Is Maui expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Maui is one of the most expensive destinations in the United States: almost everything is shipped in, and a mid-range day costs about US$480 per person sharing a room and a rental car. Accommodation, car hire, boat tours and restaurant meals take most of the budget; beaches and many viewpoints are free.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | US$130 | US$230 | US$500 |
| Food & drink | US$60 | US$110 | US$200 |
| Sights & tickets | US$20 | US$80 | US$200 |
| Local transport | US$45 | US$60 | US$90 |
| Per person, per day | US$255 | US$480 | US$990 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Maui day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | about US$5–7 |
| Poke bowl in Kihei | about US$18–25 |
| Shave ice | about US$8–12 |
| Mai tai at a resort bar | about US$18–25 |
| Rental car per day | about US$70–130 |
| Haleakala National Park entrance (per car) | about US$30 |
| Molokini snorkel boat | about US$120–200 |
| Resort parking per night | about US$30–50 |
| Mid-range double, Kaanapali | about US$350–600 |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the largest cost, with mid-range resorts at Kaanapali or Wailea often US$350–600 a night, plus state and county lodging taxes and excise tax of roughly 18–19%, a daily resort fee and parking. A rental car is essential and costs US$70–130 a day, more around holidays. Boat tours (Molokini, whale watching) cost US$120–200 a person, and dinners are expensive, often US$40–70 per person. Beaches, the Road to Hana scenery and many hikes cost little beyond parking or park fees.
When it is cheaper
April to May and September to mid-December (excluding Thanksgiving) usually bring lower hotel and car-hire prices, often 20–30% below the peak. The most expensive periods are late December to early January, spring break and mid-summer.
How to spend less
- Book a self-catering condo in Kihei and cook some meals; groceries from Costco or Foodland save a lot.
- Reserve the rental car as early as possible and re-check prices later.
- Use free public beaches (all beaches in Hawaii are public) rather than paying for resort access.
- Bring your own snorkel gear or rent it for the week, and snorkel from shore at Kapalua Bay or Ahihi-Kinau.
- Buy the Haleakala park pass once; it also covers the Kipahulu district at the end of the Road to Hana.
- Eat at food trucks and plate-lunch places for US$15–20 instead of resort restaurants.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Common questions
How much does a day in Maui cost?
About US$255 per person on a budget, US$480 mid-range and US$990 for comfort, sharing a room and a rental car. Hawaii adds roughly 18–19% in lodging and excise taxes.
Why is Maui so expensive?
Most goods are shipped in, accommodation is limited and demand is high, so hotels, car hire and restaurants all cost more than on the mainland.
How much is a Molokini snorkel tour?
About US$120–200 per person, usually including breakfast and gear.