rbnwdln

No, I'm not on the wrong forum. I'm one of those people who think if you don't need a passport then it's not a trip. BUT the euro/dollar problem is prohibitive right now in terms of a trip. We've never been to Hawaii, so I'm thinking, is that a good alternative, savings-wise and enjoyment-wise? Do the Europe Fodorites have an opinion on Hawaii?
Thanks!

bettyk

We use to be able to spend twice the time in Europe than we could in Hawaii for the same price. If you want to stay at a resort, Hawaii becomes very expensive. Also, for us, airfare is just as expensive to Hawaii is it is to Europe.

If you can find an inexpensive condo to stay that allows you can prepare some of your own meals, then you will be able to save some money. Food costs are pretty high in Hawaii too since just about everything has to be brought in.

We have been to Hawaii (mainly Maui) numerous times and never tire of it. I think everybody should visit at least once.

grapes

Although I have not been to Hawaii in Many years, I think it is safe to say I could travel to Europe for the same cost or less. Hawaii is expensive and has been for some time. If you want to go to Hawaii, I say go. If you would rather go to Europe, I suggest you go to Europe. Compare the cost of airline tickets and hotels which are the bulk of your travel expenses. You will have a good time in either place.

dutyfree

There have been numberous articles lately about airlines cutting service to Hawaii as it is not a moneymaker,ie. mainly FF mile users. Be sure to check on that first.
Personally, if I am going to fly 10 plus hours I want to be in Europe.Have you thought about going to South America-possibly Buenos Aires? Its a fabulous vacation and the dollar does quite well down there.

StCirq

Well......I agree, if I'm going to spend all those hours in the air I want to be in Europe (or Asia, or South America).

I also have a terrible bias against Hawaii. My one and only trip there, granted 30 years ago, left me with a terrible taste except for the Maui experience. I absolutely hated Honolulu and the Big Island. My take was tacky, tacky, tacky.....and I HATE tacky big time.

I had the misfortune to spend 4 days in Freeport in the Bahamas a few years ago and I had the same reaction - GET ME OUT OF HERE! I don't care how cheap a vacation it was, it wasn't worth it.

I'd love for someone to sell me on Hawaii, but my taste of it was a big YUCK! I'll willingly admit it was one time, many years ago, but we were there for 3 weeks and I never once felt interested in anything one bit - ok, the beach...big deal, I can do a beach anywhere.

janisj

I live on the west coast - yet my airfares to London are usually less than to Hawaii.

There are some reasonable resorts in HI, but in general room rates there are very high. I can get much better in Paris or even in London for less $$.

Not to say you shouldn't go to Hawaii, its great. But just not as a money saving alternative.

Have you considered someplace entirely different like Hong Kong? Airfares are very good and hotels and food cost less than in HI.

Pegontheroad

There are lots of less expensive B&B's, condos and hotels in Hawaii. You don't have to spend an arm and a leg to find a nice place as long as you don't choose one of those big, luxurious hotels.

How long you'd spend on the plane would of course depend on where you live. For me it's nowhere near the length of trip that going to Europe is, because I live in the inland northwest.

I've been thinking of visiting Hawaii again, so I bought a Frommers Hawaii from $80 a day. It has lots of info. You might think about booking a package, such as Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays.

I'm not really a beach person, but I've found plenty to do on all the islands I've visited. I have always enjoyed Hawaii a lot. Even the air is special there.

Angela_m

We have been to Hawaii many times and have also been to Europe numerous times. In fact, next year we will be spending a month on the BI and several weeks in Italy. Hawaii is a totally different vacation than Europe. It is much more relaxing and not as much planning in advance. I have to disagree about Hawaii (BI) being tacky. Yes, they have their tacky souvenier shops, but what about the shops around the Vatican or the Leaning Tower, to name just a few? As for cost, we find we can do Hawaii much cheaper for a month than we will do Europe for two weeks now with the exchange rate. In Hawaii, so much of what to see is free -- the volcano, the summit of Mauna Kea, waterfalls, marine life -- well you get the picture. We love Europe as well, but I have to admit, it's a lot of work -- trip planning, traveling from city to city, walking and walking and walking. If you've been to Europe several times and never to Hawaii, I would suggest trying Hawaii. You might love it!

tom_h

For me, Europe vs Hawaii is a no-brainer ... Europe wins.

I travel for history, culture, art, food , architecture, and a different non-USA "look and feel" .

IMHO, many parts of Hawaii are over-run by the same big-box retail store chains and corporate mega-hotel towers you'd find in the USA suburbs or even (shudder) Las Vegas.

Having said that, i did enjoy the non-european aspects of some Hawaii landscapes , specifically the rain forest environment on Kaui (sp?).

NeoPatrick

Back a few months ago I started looking at going to Hawaii this year in September as an easier alternative than Europe (with my partner having Alzheimer's). I did a whole lot of research and planning. We were looking for simple apartments similar to what we normally do in Europe -- not expensive beach resorts. We were looking at activities that were a little more passive than active. I started researching restaurants.

What did I find? Hawaii was going to be a whole lot more expensive for us than Europe -- for what I'd consider the same level of travel. Food is important to us, and that was one of the biggest issues. Over and over again I'd find restaurants with just OK reviews but high prices, unlike Europe where we find tons of wonderful food with low prices. The apartments were much higher than we've come to find easily in places like Rome, Paris, and even Venice -- which even by European standards is considered expensive. Instead of finding "must do" activities that I find in Europe that are free or close to it, I'd find "you have to do this helicopter ride -- $ 350 for 2 people for one hour" and things like that. Sure there are ways to save money in either place, but I felt we'd have to give up a lot more in Hawaii to save money than we do in Europe.

nancymaat

We've been to Hawaii and Europe (mainly northern Europe)several times. LOVE both. Really depends on what you are looking for in a vacation. Hawaii is great for lazy days on beaches. Europe has more history, interesting sights,architecture, etc. We were in Hawaii last October and rented an apartment. Went to different beaches every day. It was so relaxing.

scatcat

I have been to Hawaii many times. From my experience I can "do" Europe for a lot less dollars. But in Europe, I don't mind staying in 2*-3* hotels. But in Hawaii I like a nice resort because that is actually the whole trip. In Europe I am happy with a clean-no bugs- room because I only sleep and shower there. The hotels on Maui are really expensive.

Food-I never worry about the cost because I am not a foodie at all.

Airfare-usually cost more to Hawaii than Europe from Texas.

Rental car-not so expensive but I can't compare because I've never rented a car in Europe-only train.

Louis Vuitton-cheaper in France than Hawaii because of sales tax and the VAT refund. Even though Hawaii's sales tax is super low compared to Texas.

Anna1013

Heck, I was born and raised on Maui and I would pick Europe in a heartbeat...you know, if it didn't take me close to a week to actually get there

I agree with others that it really depends on the price of airfare that you can get - I'm actually amazed that others have said they couldn't find great prices to Hawaii. We've had friends from NY say that they could get $300RT airfares to Hawaii during certain times of the year - that's not even a one-way price for the West Coast for us.

Prices for food can be expensive, but as others suggested you can rent condos, which should help. I also think our food prices aren't that different from major cities.

On Maui, I'm always amazed that most tourists don't venture outside of Lahaina and Kihei/Wailea for their trip. Yes, I know they come here for the beach, but Maui is so much more than that. There are a couple of areas that remind me of Europe on Maui.

We just returned from the Lake District in England last summer, and while we were there, I had commented to my DS that so much of it reminded me of Kula on Maui. The lake district is defintely more majestic, but I just made a trip up to Kula 4 weeks ago, and in certain areas it was almost scary how much they looked alike...the same fog rolling over green hills, isolation from city life, and although there are no sheep there is a goat dairy farm there! Kula is my absolute favorite place on Maui - especially with the delicious mountain air.

Front Street in Lahaina reminds me of Ponte Vecchio in Florence - although not on a bridge over a river, it's proximity to the ocean and it being lined with jewelry stores(and hordes of tourists) now brings a smile to my face.

Not to count out Paia, which has totally changed from a hippie town in the 60's to a food center for expat europeans. There is a creperie/morracan & indian restaurant with an owner from Britain, than a spanish restaurant two doors down with an owners from Britain & Spain, a new gelato place that makes surprisingly good gelato made from organic products and uses local, in season fruit. DS and I tend to frequent the creperie whenever we are feeling the Paris blues - the maui cane sugar and lime crepe might be my favorite.

Not to mention the fact that various people have told me that Kamuela on the Big Island reminds them of Scotland - go figure.

I love Maui, but I understand the pull of Europe, and if it wasn't for that pesky money issue, we would be there every year. But, that doesn't mean that you can't combine the two! I think you can find aspects of Europe in Hawaii if you really look for it.

St Cirq...I've always enjoyed your posts over the years, but I'm surprised you disliked Hawaii so much(besides Maui). I'm really glad you enjoyed Maui, but what made the Big Island tacky? I totally understand how Honolulu could feel that way - most people on the neighbor islands are always grumbling about how busy Honolulu is, so you are no way alone in your thoughts. What did you enjoy about Maui?

Odin

Airfare from UK-HNL can be quite reasonable, even now, if it's booked in advance. Hawaii is much cheaper than alot of places in Europe if you are living in Europe, things like steak and tuna were much cheaper than home but milk and bread were expensive. Airfares from LAX-HNL seem very high in comparison to fares from LHR-HNL. I can understand the comments about tacky, the first time we saw Ka'anapali we wanted to get on the first plane home. But if you choose the right places it can be wonderful. Depends on what you want, the nature in Hawaii is wonderful eg whales/turtles/seals, Napali, scuba.

heiwa2007

maybe this is a long shot, but if you're after beaches, how about white-sand beaches in boracay islands in the philippines where your dollars will go a long way? there are nice hotels where you can stay for less depending on your budget.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=...image&cd=1

travelgourmet

I think it depends on what you are looking for. But, if you are looking for a relaxing beach or outdoorsy vacation, then Hawaii is downright amazing (particularly the Big Island). Personally, I think one is missing out to not go there once in their life. And, given the weak dollar, now is the time to go.

And I say all of this as someone who doesn't really like beach vacations.

rbnwdln

Good advice on both sides of the fence. For some reason Hawaii and Las Vegas have been two places I've never had a great desire to visit. I will give this some thought. I'm watching the Today show and all the segments on retirement make me feel that every cent of non-essential income should go for retirement!!! Suze Orman keeps telling us to buy our shoes at Payless so what the heck am I doing thinking of a vacation!!!!! LOL