Dotted with luxury resorts, championship golf courses and pristine beaches, Maui attracts nearly 5 million visitors a year — despite being the most expensive of all the Hawaiian islands. The average daily rate for a hotel in Maui is more than $728, and rooms are even more expensive in the upscale resort town of Wailea. In addition to accommodation, transportation costs will add up, as you’ll need to rent a car to navigate the 5-square-mile island — something that has been neither easy nor cheap since the pandemic. Thankfully, from white sand beaches and crystal clear waters to cascading waterfalls and rainforests, Maui’s most precious gems are free. So if you know where to look and are willing to rough things up a bit, it’s entirely possible to take a Maui vacation on a budget.
Flights: Book your winter itinerary
How much you spend on airfare will obviously depend on what time of year you book your flight, where you’re flying from and how far in advance you buy your flight. Winter is one of the most affordable and least crowded times to travel, with average temperatures still in the 70s (minimums rarely dip below the 60s).
Estimated budget for airfare: $500
Transportation: Rent a campervan
The best way to save money on accommodation and transport is to rent a campervan to combine the two. Zazu Camper rents out Jeeps with four-person Tepui tents , pillows, sheets, comforters, a five-gallon solar-powered shower, a few beach towels and chairs, dishes, a propane two-burner stove, coolers, and toiletries for $179 a day. Maui Campers also offers a range of two-person camper and roof tent setups with camping supplies like coolers, sheets, pillows and lanterns starting at $139.
Estimated budget for a six-day campervan rental: $900
Where to Stay: Find a Campsite
In Hawaii, it’s illegal to sleep in a car in public areas where camping isn’t allowed, so you’ll need to do your due diligence before traveling. On the west side of the island, Hana’s Wainapanapa State Park allows campers with a $30-per-night permit. Non-resident visitors must first book admission ($5 per person) and parking ( $10), which can be reserved up to 30 days in advance. On the east side of the island, Camp Olowalu is a 700-acre private campground in Lahaina with four options: tent camping, auto camping, “tentalows” (tent bungalows) and cabins. Auto camping facilities include bathrooms, hot showers, WiFi, charging stations, fire pits and grills. The camper van is $26 plus tax per night.
If you’re after something adventurous, check out Hosmer Grove Campground on the slopes of the famous Haleakala Volcano . There is a communal picnic table and grill, as well as a water station and vault toilets, but no showers or electrical outlets. The campsite is located below 7,000 feet, so the weather is cold – between 32 degrees and 65 degrees. Campers with reservations can also watch the spectacular sunrise from the summit. Admission to Haleakala National Park is $30 (valid for three days), and camping is $5 per night.
Estimated budget for five nights at the campsite: $180
Activity: Explore the ocean and forest
Maui is home to dozens of jaw-dropping waterfalls, lush forests filled with challenging hiking trails, and some of the most miles of swimmable beaches in Hawaii. A top spot for surfing and windsurfing is Hookipa Beach, near the historic town of Paia. The beach is also a resting place for sea turtles and the endangered Hawaiian monk seal. Another popular surf spot is the Lahaina Breakwater on the south side of Lahaina Harbour. Gentle waves are perfect for beginners and longboarders, while larger summer south waves and winter north waves attract more advanced surfers. Surfboard rentals range from $20 to $35 per day, while stand up paddle boards run around $30 to $40. Note: Hawaiian Airlines charges $100 for a one-way checked surfboard, while United charges between $100 and $200, depending on the weight of the board. So depending on how long you’re staying and how many days you’re surfing, it might be cheaper to rent on the islands.
It’s tempting to want to spend your entire time by the beach in Maui, but you’ll be missing out on some of the most amazing hiking trails in Hawaii. Haleakala National Park has more than 30 miles of trails that meander through native scrubland, mystical bamboo forests, cloud-shrouded peaks and stark volcanic landscapes. Admission is $30 per vehicle or $15 per pedestrian and is valid for three days.
The Waihi Ridge Trail in the West Maui Forest Preserve is one of the most popular hikes in Maui—the four-mile round-trip hike reaches more than 1,500 feet of elevation. Hikers can enjoy great views of the ocean, the deep green valley, and the 270-foot Makamakaole Falls. Entrance and parking are free.
Estimated event budget: $100
Food: Eating out is cheap
There are plenty of affordable ono grinds (delicious eats) in Maui. If you’re in South Maui, try refreshing salads, hearty grain bowls and sandwiches at Fork & Salad in Kihei and Kahului (near the airport), with prices ranging from $10.25 to $15.25. Also in Kihei, family-run Cafe O’Lei offers daily lunch specials for just $12.95, while its pies and toppings, from Kalua pork to garlic and mushrooms, are $11.95 to $14.95. Leoda’s Kitchen and Pie Shop is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and offers a small sandwich menu featuring fresh baked bread, farm fresh salads and sweet and savory pies. Pick up a chicken pot pie for $10 from the restaurant, pick up some fresh fruit from the farm stand next door, and head to nearby Olowalu Beach for a picnic. In the historic town of Lahaina, the cash-only Sunrise Cafe is a seedy breakfast and lunch spot that offers the best loco moco in town ($13.95), homemade beef patties, Topped with mushroom and onion gravy and two fried eggs. Some tables in the outdoor patio have sea views. In Kaanapali, Joey’s Kitchen specializes in Hawaiian-inspired Filipino dishes such as Pork Adobo Fried Rice ($11) and Garlic Chicken ($16), served with a sweet soy glaze, Sriracha mayo, and served with macaroni salad and rice.
Eating out for three meals a day can quickly get expensive, so pick up your groceries at a local supermarket chain called Foodland , which has locations in Lahaina, Kihei and Kehalani. The store stocks fresh poke, Spam musubi, ready-to-eat bento boxes and grilled chicken. Or head to 7-Eleven in Kahului , where you can find hot chicken or pork buns and dim sum for less than $2, as well as a variety of sushi rolls, sandwiches and bento boxes.
Estimated food budget (one meal out per day): $300
