Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Boise?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boise or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Boise or Kailua-Kona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Boise or Kailua-Kona?
Boise
The capital of the U.S. state of Idaho, Boise is an urban center with the adventure of the outdoors just a step away. The metropolis itself has an active arts community and a lively downtown filled with shops and restaurants. Boise is a regional hub for jazz, theater, and indie music, hosting musical festivals throughout the year and several theater groups that operate in the city. There is even a Department of Arts and History that was created with the goal of promoting the arts, culture, and history of the city among its residents and visitors.
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 Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoise $146Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Boise is $146, 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 Boise and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoise $75Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoise $150Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Boise and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Boise 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: Boise Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boise $34Kailua-Kona $45
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 Boise or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Boise 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 dayBoise $45Kailua-Kona $58
Typical Food Prices in Boise
For Boise, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Hotel$59
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Cracker Barrel Lunch (for 4)$55
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.Boise $30Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boise
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Boise's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Edwards Boise Imax$27
Tours and Activities in Boise
For Boise, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Boise Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.23
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Boise by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Sights & Highlights Walking tour: $11
- Boise Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
- A Macabre History of Boise Walking Tour: $25
- Boise River: Guided Rafting, Swimming, and Wildlife Tour: $68
- Hells Canyon Kirkwood Jet Boat Tour near Boise, Idaho: $218
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:
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
- Kailua-Kona Glide & Sunset Segway Tour: $195
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoise $24Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boise and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Boise much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boise would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boise 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 Boise.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boise Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boise or Kailua-Kona?
Boise has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Boise 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.
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.