When you book your Hawaii vacation, the last thing you probably want to think about is going back home! But, alas, all good things must come to an end — and that goes for Hawaii vacations, too.
But, before you book your flight home, it’s important to consider how much time you want (and can) stay here. Here are 5 things to consider before you decide how long your Hawaii vacation will be:
1. What’s your budget? Of course, one of the most important things to consider when booking your Hawaii vacation is your budget. Because small incidentals can pop-up anytime, make sure you add 10% to your daily budget. Your daily budget will depend on a lot of things, like activities, dining choices, and accommodations. So, ask yourself: What kind of vacation do I want? Low-key and rustic, high-luxury, or somewhere in-between?
2. How many islands are you visiting? The more islands you visit, the more time you should spend here. Period. If you’re limiting your vacation to one island only, which island is it? For example, an Oahu vacation will require more time here than a Lanai vacation (typically). There are just more things to see and do on Oahu, and you don’t want to feel rushed. If you’re planning to visit more than one island, we would recommend you reserve at least 3 days per island.
3. Do you have friends in the islands? If you know people who live here, and you’re planning to see them, it’s wise to add a day to your visit. You’ll want to devote a full day to seeing them (if they’re close friends), and you won’t want to sacrifice activities or sites to see them.
4. How much (or little) do you plan to do/see? A Hawaii vacation completely devoted to rest and relaxation looks and feels very different from a vacation during which you want to see everything you can! Do you want to parasail, paraglide, and SCUBA all on the same day? It’s probably not possible, and you’ll need to book separate days for each activity.One thing we often find is that visitors underestimate how long it will take to travel to different visitor destinations, as well as the crowds there.
5. When are the cheapest flights? If you use a travel site, such as Travelocity, you will often have the option of comparing flight prices for different dates around the time you plan to travel. If you can save $300 by extending your trip by a day, do it! You can use that saved money to see more of the islands and enjoy the sites. If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you can often save a few hundred dollars on flights.
You’ll want to make the most of your Hawaii vacation, so it’s important to ask yourself these questions before you make your final reservation!
