Hawaii Travel Guide (2026)
A US state in the middle of the Pacific. Honolulu on Oahu is eight and a half hours from Seoul, and most trips run out of Waikiki. The islands differ in character: Oahu mixes city and beach, while Maui, the Big Island and Kauai lean toward the landscape. For a first visit, Oahu alone is plenty.
- Recommended stay
- 5-7 nights recommended
- Budget feel
- About KRW 2,500,000-4,500,000 per person (including flights, 5 nights, mid-range hotel)
💰 As of 2026, a 5-night Hawaii trip for two costs about $3,340–$8,740 in total, $1,670–$4,370 per person. See full cost breakdown →
Food & dining
Poke, loco moco and the plate lunch are what people actually eat. Spam musubi is sold in convenience stores and shave ice is the default hot afternoon. Japanese immigration left ramen and bento everywhere, and the food trucks at farmers markets generally beat the restaurants near the sights on both price and cooking. Eating out is expensive enough that mixing in groceries and trucks is the realistic approach.
Getting around
On Oahu, TheBus is dense enough that Waikiki, downtown and Pearl Harbor work without a car. The North Shore, an early-morning trailhead or the windward drive do want one. Watch the parking: Waikiki hotels commonly charge for it by the night, separately from the room. Entry requires ESTA, and from 1 January 2026 the fee is USD 40.27.
Highlights
Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head (advance reservation required for out-of-state visitors), Pearl Harbor, snorkelling at Hanauma Bay, the North Shore and Haleiwa, and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Sunrise on Haleakala and the volcano park on the Big Island mean changing islands, which costs at least an extra day.
Places to visit
Diamond Head
A must-do icon of Oahu with some of Hawaii's finest views from the summit.
Hanauma Bay
A protected marine sanctuary where volcanic geology creates a perfect natural aquarium for encountering diverse tropical marine life.
USS Arizona Memorial
A profoundly moving historical site with weight that transcends typical tourism. Experience one of the most pivotal moments in modern American history firsthand.
Giovanni's Shrimp Truck
A flavor so addictive it'll ruin you for Waikiki restaurants. The climax of any North Shore drive.
Ala Moana Center
The ideal one-stop for duty-free shopping and souvenirs, perfectly capping off your trip.
Waikiki Beach
A symbolic backdrop spanning your entire stay, from jet-lag recovery on arrival to your final morning. Sunset and a beachside stroll alone feel quintessentially Hawaiian.
Itineraries
Trip cost
Good to know before you go
Do I need an ESTA for Hawaii, and what does it cost?
Hawaii is a US state, so entry works exactly as it does anywhere else in the country: Visa Waiver Program travellers need an ESTA. The fee went from USD 21 to USD 40 on 30 September 2025, and to USD 40.27 from 1 January 2026 under CPI indexation. Apply at the official site, esta.cbp.dhs.gov. Approval usually comes within a day, but finish it at least 72 hours before departure to be safe. Agent sites charging a markup rank high in search, so check the address before you type anything in.
What is the Green Fee that started in 2026?
It is a visitor levy in effect since 1 January 2026. It raised the Transient Accommodations Tax by 0.75 points to 11% statewide, and once county surcharges are added the hotel tax lands near 18.7%. On a USD 300 room that is roughly USD 55 a night in tax alone. It usually does not appear in the nightly rate on a booking page, only at final payment or checkout, so add about 19% when you budget lodging. The revenue — projected near USD 100 million a year — is earmarked for reefs, trails, beaches and cultural resources.
Does Diamond Head need a reservation?
Yes — advance reservations are required for out-of-state visitors. Book through the state's Go Wild system at gostateparks.hawaii.gov. Non-resident entry is USD 25 for ages 13 and up plus an online service fee, and free for 12 and under. Reservations open 30 days ahead at midnight Hawaii time, and the good slots go quickly, so book as soon as your dates are fixed. Early morning is cooler and parking is easier.
Do I need a reservation for Hanauma Bay too?
Hanauma Bay is different: reservations are strongly recommended but are not the only way in. Admission-only reservations open two days ahead at 07:00 Hawaii time and go fast. Non-resident parking is USD 7 per vehicle. Daily numbers are capped to protect the reef and everyone watches an orientation video before going down, and sunscreens harmful to coral are restricted — bring a mineral-based one.
Do I need a rental car on Oahu?
For Waikiki, downtown and Pearl Harbor, TheBus covers it. Add the North Shore, an early trailhead or the windward coast drive and a car becomes close to necessary. The thing to watch is parking: Waikiki hotels frequently charge nightly for it on top of the room rate. If you only need wheels for part of the trip, renting on those days alone is usually cheaper than for the whole stay.
When is the best time to visit Hawaii?
It is warm year round, so there is no bad window, but April-May and September-October bring fewer people and lower rates. Mid-December to early January and the summer school holidays are the most expensive. Winter, November to March, sends big surf to the North Shore — competition season rather than swimming season — and it is also when humpback whales are around. Rain mostly falls on the mountain side and passes quickly over Waikiki.
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