Make it a trip · Honolulu, United States
What Honolulu costs
once you land
Real prices, from the airport ride to a room for the night, each with where we found it. Checked October 2026, around Waikiki.
Prices as the source quoted them.
Dorm bed, three cheap meals, getting around, a coffee, two beers and water.
Half a villa or 4-star room, two meals out, a coffee, two beers and the signature experience.
Arriving
-
ESTA travel authorisation Fixed
For AU, NZ, GB, IE, NL, DE, FR, SG passports.
Rose to $40.62 on 16 October 2026. Valid two years. Apply only on the official CBP site or app.
Sources: VisasNews, ESTA fee rise (2026-10), Buch dein Visum, ESTA fee (2026-10)
US$41 -
TheBus from the airport to Waikiki Fixed
$3 with a HOLO card, $3.25 cash. About an hour; big suitcases aren't allowed on board.
Sources: TheBus, fares from July 2026 (2026-07), Tripster, getting around Oahu (2026-05)
US$3 to US$3.30 Book an airport pickup -
No visa or ESTA needed Fixed
For CA passports.
Canadian citizens visit visa free with a passport.
Source: Layla, US ESTA guide (2026)
Free -
Free
Getting around
-
TheBus ride Fixed
With a HOLO card, valid two hours. The Skyline rail uses the same card.
Source: TheBus, fares from July 2026 (2026-07)
US$3 -
TheBus 24-hour pass Fixed
Unlimited rides for 24 hours from the first tap, island-wide. A 7-day pass is $45.
Source: TheBus, fares from July 2026 (2026-07)
US$7.50 -
Car hire, per day Many reports
Average at Honolulu airport. Waikiki branches charge more, and hotel parking often costs $40 or more a night.
Source: Cheapflights, Honolulu airport car rental (2026-02)
US$38 Compare cars
Eating and drinking
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Meal at a cheap restaurant Many reports
With tax and tip. A plate lunch or poke bowl from a local shop costs less.
Source: Numbeo, Honolulu (2026-10)
US$28 -
US$15
-
Dinner for two, three courses Many reports
A mid-range restaurant, without drinks. Add tax and an 18 to 20% tip.
Source: Numbeo, Honolulu (2026-10)
US$140 -
Cappuccino Many reports
Waikiki cafés charge the most. Kona coffee drinks cost more again.
Source: Numbeo, Honolulu (2026-10)
US$10.30 -
Draught beer, a pint Many reports
Before tip. Happy hour runs most afternoons.
Source: Numbeo, Honolulu (2026-10)
US$10.50
At the supermarket
-
US$3.10
-
US$4.90
-
Beer, half a litre, to take away Many reports
Drinking on the beach is illegal.
Source: Numbeo, Honolulu (2026-10)
US$2.70
Doing
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Hanauma Bay, non-resident entry Fixed
Book online two days ahead at 7am Hawaii time. Diamond Head is $5 with a timed booking. Pearl Harbor's USS Arizona Memorial is free plus a $1 booking fee.
Sources: Hawaii Guide, fees and reservations (2026), Trvlogue, Hanauma Bay reservations (2026)
US$25 Get tickets -
Waikiki luau Range
Buffet dinner and a Polynesian show. Better seats cost up to about $227.
Sources: Tripster, Waikiki luau (2026), Star of Honolulu, Rock-A-Hula 2026 brochure (2026-02)
US$87 to US$138 Get tickets -
Circle island tour to the North Shore Range
A half-day mini loop or a full day with Waimea and the shrimp trucks. Lunch is usually extra.
Sources: TakeTours, mini circle island tour (2026), Tripster, grand circle island tour (2026)
US$55 to US$129 Book the tour
Sleeping, per night
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Hostel bed, from Range
Best deals at a Waikiki boutique hostel; the expected rate is about $91.
Source: HotelsCombined, The Beach Waikiki Boutique Hostel (2026-01)
US$42 Find a hostel -
Four-star hotel, Waikiki Many reports
Before tax and the daily resort fee most Waikiki hotels add.
Source: Kayak, Waikiki hotels (2026)
US$280 Find a hotel
Prices change. Fixed fees come from official or widely reported figures; ranges are what travellers and operators report for 2026. Some links are affiliate links: they never change what you pay. How we make money.
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