A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Kauai for Resorts, Hiking, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Asheville or Kauai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Asheville and Kauai. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Asheville

Asheville is a open-minded, eclectic, and outdoorsy mountain town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As this is a very quaint destination, you'll find it has a special atmosphere. It's also popular because of the live music, food, and hiking.

Kauai

Kauai is a dramatic, idyllic, and scenic island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Asheville and Kauai: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Kauai?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Kauai. Although Asheville and Kauai are both popular with visitors, Kauai has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Kauai is more popular for its museums, food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Asheville is known for its nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Kauai is more touristy than Asheville and is popular for its waterfalls, canyons, and diverse rainforests. It is also home to Waimea Canyon. Asheville is popular for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate.

How is Asheville different from Kauai?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kauai and Asheville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Kauai?

Kauai is a good destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Kauai offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are local museums that educate visitors on the island's history and culture. You can also visit sugar plantations and art galleries.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Kauai? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kauai is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kauai. The food in Kauai combines the island's diverse cultures into a unique mix of flavors. There's fresh seafood, tropical fruit, and, of course, spam. You'll find common dishes like poke bowls and coconut shrimp, as well as more local dishes such as poi and lomi lomi.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its evening party scene. Also, Kauai is not as popular, but is still a nice island for nightlife.

The nightlife in Asheville has something for everybody. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kauai. The island has more of a relaxed vibe than a party vibe, but there are plenty of places to listen to live music. There are also local dive bars as well as wine bars and upscale lounges where you can enjoy a drink. Many often have a dance floor as well.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Music?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its music scene. However, Kauai is not a live music destination.

Asheville has a thriving music scene. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Kauai is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Resorts?

Kauai is an unbeatable place for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

Vacationers flock to Kauai for its luxury resorts. You'll find major resorts of all forms and sizes. Most of the major hotel chains have resorts on the island, including the Marriott, the Sheraton, and Hyatt.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Kauai is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Kauai. There aren't as many snorkeling and diving options as there are on some of the other Hawaiian islands, but you'll still find plenty of places to enjoy the underwater world. Popular snorkeling spots around the island include Ke'e Beach, Haena Beach Park, and Anini Beach.

Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Beaches?

Kauai is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Kauai offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is filled with scenic beaches and idyllic coastline. The water conditions can be highly variable, so you should check with a local before entering the water. But the island has about 50 miles of sandy coastline that will take your breath away. You'll also likely see Hawaiian monk seals or sea turtles on the beach.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is adequate for its historic old town charm. However, Kauai does not have a historic old town.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Kauai does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Hiking?

Kauai is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Kauai is well-known for its hiking and trekking. Kauai is a beautiful island with world famous hikes through the stunning mountains. The hiking trails take you through lush rainforests and along scenic coastlines. The mountains climb high and the trails range from easy to challenging. Popular hikes include the Awawawapuhi Nualolo Trail, the Cliff Trail to Waipoo Falls, and the Kalalau Trail.IL

Many visitors go to Asheville for the hiking trails. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Kauai?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its shopping areas. Also, Kauai is not as popular, but is still a nice island for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Asheville. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Kauai is a great destination for shopping. There's a mix of local shopping centers and larger retail malls.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Kauai does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is a very popular destination during Christmas. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Kauai does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is adequate for visiting Christmas markets. However, Kauai does not offer Christmas markets.

During the holidays, visitors often browse through the Christmas markets in Asheville. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Kauai does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Families?

Both Asheville and Kauai are excellent family-friendly destinations.

Asheville is a very kid-friendly mountain town. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Kauai. There are kid-friendly hikes, beautiful bike rides, and many family-friendly beaches. Do keep in mind that many beaches have strong currents and large waves, so they're not the most kid-friendly. Good options include Poipu Beach and Lydgate Beach Park.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Couples?

Kauai is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Kauai is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. "The Garden Isle" is a world class honeymoon destination with stunning beaches and iconic hikes. There are romantic resorts and many adventure activities that couples can enjoy such as whale watching and scuba diving.

Asheville is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great mountain town for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Kauai is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Kauai. There are a couple of hostels on the island, but you'll likely need a car to get around, which can make this an expensive destination.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Students?

Asheville is a great mountain town for its student-friendly activities. However, Kauai is not popular with students.

Many students visit Asheville. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Kauai is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Kauai Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Kauai.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Public transit is mostly limited in Kauai. There are buses on the island, but it's difficult to rely on them as a visitor.

Is Asheville or Kauai a more walkable city?

Asheville is a good destination for its ease of walking around. However, Kauai is not known for its walkability.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable mountain town. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Kauai is not a walkable mountain town. While there are great hikes on the island, you really need a car to get most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Kauai Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kauai or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Kauai?

Asheville and Kauai both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Kauai than Asheville because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 5-14 days is enough time in Kauai.

Families should spend more time in Kauai than Asheville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Kauai, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kauai than Asheville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kauai that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Kauai if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Asheville.

One day in Asheville or Kauai?

In Asheville, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this outdoorsy destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This mountain town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

You'll find nightlife and food around the island of Kauai. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Kauai?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Asheville. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the scenic destination of Kauai. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Kauai?

Asheville is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the scenic island of Kauai. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Asheville or Kauai?

You'll find live music and food around the outdoorsy destination of Asheville. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Kauai is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Kauai, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Kauai, we can see that Kauai is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Kauai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kauai than you might in Asheville.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Asheville Expensive? and Is Kauai Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Asheville or Kauai?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Asheville or Kauai in the Summer?

Both Kauai and Asheville during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.

In the summer, Asheville is around the same temperature as Kauai. Typically, the summer temperatures in Asheville in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).

In Kauai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the summer, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 255 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually gets more rain in July than Kauai. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Kauai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Kauai. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kauai for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Asheville is generally cooler than Kauai. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 64°F (18°C), and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kauai this time of the year. In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during autumn. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 208 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kauai. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Asheville or Kauai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Kauai. Many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, many visitors come to Kauai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Asheville is much colder than Kauai in the winter. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 44°F (7°C) in January, and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In the winter, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 174 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kauai. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Kauai in the Spring?

Both Kauai and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Kauai for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Asheville is cooler than Kauai. Typically, the spring temperatures in Asheville in April average around 64°F (18°C), and Kauai averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Kauai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during spring. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 206 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In April, Asheville usually receives more rain than Kauai. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kauai and Asheville