Budget · Maui · United States
Maui on a budget
What a trip to Maui really costs, and where the savings are.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: 293.xx.xxx.xx, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Maui is very expensive for most international visitors. Budget roughly $150–$240 per person per day on a tight budget, $350–$600 mid-range and $800–$2,500 for luxury, excluding flights. Hotel prices are usually lowest in May and September–October.
Key facts
- Budget traveller
- $150–$240 a day
- Mid-range
- $350–$600 a day
- Luxury
- $800–$2,500 a day
- Local currency
- USD
- Free sights
- 7
Daily budget and trip cost
AMZBooking estimates per person in US dollars, excluding flights, reviewed October 2026. Accommodation is the biggest variable; prices rise in peak months.
| Style | Per day | 3 days | 5 days | 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $150–$240 | $450–$720 | $750–$1,200 | $1,050–$1,680 |
| Mid-range | $350–$600 | $1,050–$1,800 | $1,750–$3,000 | $2,450–$4,200 |
| Luxury | $800–$2,500 | $2,400–$7,500 | $4,000–$12,500 | $5,600–$17,500 |
Typical prices
Approximate prices in Maui, October 2026. They change; use them for planning, not as quotes.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Maui Bus fare | about $2 |
| Plate lunch | about $14–$20 |
| Poke bowl | about $16–$24 |
| Shave ice | about $7–$10 |
| Haleakalā National Park vehicle entry | about $30–$35 (valid three days) |
| Molokini snorkel cruise | about $120–$200 |
| Hire car per day | about $60–$120, more in peak season |
| Mid-range Kīhei condo | about $250–$400 per night |
Money-saving tips
- Stay in Kīhei and rent a condo with a kitchen to save on both rooms and meals.
- Beaches, Hoʻokipa's turtles, the Wailea Beach Path and Keālia Pond are free; whales are often visible from shore.
- Travel in April–May or September–October for lower rates and car hire prices.
- Check resort fees and parking charges, which can add substantially to Kāʻanapali and Wailea rates.
- Buy poke, fruit and snacks at supermarkets rather than resort shops.
- A Haleakalā entry fee covers three days, including the Kīpahulu district near Hāna.
Free things to do
- Road to Hāna — The Hāna Highway winds about 85 km from Kahului to Hāna through rainforest with more than 600 bends and dozens of one-lane bridges.
- Kāʻanapali Beach and Black Rock — Kāʻanapali's long golden beach is backed by a paved walkway past the resorts.
- Honolua Bay — A rocky bay in a marine life conservation district north of Kapalua, reached by a short trail through a shady forest.
- Hoʻokipa Beach Park — Just east of Pāʻia, Hoʻokipa is a world-famous windsurfing and kitesurfing spot, with surfers in the mornings and windsurfers in the afternoon trade winds.
- Wailea Beach Path — A paved coastal path of about 2.5 km linking Wailea's resort beaches — Ulua, Wailea and Polo among them — through native plant gardens, with lava headlands and views of Kahoʻolawe and Molokini.
- Pāʻia town — Pāʻia's main street of wooden plantation-era shopfronts is filled with surf shops, boutiques, cafés and fish restaurants, and it is the last full-service stop before the Road to Hāna.
Where to stay on a budget
$$$ · Best for budget, families, beach and solo travellers
Kīhei
Long, sunny south-shore town of condos, beach parks and casual food
$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and food lovers
Upcountry (Makawao and Kula)
Cool ranch country, farms and cowboy towns on Haleakalā's slopes
$$ · Best for budget and solo travellers
Kahului and Wailuku
Maui's working towns around the airport and the county seat
Eating well for less
- Loco moco — Local diners and breakfast spots across the island.
- Banana bread on the Road to Hāna — Roadside stands on the Hāna Highway, especially around Keʻanae; bring cash.
- Huli huli chicken — Roadside stands on weekends, including on the road to Kahakuloa and around Kahului.
- Spam musubi — Convenience stores, petrol stations and lunch counters across Maui.
Getting around for less
America the Beautiful pass
The US national parks annual pass covers entry to Haleakalā National Park, including Kīpahulu; a separate sunrise reservation is still required.
Questions travellers ask
+How much does a trip to Maui cost?
About $1,750–$3,000 per person for five days mid-range, excluding flights (estimate), or $750–$1,200 on a tight budget.
+Is Maui expensive?
It is very expensive for international visitors. Stay in Kīhei and rent a condo with a kitchen to save on both rooms and meals.
+How much money do I need per day in Maui?
Roughly $150–$240 on a budget and $350–$600 mid-range (estimates).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Maui?
Usually in May and September–October.