With rising airfare and car rental prices and so many hotels to choose from, a weekend getaway can turn into a full-fledged mini-vacation — at least from a planning standpoint.

But arranging that island hop doesn't have to be a painful experience, if you follow some basic tips:

Book ahead — the earlier you start looking, the more likely you'll nab the lowest fares available. If you're looking at a holiday weekend trip, that means searching for fares months in advance. Although online travel resources such as www.expedia.com or www.travelocity.com are gaining in popularity, some folks still like to get their options from a local travel agent who knows the ins and outs of bargain hunting and can make first-hand recommendations on Neighbor Island hotels. Going directly to the airlines' Web sites often uncovers special "Web fares." Both Hawaiian and Aloha Airlines offer discounts for online bookings. The bottom line is to start looking early.

Be flexible

Friday afternoons, Sunday evenings and holiday periods are peak travel times to the Neighbor Islands (and everywhere else in the world, for that matter). If you're flexible and don't mind leaving on a Tuesday afternoon or returning on a Thursday night, you'll probably save a sizeable chunk of change. Or if you're willing to fly a commuter airline instead of the major airlines, you'll have more money in your wallet when you reach your destination.

Package deals

Travelers save money by booking a combination of airfare, car rental and hotel room at the same time. Travel experts agree that package deals are always more economical than booking them separately. Companion deals are also popular — so take someone along — it's probably more fun that way, too.