Upcoming 1st Hawaii trip in July (infos needed for planning)
Dec 27th, 2012, 08:11 AM
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Upcoming 1st Hawaii trip in July (infos needed for planning)
Hello,
My wife and I are planning to visit Hawaii for the very first next next July for our 20th wedding anniversary. Right now, flight tickets out of Quebec City, Canada to Honolulu are around $550 total one-way (each person). Tickets to get back looks to be in the same range ($550/person) from either Maui or Big Island, so it means around $1100/person round-trip. And it looks like doing a multi-city search is almost the same as well. Hawaiian Airlines seems to be the best for inter-island flights.
Do the fares usually drop in January for a July trip, or it won't change too much than from now? Is it better to buy now? There are lots of things to plan and I don't want to miss chances for lodging by getting my tickets too late.
I often fly from Burlington, VT and get much cheaper rates, but for Hawaii, it seems it's not the case, it's even more expensive than from Quebec City. I've tried several separate combinations to try to get the best rates (Quebec/LA, LA-Hawaii, Quebec/Seattle, Seattle/Hawaii, Quebec/Las Vegas, LV/Hawaii) but it gives me higher rates than just flying directly from home to Hawaii and let the carrier organize the stops.
I've already bought several travel guides (3 of the "Hawaii Revealed" ones (Oahu, Maui, The Big Island), that look to be some of the best guides available) and alkso "No Worries Hawaii" to help me plan my trip.
I'm planning to do 6 nights in Oahu, 6 night in Maui and 5 nights in Big Island. Is it too much?
I'm on a budget, so I'm looking for cheap (but clean) lodging options, hotels, or rental condos. I also plan to rent a car for each island.
Thanks for any input regarding flight tickets or other suggestions for the trip. We can't wait to go to Hawaii, I've always dreamed to get there since I was watching Hawaii 5-0 in my youth!
My wife and I are planning to visit Hawaii for the very first next next July for our 20th wedding anniversary. Right now, flight tickets out of Quebec City, Canada to Honolulu are around $550 total one-way (each person). Tickets to get back looks to be in the same range ($550/person) from either Maui or Big Island, so it means around $1100/person round-trip. And it looks like doing a multi-city search is almost the same as well. Hawaiian Airlines seems to be the best for inter-island flights.
Do the fares usually drop in January for a July trip, or it won't change too much than from now? Is it better to buy now? There are lots of things to plan and I don't want to miss chances for lodging by getting my tickets too late.
I often fly from Burlington, VT and get much cheaper rates, but for Hawaii, it seems it's not the case, it's even more expensive than from Quebec City. I've tried several separate combinations to try to get the best rates (Quebec/LA, LA-Hawaii, Quebec/Seattle, Seattle/Hawaii, Quebec/Las Vegas, LV/Hawaii) but it gives me higher rates than just flying directly from home to Hawaii and let the carrier organize the stops.
I've already bought several travel guides (3 of the "Hawaii Revealed" ones (Oahu, Maui, The Big Island), that look to be some of the best guides available) and alkso "No Worries Hawaii" to help me plan my trip.
I'm planning to do 6 nights in Oahu, 6 night in Maui and 5 nights in Big Island. Is it too much?
I'm on a budget, so I'm looking for cheap (but clean) lodging options, hotels, or rental condos. I also plan to rent a car for each island.
Thanks for any input regarding flight tickets or other suggestions for the trip. We can't wait to go to Hawaii, I've always dreamed to get there since I was watching Hawaii 5-0 in my youth!
Dec 27th, 2012, 10:08 AM
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5 nights is not a lot of time for the Big Island, I went there once for 5 nights (husband was there on business) and spent short time at Volcano Park, saw black sand beach, took a snorkel trip to Kealakekua Bay, visited Hilo and saw Akaka Falls, did not have time to see anything else.
With only five nights you might want to consider Kauai instead of BI, but up to you.
With only five nights you might want to consider Kauai instead of BI, but up to you.
Dec 27th, 2012, 12:25 PM
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Thanks for the replies. However, I did google stuff all afternoon (snow storm here, spent all afternoon searching Hawaii inbfos) and my plans changed a bit. As car rentals are more expensive than I thought, and to cut on expenses, I think it would be best best to do do just 2 islands, and they'll be Oahu and Maui, for 15 days total. We'll save Kaui and Big Island for a future trip.
I'll check out these hotels you mention Suze, thanks!
I'll check out these hotels you mention Suze, thanks!
Dec 27th, 2012, 12:56 PM
#6
You don't need a car on Oahu. It's the only island I feel you can easily get by without one, because there is very good public transportation ("The Bus") and lots of shuttles, organized tours, etc. you can use to get around.
I agree with you about cutting back to only 2 islands in 15 days. That's an excellent plan.
Let me know if you have any questions. I'm no expert on all things Hawaiian, but I know alot about the budget hotels in Waikiki
I agree with you about cutting back to only 2 islands in 15 days. That's an excellent plan.
Let me know if you have any questions. I'm no expert on all things Hawaiian, but I know alot about the budget hotels in Waikiki
Dec 27th, 2012, 03:10 PM
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Suze, I checked out the Royal Grove. It's by far the cheapest hotel so far (and with full kitchens). However, it sure looks very dated by the pics. Are the beds comfortable? As long as it's clean and the beds are good, I don't really care, so that could be a good pick. It also has very good reviews from TripAdvisor.
You say that no car is needed in Oahu. As we'll go during the peak season I think (end of July), will the bus be easily available to get anywhere, without waiting too much for connections? Will they be very crowded? If we'd decide to only rent a car for one or 2 days, would the rates be very high?
Also, would you happen to know about budget hotels in Maui as well? From what I gathered so far, Maui hotels look to be more expensive than Oahu's.
Thanks.
You say that no car is needed in Oahu. As we'll go during the peak season I think (end of July), will the bus be easily available to get anywhere, without waiting too much for connections? Will they be very crowded? If we'd decide to only rent a car for one or 2 days, would the rates be very high?
Also, would you happen to know about budget hotels in Maui as well? From what I gathered so far, Maui hotels look to be more expensive than Oahu's.
Thanks.
Dec 27th, 2012, 07:12 PM
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Oahu is our favorite island. Overnight parking is quite expensive so we only rent a car for a day to drive around the island, stopping at points of interest, and another day to go to Pearl Harbor, Punchbowl Cemetery, and up on the Pali.
Except for people who want a quiet getaway type of vacation, Waikiki is great because so many things are within walking distance. There is a free trolley if you want to go to Hilo Hattie's for souvenirs (and the Sam Choy restaurant is beside it, so you can have lunch there and then ride the trolley back). The Bus will take you to the huge Ala Moana shopping center where there is a good food court as well as nice restaurants and a See's candy shop besides the upscale (and not so) shops, as well as completely around the island for $2.00 if you just want to stay on and ride.
We like the breakfast buffet at the Shorebird Restaurant in the Outrigger Reef Hotel (discount coupons in the free sidewalk magazines). The view from the tables at the rail is gorgeous.
Except for people who want a quiet getaway type of vacation, Waikiki is great because so many things are within walking distance. There is a free trolley if you want to go to Hilo Hattie's for souvenirs (and the Sam Choy restaurant is beside it, so you can have lunch there and then ride the trolley back). The Bus will take you to the huge Ala Moana shopping center where there is a good food court as well as nice restaurants and a See's candy shop besides the upscale (and not so) shops, as well as completely around the island for $2.00 if you just want to stay on and ride.
We like the breakfast buffet at the Shorebird Restaurant in the Outrigger Reef Hotel (discount coupons in the free sidewalk magazines). The view from the tables at the rail is gorgeous.
Dec 27th, 2012, 09:52 PM
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Thanks carolyn for the suggestions. Regarding the car, I'm wondering how much is the taxi fee from the airport to Waikiki? Because I'll have to pay that again when I get out of Oahu, and also the bus/trolley fees. So, is it really cost-efficient not to rent a car?
Dec 28th, 2012, 05:31 AM
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Rent a car on Oahu.
You can see the island much better with a car.
The bus system is geared for local residents.
You will lose many precious hours trying to see the island by bus.
When you add up airport transportation, buses, cabs, tours & car rental for a day, you won't save a nickle using public transportation.
You can park nearby at Aston Waikiki Banyan for $12/day.
Lots of info:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm
Order the free travel planners for Hawaii & each island:
http://www.gohawaii.com/visitor-guide
Order the free Air Maui map. It is really nice:
http://www.airmaui.com/mauimap.php
You can make reservations for USS Arizona Memorial for $1.50 each:
http://www.recreation.gov/tourList.d...O&parkId=72369
You can see the island much better with a car.
The bus system is geared for local residents.
You will lose many precious hours trying to see the island by bus.
When you add up airport transportation, buses, cabs, tours & car rental for a day, you won't save a nickle using public transportation.
You can park nearby at Aston Waikiki Banyan for $12/day.
Lots of info:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...trip-to-hi.cfm
Order the free travel planners for Hawaii & each island:
http://www.gohawaii.com/visitor-guide
Order the free Air Maui map. It is really nice:
http://www.airmaui.com/mauimap.php
You can make reservations for USS Arizona Memorial for $1.50 each:
http://www.recreation.gov/tourList.d...O&parkId=72369
Dec 28th, 2012, 05:42 AM
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You have to determine what you want to spend on a rental car on Oahu and don't forget the parking cost either, but I would try to rent it at least for one day - (suggest you pick it up in the evening/late afternoon - or early in the morning if the rental places are open in Honolulu) - and go early in the morning to snorkel at Hanauma Bay - and then continue driving around to Kailua and then up to the North Shore - over to Haleiwa - and back down the middle of the isle to Honolulu.
It would be a very memorable day, and there are some good places for lunch/snacks on the Kailua side/north of there (or even over at Haleiwa if you can wait)- and you could be back in Honolulu before it got dark.
It would be a very memorable day, and there are some good places for lunch/snacks on the Kailua side/north of there (or even over at Haleiwa if you can wait)- and you could be back in Honolulu before it got dark.
Dec 28th, 2012, 06:19 AM
#12
Royal Grove *is* very dated. It's also very popular because of the value price. I have yet to stay there myself because they are always full!
Waikiki Sand Villa has comfortable beds. Do get a room in one of the higher (literally higher in the building) categories, because the lower floors can be noisy.
White Sand, Hawaiian King, and Waikiki Joy are a few others you could look at.
The Bus is the public transportation system for locals. It's an award winning system. Depends the bus if it will be crowded or not. I have had friends rent a car for one day but haven't done that myself, so don't know rates, sorry.
In Maui the only place I've stayed was at Lahaina Shores. It's a nice condo hotel that sits just outside the town (easy walking distance). Your observation is correct, that Waikiki has the largest selection of reasonably priced hotels, more so than on Maui.
Waikiki Sand Villa has comfortable beds. Do get a room in one of the higher (literally higher in the building) categories, because the lower floors can be noisy.
White Sand, Hawaiian King, and Waikiki Joy are a few others you could look at.
The Bus is the public transportation system for locals. It's an award winning system. Depends the bus if it will be crowded or not. I have had friends rent a car for one day but haven't done that myself, so don't know rates, sorry.
In Maui the only place I've stayed was at Lahaina Shores. It's a nice condo hotel that sits just outside the town (easy walking distance). Your observation is correct, that Waikiki has the largest selection of reasonably priced hotels, more so than on Maui.
Dec 28th, 2012, 06:59 AM
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Thanks all for the replies! Very informative. Keep them coming!
Looks like I'll rent a car after all. I found the Island Air site where you can rent cars with their corporate codes and that gives economy cars at Thrifty for $230 all included, which is close to $100 cheaper than from the "regular" sites.
Now, I'm wondering if Thrifty is good in Honolulu and Maui. I've rented from them in other states and always got brand new clean cars, but I read some very bad reviews for their Honololu location (worn out cars, dirty cars infested with roaches...). Anyone has used them here? Which "budget" rental car company would you suggest?
Advantage has very good rates as well, but I read horror reviews about them...
About Maui lodging, I found several very nice oceanfront condos available from $130-$150, which would be fine I guess. The thing is that most of them charge the first night if you have to cancel, while most hotels charge nothing. As it seems it could be best if I wait for January or February sales to buy my flight tickets, maybe I'll have to the chance to pay a one-night cancellation fee, as I pretty much want to secure my lodging in both Oahu and Maui right now.
Looks like I'll rent a car after all. I found the Island Air site where you can rent cars with their corporate codes and that gives economy cars at Thrifty for $230 all included, which is close to $100 cheaper than from the "regular" sites.
Now, I'm wondering if Thrifty is good in Honolulu and Maui. I've rented from them in other states and always got brand new clean cars, but I read some very bad reviews for their Honololu location (worn out cars, dirty cars infested with roaches...). Anyone has used them here? Which "budget" rental car company would you suggest?
Advantage has very good rates as well, but I read horror reviews about them...
About Maui lodging, I found several very nice oceanfront condos available from $130-$150, which would be fine I guess. The thing is that most of them charge the first night if you have to cancel, while most hotels charge nothing. As it seems it could be best if I wait for January or February sales to buy my flight tickets, maybe I'll have to the chance to pay a one-night cancellation fee, as I pretty much want to secure my lodging in both Oahu and Maui right now.
Dec 28th, 2012, 07:10 AM
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These are some of the Maui condos I'm checking out at the moment (for July 24-31). Could you tell me if their locations are good for a first-time visitor like me?
http://www.kiheikainani.com/joomla/index.php (lowest rate is $138/night)
http://lokelanicondos.com/category/condos/
http://www.napilivillage.com/rates.html
http://koalagoon.com/
Thanks.
http://www.kiheikainani.com/joomla/index.php (lowest rate is $138/night)
http://lokelanicondos.com/category/condos/
http://www.napilivillage.com/rates.html
http://koalagoon.com/
Thanks.
Dec 28th, 2012, 12:31 PM
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Just glanced at your condo possibilities and think they all would be acceptable. You might also check out favorite of mine - the Napili Sunset, but they have gotten a little more pricey - espec in the winter? They have a great beach cam. http://www.napilisunset.com/
Dec 28th, 2012, 01:00 PM
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I'd like to suggest that you consider this kind of plan for O'ahu: stay in Waikiki for several days, no rental car, walk to everything in Waikiki, and use the Bus to get to Honolulu sites like I'olani Palace, Chinatown, Bishop Museum. Then rent a car and spend a few days staying in a studio apartment on the North Shore. From there you can enjoy the wonderful N Shore beaches , and drive around the whole island to see the other beaches and all the scenery of the island outside of Waikiki.
Dec 28th, 2012, 01:47 PM
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Tomsd, I checked out the Napili Sunset. The Poolside studio looks fine at $135, but the type of bed is not listed. I'll have to e-mail them.
aloha, your plan sounds good. 4 days in Waikiki and 4 days on the North Shore could be good? Would you have some rental suggestions on the North Shore for me?
aloha, your plan sounds good. 4 days in Waikiki and 4 days on the North Shore could be good? Would you have some rental suggestions on the North Shore for me?
Dec 28th, 2012, 06:35 PM
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Eloi, i also recommend VRBO, have used it several times and had good experiences. Usually we rent a place for 3-6 people as we meet relatives and stay together. We did rent a studio once and i will try to link it for you. In general, i think the area around Sunset Point is really beautiful so i'd suggest staying there.
