Solo traveler wanting to do Hawaii (Maui) for $100 a day, not including accommodation. Location / airport transport advice?
Posted by en_flor@reddit | Shoestring | View on Reddit | 17 comments
I have never been to Hawaii, but I am seeing cheap round trip flights for September. Am wanting to stay 10- 12 days. I do not intend to rent a car, so would really appreciate advice on a good location to stay, or where to/ how to split those 10-12 days, beaches that are accessible by walking, or through public transport, even hostel recommendations. Am looking at a hostel in the lower Pā’ia area - is this a good area? Advice on transportation to/from the airport? Thank you so much in advance!
Bubbly_Power_6210@reddit
you need a credit card--ll bean is a good one and you get bean bucks-I use it for everything.good for traveling no need to have a lot of cash. ask your bank about a debit card. good when you need cash.
jshifrin@reddit
Are you sleeping in a park and living on Ramen?
Immediate_Safety_604@reddit
The best way to do Hawaii is to rent a car and camp at beach campgrounds or yeah cheap hostels. I camped along beaches and campgrounds in the mountains for two weeks, rented a car. This was a group trip but I wouldn’t do Hawaii any other way. It was fabulous. Just get the car!
Maizy52495@reddit
I second this! We had the best time camping on our Hawaii trip. You really get to experience the nature which makes these places so special.
en_flor@reddit (OP)
Oooh everyone has said this… thanks for the advice, looking into Oahu vs Maui with a car rental now :)
Immediate_Safety_604@reddit
If you go to Maui, the absolute MUST see is sunrise at Mount Haleakala. You need to drive up EARLY in the morning like 2 AM I think we did but I will never regret it and I would do it again!!
somedude456@reddit
Oahu! It's a $3.50 bus ride to Waikiki area. I stayed at the The Beach Waikiki by ALOH. Mid next month looks like $50 a night, as a reference. When I stayed there, they had a 10% discount if you followed them on instagram, so I did. :) The hostel does (when I stayed there) day trips for a cheap amount, like $15 for a ride to the north shore, and 3 hours to chill at a nice beach before they bring you back. Or you might find someone like me who is game to rent a car for a day. I got one for about $60 counting gas and fees, and we split that 5 days and did a day trip. The hostel is 2 blocks from the beach, you have any restaurant you could want nearby, and also grocery stores too.
en_flor@reddit (OP)
Oooh thank you!! Will look into Oahu then :) what was your favorite part?
somedude456@reddit
I did the illegal, stairway to heaven hike. :)
I "think" you can still get up there via the backside, and that's legal. There's other hikes too. The pillbox hike is super short, but an amazing view right over perhaps the best beach I've even been to.... Lanikai
You got Leonard's famous "donuts" just like a 30 minute walk from the hostel. Kono's is next door and a BBQ pork bomber is amazing! You can take the bus to Pearl Harbor and see history up close. There's amazing shave ice to eat within 15 minutes. The diamondhead hike is a 30 minute walk away and amazing views. Spend $50 before you leave and buy a quality scuba mask and then any beach is yours to explore. Lots of sealife to watch. You can take surfing seasons if you want. I think the hostel might even rent boards.
Typical-Produce-6415@reddit
Actually instead of buying snorkel gear full price you could try doing what I did which was going to a thrift shop when I was there… All the tourists leave their stuff and there's tons of snorkels and fins for very little money.
somedude456@reddit
and you're very possibly correct, but I'll add a couple things. A $10 set in the continental US will be like $35 in Hawaii. Second, there's a MASSIVE difference between some $10-30 set, and some $50-75 set.
librabutterfly@reddit
I also agree with Oahu being commuter friendly! I went all over and it was super easy to get around by bus and walking. Maui and the other islands unfortunately you need a car. I stayed at a hostel in both Oahu and Maui and I was able to get by with under $100 budget. It depends what activities you’re doing. I mainly did hikes and chilled by the beach which are all free.
SchoolBusDriver79@reddit
Pa ia is where all old hippies go to die. It’s an artistic town, lots of art shops. The beach has surfers of all kinds, big waves. Momma’s Fish House used to be in the area, don’t know if it still is, but if so, save your $100 a day for that. You will need a car. If you get one, take the road to Hanna and stop at the waterfalls. Do the morning bike ride at Haliakula (sp).
tejasthrowaway22@reddit
While the North Shore is by far our favorite part of Maui, and Paia is a cool little area, it's not a walkable destination. And the highlights of Maui beyond Paia really require a reliable car. Echoing everyone who suggested Oahu instead. We did Maui a few times, then jumped over to Oahu and enjoyed it so much more. Public transport is more accessible, and there's a bigger variety of things to do. You get the best of nature and city combined, plus the historic stuff like Pearl Harbor. Waikiki is a great place to stay, and can be quite walkable/bikeable.
mikew99x@reddit
As someone who dislikes driving, I can't believe I'm saying this, but yeah you really need a car in Maui. Even I succumb to renting a car when I go there. Yes, there is a bus system, but with a car, you'd be able to do twice as much in half the time.
I usually visit Oahu and take The Bus to get around. Fares to Oahu are usually about the same as to Maui, so without a car, Oahu is the better option.
Dekaaard@reddit
We refer to Maui as “The driving island, with great beaches.”
anothercar@reddit
Renting a car makes your experience on Maui substantially better. It’s like a whole different island. Honestly I would take 3 days with a car over 12 days without.