Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Aspen?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Aspen or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Aspen and Kailua-Kona can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Aspen or Kailua-Kona?
Aspen
Aspen is a famous, and notably expensive travel destination. The town is one of the country's most famous and recognizable ski destinations, and prices can climb high during the ski season. Although still expensive, you can often find better deals during the summer months or shoulder seasons. For visitors who want to enjoy the area's hiking, natural beauty, and charm, these are the times to visit.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAspen $293Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Aspen is $293, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $231. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Aspen and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAspen $170Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAspen $340Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Aspen and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Aspen or Kailua-Kona? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Aspen Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Aspen $56Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Aspen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Aspen:
- Aspen hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $226
- Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE) - Private Transfer Arrival or Departure: $269
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Aspen or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Aspen change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayAspen $85Kailua-Kona $58
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Aspen $45Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Aspen
Here are a few actual costs in Aspen for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Aspen Puzzling Adventure: $35
- Highlights of Aspen Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Tour: $40
- Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour: $40
- Aspen's Past to Present Historic Tour: $40
- Dark History Ghost-Themed Guided Walking Tour: $40
- From Past to Present History Walking Tour: $40
- City Highlights Walking Tour: $40
- Aspen's Off the Beaten Path Scenic Walking Tour: $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- Kailua-Kona Glide & Sunset Segway Tour: $195
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAspen $20Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Aspen and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Aspen is more expensive. And not only is Kailua-Kona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kailua-Kona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kailua-Kona 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 Aspen would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Aspen than you might in Kailua-Kona.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Aspen Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Aspen or Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Aspen. When comparing the sizes of Aspen and Kailua-Kona, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.