How to plan travel to Hawaii?

Pristine beaches, active volcanoes, epic surfing, towering waterfalls, world-class golf courses and historical landmarks. These are just a few things that make Hawaii one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Knowing you want to travel there is one thing, getting there is a whole other daunting task.

Getting there by air: Those with just a week or two weeks to spare for a Hawaii vacation are best off flying. The typical approach to traveling to Hawaii is by air. During "off-peak" times such as September, October, February and April, airfare can be cheap (only $500 roundtrip). At other times, airfare can be over $1000.

Getting there by sea: There are some select cruise lines that offer roundtrip transportation to Hawaii from California. If you have plenty of time, you could also offer your services as a deckhand on a boat heading to the islands from the US, Asia or Australia. Because Hawaii is situated so conveniently between these three continents, there are plenty of boats that offer free board for some help aboard. Boat trips to Hawaii from any of these places can take up to 30 days, so make sure you set aside enough time to explore the islands once you safely reach shore.

Length of stay: Be sure to consider how long you intend to be on the islands. When planning your trip to Hawaii, it's best to give yourself at least one week-preferably two weeks or more. The longer you can stay on the islands, the more flexibility you have with travel options and the cheaper your trip will be in the end.

Expenses: Hawaii is not an cheap place to travel to, so you must be ready to pay the big bucks to fully enjoy your stay. Getting to and from Hawaii from Asia or the mainland U.S. will cost you anywhere between $500 to $1500 by air, or up to $1500 by boat. It takes five hours to get to Hawaii from either coast by air, and from five days to four weeks to get there by boat. Keep in mind that expenses can be steep upon arrival in Hawaii. Be sure to budget enough money for your stay in paradise. Most accommodations are at least $100 per night and food will cost you about $50 a day. With rising gas prices and tighter wallets, it's a monumental feat to book a Hawaiian holiday, which can certainly cost upwards of $2,000 for one all-inclusive week.

Other considerations: Because the Hawaiian islands are so very remote, travelers must be motivated to go the distance. The islands themselves are fairly close to each other and there are daily airbuses on Go! and Hawaiian Airlines that service all major islands (for $100 to $200 roundtrip). Additionally, Hawaii's Super Ferry currently services Honolulu and Maui for about $150 roundtrip.