Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Boone?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boone or Kailua-Kona?
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 Boone and Kailua-Kona can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Boone or Kailua-Kona?
Boone
Boone is located in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains in North Carolina. It is a popular destination in large part because it is the home of Appalachian State University, but even independent of the school, it is a great tourist destination. It also makes a good base for a ski vacation. The town has a population of just over 17,000 and is the county seat of Watauga County. It's named for the well known American pioneer, Daniel Boone. During the summer you can catch an outdoor drama, Horn of the West, that highlights the history of the area during the American Revolutionary War.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoone $173Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Boone is $173, 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 Boone and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoone $91Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoone $182Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Boone and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Boone 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: Boone Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boone $33Kailua-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 Boone or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Boone 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 dayBoone $53Kailua-Kona $58
Typical Food Prices in Boone
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boone:
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Restaurant Lunch for 2$20
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.Boone $53Kailua-Kona $40
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoone $26Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boone and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Boone much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boone would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boone 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 Boone.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boone Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boone or Kailua-Kona?
Boone has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Boone 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.