Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Bangor?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bangor 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 Bangor 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: Bangor or Kailua-Kona?
Bangor
Located along the Penobscot River in the U.S. State of Maine, modern Bangor really took off as a center for lumber and shipbuilding industries. Logs could easily be floated down-river to be processed and shipped from port on the Atlantic Ocean 30 miles downstream. Eventually lumbering turned to pulp and paper and shipping turned to railroads, but Bangor remains a city symbolic of industry. The city also has much to offer in shopping and entertainment with bookstores, cafes, restaurants, galleries, and museums located in the downtown area.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBangor $197Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Bangor is $197, 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 Bangor and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBangor $114Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBangor $228Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Bangor and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Bangor 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: Bangor Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bangor $36Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangor
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangor:
- Private Transfer from Bangor Airport(BGR) to Rockland Cruise Port: $71
- Private Transfer from Bangor city hotels to Rockland Cruise Port: $71
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 Bangor or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Bangor 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 dayBangor $54Kailua-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.Bangor $45Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangor
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bangor are as follows:
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Children's Museum (for 4)$32
Tours and Activities in Bangor
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bangor are as follows:
- Bangor Blitz Amazing Race & Tour: $22
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 dayBangor $23Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangor and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Bangor much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Bangor would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangor 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Bangor.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangor Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bangor or Kailua-Kona?
Bangor has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Bangor 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.
When is the best time to visit Bangor or Kailua-Kona?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Bangor or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Bangor are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bangor for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Bangor is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangor in July average around 69°F (21°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
In July, Bangor usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBangor 69°F (21°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Bangor or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona and Bangor during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Bangor because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
In October, Bangor is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Bangor average around 48°F (9°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
Bangor usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Bangor gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBangor 48°F (9°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Bangor or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangor and Kailua-Kona. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bangor this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bangor in the winter. Bangor is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangor averages around 18°F (-8°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bangor usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Bangor gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBangor 18°F (-8°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Bangor or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Bangor as well as Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Bangor for the small town charm.
In the spring, Bangor is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangor in April average around 43°F (6°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
Bangor usually gets more rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Bangor gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBangor 43°F (6°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Bangor
| Bangor | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°F (-8°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 24°F (-5°C) | 4 inches (100 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
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.