Kauai Fun Vacations - How do you go about booking your own trip to Hawaii?

How do you go about booking your own trip to Hawaii?

We'd love to stay at some of the small bed and breakfast or lodge areas we've researched, but if we go this route we cant use at travel agent since they only deal with the big name places they get kickback from. I dont know how to go about finding deals myself though for flight, transfer to Kauai from Honolulu and finding a car without spending a fortune. Anyone do this themselves have the insight? We would be flying from Chicago - O'Hare. When I went through Expedia and those the flights and car alone was going to be around $2000 - does that seem right? My husband is totally against doing it this way and is afraid we'll be lost, confused and stressed if we try this ourselves. What would we do about transfers too? The B&B we found are here: Old Wailuku Inn at Ulupono (Maui; tel. 800/305-4899; www.mauiinn.com) Pineapple Inn Maui (Maui; tel. 877/212-MAUI (6284); www.pineappleinnmaui.com) Victoria Place (Kauai; tel. 808/332-9300) Kauai Country Inn (Kauai; tel. 808/821-0207; www.kauaicountryinn.com)

Public Comments

either a travel agent, or on line
Travelosity.com ....Wondering Knomb!!!!!!!!
Expedia.com
If you're a AAA member, they do it all for free, if not, join, it's well worth it, plus you get hotel and rent a car discounts.
There are several websites you can use. You can book your flights right through the airlines websites. Each airline lists the specials they are running on their site. And if you have found a bed and breakfast you like, call them and make your own reservations. Or you can use a sight like Expedia.com or Travelocity.com Good Luck!
I do it online, is easier. Go to this one ( my fav.) www.sincerelyyours.biz they have competitive prices in there
www.expedia.com << FABYY!
We've had no problems with this and we've gone twice and done it ourselves. Your plane ticket is very easy. You can purchase directly from the airline or from Travelocity, Orbitz etc. Your ticket includes any transfers you need to make. Some flights go to Kauai without stopping at Honolulu. I do not recommend US Air. Try Continental. I would go through the airline directly. We found that using the online services like Travelocity were actually slightly more expensive and didnt save us anything. Finding a car is equally as easy. All the retail chains can be found at the airport on Kauai. You just need to visit the website to do it ahead of time. I think we used Hertz and we were happy. I hope that helps. I notice you are looking for "deals." The specials we have found have all included hotels and you stated you already knew where you wanted to stay. To save money on air fare you'll simply have to book ahead as much as possible and go during the off season (AKA rainy season). You will love it! Where are you flying from? ***********EDIT: Yeah, $2000 is about right. You can wiggle a bit by changing the time of year, but that is just about what we paid both times. Be sure to check with the airline also. Like I said, we actually found Expedia and the others to be more expensive. Booking through the airlines you can also pick your seats. Dont worry about transfers. When you book your flight from Chicago to Kauai, all transfers are included. Those will show up in your travel itinerary. Just make sure you and your luggage are "checked all the way through" to your final destination. You can ask the person at the counter this question when you arrive and check in. The last time we went we almost messed up and were only checked through to Denver, luckily we caught it in time and had her check us "all the way through." One other note, its a very long journey. We decided that the next time we go we will stop off somewhere like Vegas or LA and spend the night just to break up the journey. Of course that will add more cost. The trip is doable, just take a book!! **********EDIT #2 You will be stressed out anyway. One of the flights is bound to be delayed and someone somewhere will get rude with you. Travel is stressful. Being prepared is the best defense against travel stress.
1. Do an on-line search for Bed and Breakfast organizations in Hawaii. Some are unique to just one island. Some will even take reserv. without deposits. 2. Use priceline.com to research airlines but go directly to airlines to purchase. 3. We visited 4 islands this Jan. and stayed at both hotels and B&B. Fodors and Frommers Hawaii Guide books give lists of hotels and BB, with ratings and prices. 4. We flew from the East coast into Orange County(John Wayne) airport, stayed a few days and then used Aloha Airlines to fly to Maui. Used Aloha and Island Air between islands. Use the internet to find best prices. Prices vary according to how full the flight is.Airline fare from East coast to Maui was actually cheaper doing it this way rather than a continuous flight from East Coast to Hawaii. It is about 6 hours from East Coast to CA and another 6 hours from West coast to Hawaii. 5. Check car rental prices on-line. Dollar Rent a car was cheapest in January. 6. If you are going to the big island (Hawaii) check out Kona Tiki Hotel, oceanfront and less than $100/day.
I used to live near Honolulu and I'm going back tomorrow night. I have never heard of a bed and breakfast, I think that's more of a European style thing that you would find more of on the mainland. A transfer from Honolulu to Kauai is easy, Hawaiian airlines I believe has a $75. island to island travel price. You should book online to save money instead of a travel agency, don't go to those sites like expedia and such, it takes more time, but you will save money if you go to the airlines' websites directly and check each individual one. You will be more likely to find something within the price range you want. Hope I helped
One of my favourite travel sites for Bed and Breakfasts http://www.bandbunitedstates.com