Hawaii

Tropical Vibes and Volcanic Wonders

Hawaii consists of eight main islands in the Pacific Ocean. Each island has volcanic mountains, beaches with white sand and tropical forests. The climate stays warm year-round due to ocean currents nearby. People visit for surfing, hiking and local food like poke bowls made from fresh fish. Cultural traditions remain strong through music, dance and community gatherings. Visitors can explore historic sites or relax in resorts along the coast. Hawaii’s natural beauty supports many unique plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth.

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State/Prefecture in United States

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 8.0

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	9

Read details

5/5

English is the primary language in Hawaii, and communication is easy for English-speaking tourists. Many locals also speak Hawaiian or other languages, especially in tourist areas.

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Last update: 21 Oct 2026

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Hawaii Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

World-class for tropical beaches and outdoor adventures. Surf ocean waves, hike volcanic landscapes, snorkel coral reefs and watch dramatic sunsets.

Place score

8.8

Best at:

Islands

Sea

Natural sites

Beaches

Spotless

Personal score

Suited for

👶 9

Families

🧓 8

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

🛡️ 9

Travel Beginners

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Hawaii, United States

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High season:	Jan. - March, June - Aug., Dec.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Sep. - Oct.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Climate varies by island and coast: leeward sides (Kona, Kihei, Waikiki) stay dry and sunny, windward sides (Hilo, Hana) are wet year-round, high volcano summits can be freezing and snowy in winter

Humpback whale season December to April, best from January to March

North Shore of Oahu: huge surf and dangerous swimming November to March, calmer in summer

Hurricane season June to November, direct hits are rare

Don't miss

🌋 Watch sunrise from the summit of Haleakalā Volcano
🐠 Snorkel among colorful coral reefs in Hanauma Bay
🥾 Hike the Na Pali Coast trail on Kauai
🌺 Attend a traditional luau and enjoy Hawaiian hula dance
🚗 Drive the scenic Road to Hana with jungle waterfalls

You've been here?

Why travel to Hawaii?

Hawaii’s diverse islands cater to all types of travelers. You can surf legendary waves on Oahu, explore volcanic landscapes on the Big Island, relax on Maui’s pristine beaches and immerse yourself in Hawaiian culture on Kauai. It’s also a fantastic destination for nature lovers, with incredible hiking trails, waterfalls and marine life. However, Hawaii can be pricey, especially during peak seasons and some areas are still recovering from natural disasters, so check local advisories before visiting.

🏙️Cities & Regions

1 Kauai
Known for its lush rainforests and dramatic cliffs, Kauai offers hiking trails through ancient valleys, waterfalls and panoramic ocean views. The island's laid‑back atmosphere, botanical gardens and historic plantations attract travelers seeking natural beauty and unique cultural heritage.
2 Honolulu
Capital city on Oʻahu island offers a blend of urban energy and tropical charm. Visitors find historic sites, vibrant markets and nearby beaches, while the surrounding volcanic landscape provides hiking trails and scenic overlooks for adventure.
3 Maui
A lush, volcanic island in the Pacific with warm trade winds and beaches that stay sunny year-round. The landscape is more tropical than desert, with dramatic cliffs, rainforests and black sand shores along the northern coast.
4 Oahu
A lush, volcanic island in the Pacific Ocean with warm trade winds and beaches that stay sunny year-round. The landscape is tropical, featuring dramatic cliffs, rainforests and dramatic coastlines along the northern shore.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Iolani Palace
A historic royal residence in Honolulu, featuring lush gardens and elegant architecture. The palace showcases Hawaiian monarchy heritage with opulent interiors and sweeping views of Iolani Bay, standing as a cultural landmark on Oahu's southern coast.
2 Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum
This Honolulu museum honors Bernice Pauahi Bishop, a Hawaiian queen and philanthropist. Its collection features Native Hawaiian artifacts, historical documents and art that celebrate the islands' rich cultural heritage and royal legacy.
3 Pearl Harbor
This historic site on Oahu's windward coast features a massive boulder and museum detailing the attack that changed history forever. The grounds span acres of green space, offering solemn reflection alongside educational exhibits about the Pacific War.
4 Kona Coffee Living History Farm
5 Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

🎡Places for activities

1 Waikiki Beach
Vibrant beachfront lined with palm trees and historic hotels, Waikiki offers surf lessons, sunset strolls and a lively promenade filled with shops, restaurants and cultural performances and a nearby beachside market today.

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Diamond Head
Iconic volcanic cone overlooking Waikiki, Diamond Head offers panoramic views and a challenging trail that rewards hikers with sunrise vistas over the Pacific. The summit features historic military bunkers and lush tropical vegetation.
2 Hanauma Bay
Famous for its clear waters and diverse marine life, this volcanic bay offers excellent snorkeling. The protected reef attracts turtles, colorful fish and coral formations, making it a popular spot for underwater exploration.
3 ʻAkaka Falls
4 Mauna Kea

🛍️Shopping

1 Panaʻewa Farmers Market

🎈Events

Merrie Monarch Festival (April)
Honolulu Festival (March)
Aloha Festivals (September)
Ironman World Championship (October)
Hawaii Food & Wine Festival (October)
Kona Coffee Cultural Festival (November)
Prince Lot Hula Festival (July)
Hawaii International Film Festival (November)
Lantern Floating Hawaii (Memorial Day)
King Kamehameha Day (June 11)

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Rent a car early; essential for exploring islands beyond resorts.
Book popular sites like Hanauma Bay and Haleakala sunrise 60 days ahead online.
Pack reef-safe sunscreen and layers; weather shifts from sun to rain quickly.
Respect 'kapu' signs and marine life; leave no trace to preserve fragile ecosystems and avoid fines.

How to travel to Hawaii

Hawaii is accessible by air, with major airports including Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui and Kona International Airport (KOA) on the Big Island. Flights connect Hawaii with many US cities and international destinations. Cruises also stop in Hawaii, though air travel is more common.

Access summary

From Honolulu Airport (HNL): Taxi, shuttle or bus to Waikiki, 20–40 minutes.
From Los Angeles: Nonstop flights to Honolulu typically about 5.5–6 hours.
Between islands: Frequent short inter-island flights, usually 30–60 minutes each way.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Hawaii

Hawaii offers a range of accommodations, from luxury resorts and beachfront hotels to vacation rentals and budget-friendly hostels. Resorts are common in areas like Waikiki, Maui’s west coast and the Kohala Coast on the Big Island.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Royal Kona Resort

8.0

Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, Trademark Collection by Wyndham

8.0

OUTRIGGER Kona Resort and Spa

8.4

Hilton Grand Vacations Club Kings’ Land Waikoloa

9.1

Grand Naniloa Hotel Hilo - a DoubleTree by Hilton

8.0

Paniolo Greens Resort

Hilton Waikoloa Village

8.0

Fairmont Orchid - Hawaii

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Hawaii

Renting a car is the most convenient way to explore Hawaii, especially on larger islands like the Big Island and Maui. Public buses are available in urban areas, but options can be limited in more remote spots. Some islands also offer shuttles and tours.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+28 %

Daily expenses in Hawaii are around 28% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£91	£206	£593
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£41	£105	£285
🍝 Food per day	£41	£92	£271
🚕 Transportation per day	£9	£9	£36

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£37
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£16
🍟 Fast food combo	£10.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£15
☕ Cappuccino	£5.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£6.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2.20
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£21
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.90

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£14
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£125
🤧 Cold medication	£9.50
💇 Basic haircut	£19

Safety information overview

General safety

Hawaii is generally very safe for tourists. Petty theft can occur, especially at beaches and tourist spots. Be mindful of ocean safety, as strong currents can be dangerous.

Health & Medical

Hawaii has excellent healthcare facilities, with hospitals and clinics throughout the islands. Emergency services are reliable, but medical costs can be high without insurance.

Accessibility

Most tourist areas in Hawaii are accessible, with many hotels, beaches and attractions providing facilities for visitors with mobility challenges. However, some natural areas and hiking trails may be less accommodating.

Tap water

Tap water in Hawaii is generally safe to drink and water fountains are available in public areas. Carry a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated while exploring.