A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Big Sur vs. Honolulu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Big Sur or Honolulu?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Big Sur and Honolulu can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Big Sur or Honolulu?

Big Sur

Big Sur is the 90-mile stretch of the California Central Coast which runs from the Carmel River in Monterey County south to San Carpoforo Creek in San Luis Obispo County and 20 miles east into the Santa Lucius Foothills.

However you look at it, California's Central Coast is beautiful and undoubtedly a huge tourist trap. If you're not willing to fork over big bucks for overnight stays on coastal hotels, be prepared ahead of time with your camping gear and get ready to go off the beaten track to avoid crowds as best you can and save your wallet.

While the weather in Central Coast is overall, mild and temperate, between 50 and 70 degrees year-round. The highs and lows during the year are in August and January, respectively, with dry summers and wet winters, making April through October the best times to visit but be warned: there will be crowds.

Honolulu

Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.

Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Big Sur?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Big Sur is $0.00, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Sur and Honolulu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Big Sur $165
    Honolulu $183
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Big Sur $330
    Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Big Sur and Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Big Sur or Honolulu? 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.

Hotels in Big Sur


Hotels in Honolulu


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: Honolulu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Big Sur -
    Honolulu $26

Typical Local Transportation prices in Honolulu

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $35
  • Airport Shuttle for Two
    $30
  • Hilton Parking
    $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu

Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu International Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $271
  • Honolulu Airport HNL Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $253
  • Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
  • Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers: $174
  • Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Mercedes Van(up to 14ppl): $160
  • Oahu: 3 Ziplines and Coral Crater Tour with Transfer: $147
  • Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
  • Private Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Honolulu Cruise Terminal to Honolulu International Airport: $136
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Honolulu International Airport to Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal: $136
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Luxury SUV: $134
  • Private Transfer: Honolulu - Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Executive SUV: $131
  • Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu -Waikiki by Executive SUV: $131

Is it cheaper to fly into Big Sur or Honolulu?

Prices for flights to both Honolulu and Big Sur 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Big Sur -
    Honolulu $53

Typical Food prices in Honolulu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:


  • Dinner for Two
    $73
  • Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream
    $5.55
  • Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)
    $53
  • Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)
    $34
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)
    $7.50
  • Hot Dog with the Fixins'
    $8.30
  • Sushi Dinner for Two
    $73

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu

For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $140
  • Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
  • Hawaiian Food Tours 7AM - 1 PM Half Day : $170
  • Sunset Dinner W/ Turtle Snorkeling +5 Activity (Free Pickup): $179
  • Local Grinds Food Tour in Chinatown 8AM - 1PM: $180
  • Hawaiian Food Tour 7AM - 1PM: $180
  • Lanai Tabura curated Aloha Plate Hawaii Food Tour with Pickup: $199
  • Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour with Pickup: $239

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Big Sur -
    Honolulu $40

Tours and Activities in Big Sur

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Big Sur.

  • Big Sur California: Pacific Coast Highway Self-Drive Tour: $15
  • Big Sur Highway 1: Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15

Typical Entertainment prices in Honolulu

For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Parking for Hike
    $5.00
  • Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two
    $12
  • 2 hr Dinner Cruise
    $85
  • 1 Day Kayak Rental
    $36

Tours and Activities in Honolulu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.

  • Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $74
  • 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
  • 100% Private Pearl Harbor Tour: $600
  • 3 Hour Sightseeing *SPECIALTY Tour: $149
  • 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $65
  • 3 Hour Waikiki Waterslide and Ocean Playground Cruise: $95
  • 3-Hour Adventure in Waikiki Water Park Adventure: $127
  • 5 Hour Half Day Island Jeep Tour: $190
  • 5 Hour Small Group Tour in Pearl Harbor and Honolulu: $134
  • 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
  • 6 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $260
  • 6 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater Adventure Park with Trans: $235

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Big Sur -
    Honolulu $6.47

Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:

  • Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $37
  • Dolphins, Cave, and Local Distillery: $99

How are these travel costs calculated?

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


When is the best time to visit Big Sur or Honolulu?

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 Big Sur or Honolulu in the Summer?

Both Honolulu and Big Sur are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In the summer, Big Sur is much colder than Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Big Sur in July average around 63°F (17°C), and Honolulu averages at about 81°F (27°C).

In July, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Big Sur gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Big Sur 63°F (17°C) 
    Honolulu 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Honolulu in the Autumn?

Both Honolulu and Big Sur during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In October, Big Sur is generally much colder than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Big Sur average around 62°F (17°C), and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

Big Sur usually gets less rain in October than Honolulu. Big Sur gets 0.6 inches (14 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Big Sur 62°F (17°C) 
    Honolulu 80°F (26°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Honolulu in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Sur and Honolulu.

Big Sur is much colder than Honolulu in the winter. The daily temperature in Big Sur averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In January, Big Sur usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Big Sur gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Big Sur 51°F (11°C) 
    Honolulu 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Big Sur or Honolulu in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Big Sur as well as Honolulu.

In the spring, Big Sur is much colder than Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Big Sur in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Honolulu averages at about 76°F (24°C).

Big Sur usually gets less rain in April than Honolulu. Big Sur gets 1.1 inches (29 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Big Sur 56°F (13°C) 
    Honolulu 76°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Honolulu and Big Sur

Big Sur Honolulu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 51°F (11°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 53°F (12°C) 1.8 inches (47 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 54°F (12°C) 2.1 inches (55 mm) 74°F (24°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 56°F (13°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm) 76°F (24°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
May 59°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 78°F (25°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Jun 62°F (16°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Jul 63°F (17°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Aug 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Oct 62°F (17°C) 0.6 inches (14 mm) 80°F (26°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Nov 56°F (13°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Dec 51°F (10°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (98 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.
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Big Sur vs. Honolulu Travel Comparison

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