Cheap Honolulu travel

Oahu is one of the more expensive Hawaiian islands to visit, with an average of $175 per day in daily visitor spending in 2006. Many of the oceanfront resorts are pricey and demand is often high. However, its busy airport and wide range of accommodations mean that Honolulu also has enough variety to suit a range of budgets.

When to book

Although some travel companies offer great last-minute deals on airline tickets, hotel rooms, etc., it is always a good idea to book as far in advance as possible to ensure you get accommodations for your preferred dates and properties. There are often airfare sales for travel one to three months in advance, but Honolulu isn't a great last-minute destination, as last-minute airfare deals are uncommon and the most desirable and well-located hotels tend to book up in advance.

Where to find deals and book

Hawaii airfare sales are fairly common. Aloha and Hawaiian usually have ongoing Hawaii sales for travel one to three months away. American, Delta, United, and ATA also regularly have Hawaii sales. To find the lowest fares at any given time, check the latest sales and compare prices.

Choosing accommodations in Honolulu is almost never strictly an issue of price. An accommodations website such as Go Hawaii or the SmarterTravel.com hotel page that shows properties on a map gives you the chance to see how far you'll be from the beach and can give you a sense of how much more oceanfront accommodations will cost. Go Hawaii also lists alternative accommodations types such as vacation rentals that can often be more economical than hotels. Honolulu.com sends out low-price alerts and shows the current specials at its listed hotels.

It seems like everyone—airlines, package providers, and the major consolidator websites—sells air-and-hotel packages to Hawaii, and with all the competition, specials and discounts do pop up. Visit-Oahu.com maintains a list of air-and-hotel package providers to the island. Pleasant Holidays often has a good variety of packages, and United Vacations has discounted Honolulu packages as well. Be sure to compare prices before booking.

A few more sites for deals and booking

• Go Hawaii: GoHawaii.com has a hidden section with specials and discounts for families. To get there, scroll down to the bottom of the page and follow the "Click here to find family offers" link.
• Go Oahu Card: Though it's only economical if the amount you'd spend on admission costs is higher than the price of the card, this attractions card is a good way for avid sightseers to save money. Plus, you'll get to skip the ticket lines at attractions.
• Citysearch cheap eats: In a city full of expensive resort restaurants, this list offers ideas for good value and the kind of local flavor often lacking in hotel dining. Citysearch's list of top cheap eats of 2006 includes burgers, sushi, and saimin (Hawaiian noodle soup).
• About.com: About.com's tips for saving money on attractions and accommodations in Hawaii aren't specific to Honolulu, but they'll work there.