How Much Does Maui Cost? 2026 Budget Guide | Prices & Tips
Maui is a premium island destination where daily costs typically far exceed those of mainland American cities or other tropical hubs like Bali. Travelers should expect a price landscape that ranges from $164 per day for budget-conscious solo visitors to over $1,246 for those seeking a luxury resort experience. The high cost of living on the island is driven by the fact that most goods are imported, making everyday items like a cup of Kona coffee priced at $6.47. While nature remains the primary draw, accessing managed sites often involves specific fees, such as the $30 vehicle entrance for Haleakalā National Park. Strategic planning around dining and transportation is essential to manage a budget in this high-end market.
Is Maui expensive to visit?
Maui is an expensive luxury destination—expect to spend between $164 and $1,246 per day depending on your accommodation and activity choices.
On This Page
Daily Budget
How much to budget per person per day in Maui
$164
per person /day
$508
per person /day
$1,246
per person /day
Trip Costs by Duration
Total estimated costs per person, excluding flights
| Trip Costs by Duration | Budget | Mid-Range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-Day Trip | $493 | $1,525 | $3,737 |
| 5-Day Trip | $823 | $2,541 | $6,229 |
| 7-Day Trip | $1,151 | $3,558 | $8,720 |
per person — Excludes international flights
Budget Buffer
Recommended contingency for unexpected expenses
A 15% buffer is recommended to account for the 13.25% Transient Accommodations Tax and mandatory resort fees, which average $45 per night at major hotels. These hidden costs can easily add $59–$94 to a daily bill for couples staying in mid-range or luxury lodging.
How Does It Compare?
See how Maui stacks up against other popular destinations
What Things Cost
Real prices for common tourist expenses in Maui
Food & Drink (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tin Roof Maui Mochiko Chicken Bowl Highly recommended local budget eat near the airport. Large portions for ~$14. | $14 |
| Mid-Range Restaurant Dinner (Main Course) Standard dinner entree in Kihei or Lahaina. Add 18-20% for tipping (~$7.65). | $38 |
| Local Craft Beer (Pint) Happy hour (usually 15:30–17:30) can save you ~$2.94 per drink. | $8.97 |
| Cup of Kona Coffee (Cafe) Specialty island-grown coffee is premium priced at ~$6.47 per cup. | $6.47 |
Transport (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Maui Bus Standard One-Way Fare (Adult) Standard fare for fixed routes. Seniors 55+ and students under 24 ride for free. A monthly pass costs ~$45. | $1.99 |
| Daily Economy Car Rental Essential for exploring the island. Gas prices on Maui are typically ~$1.29–$1.47 per liter (~$4.8–$5.5/gallon). | $78 |
| Airport Shuttle (Kahului to West Maui) Door-to-door service. Taxis for the same route can cost over ~$100. | $42 |
Accommodation (3)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Howzit Hostels - Dorm Bed Standard dorm rate for budget travelers in Wailuku. | $48 |
| Mid-Range Hotel (Kihei/Kahului) Prices for mid-range stays in areas like Kihei often range from ~$318–$447 depending on proximity to the beach. | $344 |
| Luxury Resort (Wailea/Kapalua) Wailea resorts often include daily resort fees of ~$47–$77 not included in the base rate. | $917 |
Activities (4)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Haleakalā National Park Entrance (Private Vehicle) Covers all occupants in a private vehicle for 3 days. Includes both the Summit and Kīpahulu Districts. | $30 |
| Haleakalā Summit Sunrise Reservation Fee Mandatory for entry between 03:00 and 07:00. This is an administrative fee in addition to the ~$30 park entrance. | $1 |
| Waiʻānapanapa State Park Entry (Non-Resident) Reservations must be made in advance. Hawaii residents with ID enter for free. | $4.98 |
| Pacific Whale Foundation Molokini Snorkel 5-hour eco-tour including breakfast and lunch. Proceeds support whale research. | $189 |
Food & Dining
What to eat and what it costs
Dining on the island ranges from world-class resort restaurants to local favorites, with a mid-range dinner main course averaging $38 before the standard 18–20% tip. Significant savings are found at local spots like Tin Roof Maui, where a mochiko chicken bowl costs $14, or by timing visits to coincide with happy hours (15:30–17:30) to save roughly $2.94 on a $8.97 craft beer.
Cheap Eats
Where locals eat — real places, real prices
Tin Roof Maui
$12–$18Kahului · Local chain
Order online in advance to skip the long lunch line. Standing room only.
Sam Sato's
$9.97–$15Wailuku · Local food type
Famous for their 'dry mein' and manju. Cash only often, so bring ~$18.
South Maui Fish Company
$18–$25Kihei · Street food area
Best poke on the island. They close when they run out of fish, often by 15:00.
Leoda's Kitchen and Pie Shop
$12–$22Olowalu · Bakery
The individual banana cream pies for ~$10 are legendary and worth the stop on the way to Lahaina.
Paia Fish Market
$16–$28Paia · Local chain
Portions are massive; a 'burger' is really a full fish fillet. Communal seating only.
Getting Around
Transport costs and the smartest ways to move
Exploring Maui requires a vehicle, with daily economy car rentals averaging $78 plus fuel costs of roughly $1.29–$1.47 per liter. While the Maui Bus offers a budget-friendly alternative at $1.99 for a one-way fare, it is mostly practical for traveling between major towns rather than reaching remote trailheads or beaches.
Accommodation Overview
Lodging is the most significant expense, with luxury resorts in Wailea reaching $917 per night, often before mandatory $45–$77 resort fees. Budget travelers can find dorm beds at Howzit Hostels for $48, though mid-range visitors should budget approximately $344 for standard hotels in Kihei or Kahului.
Accommodation Budget in Maui
Budget
Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities
Mid-Range
3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations
Luxury
5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities
💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.
Money-Saving Tips
Insider tricks to stretch your budget further
- 1 Shop for groceries at the Costco near Kahului Airport (OGG) immediately after landing to avoid high resort-area prices for snacks and water.
- 2 Visit the Paia Fish Market for high-quality seafood at a lower price point than sit-down restaurants in Wailea.
- 3 Rent snorkeling gear for the week from off-site shops like Snorkel Bob's instead of paying premium hourly rates at resort beach shacks.
- 4 Take advantage of happy hour drink specials (15:30–17:30) to reduce the cost of a $8.97 pint of local beer by about $2.94.
- 5 Book the Haleakalā summit sunrise reservation exactly 60 days in advance to secure the $1 administrative fee before slots sell out.
- 6 Use the Maui Bus for simple coastal trips between Kihei and Lahaina for just $1.99 per ride.
- 7 Pack a cooler and bring lunch for the Road to Hana, as roadside food stands can be significantly marked up for tourists.
- 8 Refill water bottles at public beach parks; the tap water on Maui is safe and high-quality, saving the expense of bottled water.
- 9 Visit Sam Sato's in Wailuku for authentic, budget-friendly local noodles and 'dry mein' rather than dining in tourist hubs.
- 10 Look for 'Early Bird' specials at luau venues or restaurants in the Kihei area which often offer discounts for dining before 17:30.
Seasonal Pricing
When prices rise and fall throughout the year
Dec, Jan, Jun, Jul, Aug
+30-50%
Sep, Oct, Nov, Apr, May
-20-30%
May, Sep
September offers the best price-to-weather ratio with warm waters and lower crowds. Avoid late December when prices for ~$353 rooms can spike to ~$883.
Events to Watch
- ● Christmas/New Year Week: +100% hotels
- ● PGA Sentry Tournament (Early Jan): +40% Kapalua area
- ● Maui Whale Festival (Feb): High demand for tours
Free Things to Do
The best experiences that cost absolutely nothing
- 1 Watch sea turtles (honu) resting on the sand at Ho'okipa Beach Park near Paia.
- 2 Hike the Kapalua Coastal Trail, a 2.8km scenic path along the northwestern shoreline.
- 3 Visit the massive Banyan Tree in Lahaina's Courthouse Square, which covers an entire city block.
- 4 Snorkel at Maluaka Beach, often referred to as 'Turtle Town', for a high chance of seeing marine life without a boat tour.
- 5 Hike the Waiheʻe Ridge Trail for views of the West Maui Mountains and waterfalls (parking is limited, arrive early).
- 6 Explore the 'Dragon's Teeth' (Makaluapuna Point) rock formations near Kapalua.
- 7 Walk the 3km Ka’anapali Beachwalk for ocean views and sunset watching.
- 8 View whales from the shore at McGregor Point lookout during the winter months (no boat tour required).
- 9 Explore the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge boardwalk to see endangered Hawaiian stilts.
- 10 Enjoy the 'Big Beach' at Makena State Park (access to the sand is free; check for resident/non-resident parking fees).
- 11 Visit the Maui Specialty Chocolates shop in Kahului for small free samples of local treats.
- 12 Attend the free Hawaiian hula performances often held at the Lahaina Cannery Mall or The Shops at Wailea.
Worth the Splurge
Premium experiences that justify the price tag
Helicopter Tour of Molokai & West Maui
The only way to see the 1,000-meter sea cliffs of Molokai and inaccessible waterfalls. Costs ~$384.
Old Lahaina Luau
Considered the most authentic traditional luau with premium food and open bar (~$214).
Private Guided Road to Hana Tour
Avoid the stress of driving 620 hairpin turns and see hidden waterfalls the public misses (~$248).
Popular Activities
Top-rated tours and experiences in Maui
Payment & Money
How to pay and what to know about money
US Dollar (USD)
No
Everywhere including food trucks and farmers markets.
Strictly expected: 18-22% for table service, ~$1–$2 per bag for bellhops, and ~$5–$10/day for housekeeping.
Use bank-affiliated ATMs (First Hawaiian, Bank of Hawaii) to avoid high third-party fees of ~$5.
Connectivity
eSIM: $43 for 50GB (opens in new tab)
Local SIM: $41–$53 for 20GB at T-Mobile stores
WiFi: Excellent in resorts and major cafes in Kihei/Wailea. Spotty on the Road to Hana.
Use the Airalo 50GB plan for ~$43; download offline Google Maps for the Road to Hana as GPS is unreliable there.
Why you can trust this guide
35+ countries • 8 years analyzing travel data
Independent developer and travel data analyst based in Prague. 35+ countries visited across Europe and Asia, 8+ years analyzing flight routes, accommodation prices, and seasonal weather patterns.
- All neighborhoods verified by walking them
- Curated locations based on walkability & safety
- Real-time availability via live partner maps
- Prices based on Booking.com & Numbeo averages
Methodology: This guide combines on-the-ground neighborhood research, current hotel pricing data, and real traveler feedback to provide honest, actionable accommodation recommendations for Maui.
Updated: February 16, 2026
Ready to Visit Maui?
Book your flights, accommodation, and activities
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Maui expensive to visit?
How much does Maui cost per day?
How much does a trip to Maui cost?
What is the cheapest month to visit Maui?
What are the hidden costs in Maui?
How can I save money in Maui?
More Maui Guides
Weather
Historical climate averages to help you pick the best time to visit
Best Time to Visit
Coming soon
Things to Do
Coming soon
Where to Stay
Best neighborhoods and hotel recommendations
Itineraries
Coming soon
Complete Cost Guide
Full budget and cost breakdown