If you’re looking for cheap hotels in Oahu, you might automatically assume you should stay in Waikiki. While Waikiki is a fantastic place with a lot to offer travelers, I want you to know that there are a few different areas on Oahu where visitors like to stay.

You have options, and I want to make sure you know about all of them before you come to visit!

Depending on your needs, budget, and how you want to spend your time on Oahu, you might want to stay closer to the action in Waikiki, experience the laid-back vibes on the North Shore, or get away from it all in Ko Olina.

Ahead we’re sharing the best areas for cheap hotels on Oahu along with great options for other budgets and activities too. 

How will you know which part of Oahu should you stay on? Let me help you decide…

Waikiki/Honolulu

Waikiki is where most visitors to Oahu stay, and for good reasons. When I need a staycation, I love to go down to Waikiki for an evening or sometimes for an entire weekend. Everything is in one place, and there are many different hotels and resorts in all different price ranges. There are luxury resorts right on the beach and cheaper hotels a few blocks away. Views from some of these resorts are simply stunning, with the gorgeous ocean waters and Diamond Head in the distance.

I’d say if your #1 priority is to find cheap hotels in Oahu, the outskirts of Honolulu will be the best bet. However, some places right in Waikiki will have a nice balance between cost and comfort. 

Things to Do Near Cheap Hotels on Oahu

You will find high-end shopping and dining on Ala Moana Boulevard and inside Ala Moana Mall. The restaurants, bars, and nightlife cannot be beaten.

Of course, Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head are nearby. There are also many museums, including my personal favorites, the Honolulu Museum of Art, the Bishop Museum, and Iolani Palace. Waikiki is also home to the Honolulu Zoo and Honolulu Aquarium.

Nearby Attractions

Waikiki offers decent access to the other parts of the island, making it a great option for people who want to explore all that Oahu has to offer. Depending on traffic, it could take between 35 minutes and an hour to get to the Dole Plantation, and about an hour to get to Haleiwa, the North Shore’s busiest town. From there, you can spend the day exploring the quiet and scenic North Shore.

Honolulu is a city with local community events like farmers markets and Eat the Street, a food truck rally that happens once a month. 

Almost every visitor to Oahu wants to visit Pearl Harbor, which is about a half hour from Waikiki, depending on traffic.

Pros of Waikiki

Waikiki has incredible sunsets. When I think about a Hawaiian vacation, I think about sipping Mai Tais while watching the sunset in Waikiki. Also, Waikiki is walkable. It’s located in the middle of a great city, so there is a lot to do here. You could spend weeks here and never get bored.

If you are a foodie, you will want to be in Waikiki. Some of the best restaurants and world-class chefs are in Waikiki. Waikiki also has the best nightlife of anywhere on the island. In fact, nightlife is pretty much nonexistent in the other areas that cater to visitors.

And, as I mentioned, lots of the cheap hotels on Oahu are located in and around Waikiki. 

Cons of Waikiki

There is a lot of traffic—all of the time. Parking can be difficult and expensive. Most hotels will charge a separate parking fee. If you don’t plan to leave Waikiki, you could get around without a car, but I highly recommend renting a car and getting out of Waikiki. Allow yourself more time to get around than you think that you will need.

Also, you will pay a higher price tag in Waikiki than you’re used to in the mainland, simply because it’s such a large tourist destination (of course, Hawaii Aloha Travel’s Travel Agents can help you get the best prices).

North Shore

Oahu’s fabled North Shore is known for the huge waves that draw surfers from all over t...