A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Bangor vs. Hilo for Food, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bangor or Hilo?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangor and Hilo 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.

Bangor

Bangor is a friendly, laid back, and welcoming town. With fun activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Hilo

Hilo is a authentic, laid back, and mellow town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and hiking.

Bangor and Hilo: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bangor or Hilo?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Hilo. Although Bangor and Hilo are popular destinations, Hilo has more sights and attractions for tourists. Hilo is very popular for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Bangor attracts visitors for its shopping and small town charm. Hilo is more touristy than Bangor and is popular for its nearby rainforests, waterfalls, and green gardens. It is also well known for Akaka Falls State Park. Bangor is famous for its history as a lumber town.

How is Bangor different from Hilo?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bangor or Hilo?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Bangor or Hilo.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bangor. There are a couple of museums around town that focus on culture and daily life in Maine.

Hilo is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Top museums in and around town include the Lyman Museum, the Pacific Tsunami Museum, Imiloa Astronomy Center, and Mokupapapa Discovery Center.

Is the Food Better in Bangor or Hilo? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Hilo is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

Dining out in Hilo is an experience not to be missed. This is the largest city on the island and you'll find a restaurant scene that caters to both locals and tourists. There are a number of local dishes that you can try such as Pla Rad Prik (a Thai fish dish), mushroom pot pie, and crab and avocado melt.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Bangor. For a small town, there are a range of dining options in the area such as seafood, international cuisine, and quick eats.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Nightlife?

Both Bangor and Hilo are reasonable when it comes to partying.

Most people don't head to Bangor specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. There are breweries and bars with laid back vibes and a casual atmosphere.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Hilo. It's a town that goes to bed early, but there are some local bars that have a chill and relaxing atmosphere.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Resorts?

Hilo is a moderate town for its resorts. However, Bangor is not a resort destination.

You might not think of Hilo as a resort destination, but it has a few places. You'll find more hotels than resorts in town.

Bangor is not a resort destination.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Hilo is a moderate town for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Hilo. Richardsons Ocean Park is the best snorkeling spot nearby but, in general, the water near town has poor visibility because of the frequent rain.

Bangor is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Beaches?

Hilo is a town with good options for the beach. However, Bangor is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Hilo. The town isn't really known for its beaches but there are some decent options if you want to stay nearby and hit the coastline. Beaches in the area include Coconut Island, Reeds Bay Beach Park, and Onekahakaha Beach Park.

Bangor is not a beach destination.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Hiking?

Hilo is an amazing town to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Around Hilo visitors will find world-class hiking trails. You'll find incredible hikes in the area to many impressive waterfalls. There are also coastal trails and hikes to spectacular viewpoints.

Bangor is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bangor or Hilo?

Bangor is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Hilo is not known for shopping.

Bangor has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Head downtown for the widest selection of locally own shops and boutiques.

Hilo is a good destination for shopping. You can pick up anything you need in town, just head to Hilo Shopping Center.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Families?

Hilo is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bangor is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Hilo is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The town has an authentic and unpretentious vibe that is fun for families. There are low key beaches, farmer's markets, local museums, and nearby hiking. If you want to stay away from the larger resorts and see a more local side to Hawaii, then this is a great option.

Bangor is a family-friendly town. You'll find a number of parks and walking trails nearby. There's also fruit picking and playgrounds to explore.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Couples?

Hilo is a well-known place for couples. However, Bangor is not a good town for romance.

Hilo is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples will enjoy visiting Liliuokalani Gardens, taking sunset cruises, and sampling the local cuisine. The town also makes a good base for hiking and exploring the beaches on the island.

Bangor is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are local restaurants and several museums in town that couples will enjoy.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hilo is a well-known place for backpackers. However, Bangor is not a good town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Hilo is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. The town has several local hostels that many backpackers prefer for their authentic and mellow atmospheres.

Bangor is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Budget accommodation is available, but most backpackers don't think the visit here.

Is Bangor or Hilo Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bangor and Hilo offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Bangor. There's a bus system, but visitors usually use their own car to get around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Hilo. The Hele-On is a bus service that connects Hilo to Kona with north and south routes.

Is Bangor or Hilo a more walkable city?

Bangor and Hilo both are nice when exploring on foot.

Bangor is a somewhat walkable town. The downtown is compact and easy to explore on foot.

Hilo is somewhat walkable. The downtown is a nice place to take a stroll, but if you want to get out of town, and you really should, then you'll need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Bangor Worth Visiting? and Is Hilo Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Hilo or Bangor?

How long in Bangor or Hilo?

Both Bangor and Hilo have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Hilo than in Bangor. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Bangor, and 3-7 days is enough time in Hilo.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Hilo than Bangor 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 Hilo.

One day in Bangor or Hilo?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Bangor. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Hilo. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Bangor or Hilo?

Bangor is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Hilo is a great place to explore. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Bangor or Hilo?

You'll find shopping and museums around the laid back destination of Bangor. This town offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Hilo. Don't miss the hiking, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Bangor or Hilo?

The friendly town of Bangor offers museums and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Many travelers enjoy the food and museums when visiting the mellow destination of Hilo. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangor and Hilo, we can see that Bangor is more expensive. And not only is Hilo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hilo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilo 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 Bangor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bangor than you might in Hilo.

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

Which is Bigger, Bangor or Hilo?

Hilo has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Bangor. When comparing the sizes of Bangor and Hilo, 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.

When is the best time to visit Bangor or Hilo?

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 Bangor or Hilo in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bangor as well as Hilo. Many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Hilo in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Bangor is cooler than Hilo in the summer. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 69°F (21°C) in July, and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite rainy in Hilo. Bangor usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Hilo in the Autumn?

Both Hilo and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Bangor in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Bangor is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bangor in October average around 48°F (9°C), and Hilo averages at about 76°F (24°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In October, Bangor usually receives less rain than Hilo. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Bangor or Hilo in the Winter?

Both Hilo and Bangor during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Bangor for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Hilo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bangor can be very cold during winter. In January, Bangor is generally much colder than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 18°F (-8°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bangor usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Bangor or Hilo in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Hilo. The spring months attract visitors to Bangor because of the small town charm. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.

Bangor is much colder than Hilo in the spring. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 43°F (6°C) in April, and Hilo fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Hilo receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Bangor usually receives less rain than Hilo. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Hilo and Bangor