Discover Honolulu: A Budget-Friendly Day Trip

Aloha on a budget: exploring the beauty of Honolulu without breaking the bank.

21 June 2023

To make the most of your trip to Honolulu on a limited budget, focus on free activities like hiking Diamond Head and exploring the beaches of Waikiki. Renting a car can be expensive, so consider using public transportation or ride-sharing services to get around. Instead of dining at pricey restaurants, look for local food trucks and markets for delicious and affordable eats.

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Day trip plan

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One Day in Honolulu on A Budget

  • Honolulu, the stunning Hawaiian capital, is accessible even on a limited budget. Here's how to explore the city for a day:
  • Breakfast at Leonard's Bakery try the famous Malasadas, Portuguese doughnuts filled with your choice of flavors, enjoy it with a cup of coffee.
  • After breakfast, take a stroll at the beautiful Waikiki Beach, soak up the sun, swim in the crystal-clear water, or rent a paddleboard to explore the shoreline.
  • Head to Ala Moana Shopping Center for shopping. With over 350 shops and restaurants, it's a shopper's paradise.Our tip: Grab a free "Passport to Shopping" booklet at the Information Center to get great discounts.
  • Explore Hawaii's history and architecture at Iolani Palace. It's the only royal palace in the United States and housed the Kingdom of Hawaii's monarchs.
  • For lunch, try local food at Rainbow Drive-In. Their plate lunch (meat, rice, macaroni salad) is a local favorite. You have to try their garlic shrimp which is very popular.
  • Visit Pearl Harbor National Memorial, revealing Hawai'i's pivotal role in U.S. history as the events of December 7, 1941, unfurled. No ticket is needed for the memorial, but for USS Arizona History Tour tickets need to be bought ahead of time.
  • Honolulu proves it's possible to visit Hawaii's capital on a budget, without feeling like you've missed out on anything.

Length of stay

1 day 2 days 3 days 4 days 5 days

Type of trip

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How to get there

Plane

The best way to get to Honolulu, United States by plane is to fly to Honolulu International Airport (HNL) from major airports such as Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), or Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).

Car

The best way to get to Honolulu is by renting a car on arrival at Honolulu International Airport (HNL). Public transport is not widely available and a car is the most convenient way to access the main tourist areas.

Train

There are no train services that connect to Honolulu as it is an island and does not have a railway system.

Boat

The best way to get to Honolulu by boat is to take a cruise from the mainland United States or other international ports. Several major cruise liners, such as Royal Caribbean International, offer services to Honolulu Port.

Bus

There is no bus service that connects to Honolulu as it is an island and does not have any road connections.

Destination

Honolulu

As soon as you step off the plane, the sweet scent of plumeria and visions of surfers catching waves will make you forget that you just spent 10 hours in economy. Welcome to paradise...with a high chance of sunburn.

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Number of days

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Type of trip

Standard trip Budget Family Friendly Romantic Stag do

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