Affordable Honolulu-we like that!

 Ok Mr Cowling...just read your blogspot and yet again found it interesting...wish I had read it few weeks ago. I'm taking my two oldest boys  Hawaii, we are leaving this Sunday...Accommodation is all booked.

 So here is the question for you: how can I save money..already thought about cereal for breakfast.
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Thanks for the question!!
I love Honolulu!!

Alcohol
If you are drinking, buy some duty free alcohol- reduces hotel bar prices.

Food
  • In Hawaii food is quite expensive
  • Milk and yogurt very very pricey as it is transported in from California.
  • We found the food court at Ala Moana Center, the big shopping center to be very good, extensive and reasonable. 
  • We bought snacks and lunch stuff from supermarkets - Don Quijute USA Co Ltd  801 Kaheka Street, Honolulu was great with range and pricing - near Walmart
  • Any restaurant near the beach will be pricey. we did a couple on the beach as a treat.
  • If you like Asian food, we found fantastic restaurants that the locals ate in-very basic, very good food and very cheap!
  • Check out this great list  of  local, good and cheaper food posted on Yelp by a local


Shopping

  • Check out the ABC stores, the local equivalent of 7/11 but with way more including souvenirs and clothing-. They each have an amazing specials each week.....eg 7 t shirts for $20 or 3 ice creams for $5.
  • .We also bought snacks, t-shirts, sunscreen and souvenirs from Walmart, 700 Keeaumoku St Honolulu,  -its massive and cheapest place in Hawaii.


Transport- Airport to Wakiki

  • a taxi will cost you $35 to $45 each way
  •  a bus shuttle in from the airport..http://www.robertshawaii.com/airport-shuttle/schedule-fees.php it costs $9 per person or $15 round trip PLUS they charge for bags. A $1 to $2 per passenger tip is usually expected when you get off for the driver. Handy service but you can wait for a while before it leaves. The other thing is that it weaves ts way to a lot of different hotels which can be a slow drop off. We hopped off the bus and walked to our hotel-wasnt far and beat sitting on the bus
  •  A8 taxi-- http://a8taxi.com/ for a flat rate of US$30 one way for up to four people including baggage they will take you from the airport t your hotel in Waikiki. .(they will take more people but I don't know the rate). They charge $58 round trip.  Prebook by Internet or phone. Tip on top of between $5 and $8 depending on the driver
  • The Bus, the local public bus company does the trip (Route 20)  to and from the airport for a mere $2.50 but its a long, long slow trip taking over an hour


Transport- Round Oahu

Things to do
  • click here for a list of free and cheap activities
  • surfing, swimming and sun-baking will cost you nothing and are wonderful. 
  • Walking is free
  • watching sunset from Ala Moana Park...ah heaven!
  • For a bit of history, thIolani Palace is  really cool. 
  • Hawaii State Art Museum is excellent
  • Hawaii Army Museum is very interesting
  • You have to do Pearl Harbor (where I am pictured looking somber) .  I would just book in for a tour. Its all organised for you then.- you can take The Bus there but its a long slow trip
  • If you are in Waikiki on a weekend go to  Sunset on the beach -a free quality movie for the whole family to enjoy. shown on a huge 30 foot screen @ around 7pm. They have music for two hours beforehand and food vans. Near the Zoo
  • Otherwise for cinemas; Ward Stadium 16 - Consolidated Theatres, 1044 Auahi St, Honolulu, HI 96814  - before 4pm cheaper


The Rest of Hawaii

  • Consider a cruise - talk to my friends at Campbell Cruises- they have good deals on cruises and other Hawaii travel, tours and accommodation
  • I have found bookit.com to have some great deals on Hawaii accommodation and flights, singly and as packages - I know you have your accommodation but check out bookit next time!

Enjoy!
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