Aloha State: Hawaii February 2025

Thanks Pascale for this amazing travel journal. Kauai totally blew me away and made me dream, but the rest left me a bit underwhelmed (even though the whale encounter was fabulous... though you were really lucky ) I didn’t see many volcanoes—was that because of the islands you chose or did you focus more on the beaches?

That’s right, Muriel—if you want to see volcanoes, you’ll need to head to Big Island. Plus, they’re still active 😊. You can check out my Hawaii travel journal from 2017—the volcanoes haven’t moved since then 😆

Yes Isabelle, I’ll definitely check out your travel journal! Kauai + Big Island seems like a great combo...

Thanks so much, Isabelle!

Your Hawaiian travel journal really inspired me to go explore these islands.

I also wanna thank smartrippers—their travel blog on Hawaii and Iceland is a goldmine of info!

Budget Conclusion:

Hawaii is far and expensive. It’s a trip that requires advance planning, especially for accommodations if you don’t want to break the bank.

Same goes for on-the-ground expenses—always check prices before settling in because Americans don’t have the same prices as us Europeans.

We were careful with our budget. Only one restaurant meal during the trip. Evening drinks were enjoyed in our accommodations.

But in the end, I don’t think there’s a huge price difference compared to other U.S. destinations.

Our total budget came to 2670 € per person, all-inclusive (excluding impound fees), for 9 days on the islands and 11 days of travel. It also includes some compressible costs (we had optional travel insurance for 60 € each, for example).

It’s not cheap, of course, but it could’ve been worse.

I’m sharing the details because some costs were split in half since Christelle and I aren’t related by blood (but definitely by heart).

Accommodation cost per room: First in Oahu: Night at a motel upon arrival: 121 € Night in a studio in Waikiki before departure: 135 € Night at a backpackers’ in Haleiwa (north), private room with shared bathroom: 108 € per night In Kauai: 5 nights in a fully equipped studio in Princeville, in a residence with a pool/jacuzzi and parking, at 168 € per night (we couldn’t find anything cheaper, even after really searching. In Kauai, a night can easily go up to 400/500 € ).

Car rentals in the cheapest economy model, total price not per person: Oahu: 3 days for 228 € (plus 57 € for an additional driver) Note that if we’d rented for 5 days, it would’ve been almost the same price Kauai: 5 days for 285 € (plus 74 € for an additional driver) We could’ve gotten a nice American car for just a hundred euros more. The extra drivers really inflated the transportation costs.

Activities, price per person: - 330 € for a one-hour helicopter flight There’s not a huge price difference compared to back home, and if you’re going to do it once in your life, go for it in Kauai. You can also do it in a small plane (half the price, but the flight is from farther away). - 92 € for shark swimming - 46 € for whale watching in a big Zodiac in the north (cheaper in Honolulu on a big boat) - 6.50 € for the Byodo-In Temple - $5 for entry to State Parks, plus $10 for the car Beaches are free, including parking.

Food: It’s expensive, even in supermarkets. Like $6 for a coconut or a pineapple. We bought groceries for picnics during our hikes and for our evening drinks . $15 for a loaf of bread, cheese slices, and ham, but we ate lunch for 3 days with that, so it worked out. I think the most economical option is to eat at takeaways. Street food costs between 15 € and 20 € per person for a drink plus a hearty shrimp dish, for example (you can even share it if you’re not big eaters). McDonald’s isn’t too bad because there are lots of deals: around 6 € per person on average (we went twice). At the Lemon Grass restaurant in Kapa’a, a dish was $28. Chicken in a barrel: we ate like ogres for 16 € each, including a drink and a dish.

In short, your budget depends on your travel style, but you can limit the damage .

I forgot about the flights for the transport $581 for the international flight with a layover on Canadian airline WestJet: an amazing price that made us decide on this destination (no checked luggage. Included a backpack plus the carry-on suitcase) $120 for the round-trip internal flight Oahu/Kauai (on average, budget around a hundred dollars per round-trip internal flight)

The conclusion of the conclusion:

We had high hopes and we weren’t disappointed at all.

Hawaii was pure happiness.

Just one regret (aside from the budget, of course): some visits/hikes require booking well in advance. That leaves less freedom to adjust your plans on the spot based on your mood, the weather, etc. But this seems to be becoming the norm—Hawaii’s no exception.

I’m not sure if we’ll get the chance to go back (though we’d love to), since we usually prefer heading to unknown destinations that catch our eye—and our list is *very* long...

In the meantime, I’ll go read other travelers’ journals to dream and get some ideas [:)]

Thanks to everyone who kindly reached out.

Now that you have the budget breakdown, do you feel like Hawaii is a much more expensive destination than the Seychelles?

Yeah, I think so. We paid around 2000 € per person for 12 nights on-site, including a flight for 750 € (and like you, just one restaurant meal and no hotels—only rentals with a separate bedroom). ... but it’s still cheaper than African safaris (outside South Africa)

That’s encouraging for a trip to the Seychelles, then [;)]

I’d also be interested in your budget (either here or via PM) for your Kenya safari trip if possible.

I read that you should budget up to 300/400 € per person per day. Ouch...

South Africa or Namibia will definitely be on the program soon, since I’ve got travel savings in South African rands (my summer 2020 trip was canceled last minute due to COVID. I already had the currency, ordered just before lockdown )

Thanks for this travel journal! [:)]

The prices and the very American vibe are a bit of a turn-off, but why not give it a go once, especially if we include a really volcanic island!

Thanks so much, Pascale, for this wonderful discovery that changed my preconceived ideas! 😊 And it’s a pleasure reading you. I really love how you describe your days—especially since you were traveling with a "Christelle"; I almost felt like I was there too! 😄 See you soon on VF

Thanks Pascale for this lovely, perfectly illustrated travel journal! 🌺

Now, between the Seychelles and Hawaii, I’ll have to make a choice!! But I still think that before Hawaii, my latent chauvinism will take me to Polynesia—once I’ve decided to explore all those islands with paradise-like names. 🌴

It’s true that right now, trips to the USA aren’t exactly dreamy 😵 Too bad, because the destination is totally worth it. Thanks for stopping by my travel journal!

Your message was so kind, Christelle, thanks!

Great choice, Bruno! That way you can make us a new travel journal. Thanks for your posts—they’re really appreciated.

Aloha Pascale, and thanks for this travel journal I just discovered [:)]

A destination I didn’t know at all. I had no idea there were so many different islands with such diversity. Gorgeous images of nature that still seems relatively wild and untouched. And that close encounter with the whales..... pure bliss !

Hi Sylvie,

Thanks for your message! [:)] Snorkeling with the whales is truly an incredible moment during the trip.

I think Hawaii’s biggest draw is its variety. The landscapes are constantly changing, and you’re often left in awe.

Wow, the beauty of your last photo just makes me think of paradise on earth, Pascale 😍. Nothing like the Hawaii I had in my preconceived ideas!

Hi there :)

Your messages really speak to me because it was the opposite for me.

Same here as you, Pascale! That’s exactly my impression of Hawaii and my desire to go. Thanks for this travel journal that I keep reading :)

Caught up on the delay Thanks Pascale for this trip report—I hope it’ll come in handy for me one of these days soon. I’ve been thinking about going to Hawaii for a few years now. If I can, I’ll stay for 3, maybe even 4, weeks. Just to make the long flight worth it and see volcanoes, massive waves, and lush nature.

Thanks Anne for your feedback! [:)]

Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.