Planning a trip to Maui on a budget and want to know some cheap things to do on Maui HI? Keep scrolling to find out how to have a cheap vacation on Maui that rocks!
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Are you looking for a way to visit Maui without breaking the bank?
For a lot of people, a vacation to Maui is a dream come true. But for others, it’s just not in the budget. If you’re one of those people who can’t afford the expense of traveling to this beautiful island, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to visit Maui on the cheap and still enjoy your time there as much as possible.
If you want to see all of the beautiful sites that Maui has to offer, but don’t have thousands of dollars lying around, this article is for you.
Here are some tips and tricks we’ve gathered from our own experiences traveling with kids so that your next trip doesn’t have to break the bank. Let’s get started!
Keep scrolling for my guide to visiting Maui on a budget!
Don’t have time to read a bunch of Hawaii blog posts and reviews? Here are some of our top picks for visiting Maui on a budget.
Best Budget-Friendly Maui Activities
- Glass Bottom Boat (this is cheaper than the submarine ride and still really cool)
- 90-Minute Whale Watching Tour (this is a short and affordable boat tour during winter months)
- Molokini Snorkel Tour (this is one of the cheapest snorkeling tours on Maui)
- Shaka Driving App (it’s like going on an island tour (including Road to Hana) at a fraction of the price)
Best Budget-Friendly Maui Hotels
- Aina Nalu Resort (this is in the heart of Lahaina town and totally walkable to shops and restaurants)
- Maui Beach Hotel (this is in Kahului and it’s easy to get to all areas of the island)
- Paia Condo (amazing North Shore location right at the start of the Road to Hana)
Want to skip all the planning and just access my detailed Maui Itinerary complete with daily schedules, kid-friendly activities, and travel hacks? Click the button below.
Cheap Maui Vacations FAQs
For inexpensive things to do in Maui, check out the Nakalele Blowhole for a spectacular sight. The Surfing Goat Dairy is also a fun place to play with goats and taste goat cheese truffles. You can also drive the Road to Hana if you have a rental car. And the best thing to do in Maui is to see the sunrise or sunset from Haleakala Crater.
A Maui family vacation doesn’t have to cost a lot if you mix in free activities. Some of the coolest free things to do on Maui include watching free hula shows, seeing surfers, listening to live music, lounging on the beach, going for a beach walk, and stargazing on Maui.
There’s a really cool walking path in Wailea that’s perfect for sunrise or sunset strolls. You can also window shop at The Shops at Wailea and do the free samples at Honolulu Cookie Company. There’s also a really cool hiking trail called the Hoapili Trail close to Wailea.
Is Maui Expensive? How Much Does the Average Trip Cost?
While Maui may not be the cheapest vacation to take it is also possible to plan your trip on a budget. The average cost for a week-long vacation to Maui is around 3,000 dollars for two people, and costs will increase if you’re planning on taking the whole family.
You can cut costs in many different ways throughout your trip planning process and some are very simple! If you’re trying to plan a budget for a cheaper trip to Maui, then keep reading to see the ways you can cut costs and still have the best vacation you deserve!
What is the cheapest month to go to Maui?
The cheapest month to go to Maui is usually in the spring or fall, which is considered the off seasons for most travelers. The best months are going to be April, May, September, or November.
You want to visit the island when the weather is enjoyable but the crowds aren’t too congested. This is why spring and fall are the perfect times to go.
The weather remains temperate in the mid-70s to 80s during the day, with the only issue being that the nights will be chilly, reaching into the 60s. So, there will still be plenty of good weather to experience the island to the fullest, without paying the premium prices and braving the summer crowds.
When should you not go to Maui?
You should avoid going to Maui in the height of the summer, in June and July. This is because the crowds and hotels are packed with the summer rush of vacationers.
Since Hawaii is a popular travel destination for many individuals, the summer is the perfect opportunity for travelers, and the tourist state’s prices rise accordingly. So, in order to avoid the higher costs of flights, hotels, and activities it is best to avoid traveling during the high traffic seasons.
How can I save money on Maui vacation
The best way to save money on a vacation to Maui is to travel in the off-season, this is one of the best ways to budget for your trip as you can avoid costs that have risen up due to “supply and demand”.
You can also save by flying out during off times like in the week, instead of on the weekend. Hotel and rental properties can also be found for cheaper when you book package deals or are willing to book away from city hubs and direct beachfront properties.
Finding Cheap Flights to Maui
Plan to Fly in the Off Season
A great way to find cheaper flights to Maui is to fly in the off-season. By avoiding planning your flight during the high-traffic summer months, you can avoid the costs that come from the price hikes.
The increase of travelers creates a higher demand for flights to popular vacation destinations such as Hawaii, so by booking during months in the spring and fall like April, May, September, or November, you will be buying at lower prices because the demand is not as high.
Book your Flight during the week
To further increase your savings when booking flights to Maui, you can plan on flying out during the week.
If you are taking a week, or longer, vacation then a good way to save is to fly out on a weekday rather than a weekend. While this may not always be true, it is a great plan to search for flights during the week and compare them to the weekend flight prices.
Saving on plane tickets by flying out during the week will help to decrease the costs on one of your trip necessities.
Use Flight Service Sites
Sites like Priceline, Expedia, and Orbitz tend to have standby tickets that are cheaper than tickets sold directly from airlines. These sites allow you to check the prices of all airlines and services and compare them to get the lowest possible rate for the tickets.
Be aware that if you wait days after the deals may change so you should search when you are ready to commit and have planned out the dates.
Getting around Maui for Less
Use Public Transportation
Maui has its own public transportation system that has 14 routes and they run seven days a week, including holidays. This system could be a cheap option for travelers who would prefer not to use a rental car.
These systems and routes do not cover every possible destination but they do run from the airport to several destinations and shopping centers that are helpful to travelers. The bus fare is also fairly cheap, you can purchase daily passes for only 4 dollars.
Find Cheap Rental Car Options
To cover more ground and reach any possible destination in Maui, travelers will likely need to use a rental car. While this prospect may seem expensive to many travelers there are several ways to cut costs on rental cars.
For example, you can use several travel sites like Priceline, Expedia, or you can even use memberships from your own car insurance. This way you can shop around and find the cheapest price.
Another great way to save is to book an economy rental car which is the cheapest option among rental cars.
The cheapest place I’ve found is Discount Hawaii Car Rental. They get the best rates from top national companies like Alamo, Dollar, Thrifty, Avis, Enterprise, Budget, and Payless. Check out the latest prices and more details.
Rent Bikes
If you book accommodations close to the beach or other activities that you want to frequent on your trip then you can save money on transportation by renting bikes or mopeds to travel short distances in the area.
You can save money by not renting a car but if you are close to the beach and shopping centers then you can travel to many different activities with just a bike in the area.
Best Places To Stay in Maui on a Budget
Campsites
Maui is full of natural beauty and wonders, with a lot of public parks that offer campsites for a cheap reservation price. If you wish to save money on accommodations and want to connect with the nature of Maui then this is a unique option.
You can also find cheap camp gear rentals in the area and through other rental sites.
North Shore Hostel
Hostels are frequently used by young travelers and those wishing to travel on a budget as they offer cheap prices and genuinely nice accommodations. The only downside with hostels is that they are shared spaces. For example, the North Shore Hostel offers a shared kitchen and shared rooms with bunk beds.
This is a great option for single travelers, couples, and small groups as they can save a lot of money on accommodations because rooms here are generally around 100 dollars a night. It’s perfect for visiting Maui on a tight budget.
Vacation Rentals
Cheap options for Airbnb may seem impossible to find but it just takes a search to find out if there are more affordable options than the brand-name hotels that abound on the island.
A vacation rental on sites like these can sometimes be cheaper because the price is determined by the owners of the properties and not a chain such as in hotel circumstances.
Cheap and Free Things to do in Maui on a Budget
Visit the Beach
Beaches in Maui are free to the public and are one of the biggest draws for travelers visiting the island. It will cost you nothing to set foot on any of the beaches, except the possibility of paying for parking if you have to drive.
This means you can have fun with a multitude of different beach activities, swimming, or just taking in the beachside views.
If you packed snorkeling gear, or have any other sports equipment, you can use them freely on the beach without spending money on hefty rental fees.
Go See the Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm
A budget travel option in Maui that you won’t soon forget is the beautiful and aromatic Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm. This farm offers self-guided tours of the facility and gorgeous flowers for only 3 dollars!
You can also book craft classes or a picnic lunch with food included for only 26 dollars per lunch.
There is much to do on this picturesque lavender farm, and you can even browse some of the teas, jellies, lotions, and oils that are made on the farm itself.
Visit the Surfing Goat Dairy Farm
The Surfing Goat Dairy Farm is free to enter for visitors, and you can even sample cheeses made at the farm for free as well! This is a fun experience and you can see the local farm life of the goats that make a large variety of different cheeses.
If you want a full tour, casual tour, or to get a chance to interact with the goats or cows on the farm then it will just cost a small fee of 12 dollars for the shorter tour and 39 for the full tour.
Though there are many things to do for free at this farm, it is still fairly cheap to enjoy all they have to offer.
With the proper planning, you can plan an affordable vacation to Maui
If you are worried that you can’t afford a trip to Maui then hopefully this article changed your mind! By using these tips and tricks you can save some money and budget enough to enjoy the vacation you deserve.
Beginning with the price of plane tickets you can begin cutting costs throughout your entire trip, including prices for transportation and other accommodations.
There are even many free or low-priced activities you can participate in on Maui to fully enjoy the wonders of the island. And there are plenty of cheap places to eat on Maui.
