5-Day Shoestring Budget Itinerary for Honolulu

  1. Day 1: Waikiki Beach
    15 minutes (5 miles) from Honolulu International Airport

    Start your Honolulu trip by experiencing the world-famous Waikiki Beach. Enjoy the cool Pacific waters and the golden sand while watching surfers riding the waves. Take a stroll along the beach walkway, which is lined up with shops and restaurants.

  2. Day 2: Diamond Head State Monument
    30 minutes (6 miles) from Waikiki Beach

    Take a hike up the 300,000-year-old crater, Diamond Head. The 0.8-mile trek provides spectacular views of the South Shore of Oahu. Get in early for fewer crowds and carry enough water.

  3. Day 3: Hanauma Bay
    20 minutes (14 miles) from Diamond Head State Monument

    Snorkel at the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. This scenic bay is home to over 450 species of fish and other marine life. The shallow, clear water provides an excellent opportunity to explore the coral reefs, caves, and trenches.

  4. Day 4: Pearl Harbor National Memorial
    45 minutes (16 miles) from Hanauma Bay

    Explore history at the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Learn about the December 7, 1941, surprise attack by the Japanese and its aftermath on the battleships. Watch the somber USS Arizona Memorial and USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and enjoy the exhibits.

  5. Day 5: Lyon Arboretum
    20 minutes (5 miles) from Pearl Harbor National Memorial

    Spend a peaceful day amidst nature at the Lyon Arboretum. The 200-acre garden houses over 5,000 tropical plant species. Take the opportunity to spot some of the rarest plants on earth, enjoy guided tours, and picnics.

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Waikiki Beach (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Diamond Head State Monument (2-3 hours, $5 per car or $1 per walk-in visitor)
  • Hanauma Bay (2-3 hours, $7.5 per person admission fee and a $1 parking fee)
  • Pearl Harbor National Memorial (2-3 hours, Free)
  • Lyon Arboretum (1-2 hours, $5 per person admission fee)
  • Total Estimated Costs ($18.5)

Useful Tips

Spend more time exploring other scenic beaches like Lanikai Beach and Sunset Beach, try some local Hawaiian dishes at Helena’s Hawaiian Food or Rainbow Drive-In, and enjoy some shopping at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet. If you have extra days, visit the Polynesian Cultural Center and Manoa Falls. Adjust this itinerary according to your preferences, interests, and time.

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