Planning Your 2026 Hawaii Trip: Cost Overview

This article breaks down costs for a 7-day trip to Honolulu (Oahu) and Maui in 2026, tailored for solo travelers and couples exploring beaches, volcanoes, and cultural sites. Budget tiers include budget ($1,500-$2,500 solo), moderate ($3,000-$5,000 solo), and luxury ($6,000+ solo), with couples saving via shared rooms and cars.

Expect 5-10% inflation on flights and hotels from 2025 data into 2026, driven by demand and seasonal peaks. Peak summer pricing surges 20-30% over off-peak spring/fall rates. Oahu remains the cheaper hub with lower accommodation and transport costs compared to Maui, which runs 50-60% higher due to resort premiums. Solo totals factor full per-person expenses; couples halve accommodations and cars, yielding 30-40% savings. Book early for 2026 deals amid rising trends.[

Airfare Costs from Major U.S. Hubs

Flight costs to Honolulu (HNL) or Maui vary by departure city, season, and 2026 forecasts adjusted for inflation. Off-peak (spring/fall) offers savings over peak summer highs.

From West Coast hubs like LA, round-trip fares average $450-$650 off-peak, $700+ peak per person. Midwest from Chicago or Dallas: $800-$1,100 RT, reflecting longer routes. East Coast from NYC: $900-$1,200 RT, highest due to distance. Per-person solo costs range $500-$1,200; couples total $1,000-$2,400 shared.

2026 projections add 5-10% from 2025 baselines—West Coast $350-$600 base rises to $400-$700; Midwest $500-$800 to $550-$900; East $600-$1,000 to $650-$1,100. Shoulder seasons like April or September yield lowest rates; avoid June-August. Airlines like Hawaiian or Southwest offer deals if booked 3-6 months ahead. For multi-island hops (Oahu to Maui), add $100-$200 one-way.

Hotel and Rental Accommodation Rates

Accommodation drives Hawaii costs, with nightly rates varying by tier and island. Oahu (Honolulu/Waikiki) undercuts Maui by 40-60%.

Budget options ($100-$250/night): Oahu averages $150/night (hostels or basic hotels); Maui $240+. Mid-range resorts ($250-$400): Oahu $250-$350 (e.g., Hilton $357 incl. taxes); Maui $400-$550. Luxury oceanfront ($500+): Oahu $500-$800 (Royal Hawaiian $419+ fees); Maui $700-$1,200. Airbnb matches hotels but adds cleaning fees ($100-$200).

Resort fees hit $40-$65/night, plus 20-30% taxes, inflating totals. 7-night solo stays: budget $1,000-$1,800 Oahu/$1,600-$2,800 Maui; moderate $1,800-$2,800/$2,800-$4,000; luxury $3,500-$5,600/$4,900-$8,400. Couples halve room costs. Opt for condos in shoulder season for 20% savings; Waikiki parking adds $45/night.

Ground Transport: Cars, Rideshares, and Shuttles

Getting around Hawaii requires planning, as public options are limited outside Oahu. Rental cars offer flexibility for Maui's Road to Hana or Oahu tours.

Car rentals: $50-$150/day, weekly $500-$1,000 including insurance, gas ($75-$150), and parking ($45/night Waikiki). Economy $70/day; SUVs $110; luxury $150. Oahu gas cheapest at $4.95/gallon; Maui higher. Rideshares (Uber/Lyft) $20-$50/ride, shuttles $10-$30/trip, public transit $2/ride total $100-$300/week budget-style.

Solo/couple difference minimal with shared cars—expect $600-$900 total for 7 days. Skip rentals in Waikiki via TheBus; essential for Maui. Book via Discount Hawaii Car Rental for deals; factor valet fees.

Food, Dining, and Top Activities Pricing

Daily food budgets scale with style: budget $50 (groceries/shops), moderate $100 (mix dining), luxury $200+ (fine seafood). Over 7 days, solo totals $350-$1,400; couples $700-$2,800.

Groceries at Foodland save 40% vs. restaurants—Duke's entree $34-$39 + drink/tip $70/person. Paia Fish Market $15-$20 plates for casual eats.[4] Activities add thrill: snorkeling $140, luau $150/person, helicopter tours $250-$400, surf lessons $100+, park fees $30/vehicle (Haleakala/Volcanoes).

Weekly activities $300-$1,000 solo (e.g., Kualoa UTV $470, Polynesian Luau $765 for two). Couples scale to $600-$2,000. Tips $10-$20/tour guide. Prioritize free hikes/beaches; splurge on sunset sails ($75) or manta ray snorkel ($140). Total food/activities: budget $650, moderate $1,500, luxury $3,400 solo.

Miscellaneous Costs and Total Budgets

Don't overlook extras like travel insurance ($50-$150/person), tips (10-20% dining/tours), souvenirs ($100-$300), and fees. Misc totals $200-$600.

Full 7-day solo budgets (Oahu/Maui adjusted): Budget ~$2,000 ($1,800 Oahu/$2,400 Maui); Moderate ~$4,000 ($3,500/$4,800); Luxury ~$7,000+ ($6,000/$9,000). Couples: Budget $3,500 ($3,000/$4,200); Moderate $6,000 ($5,000/$7,500); Luxury $10,000+ ($8,500/$12,500). Insurance covers cancellations; souvenirs like aloha shirts add fun.

• Honolulu (Oahu) vs. Maui Comparison (Solo Budget): Oahu flights $500, hotel $1,050, car $600, food/acts $650, misc $200 = $3,000 total. Maui: flights $600, hotel $1,680, car $800, food/acts $850, misc $300 = $4,230.
• Couple Moderate: Oahu $5,200 (shared savings); Maui $7,800.
• Luxury scales higher with heli tours/luau.

2026 tip: Book flights/hotels early for 10-20% off amid inflation. Shoulder season maximizes value.