A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Blue Ridge vs. Kailua-Kona for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Blue Ridge or Kailua-Kona?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Blue Ridge and Kailua-Kona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Blue Ridge or Kailua-Kona?

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a resort town, located in the northern part of Georgia in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is a popular destination for outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and even whitewater rafting. Whether you wish to stay in a cozy cabin or luxury resort, the environment is one enveloped by the natural beauty of mountain scenery.

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 Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Blue Ridge and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Blue Ridge much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Blue Ridge would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Blue Ridge Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Blue Ridge or Kailua-Kona?

Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge or Kailua-Kona?

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 Blue Ridge or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Blue Ridge as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Blue Ridge is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In the summer, Blue Ridge often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Blue Ridge gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the summer. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Blue Ridge gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?

Both Kailua-Kona and Blue Ridge are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Blue Ridge is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Blue Ridge in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Blue Ridge gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Blue Ridge gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?

Both Kailua-Kona and Blue Ridge during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Blue Ridge can be very cold. In January, Blue Ridge is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Blue Ridge average around 40°F (5°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).

In the winter, Blue Ridge often gets less sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Blue Ridge gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.

Kailua-Kona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. Blue Ridge usually gets more rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Blue Ridge gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Blue Ridge or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Blue Ridge and Kailua-Kona. The small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year.

Blue Ridge is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Blue Ridge averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Blue Ridge, it's very sunny this time of the year. Blue Ridge usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Blue Ridge gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Blue Ridge usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Blue Ridge gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Blue Ridge