Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Big Island of Hawaii?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Big Island of Hawaii or Denali National Park, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Big Island of Hawaii is a relaxing, adventure-filled, and laid back island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.
Denali National Park is a epic, vast, and rugged park. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Big Island of Hawaii. Although Big Island of Hawaii and Denali National Park are popular destinations, Big Island of Hawaii has more sights and attractions for tourists. Big Island of Hawaii is more touristy than Denali National Park and is known for its active volcanoes, black sand beaches, and majestic manta rays. It is also well known for the Waipio Valley Overlook. Denali National Park is famous for its vast wilderness and iconic Alaskan wildlife.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Denali National Park and Big Island of Hawaii. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Big Island of Hawaii is very good for its historical sights. However, Denali National Park is not known for its sights and museums.
Big Island of Hawaii offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several local museums around the island such as the Hulihe'e Palace and 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. There's also the Hawaii Plantation Museum and the Lyman House Museum.
Denali National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Denali's Museum Collection includes more than 25,000 different items that reflect the region's history, culture, and geology.
Big Island of Hawaii is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Denali National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Big Island of Hawaii has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. It can be challenging to find local restaurants that aren't catering to the tourist crowd, but when you do you'll be rewarded with great local dishes. Seafood, poke bowls, and shave ice are all popular.
Denali National Park may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. During the summer months there are restaurants open along Highway 3 as well as the Morino Grill near the Denali Visitor Center.
Big Island of Hawaii is adequate for nightlife and partying. However, Denali National Park is not known for its evening party scene.
Big Island of Hawaii doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is very chill with many local places that have live music and drinks. You won't find any major nightclubs, but there are karaoke bars and laid back breweries. The most options are found in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
People don't go to Denali National Park for the nightlife. Visitors come to the park to see the nature, not for the nightlife.
Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for its resorts.
If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Big Island of Hawaii is a perfect choice. There are a number of beautiful luxury resorts on the island like the Hilton Waikoloa Village, the Four Seasons Resort, and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.
Denali National Park has a few great resort options. Most visitors stay nearby the Denali Park Entrance. It has the most affordable hotels and lodges, some of which have a lot of personality. Alternatively, you could stay in the more remote area of Kantishna. These lodges are more expensive and all-inclusive, but they are also far away from most conveniences.
Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Denali National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
The scuba diving and snorkeling in Big Island of Hawaii is not to be missed. There are a number of beautiful snorkeling spots where you'll see beautiful fish and sometimes even sea turtles. A bucket list experience is also diving or snorkeling with the manta rays, which will take your breath away.
Denali National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for the beache. However, Denali National Park is not a beach destination.
With world-famous beaches, Big Island of Hawaii is a very popular vacation destination. This is a younger island than most in Hawaii, so the beaches are varied and diverse. You'll find white sand beaches, black volcanic sand beaches, and even green sand. There are also areas where the lava rock reaches the ocean. Hapuna Beach is a favorite as is Honl's Beach.
Denali National Park is not a beach destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for hiking. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for the nearby hiking options.
Many people visit Big Island of Hawaii specifically for its hiking. The island is filled with miles of spectacular hiking trails. They'll take you to iconic waterfalls, world-renowned viewpoints, and through fields of lava rocks. Many people spend days hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but there are also impressive hikes along the Kona Coast.
Denali National Park has hiking trails worth exploring. If you're looking for a marked trail, there are limited options within the park. Those that do exist are located near the park entrance and are usually just a couple of miles long. Off-trail hiking is what makes for the most memorable experience. Make sure you stop off at the visitor center for information and knowledge before you venture into the wilderness without a trail. For obvious reasons, you should fully understand what this entails before beginning your adventure.
Big Island of Hawaii is a great island for its shopping opportunities. However, Denali National Park is not known for its shopping areas.
Big Island of Hawaii is well-known for its shopping. There are many local artisan shops on the island, particular in Hilo, Historic Kailua Village and along the Kohala Coast. You'll find handmade quilts, wooden carved products, and handcrafted jewelry.
Denali National Park has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are several park stores and shops in and near the park where you can pick up gifts, books, and souvenirs.
Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for its family-friendly activities.
Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most popular family destinations. Families will enjoy the laid back island vibe. You can spend some time on the beach and then head inland to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If your kids are adventurous, the island is a great place to dive or snorkel with manta rays. There are also great hikes, helicopter rides, and luaus.
Denali National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. Most people visit the park as part of a tour, so it's important to book a tour that is designed with families in mind. This will help ensure the kids stay entertained even during long bus rides.
Big Island of Hawaii is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Denali National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice park for couples.
For those traveling as a couple, Big Island of Hawaii has plenty to offer. Couples who enjoy a relaxed beach vibe will love a visit to this laid back island. There are upscale resorts as well as independent hotels that have a more personal style. The island also has stunning views, impressive hikes, and countless opportunities for romance.
Denali National Park is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy outdoor adventures and stunning scenery will find the ultimate romance in this impressive park.
Denali National Park is renowned for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Big Island of Hawaii is not as popular, but is still a nice island for backpackers.
Many backpackers frequent Denali National Park. There are millions of acres in the park as well as campgrounds, hostels, and vast backcountry (which requires a permit).
Big Island of Hawaii is a great island to visit for backpackers. This is one of the most popular islands for backpackers. It has a mellow atmosphere that appeals to young travelers. There are also hostels on the island, but transportation can be challenging.
Big Island of Hawaii and Denali National Park both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.
Public transit is mostly limited in Big Island of Hawaii. There is a bus service that connects Kona and Hilo. It's called the Hele-On and there are both north and south routes.
Public transit is generally limited in Denali National Park. There are free shuttle buses that leave from the entrance area, but many visitors organize a tour to get around.
Neither Big Island of Hawaii or Denali National Park are walkable places.
Big Island of Hawaii is not a very walkable island. It's the largest of the Hawaiian islands and a car is necessary if you want to see the whole thing.
Denali National Park is not a walkable island. The park is vast and you need some form of transportation to get around, whether it's a private vehicle or a pre-arranged tour.
For even more information, also check out Is Big Island of Hawaii Worth Visiting? and Is Denali National Park Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Big Island of Hawaii or Denali National Park. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-14 days is a good amount of time for Big Island of Hawaii, and 2-4 days is enough time in Denali National Park.
Families should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Denali National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Big Island of Hawaii, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Denali National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Big Island of Hawaii that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Denali National Park 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 Big Island of Hawaii.
Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the beautiful destination of Big Island of Hawaii. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Many travelers enjoy the when visiting the beautiful destination of Denali National Park. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
Big Island of Hawaii is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Denali National Park is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this park has to offer. This park offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Many people visit Big Island of Hawaii for five days. Many travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the beautiful island of Big Island of Hawaii. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.
Many people visit Denali National Park for five days. You'll find around the beautiful park of Denali National Park. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.
Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Big Island of Hawaii. Many people spend one week here. Hikers are also drawn to this area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Big Island of Hawaii, one week is sufficent for most.
The vast destination of Denali National Park offers . It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Island of Hawaii is $250, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $218. 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 Big Island of Hawaii and Denali National Park in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Big Island of Hawaii or Denali National Park? 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.
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Big Island of Hawaii 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
When comparing the travel costs between Big Island of Hawaii and Denali National Park, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Island of Hawaii Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.
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.
Both Denali National Park and Big Island of Hawaii are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Big Island of Hawaii is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Island of Hawaii in July average around 76°F (24°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).
It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. In July, Big Island of Hawaii usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Big Island of Hawaii gets 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Denali National Park and Big Island of Hawaii during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Denali National Park this time of year.
It's quite cold in Denali National Park in the autumn. In October, Big Island of Hawaii is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Big Island of Hawaii average around 76°F (24°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. Big Island of Hawaii usually gets more rain in October than Denali National Park. Big Island of Hawaii gets 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Island of Hawaii and Denali National Park. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Denali National Park. Big Island of Hawaii is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Island of Hawaii averages around 72°F (22°C) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).
Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Big Island of Hawaii usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Big Island of Hawaii gets 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Big Island of Hawaii as well as Denali National Park. Many travelers come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.
Denali National Park can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Big Island of Hawaii is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Island of Hawaii in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).
Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the spring. Big Island of Hawaii usually gets more rain in April than Denali National Park. Big Island of Hawaii gets 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Big Island of Hawaii | Denali National Park | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
Feb | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
May | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
Jul | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
Nov | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
Dec | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |