Before embarking on your next vacation to Hawaii, it is best to plan your budget properly. This way you will be able to maximize your enjoyment later on. Taking a vacation usually costs a good deal of money, and if you do not manage it properly it is easy to overspend your hard-earned money. Moreover, Hawaii as a major tourist destination also falls under "high cost" destination.

But do not worry too much. I will try to help you plan your next trip to suit your budget accordingly. Before we start, you should know that most of the costs will be for airplane tickets and hotels. In addition, transportation while you are on the islands such as rental cars are quite affordable. Other than that, your selection of activities will determine how big or small your budget will be. Of course, if you just plan on relaxing on the beach or just driving around while enjoying the magnificent beauty that Hawaii has to offer, you will not have to spend much. But if your idea of a perfect vacation is filled with a lot of guided tours and exclusive activities such as whale watching, helicopter rides or romantic dinner on a cruise ship, then get ready to pay much more.

Transportation: My best suggestion to save money on airfares is to take the trip during off season around May to October. You will be able to save almost half the cost of going during the peak season. To cut your cost more, you can try to board your airflight from a major airline hub instead of smaller ones. I have proven this to be a money saver. Generally, expect to pay at least $500 for a round trip ticket from San Fransisco or Los Angeles. As you know, Hawaii consists of 4 major islands. If you plan to hop from island to island, you should expect to shell out more money. Fortunately, you can usually get good deals on these tickets from the internet. You might get around $50 per flight if you are lucky.

If you follow my suggestion to go during the off season, then the cost that you have to bear for renting a car will be cheaper also. You can save even more by booking earlier and selecting a regular compact car for weekly rental. If you are lucky, you may get a weekly rental deal for as little as $400. Also, make sure to rent a car with unlimited mileage, because there will be a lot of places to visit during your visit in Hawaii. In addition, you will need to pay the insurance costs which are around $15. Cars do not run on water, so you also need to factor in gas prices during your trip. Generally, gas prices will be higher than on the US mainland because of Hawaii's location in the middle of nowhere. Right now, your head may be dizzy because of all the costs that I spilled out earlier. Luckily, parking is free at many places around Hawaii.