The Big Island is the cheapest of all the Hawaiian islands and even a relatively short time before your trip you can find a decent range of deals.

Previously, the best value for money was the Airbnb platform, which is generally very popular in the US and offers are really plentiful, but in recent years the offers are being compared to the most popular Booking.com.

Compare Big Island hotel prices

Where to stay on the Big Island

Location is a very important factor when choosing on the Big Island. Most of you will want to tour the island or at least visit multiple locations. As the distances are quite large, it's a good idea to know in advance what I want to prioritise on my holiday and what I especially want to see.

Hilo

The largest city and the most accommodation offers. Particularly suitable for visiting Volcanoes National Park, the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa mountains and areas in the south of the island.

Hilo also has all the amenities you need. From restaurants and fast food joints in the town centre to large super and hypermarkets along the main exit road to the south. At least 4 days, but more likely more, you will definitely have fun here. Hilo also has the most cheap deals.

• The 10 best hotels in Hilo

Kailua-Kona

Beach lovers and relaxation enthusiasts will come into their own here, and there are plenty of them all along the coast. Accommodation, however, is not so great.

There are plenty of quality hotels, but they're also well priced. On the other hand, there are fewer airbnb offerings than, say, Hilo. In any case, we'll probably stay in Kona for at least one night right after arrival or before morning departure, and for longer if you're planning a beach vacation. Accommodation here is actually significantly cheaper than directly in the main resorts north of town.

• Compare Kailua-Kona accommodation prices

South Kohala Resorts

The strip of resorts on the west coast of the Big Island is called South Kohala Resorts and is a major beach destination.

Hotels right on the beaches are some of the most expensive on the island with prices over 366 eur per night, you'll find cheaper ones in the inland villages, but even there you'll rarely get below 183 eur per night for 2.

• The most luxurious resorts in South Kohala

Waimea, Honokaa

Stay in these towns on your way to Waipio Valley. It is quite time consuming (at least 3 hours drive in total) to take a day trip here from Hilo or Kona.

• Compare Waimea or Honokaaaccommodation prices

Ocean View

An ideal place for some time absolutely free of tourists and good for an overnight stay while driving around the island. There are no crowds flowing into the villages in the very south of the island, no wide beaches, and no national parks. Just ocean, lava fields, forests and breathtaking views.

There are also two smaller beaches nearby with coloured sand - black and green.

• Top rated hotels in Ocean View

Accommodation prices

While accommodation prices on the Big Island are relatively high compared to other destinations, they are by far the lowest of the entire Hawaiian Islands.

You'll find plenty of deals on smaller 3* hotels and highly rated private apartments with price tags ranging from150 usd to 200 usd per night for 2 across the island. These prices are hard to find on the other islands.

The more luxurious 3* and 4* hotels outside the main beach destinations can be found for about 220 usd to 350 usd per night for 2, while large resorts right by the beaches start at 450 usd per night for 2 and go up to 2 000 usd.

Our accommodation tips

We visited the Big Island and spent several days searching over our choice of accommodation. In the end, all the places we stayed at were a hit and may serve as inspiration for you.

The accommodations are generally in the mid-price range with prices between 2,000 and 147 eur per night for 2, which are great prices by Hawaiian standards.

• Hawaiian Ohana Home (Hilo) - well appointed apartments in a very quiet part of Hilo with prices around 84 eur per night for 2, if this accommodation is unavailable a decent 4* option SCP Hilo Hotel right by the sea with prices from 114 eur
• Aeolian Ranch (Kailua-Kona) - the cheapest well rated accommodation on the west coast will please with prices below 110 eur for 2, not directly on the sea but in a wonderful location overlooking peaceful green countryside. Of the classic Kailua-Kona hotels, we'd pick this 3* Kona Reef Resort
• Leilani Bed and Breakfast (Ocean View) - a simple but fully equipped apartment on the south of the island perfect for a 1-night stopover
• Waipi'o Lodge (Waipio Valley) - absolutely ideal accommodation for a stopover in Waipio Valley, this is a great little private guesthouse with rates around 88 eur per night

Camping on the Big Island

A significantly cheaper option for sleeping will be campgrounds, where you can save thousands per night compared to traditional apartments or hotels. Most campsites are managed by national or wildlife parks. You can pay to sleep in your own tent, which you can easily buy on the spot at a Wallmart-type hypermarket.

For all public campsites you need to pay and book a permit in advance, which also acts as the price of the overnight stay. The vast majority of campsites have toilets, showers, drinking water and usually a public pavilion where you can cook or recharge your electronics. Examples of public campsites on the Big Island are listed below:

• Mauna Kea Recreation Area - a campground managed by Hawaii County directly below Mauna Kea, cost 21 usd per person
• Nāmakanipaio at Volcanoes NP - a campground managed by the National Park Service near Kilauea Volcano, price 15 usd per car
• Hapuna Beach - a campground managed by Hawaii State Parks on the most famous beach, Hapuna Beach, price 70 usd for a 4-person shelter
• Kohaniki Beach Park - a campground managed by Hawaii County on the beach near Kona Airport, price 21 usd per person
• Punalu'u Beach Park - a Hawaii County-managed campground at the popular Black Sand (Punalu'u Beach), price 21 usd per person
• Isaac Hale Beach Park - the Hawaii County-managed campground closest to Hilo, located near the former village of Kalapana, price 21 usd per person
• Spencer Beach Park - a Hawaii County-managed campground on the north end of the Kohala Coast, price 21 usd per person
• Kalopa Area - a campground managed by Hawaii State Parks in a quiet area of the North Shore, price 30 usd per tent/car site, 100 usd per cabin

For a complete listing of Hawaii County campgrounds, visit hawaiicounty.ehawaii.gov and for campsites managed by Hawaii State Parks, visit dlnr.hawaii.gov.

Sleeping in a car and under a tent

If you're used to sleeping "rough" anywhere you like from other countries, then the Big Island and the Hawaiian Islands in general will unfortunately not be the place for you.

Sleeping outside of campgrounds or official accommodation is illegal. Checks by police or the National Park Service are very common, even in remote places where you would never expect them. Police officers are usually lenient but uncompromising with tourists, and if you are caught repeatedly you could face heavy fines.