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A 7-day trip to Maui for two costs between $5,000 and $11,000, including roundtrip flights from the US West Coast, a rental car, mid-range lodging, meals, and activities. The best months to visit are April, May, September, and October for the ideal mix of good weather, manageable crowds, and lower hotel rates.
Plan for at least 5 days to see the highlights; 7 to 10 days is ideal for a relaxed pace with time for the Road to Hana and a beach day that involves nothing but a book.
A trip to Maui is not one decision. It is five: when to go, how many days you need, where to stay, how to get around, and what it will actually cost. I have learned this over four visits to the island, most recently this February. My name is Cole, and I am a senior travel editor at WakaAbuja.
This planner exists because the internet is full of Maui guides that tell you where to eat shave ice but will not give you a straight answer on whether you need a rental car in Wailea or what a 10-day itinerary actually looks like. We answer those questions first, then give you the fun stuff.
Jump to: First 24 Hours | Getting There | Best Time to Visit | Real Costs | Where to Stay | Itineraries | Current Conditions | Mistakes to Avoid | FAQ
Key takeaways
- A mid-range Maui trip runs $700 to $1,600 per day for two people, all-inclusive of flights, car, lodging, food, and activities.
- You need a rental car on Maui. Public transit exists, but it will not get you to Hana, Haleakala Summit, or most trailheads.
- Advance reservations are now mandatory for Haleakala sunrise, Waianapanapa State Park, and Iao Valley. Showing up without one means you do not get in.
- West Maui (Kaanapali, Lahaina-adjacent areas) is open for tourism, but specific neighborhoods are still rebuilding. Know before you go.
- A 5-day trip covers the greatest hits. A 7-day trip adds the Road to Hana. A 10-day trip gives you a real vacation pace instead of a checklist.
Your First 24 Hours in Maui: Airport, Groceries, and Jet Lag
You land at Kahului Airport (OGG). The moment you step off the plane, the air smells like flowers and jet fuel. Your first job is not to find a beach. It is to get your car, get supplies, and get oriented before you crash. Most mainland flights arrive between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., which puts you in a race against the sunset and your own exhaustion.
Pick up your rental car at the airport. All major agencies are on-site in a consolidated facility. Then drive 10 minutes to the Costco or Target in Kahului. I do this on every trip. A grocery run saves you $300 to $500 over a week versus eating every meal out, and you will want water, reef-safe sunscreen, and breakfast supplies before you drive to your lodging. Skip the grocery stop and you will pay resort-area markup on everything from bananas to bandages.
Cole’s honest take: “On my first Maui trip, I went straight from the airport to Kaanapali and bought a $14 jar of sunscreen at the resort shop. I have never made that mistake again. The Kahului Target is your friend.”
Jet lag on Maui is real but manageable. From the US West Coast, you are only two hours behind. From the East Coast, you are six hours behind. You will wake up at 4 a.m. on Day 2 no matter what. Plan your first evening light: check into your hotel or condo, walk the nearest beach, eat an early dinner, and go to bed by 9 p.m. The trip starts in earnest tomorrow.
Getting There and Getting Around Maui
Kahului Airport (OGG) is the main airport on Maui and the only one that handles direct mainland flights. Direct routes serve Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, and Chicago, among others. Roundtrip economy fares from the US West Coast run $350 to $700 per person depending on season and how far in advance you book. From the East Coast, expect $600 to $1,100. I search across airlines using Kayak and set price alerts six months out.
There is also a small commuter airport in Kapalua (JHM) on the west side, served by inter-island flights from Honolulu. If you are island-hopping from Oahu, this can save you a 45-minute drive from Kahului to Kaanapali.
You need a rental car on Maui. This is the single most common question I get, and the answer does not change. The island is bigger than it looks, the best stops are spread across it, and rideshares are unreliable outside the Kihei-Wailea-Lahaina corridor. Book your car as soon as your flights are confirmed. Maui’s rental fleet is finite, and prices spike sharply during peak weeks. I use Expedia to bundle flights and cars, then check Booking.com for lodging separately.
If you are staying exclusively at a resort in Wailea or Kaanapali and plan only one or two excursions, you could rent a car for specific days rather than the full trip. There are rental counters at several west-side and south-side hotels. But for any itinerary that includes the Road to Hana, Haleakala, Upcountry, or multiple beaches, a car for the full stay is the correct call.
Best Time to Visit Maui: Month by Month
The consensus among repeat visitors is firm: April, May, September, and October are the best months for a trip to Maui. You get warm weather, the ocean is calm enough for swimming and snorkeling on most shores, crowds are thinner than summer and winter peaks, and hotel rates drop 20 to 30 percent from their December highs.
Winter (December through February) brings big surf to the north shore, whale watching at its absolute peak, and the highest prices of the year. Summer (June through August) is hot and busy with families, and the south and west shores are generally calm while the north shore goes flat. Whale watching is a winter-only phenomenon, so if that is a priority, book December through March and accept the higher cost.
One critical seasonal note: the Road to Hana and Haleakala Summit can be wet, foggy, and cold at any time of year. The summit sits above 10,000 feet. Temperatures at sunrise routinely hover in the 30s and 40s Fahrenheit, even in July. Pack a jacket regardless of what month your calendar says.
Best Months Overall
April, May, September, October. These four months deliver the best balance of weather, crowds, and cost. The ocean is swimmable on most coasts, hotels offer shoulder-season rates, and you will not fight for parking at every trailhead.
Best for Whales
January through March. Humpback whales migrate to Maui’s warm waters to calve and breed. You can see them from shore, from a boat tour, or even hear them underwater while snorkeling. February is the absolute peak.
Best for Surf
Winter for north-shore swells (experienced surfers only). Summer for south-shore waves that are more beginner-friendly. Lessons run year-round in Kihei and Lahaina-adjacent breaks.
What a Maui Trip Actually Costs
Here are real dollar figures, not ranges so wide they are useless. These numbers are based on my own bookings from February this year plus current rates pulled from booking platforms as I write this. All figures are for two people sharing a room and a rental car, in US dollars, including taxes and fees.
Budget-Conscious: $5,000–$5,800 for 7 Days
- Flights: $1,200 (West Coast RT for two, booked 8 weeks out)
- Lodging: $1,400 (Kihei condo or older Kaanapali hotel, booked on Vrbo or Booking.com)
- Rental Car: $400 (economy sedan, booked early, airport pickup)
- Food: $800 (groceries from Costco/Target, food trucks, one luau splurge)
- Activities: $500 (Haleakala entry, Road to Hana gas and snacks, snorkel rental, one boat tour)
- Gas & Parking: $200 (resort parking fees are the hidden cost here)
Mid-Range: $7,500–$8,500 for 7 Days
- Flights: $1,800 (West Coast RT with better times, main-cabin extras)
- Lodging: $2,800 (Wailea or Kaanapali resort, ocean-view room)
- Rental Car: $500 (mid-size SUV or convertible)
- Food: $1,400 (daily brunch, food trucks, a luau, two nice dinners)
- Activities: $1,000 (Haleakala sunrise, Road to Hana with a guide app, snorkel tour to Molokini, a surf lesson)
- Gas & Parking: $500 (valet or self-park fees add up daily)
Splurge: $11,000+ for 7 Days
- Flights: $3,000+ (first-class or lie-flat seats)
- Lodging: $5,000+ (Four Seasons Wailea, Fairmont Kea Lani, or a luxury villa)
- Rental Car: $800+ (luxury SUV or convertible)
- Food: $2,200+ (tasting menus, private luau, sunset cocktails daily)
- Activities: $1,500+ (private Road to Hana guide, helicopter tour, catamaran charter)
For shorter trips, scale the lodging and food costs proportionally but keep the flight cost roughly the same. Flights to Maui do not get cheaper for a 5-day trip versus a 7-day trip. The per-day cost is actually higher on a shorter trip because the fixed cost of the flight is spread over fewer days.
Where to Stay on Maui: Region Comparison
Maui has five main visitor regions. Where you stay determines the rhythm of your entire trip. I have stayed in three of these five areas, and I have strong opinions formed by both good choices and one very wrong choice.
South Maui: Kihei & Wailea
Best for: First-timers, sun-seekers, snorkelers, families.
Vibe: Kihei is casual condos and food trucks. Wailea is luxury resorts and a paved coastal path that connects five beaches.
Pros: Sunnier and drier than the west side. Excellent snorkeling right off the beach. Wailea’s resorts are some of the best on the island.
Cons: Wailea is expensive. Kihei traffic on South Kihei Road can be a slow crawl at rush hour.
West Maui: Kaanapali & Napili
Best for: Resort lovers, beach-walkers, first-timers who want a classic Hawaiian resort strip.
Vibe: Kaanapali is a three-mile stretch of hotels, condos, and a beachfront boardwalk. Napili Bay is quieter, with a gorgeous crescent beach.
Pros: Kaanapali Beach is wide, swimmable, and walkable. Whalers Village has shopping and dining. Black Rock offers cliff-jumping and great snorkeling.
Cons: Lahaina town is still rebuilding after the 2023 fires. Some areas remain closed. The drive to Hana or Haleakala from West Maui adds 45 minutes each way.
Upcountry & Hana
Best for: Return visitors, adventure-focused trips, solitude-seekers.
Vibe: Upcountry is rolling pastures, farm stands, and cool mountain air. Hana is lush, remote, and quiet after the day-trippers leave.
Pros: Close to Haleakala Summit. Hana has a deep, slow beauty that you cannot access on a rushed one-day drive.
Cons: Far from everything. Limited dining. Hana accommodations book out months in advance.
For most first-time visitors, I recommend splitting your stay: four to five nights in South Maui or West Maui for beaches and accessibility, then one to two nights in Hana if you want to do the Road to Hana slowly and without the pressure of a round-trip drive in a single day.
Maui Itineraries: 3, 5, 7, and 10 Days
Most Maui guides give you one itinerary, usually four days, and call it done. A real trip planner gives you options for every trip length. Here they are, based on actual trips I have taken, adjusted for what is open and bookable this year.
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3-Day Maui Itinerary (The Whirlwind)
This is tight. I only recommend a 3-day Maui trip if you are island-hopping from Oahu or the Big Island and treating Maui as an add-on. You will see one highlight and miss everything else.
Day 1: Land at OGG, pick up your car, and drive to Kihei or Wailea. Beach afternoon at Wailea Beach or Makena Big Beach. Sunset dinner in Kihei.
Day 2: Haleakala sunrise (reservation required; book 60 days out at recreation.gov). Descend, stop in Makawao for lunch, then spend the afternoon snorkeling at Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve.
Day 3: Morning beach swim, then head to the airport. That is it. The Road to Hana is not doable as a day trip on a 3-day itinerary unless you skip Haleakala entirely.
5-Day Maui Itinerary (The Greatest Hits)
Five days covers the must-dos without feeling punishing. This is the shortest trip length I recommend for first-timers.
Day 1: Arrive, grocery run in Kahului, check into South or West Maui lodging. Beach afternoon and sunset.
Day 2: Haleakala sunrise. Drive to the summit (leave your hotel by 3 a.m. from Kihei and 2:30 a.m. from Kaanapali). After the sunrise, hike a short section of the Sliding Sands Trail. Brunch at Kula Lodge. Afternoon rest.
Day 3: Road to Hana. Leave by 6:30 a.m. Use the Shaka Guide app for GPS-triggered narration. Key stops: Twin Falls, Waianapanapa State Park (reservation required), Hana town, and the Pools at Ohe’o if time allows. Drive back the same way.
Day 4: Recovery day. Sleep in. Pool or beach morning. Afternoon snorkel at Black Rock (Kaanapali) or Ulua Beach (Wailea). Sunset dinner.
Day 5: Morning beach walk. Last plate of lunch. Fly out.
Cole’s honest take: “The Road to Hana on Day 3 of a 5-day trip is a long day. You will be tired. But it is worth it, and it leaves Day 4 as a true rest day instead of cramming Hana and Haleakala on back-to-back mornings with no break.”
7-Day Maui Itinerary (The Sweet Spot)
Seven days is the ideal first-timer trip to Maui. It gives you two full adventure days, two proper beach days, and breathing room.
Days 1–3: Same as the 5-day itinerary: arrival and settling in, Haleakala sunrise, and Road to Hana.
Day 4: Rest and beach day. No alarms. No driving. Snorkel, float, read, nap. This is the day you actually feel like you are on vacation.
Day 5: Upcountry and North Shore day. Drive to Makawao for breakfast, then continue to Paia. Walk the town and eat at Paia Fish Market. Afternoon at Ho’okipa Beach to watch the windsurfers and sea turtles. Drive the back road to Kula and stop at Ali’i Kula Lavender Farm or Surfing Goat Dairy.
Day 6: Boat day or Iao Valley. Book a morning snorkel tour to Molokini Crater (book through GetYourGuide or directly with a tour operator like Trilogy). Alternative: drive to Iao Valley State Monument (reservation required, book online at the Hawaii State Parks site).
Day 7: Last beach morning, maybe a surf lesson in Kihei. Fly out in the afternoon or evening.
10-Day Maui Itinerary (The Deep Cut)
Ten days turns Maui from a checklist into an actual vacation. You can slow down, add a Hana overnight, and explore areas most visitors skip entirely.
Days 1–5: Follow the 7-day itinerary through your Upcountry day.
Day 6: Boat day or Iao Valley (from the 7-day plan).
Day 7: Pack an overnight bag and drive the Road to Hana again, but this time stay overnight in Hana. Book a room at the Hana-Maui Resort or a vacation rental months ahead. Spend the afternoon at Hamoa Beach and the Pools at Ohe’o without the pressure of driving back in the dark.
Day 8: Morning at Wai’anapanapa (book a second reservation if needed). Hike the Pipiwai Trail through the bamboo forest. Drive back to your main lodging in the afternoon.
Day 9: A final full beach day. Consider a trip to Makena Big Beach, the La Perouse Bay lava fields, or a snorkel at Honolua Bay (summer only, check conditions).
Day 10: Final swim, souvenir run, airport.
Current Maui Conditions: What Is Open and What to Know
Maui is open for tourism. The island relies on visitors, and most of the island was unaffected by the 2023 Lahaina fires. But here is what you need to know right now so you can plan with clarity, not guesswork.
- Lahaina town: The historic downtown and harbor area remains closed as rebuilding continues. Respect all closure signs. Do not drive into restricted neighborhoods to “see the damage.” This is not a tourist attraction. It is a community in recovery.
- Kaanapali, Napili, and Kapalua: These resort areas north of Lahaina are open and fully operational. The beach, the boardwalk, the hotels, and the restaurants are welcoming guests. Staying in West Maui helps support the local economy directly.
- South Maui (Kihei, Wailea, Makena): Unaffected. Everything is open and operating normally.
- Road to Hana: Open. Waianapanapa State Park requires advance reservations. The Pools at Ohe’o are open when conditions permit. Check the National Park Service site for Haleakala National Park updates before you go.
- Iao Valley State Monument: Open with advance reservations required for non-residents. Book through the Hawaii State Parks reservation system.
- Haleakala National Park: Open. Sunrise reservations (3 a.m. to 7 a.m. entry) are required and bookable on recreation.gov 60 days in advance. The summit and trails are otherwise accessible during normal hours without a sunrise reservation.
For the most current conditions, check the official Hawaii Tourism Authority Maui page and the County of Maui’s official updates before you travel. Conditions change, and official sources are more reliable than any travel blog, including this one.
Maui Mistakes That Cost Us Money (and Time)
I have made every mistake on this list. Some of them cost me real money. Others just cost me a day of vacation I will never get back.
@travelwithada The third mistake can be so costly! Don’t make these mistakes in Maui, Hawaii! Which ones have you made? PS: we’re almost at 10k followers!! Help me get to 10k so I can add video playlists to my profile. This way it’ll be easier to group my travel videos and easier for you to find! ☺️ Thank you everyone who has been sticking around 🥹🥹 i love you all. #maui #mauihawaii #mauitravel #hawaii #hawaiitravel #hawaiimistakes #mauimistakes #hawaiifyp #mauitrip #mauiplanning
- Not booking Haleakala sunrise reservations 60 days out. The sunrise slots release at 7 a.m. Hawaii time exactly 60 days in advance. They sell out in minutes. If you miss them, you can still visit the summit during daylight hours without a reservation, and sunset is nearly as spectacular with zero reservation stress.
- Skipping Waianapanapa reservations on the Road to Hana. The black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park now requires timed-entry reservations. Book them at least a week ahead. I have watched people get turned around at the gate after driving two hours from Kihei.
- Underestimating the Road to Hana drive time. The drive from Paia to Hana takes 2.5 to 3 hours without stops. With stops, it takes 6 to 8 hours. Add the return drive, and it is a 10-to-12-hour day. Start early. Do not plan a dinner reservation you cannot cancel.
- Not checking ocean conditions before swimming. Maui’s beaches have no lifeguards at many of the most beautiful spots. Check the Hawaii Beach Safety website for daily conditions. Rip currents and shore breaks injure more visitors than any other hazard on the island.
- Paying resort parking fees without checking alternatives. Some Kaanapali and Wailea resorts charge $35 to $50 per night for parking. If you are on a budget, look for condos with free parking included, or stay in Kihei where parking is typically free.
- Wearing the wrong footwear to Haleakala Summit. The summit temperature at sunrise is often in the 30s. I wore sandals on my first Haleakala sunrise and spent the entire experience shivering in the car between photos. Bring closed-toe shoes, pants, and a jacket. You are at 10,000 feet. It is not a beach.
- Not packing reef-safe sunscreen before arriving. Hawaii bans sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate. Buy compliant sunscreen at home or at the Kahului Target. Resort-area shops charge triple.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a trip to Maui cost for a family of four?
A 7-day Maui trip for a family of four typically runs $9,000 to $16,000, including roundtrip flights from the US West Coast, a two-bedroom condo or two hotel rooms, a rental SUV, meals, and activities. The largest variables are lodging configuration and whether you book a vacation rental with a kitchen versus eating every meal out. Check Vrbo for family-sized rentals and Expedia for flight-and-hotel bundles.
How many days do you need for a trip to Maui?
Five days is the minimum for a meaningful trip to Maui. You need one full day each for Haleakala and the Road to Hana, plus a beach day and travel days. Seven days is the sweet spot: it adds a rest day and a second beach or boat day. Ten days allows an overnight in Hana and a genuinely relaxed pace. Three days only works as an add-on from another island.
Do you need a rental car on Maui?
Yes, for nearly every itinerary. Public transit exists but does not serve Haleakala Summit, the Road to Hana, or most trailheads. Rideshares are reliable only in the Kihei-Wailea-Lahaina corridor and are difficult to find elsewhere. If you are staying at a single resort and booking organized tours for all excursions, you can skip the car. Otherwise, book one when you book your flights.
Is Maui safe after the 2023 Lahaina fires?
Yes. The vast majority of Maui, including the resort areas of Kaanapali, Wailea, and Kihei, is open and safe. The impacted area is the historic Lahaina town center, which remains closed for rebuilding. The County of Maui and Hawaii Tourism Authority publish current maps of open and closed areas. Respect all closure signs and support local businesses in West Maui when visiting.
What is the best time of year to visit Maui?
April, May, September, and October offer the best combination of good weather, manageable crowds, and lower hotel rates. Winter (December through February) is best for whale watching but has the highest prices and biggest crowds. Summer (June through August) is hot and busy with families. The shoulder seasons in spring and fall are the sweet spot for most travelers.
What reservations do I need for a trip to Maui?
You need advance reservations for Haleakala sunrise (60 days out, recreation.gov), Waianapanapa State Park on the Road to Hana (up to 30 days out), and Iao Valley State Monument. The USS Arizona Memorial on Oahu, if you are island-hopping, also requires reservations. Rental cars should be booked as soon as flights are confirmed. Popular luaus and Molokini snorkel tours book out weeks ahead during peak seasons.
Is Maui good for a trip with kids?
Yes, Maui is excellent for families. Calm beaches like Baby Beach in Lahaina and Ulua Beach in Wailea are safe for young swimmers. The Maui Ocean Center, Surfing Goat Dairy, and the Maui Tropical Plantation are kid-friendly activities that do not require long drives. The Road to Hana can be tough for carsick-prone children, so consider breaking it into two days with an overnight stay in Hana.
Plan your trip: booking platforms we trust
Every platform below has been used by the WakaAbuja team on real Maui trips. None of them pay for placement here. We choose them because they consistently return the best prices or the most reliable inventory for Hawaii travel.