When people think of Hawaii, the first word that usually comes to mind is expensive. And honestly, it can be. But we just had an amazing 2 weeks in Waikiki on a budget, and here’s how we did it!
Waikiki is one of the most popular beach destinations in the world, which means hotels, restaurants, and tours often come with steep price tags. But here’s the secret: it doesn’t have to be out of reach. Shayne and I spent two weeks in Waikiki recently, and we managed to keep our costs surprisingly reasonable while still having an amazing trip. With a little planning (and a lot of beach time), we were able to enjoy all the best parts of Oahu and stay in Waikiki on a Budget!
Here’s exactly what we spent, and how you can recreate a budget-friendly Waikiki trip of your own.
Where We Stayed – $1,900
We hit the jackpot with our Airbnb. For less than $150 a night, we got a one-bedroom condo that felt more like a little resort:
- A kitchen so we could cook most of our meals
- A huge balcony where we ate breakfast every morning overlooking Waikiki Beach
- A comfy king-size bed
- Amenities like a pool, hot tub, fitness center, laundry facilities, and even a small convenience store
In Waikiki, where many hotels can easily run $400–600 a night, this was a steal. Having a kitchen was the real money-saver though. Not only did it cut down our food costs, it also made our mornings more relaxed. We’d have our morning protein drink, make eggs and bacon, and enjoy it out on the balcony before heading to the beach. Working while in Hawaii was even a treat when we could do it from our balcony with a gorgeous view of the beach! Finding affordable lodging is key to doing Waikiki on a budget.
Tip: When looking at Waikiki lodging, don’t just search hotels. Airbnb and vacation rentals often give you way more value, especially if they come with a kitchen.
Groceries – $350
We shopped twice during our stay and had groceries delivered:
- A Costco run where we stocked up on protein shakes, chicken, veggies, bacon, eggs, and fruit.
- An Instacart order with basics like bread, yogurt, rice, deli meat, cheese, crackers and some condiments
This combo worked perfectly. Most days, we cooked breakfast at the condo, packed lunch for the beach, and threw together simple dinners in the evenings. With only a two-burner stove (no oven), we stuck to one-pan meals like salads, stir fry, chicken and veggies, or pasta.
Not only did this save us hundreds of dollars, but it also made us feel a little more “at home” in Waikiki, which is one of the things we love most about slow travel and how we’re able to stick to a budget.
Eating Out – $700
Of course, we didn’t cook every meal. Eating out in Hawaii is part of the fun! We spent about $700 total, which averaged out to about $50 a day. That covered:
- Our daily Diet Coke run to 7-Eleven (don’t judge — it became a ritual!)
- A few sushi rolls and snacks from ABC Stores
- Budget-friendly bites from food trucks and food courts (some of the best local food, honestly)
- A couple of sit-down meals at casual restaurants
- My birthday dinner splurge at Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse
The key here was balance. By cooking most breakfasts and lunches, we could splurge guilt-free on the occasional nicer meal.
Tip: Don’t underestimate Hawaii’s food courts and food trucks. You can find plate lunches, poke bowls, and local favorites for a fraction of restaurant prices and enjoy your stay in Waikiki on a budget.
Activities – $0 (Yes, Really!)
Here’s the thing about Waikiki: the beach is free. And it never gets old. Every day we swam, surfed, or just lounged in the sand. Honestly, it was the best part of the trip.
We also got creative with gear:
- Bought a surfboard for $50 and sold it for $75 before leaving (yep, we made money surfing in Hawaii).
- Bought two beach chairs for $50 and sold them for the same price at the end.
Basically, we had free rentals for two weeks. Facebook Marketplace is the most underrated hack for cheap beach gear. Check out our blog post all about this HERE!
Even though we skipped excursions this trip, we’ve done a few in the past that we’d still recommend if you want to add a splurge:
- Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay – one of the best spots on Oahu for underwater life. If you’re going to splurge on one excursion and don’t have a car, we highly recommend THIS all tour that includes transportation and snorkel gear.
- Pearl Harbor – a powerful and important experience. Check out THIS tour that includes transportation from Waikiki!
- Shark cage diving on the North Shore – an adrenaline rush like no other. We did THIS exact tour earlier this year and it was AMAZING!
But if you’re on a tight budget, you really don’t have to spend anything to enjoy Waikiki. The beach alone can fill every day with adventure.
Transportation – $105
This trip, we decided not to rent a car, and we didn’t miss it. Waikiki is super walkable, and everything you need is within a 30–40 minute walk. The weather is always beautiful, so walking actually became part of the fun.
When we needed to go a little farther, we just grabbed an Uber. The total cost for two weeks came to $105.
If you want to explore beyond Waikiki on a budget, the bus system is cheap and easy to use. Or, what we’ve done in the past: rent a Turo for just one day to head up to the North Shore. It usually costs between $50–$100 for the day, which is way cheaper than paying for a car for your whole trip (plus the dreaded Waikiki parking fees).
Total Spent: $3,055
So, in total, here’s how it broke down:
- Lodging: $1,900
- Groceries: $350
- Eating out: $700
- Transportation: $105
- Activities/gear: $0 (technically +$25 profit from reselling our surfboard!)
That’s $3,055 for two people for two weeks in Waikiki.
When you break it down, that’s about $1,527 a week, or $109 per person per day. That’s over our usual budget, but for Hawaii, that’s really not bad.
Final Thoughts
Waikiki doesn’t have to drain your savings account. By being strategic and booking a condo with a kitchen, balancing groceries with the occasional splurge meal, and enjoying the free beaches, we were able to keep our costs low without missing out on the experience.
This trip reminded me that some of the best travel memories don’t come from the pricey excursions or fancy hotels, but from slow mornings on the balcony, long afternoons at the beach, and simple meals shared together.
If Hawaii has been sitting on your bucket list, don’t let the “expensive” reputation hold you back. With a little planning, Waikiki can be totally doable and unforgettable.
