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Frugal Honolulu Waikiki Vacation

A Frugal Honolulu Waikiki vacation, is it possible? Here’s how and where to cut the price of that dream vacation.

Get two people there on one airline ticket.
Just landed at the airport now get to your hotel/condo with no car rental or cab expense.
Stay at a timeshare instead of a hotel.
Local restaurants where you can get specials every day.
Visit all the attractions on Oahu without a car rental or a cab.
Get all your souvenirs without paying tourist prices.

Getting Started? You need to be in the mood for Hawaii. Here is a live streaming camera view of Waikiki beach as viewed from the Sheraton. It is on during the daylight hours in Hawaii.

Disclaimer

I have used every one of these services and it works. In the article I mention different services and timeshare businesses in this article. I am in no way connected to these services except as a customer. I am advocating the methods in this article, not the particular companies, to reduce the costs associated with this kind of vacation. These methods will cut down your expenses getting to and during your stay in Honolulu/Waikiki.

Get two people to Oahu on one airline ticket or pretty close

This one is pretty simple. You will need good credit for this one. There are bank credit cards that will give you one companion ticket for applying for their credit card. Then they will repeat that free/discounted companion ticket yearly. Also several cards offer companion tickets at deep discounts again this offer is repeated yearly. This link will explain the pros and cons of each card. Look closely at the Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card. This airline carrier goes to Hawaii.

Look at the following card offers:

Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards Premier Card

Delta SkyMiles Platinum or Reserve from American Express

Alaska Airlines Visa Signature Card

Just landed at the airport now get to your hotel/condo with no car rental or cab expense

Why not have a car rental? The hotels in Hawaii charge a car parking fee. That daily parking fee can be as much or more than your daily car rental rate. Effectively doubling your daily rental rate for your vehicle. Some hotels have valet parking only so on top of the parking fee there is the “tip factor” for each day you use the car. To see what your daily parking fee would be(click here). To see a comparison chart of what a car rental would cost for your time frame enter the “pickup date” and “drop off date” and age of the drivers and click on “Search Hawaii Rental Cars” button.

The “no car” option

Ok, so you get to the airport on Oahu now you need to get to the place you’re staying without renting a car or using a cab. This service is like having a friend in Hawaii. A friend that you can call when you land and they come to get you and help you with your luggage. It’s not a hotel shuttle service. It is not a shared service(shuttle goes to many different hotels).

Way before you get on a plane you call this service. You give them the particulars on your arrival.

They give you a phone number to call on your arrival.
You arrive at the airport, you call a phone number that the service company has given you.
They answer the phone, ask what airline you came in on and which luggage claim and they show up to help you.
They take you, your family and all the luggage to the place you will stay for one low flat rate fee.
Talk to the driver and inform/confirm with them if you plan on using their service when you leave.
Then when your ready to go back to the airport you call that number and they come pick you up and get you to the airport.
Don’t forget to tip them.

An On Demand Shuttle Service

An on-demand shuttle service for a low flat rate. I have used A8 airport shuttle and the service was outstanding.

“Staying in Waikiki, the CEO (my wife) tasked me with finding a reliable shuttle/taxi service to our hotel. Therefore, before leaving Los Angeles for the surf of Oahu, I surfed Yelp and found A8 Airport Shuttle. Before coming across A8, I took a look at other airport shuttle service companies, but they seemed to have a lot of dubious reviews.
A8 seemed to have the most honest reviews and the most positive reviews from Yelp Elite members. Also, their price of $35 was in-line with other airport shuttle services and an added plus was that we would be the only passengers in the vehicle.
Therefore, I made a reservation with George and provided him with my flight and contact information. Upon touching down at Honolulu International Airport, George called me and said that Chris was waiting in a white Dodge minivan by the tour bus area. Now that’s service!
Richard K. East Bay, CA Recommended Reviews for A8 Airport Shuttle

Stay at a timeshare instead of a hotel

Where you will stay relative to the beach will determine how much your bill will be. You can chose how close you will be to the beach or how far away you want to be from the beach. But this service is special because you get to stay in a timeshare that you rent from the owner. You do this thru a website. The experience is one of checking into a hotel. You get to the timeshare and check in at the front desk and go to your room or suite.

Find the perfect timeshare

I use the website Redweek.com. The website has photos of the location and of the different levels of rooms/suites available. You know before you get on the plane what the room/suite will be like. The rate and where you will be staying will be known before you get there. You will need to register with the site to see the rentals. They usually have a kitchen so if you want to cook or heat something up that is always an option.

I like the Imperial Hawaii Vacation Club. It is close to the beach(across the street through a public beach access). It has a 24/7 coffee shop with take out service on the premises. An ABC store(more than a convenience store) is also on the property. You’re located a couple of blocks from the main drag, Kalakaua Avenue. Also, the bus stop is a block away. Restaurants are close by so walking to them is easy. You can walk thru the many parking garages, hotels, and lush gardens. The weather is always obliging for a nice walk. The central big bus pickup point for the many luaus is just around the corner. If you’re mailing your Hawaiian souvenirs home, the Post office is also a couple of blocks away.

Why a Timeshare Rental?

“If you’re looking for home-like units and resort amenities — ideal for any travel style — timeshare rentals may be perfect for you. Typical timeshare rentals will include:
Multiple bedrooms and bathrooms
Full kitchens, living, and dining areas
Washer and dryer in the unit
Resort pools, amenities, and activities
Located in all major travel destinations
From the Redweek.com website

Local restaurants where you can get specials every day

There are many restaurants and bars where daily specials are the norm. Some are local chains and some are national chain restaurants. Pick and choose as your palate demands. I like Moose McGillycuddy’s. It is down the street from the place I stay when I go to Oahu. It is family friendly for breakfast and lunch. As it is a bar, the early hours of the daily specials are a good bargain. But I’m not sure I would want to bring a family to this place in the later evening hours. After all, it is a bar.

Another Place

Update: The Shore Bird has closed. There is another restaurant with the same type of cooking style in it’s place. Here is a link that describes the changes and what to expect should you choose it.

Another place where I have eaten breakfast and dinner is the Shore Bird. The Shore Bird is located in the Outrigger. It is across the street and a half block over from the Imperial. The food(buffet) is good and there is the Mai Tai happy hour special. If you go don’t forget to check out the “Sunset Dinner Special”.

“This place is convenient place to chill and admire the beauty of Hawaii. The view of Diamond Head is amazing and if you want to dip your feet in the water, you can walk right down to the beach.
The lunch menu is pretty simple. I always get the Crab Bacon sandwich. It’s not the best but it’s good for the moment. LOL. People tend to go for the buffet..not sure about the price for it. But the fruits are fresh.
What really grabs most people is the $5 mai tai happy hour. The mai tais are really strong so it’s a good deal. This is a pretty cool place to chill.
Sushane P., Honolulu, HI Recommended Reviews Shore Bird Restaurant & Beach Bar

There are other chains if you want to keep more cash in your pocket. There are the national chain restaurants:

This is just a sample of the restaurants and fast food places that are available.

Do you have a sweet tooth?

If you have a sweet tooth and if you are or have a diabetic person with you, you need to experience “The Cheesecake Factory” be sure to check out the long list of cheesecakes and for diabetics the Low Carb cheesecake versions.

Meet Alexa on Amazon.com Alexa is the brain behind Amazon Echo and other Alexa devices.

“This place is great. The menu is diverse and the food tastes great. The interior is very clean and the staff is friendly. The cheesecake selection is amazing. They even have a low-carb cheesecake that is soo good!! It gets crowded during lunch and dinner. Go early!! Especially on the weekends!!
Daniel N. Aiea, HI Recommended Reviews for The Cheesecake Factory

Be aware that this is a very busy location. Wait times can be up to 2 hours during the peak hours. The wait will be worth it. If you don’t feel like waiting they have a take-out menu. It happens to be the same as the one used for table seating.

A Screenshot of DaBus App

The bus app is called DaBus. It gives you several important tools. The first tool is being able to locate where a nearby bus stop is located. The second tool is being able to call up a route map of different buses. The third tool getting real-time bus arrival information and being able to bookmark your favorite bus stops. The fourth tool is being able to track the current location of the bus you’re interested in. The last tool is being able to get information on the service alerts(delays), bus fares and holiday schedules.

Visit all the attractions on Oahu without a car rental or a cab

Getting around well is the goal. The major transportation method is called “The Bus“. This is a highly efficient system that can get you almost anywhere on Oahu. Purchase a four-day pass and you will have unlimited access to anywhere on Oahu. The four days start once the card is used for the first time.

Attractions and printable PDF bus route maps

Google Maps tool

Below is a screen shot of how to choose the best bus route to the attraction you want to see. This method uses Google Maps with the transit method chosen. What I like about this method is that you can send the results to your cell phone. So you can do your “homework” the night before and have the results with you for the following day. Enter your hotel/timeshare name. Enter your destination(like Aloha stadium) The results will be the available bus routes to get to your destination. In this case, the best route with the fewest transfers would be #42.

From Imperial Hotel to Aloha Stadium results in taking Bus #42 with a time of just over an hour to get there with no transfers. This includes the walk time from the hotel to the bus stop, the ride, and the walk time from the drop bus stop to the Aloha Stadium. All of these times are in the DETAILS.

Here is a link that has all the attractions from the Waikiki Visitors Guide. It is a good list of the proper names you can plug into the google maps destination. The document is a printable PDF . It has the numbers of the routes that will get you to each destination. But it does not give you the best route for your situation, Google Maps can help you decide which is best for you.

Luau

Buy your luau tickets at discount. I like Germaine’s Luaus it is a friendly bus ride away from Waikiki. You’re picked up at a central location for all the big buses going to the luau. Then you’re taken to the beach by bus where you will be introduced to the luau experience. Here’s a link for all the luaus on Oahu.

Get all your souvenirs without paying tourist prices

The secret here is that most of the souvenirs you will find in Waikiki or Honolulu can be found here at the Swap meet. The prices are definitely in your favor here at the swap meet. With over 400 booths you can find whatever you are looking for. It will take you several hours to make the full circle. Come early so that you will be finished before the heat of the day comes down hard.

“The Aloha Stadium Swapmeet & Marketplace is open three days a week, offering endless rows with hundreds of local merchants with the best value on imported merchandise, hand made items, eclectic art pieces, popular local snacks, and other made in Hawaii products. This is sure to be your one stop destination to find that special gift or souvenir for everyone on your list.
Marketplace Hours: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Swap Meet Hours: Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Sundays from 6:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Admission: $1.00 per buyer. Children 11 years and under are FREE.
From the ALOHA STADIUM website

The Ala Moana mall is the biggest mall on the island. If you’re a shopper this mall should be on your list.

Shop Amazon.com

Conclusion

Ok, there you have it. A way of cutting your costs to get there. A method for getting from the airport to your condo/hotel and back. A place to stay of your choice. A list of places to eat and drink. If you so chose how to get around the island without a car. Lastly, several places to shop for your vacation souvenirs. You can pick and choose which are best for you or you can go “all in” and go for the frugal Honolulu Waikiki vacation.

Additional Resources

If your going to the North Shore you may want to experience the shrimp trucks. Here’s an online guide to help you find your shrimp truck.

Do you want to visit the USS Arizona while you’re on Oahu? It is possible to get free tickets on a walk up basis. Do you want more information? Check out the Pacific Historic Parks website.

Is the Redweek.com website to expensive? Try Craigslist Oahu Vacation Rentals.

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Author
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RayC.

Editor at Mybusyretiredlife.com

Trained in the mechanical arts. I have worked on anything dealing with a home from changing a light bulb to moving a load bearing wall. As for the recipes, they came about after I could not find what I was looking for and recipes that over a lifetime I have come to love and want to share with the world.