever booking experiences.
- Travel with a group: Splitting costs for things like rental cars, excursions, and Airbnbs can add up to major savings per person.
Visiting Hawaii during peak season will cost more, but following these money-saving measures can let you enjoy an affordable island getaway.
Tips for Finding Hawaii Travel Deals
To maximize savings on your Hawaii vacation, here are some tips:
- Book early - For the lowest fares and best room selection, book flights and hotels 4-6 months in advance if possible
- Be flexible - Shifting your travel dates around by a few days can yield big savings
- Fly midweek - Flights on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are generally cheaper
- Consider alternate islands - Maui and Oahu are most popular, so check rates on Kauai, Lanai or Molokai
- Rent a condo - Opt for a vacation rental with a full kitchen to save on dining costs
- Sign up for deal alerts - Get notifications from airlines, hotels, and aggregators about Hawaii sales
- Avoid school breaks - Travel right before or after busy academic holiday periods
- Fly budget airlines - Carriers like Southwest, JetBlue, and Hawaiian offer competitive fares
Conclusion
Finding cheap Hawaii vacations is possible if you time your trip right. Avoiding the crowded and expensive winter and spring break seasons in favor of shoulder seasons like Fall and some of Summer will yield the best Hawaii deals. Being flexible on travel dates and islands, while keeping an eye out for sales, can lead to significant savings as well. With strategic planning, you can enjoy an affordable Hawaiian escape. Just be sure to book early once you've found a good deal!
