Which place is cheaper, Hilo or Berkshires?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Berkshires 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 Berkshires 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.
Where Should I go: Berkshires or Hilo?
Berkshires
The Berkshires are a popular highland destination in the western part of Massachusetts and northwest Connecticut. The region has scenic landscape, hiking, lakes, recreational opportunities and other outdoor experiences. The Berkshires also has an impressive cultural scene with music, arts, museums, and live theaters.
The Berkshires can be a bit expensive to visit if you stay at a luxury resort and take advantage of the award winning restaurants in the area. Alternatively, the experience can be equally rewarding by camping, picnicking, and spending your time hiking and enjoying the beautiful natural setting.
Hilo
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBerkshires $244Hilo $171
The average daily cost (per person) in Berkshires is $244, while the average daily cost in Hilo is $171. 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 Berkshires and Hilo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBerkshires $141Hilo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBerkshires $282Hilo $142
Compare Hotels in Berkshires and Hilo
Looking for a hotel in Berkshires or Hilo? 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: Berkshires Hotel Prices and Hilo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Berkshires $47Hilo $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport (KOA) to Hotels - Big Island: $15
- Departure Transfer from Hotels to Kona International Airport: $15
- Kailua-Kona to Kona Airport at Keahole Private Departure Transfer: $60
- Kona International Airport (KOA) to Kailua-Kona - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
- Kona Intl Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
- Private Departure Transfer - to Keahole Kona Airport (KOA) : $72
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea : $95
- Private Transfer from Hilo Cruise Port to Kona city hotels: $73
- Private Transfer from KOA to Waikoloa beach / Kailua-Kona hotels: $130
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona City Hotels to Kailua Kona Port: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Berkshires or Hilo?
Prices for flights to both Hilo and Berkshires 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 dayBerkshires $73Hilo $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilo
For Hilo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay: $183
- Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls: $249
- Small Group Volcano Experience with Lunch and Restaurant Dinner: $273
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Berkshires $25Hilo $32
Tours and Activities in Berkshires
Here are a few actual costs in Berkshires for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2-Hour Guided Private Forest Bathing Experience Lenox: $40
Tours and Activities in Hilo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hilo.
- Baumkuchen Farm Tour: $5.00
- History and Legends Walking Tour with a Smartphone App: $6.50
- Hilo History and Legends (APP) Audio Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.50
- Big Island Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Big Island: $20
- Big Island - Kona Big Kahuna GPS Driving Tour: $20
- Big Island - North Island Jungle Driving Tour: $20
- Big Island - South Island Coastal Loop Driving Tour: $20
- Abalone Farm Tour: $25
- Experience Our Honey Farm And Beekeeping Tour: $30
- Big Island Farms Tour in Hawaii: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBerkshires $31Hilo $10
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Berkshires and Hilo, we can see that Berkshires 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 Berkshires would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkshires 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 Berkshires Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Berkshires 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 Berkshires or Hilo in the Summer?
Both Hilo and Berkshires during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Hilo in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Berkshires is around the same temperature as Hilo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Berkshires in July average around 72°F (22°C), and Hilo averages at about 76°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Berkshires. In the summer, Berkshires often gets more sunshine than Hilo. Berkshires gets 289 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 169 hours of full sun.
Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Berkshires usually gets less rain in July than Hilo. Berkshires gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBerkshires 72°F (22°C)Hilo 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Hilo in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Berkshires and Hilo. Also, most visitors come to Hilo for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Berkshires is generally much colder than Hilo. Daily temperatures in Berkshires average around 51°F (11°C), and Hilo fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
Berkshires usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during autumn. Berkshires gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Hilo. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBerkshires 51°F (11°C)Hilo 76°F (24°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Hilo in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Berkshires as well as Hilo. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Hilo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Berkshires can be very cold during winter. Berkshires is much colder than Hilo in the winter. The daily temperature in Berkshires averages around 22°F (-6°C) in January, and Hilo fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
In the winter, Berkshires often gets less sunshine than Hilo. Berkshires gets 138 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hilo receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Hilo. Berkshires usually gets less rain in January than Hilo. Berkshires gets 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBerkshires 22°F (-6°C)Hilo 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Berkshires or Hilo in the Spring?
Both Hilo and Berkshires are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Hilo this time of year.
In the spring, Berkshires is much colder than Hilo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Berkshires in April average around 47°F (9°C), and Hilo averages at about 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Berkshires. Berkshires usually receives more sunshine than Hilo during spring. Berkshires gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Hilo receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. In April, Berkshires usually receives less rain than Hilo. Berkshires gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Hilo receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBerkshires 47°F (9°C)Hilo 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Hilo and Berkshires
| Berkshires | Hilo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-4°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) |
| Mar | 35°F (2°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) |
| Apr | 47°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Aug | 70°F (21°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
| Sep | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) |
| Oct | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) |
| Nov | 41°F (5°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) |
| Dec | 28°F (-2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 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.