The island of Oahu is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the world. With incredible beaches, adventurous hikes, Hawaiian cultural activities, and warm weather, it is an amazing place for a getaway. It can also be one of the most expensive places to visit with high-end hotels spread throughout Waikiki. I’ve created this blog post to help those tourists who are looking for cheap hotels in Oahu. In this blog post, you will find the ten cheapest places to stay in Oahu, Hawaii.
I’ve uncovered the best and cheapest hotels in Oahu, Hawaii that still have great facilities, good locations, and comfortable rooms. My two favorite spots for cheap places to stay on Oahu are Backpackers Vacation Inn on the North Shore for its surf spot and The Beach Waikiki Hostel in Waikiki for its proximity to the beach.
QUICK PICKS: FOUR TOP CHEAP PLACES TO STAY ON OAHU
Don’t have time to read my detailed breakdown of all the top cheap places to stay on Oahu? No worries! These are my four favorite budget picks on the Island. If you book one of these hotels, you are guaranteed to have a great vacation in a great location!
Polynesian Beach Club
- Amazing location for a cheap price
- Great, friendly hostel vibes
- Easy way to meet other travelers
The Beach Waikiki Hostel
- Best boutique hostel in Waikiki
- 200 yards from the beach
- More homely than regular hostel
Backpackers Vacation Inn
- Best place to stay for surfers
- Near Foodland and food trucks
- Best North Shore option
Waikiki Beachside Hostel
- Best Waikiki Hostel Overall
- A friendly, social atmosphere
- Comfortable dorm rooms
BEST RENTAL CAR COMPANY IN HAWAII
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CHEAP PLACES TO STAY ON OAHU COMPARISON TABLE
THE CHEAPEST PLACES TO STAY ON OAHU, HAWAII
Alright, let’s get into it. These are the top options when you are looking for the best cheap places to stay on Oahu, Hawaii.
POLYNESIAN HOSTEL BEACH CLUB
Polynesian Hostel Beach Club (Budget/Location): It is definitely the cheapest hostel in Honolulu, Hawaii. The location is great because it is just a short walk to the beach, bars, and restaurants. This means you can walk to the beach, rent a surfboard and be out in the waves in just a few minutes. It’s a perfect place to meet other travelers especially backpackers around the world.
If you are a little nervous about the safety of staying in a hostel, put your fears to rest. Polynesian hostel has around-the-clock security so that you and your belongings will always feel safe which makes a big difference to your trip. The rooms are quite nice and the beds comfy, but what really makes this place so wonderful is its central location and the fact you make many new friends every night at the nearby bars. Definitely one of the best cheap places to stay in Waikiki!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Polynesian Hostel Beach Club
Polynesian Hostel Beach Club
- Amazing location for a cheap price
- Great, friendly hostel vibes
- Easy way to meet other travelers
HOSTELLING INTERNATIONAL HONOLULU
Hostelling International Honolulu (Budget): Professional staff, clean beds, and all dorms have small lockers for valuables. It’s just out of Waikiki so it’s a bit quieter. However, it is still in a good location, since it’s pretty close to public transport, shops, and restaurants. This is a very ‘liveable’ dorm with a pretty sweet kitchen set-up that guests can use to cook meals. You can borrow snorkel equipment and beach towels for free, which is an extra bonus.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Hostelling International Honolulu
Hostelling International Honolulu
- Good little kitchen from home-cooking
- One of the cheapest hostels
- Quiet, chill vibe
WAIKIKI BEACHSIDE HOSTEL
Waikiki Beachside Hostel (Budget/Best Location)
Undoubtedly the best hostel in Waikiki, the Waikiki Beachside Hostel is an affordable option if you want to base yourself on a week of adventures. The location is really great. I personally like Waikiki Beachside Hostel better than the other hostels nearby because it is closer to a lot of restaurants, nightlife, shopping, beaches, public transport, and all major activities and attractions.
You can go to Waikiki Beachside Kitchen for brunch- one of the cheapest restaurants nearby. Overall, it is the top hostel in Waikiki in my opinion.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Waikiki Beachside Hostel
Waikiki Beachside Hostel
- Best Waikiki Hostel Overall
- A friendly, social atmosphere
- Comfortable dorm rooms
BACKPACKERS VACATION INN & PLANTATION VILLAGE
Backpackers Vacation Inn & Plantation Village (Budget): Backpackers Vacation Inn & Plantation is definitely the cheapest place to stay on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii.
Why I recommend this hotel: What appeals to me is the value for money. It offers basic accommodation but the ambiance is awesome. The location is great, easy access to the beach, and there’s free use of snorkeling gear. I suggest staying for a few nights at a hostel in Waikiki and then basing up here at this hostel to explore the North Shore! It’s perfect for surfers staying for more than a week. Be warned this hostel gets booked out far in advance during peak season as it really is one of the only cheap accommodation options on the North Shore of Oahu.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Backpackers Vacation Inn
Backpackers Vacation Inn
- Best place to stay for surfers
- Near Foodland and food trucks
- Best North Shore option
KUHIO BANYAN HOTEL
Kuhio Banyan Hotel (With Kitchenette)
Perhaps you don’t fancy staying in a hostel this time – maybe you want a little more privacy and more room for yourself but are still on a tight budget. Kuhio Banyan Hotel is one of the budget hotels in Waikiki. This hotel is not luxurious but it has everything you need for a very good price in the middle of everything in Waikiki. What’s awesome is that this budget room actually has a kitchenette so you can save more money on doing a little home cooking, which is a HUGE plus in Waikiki where eating out is EXPENSIVE!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Kuhio Banyan Hotel
ROYAL GROVE WAIKIKI
Royal Grove Waikiki (With Kitchenette): Royal Grove Waikiki is a budget-friendly and vintage hotel in Waikiki for just $100 a night. The location is superb- just in the heart of dining, beaches, shopping, and attractions. The rooms are quite old-school but in a charming Hawaii style. The rooms come with a kitchenette and seating area so they are really spacious and practical.
The sweetest part of the stay was the Monday night Hawaiian music and the mini hula dance show was so much Aloha! Totally one of the top hotels in Honolulu!
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Royal Grove Waikiki
AQUA ALOHA SURF WAIKIKI
Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki – Best Budget Hotel in Waikiki
If you’re looking for one of the best budget hotels in Waikiki then this is it. This isn’t as cheap as the hostels but it’s definitely a whole lot more luxurious than some of the earlier options in this blog post.
Set just a few blocks from Waikiki Beach, Aqua Aloha Surf has got a fun surf style and a laid-back ambiance. Budget, chill, and fun! Yep, you get a lot for your money here- there’s an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and you get a free breakfast on top of that. It’s very modern and a hotel you will be excited to return to after a day of adventures.
I’m not sure how the owners have kept the price of this one so low. Rooms have a microwave and fridge so you can do a bit of eating-in as well to save money as well as the free breakfast so lots of savings to be made here. Definitely, a budget hotel compared to most upmarket hotels in Waikiki.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Aqua Aloha Surf Waikiki
COCONUT WAIKIKI HOTEL
Coconut Waikiki Hotel – Family Pick: Coconut Waikiki Hotel is a family-friendly hotel in Honolulu. The location of this hotel is something that really appeals to me. It is right in the heart of the action, and just a few minutes from one of the world’s most famous white-sand beaches. Let’s not forget to mention it has a pool and gym!
A little more expensive than other budget offerings in Waikiki, but this clean, modern hotel has a lot to offer for the price. Most rooms have kitchenettes, so you can save even more money by making a few of your own meals. The rooms are very modern with seating areas, flat-screen televisions, and a bit more of a luxury feel than some of the older hotels on this list. If you want to stay somewhere a little more luxurious but still stay within budget, then this is one of the best budget hotels in Honolulu.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Coconut Waikiki Hotel
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS WAIKIKI
Holiday Inn Express Waikiki – Location/Facilities: This 44-story hotel offers perfect panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and is near beaches, restaurants, shopping centers, and other attractions. With a mini-golf course, epic rooftop pool, and games center you really get an experience at the Holiday Inn. It’s way, way cheaper compared to all other regular hotels in Honolulu.
The rooms are actually super nice so if you are a couple or a small family this would be my number one pick on this list.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Holiday Inn Waikiki
KALANI HAWAII PRIVATE LODGING
Kalani Hawaii Private Lodging: Set on the North Shore, Kalani Hawaii Private Lodging offers a country house in Pupukea. It is a perfect place to hang out, relax and use as a base to explore the North Shore. This lodging is only a five-minute walk to Sunset Beach, a well-known surfing competition beach.
The rooms are very homely with all of the extras, kitchens, bathrooms, and chill areas. Very good value for money! There is a minimum of 5-night stay required for booking this place.
Click Here to check the current rates and availability for Kalani Hawaii Lodging
THE FOUR MOST POPULAR OAHU TOURS
- Doors-Off Oahu Helicopter Flight Tour: My number one recommendation is to do a heli-flight (doors off) and be blown away when you see Oahu from the air.
- North Shore Shark Cage Tour: The biggest adrenaline rush you can have in Hawaii is beneath the surface with sharks!
- Eco-Friendly Dolphin and Snorkel Tour: One of the best experiences I had on Oahu was swimming with the beautiful spinner dolphins on this exact tour.
- Turtle Canyon Snorkel Cruise by Catamaran: The number 1 MOST POPULAR snorkel tour on Oahu. GUARANTEED Turtles!
WHERE TO STAY ON OAHU
- Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort (Overall Favorite): In the heart of Waikiki, this high-end resort is right on the beach with a private lagoon.
- Sheraton Waikiki (Luxury): A luxury resort with the most amazing infinity pool on the island, which overlooks the beach.
- Ewa Hotel Waikiki: (Value): Ewa Hotel is just one block back from the beach and is just over $150 USD.
- Waikiki Beachside Hostel (Budget Choice): A budget alternative, which is still in an amazing location.
- Disney Aulani Resort (Family Choice): This is a resort your kids will never forget. It honestly feels like you are living in a theme park.
MORE OAHU BLOG POSTS
I lived on Oahu for two years and loved adventuring from the beaches to the mountains to the waterfalls! These are my most popular blog post and guides from the beautiful island of Oahu to help you plan your trip!
- What to pack for Hawaii: THE HAWAII PACKING LIST: WHAT TO PACK
- A helpful guide to choosing accommodation: WHERE TO STAY ON OAHU
- Most epic hike on Oahu: THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN OAHU, HAWAII
- The best Waterfalls: AMAZING WATERFALLS ON OAHU, HAWAII
- Ultimate Cliff Jumping Guide: 11 BEST CLIFF JUMPING SPOTS ON OAHU
- Guide to Swimming with Sea Turtles: WHERE TO SEE TURTLES ON OAHU
- The best Waterfall Hikes: TOP WATERFALL HIKES ON OAHU
- Best Tours: 20 BEST TOURS ON OAHU
- The Ultimate Guide to Oahu: 80 AWESOME THINGS TO DO ON OAHU
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Tuesday 31st of October 2023
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