Should you visit Boston or Honolulu?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the prices of travel for Boston and Honolulu. 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. So, let's dig into it.
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
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 city is cheaper, Honolulu or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $203, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $227. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Boston and Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
Accommodation prices vary by location and style, but travelers pay on average about $264 for a double occupancy room in Boston.
Travelers usually pay around $292 for a double occupancy room in Honolulu If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Boston travelers spend around $40 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
In Honolulu travelers spend around $42 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Boston $40
Honolulu $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
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Boston North End Pizza Tour:
$49
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Historic Taverns and Pizza Tour:
$49
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Boston's North End "Little Italy" Pizza, Cannoli, and Freedom Trail Walking Tour:
$49
-
Haunted Pizza Tour:
$66
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Italian Food Tour with Pizza, Meats, Cheese, & Bread:
$69
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Boston's North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour:
$71
-
Fenway Neighborhood Food Tour (Boston):
$79
-
Boston Buffet Dinner Cruise:
$99
-
Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Boston North End:
$103
-
Spirit of Boston Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet:
$105
-
Boston Dinner Cruise On The Odyssey:
$111
-
Boston Odyssey Dinner Cruise:
$118
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:
-
After Dinner Tour along the Famous Waikiki Beach Strip:
$68
-
Majestic Sunset Dinner and Cocktail Cruise with Live Entertainment:
$97
-
Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path:
$110
-
Hawaiian Style Cooking Classes in Honolulu:
$125
-
Da Local's Food Tour:
$130
-
Three Star Deluxe Sunset Dinner & Show:
$151
-
Private Hawaiian Food Tour by Bike in Oahu:
$159
-
Oahu Fireworks Dinner Cruise:
$162
-
4th of July Sunset Dinner and Fireworks Cruise:
$170
-
Oahu Food Tour with Emmy-Winning 'Cooking Hawaiian Style' Host:
$177
-
Aloha Plate Food Tour:
$177
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Boston is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $28 per person, per day, on local transportation in Boston.
To get around in Honolulu, the average visitor spends $21 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
-
Taxi
$35
-
Subway Daily Pass
$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
-
Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS):
$622
-
Private transfer: Boston Airport (BOS) to Boston:
$622
-
Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$361
-
Boston Airport Transfer Arrival And Departure:
$340
-
Round trip Airport Transfer: Logan - Boston:
$181
-
Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer:
$180
-
Boston Airport Private Sedan Transfer:
$143
-
Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$142
-
Round trip transfer in private vehicle from Boston city -to Boston Airport (BOS):
$138
-
Private Boston Transfer: Cruise Port to Airport or Hotel:
$136
-
Private Boston Transfer: Airport to Hotel or Cruise Port:
$136
-
Private arrival OR departure transfer in Boston (hotel OR airport pick-up):
$132
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:
-
Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal:
$15
-
Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal:
$15
-
Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal:
$16
-
Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport:
$16
-
Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu To Ko'olina:
$22
-
Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal:
$33
-
Private Airport Transfer: Honolulu International Airport (HNL) to Honolulu:
$44
-
Private Airport Transfer: Honolulu to Honolulu International Airport (HNL):
$44
-
Honolulu Private Airport Transfer by Minivan - To Hotels in Waikiki:
$48
-
Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Waikiki:
$56
-
Private Transfer from Waikiki to Honolulu (HLN) Airport:
$56
-
Arrival Lei Greeting and Round Trip Waikiki Transfers:
$57
Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu and Boston 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Boston typically cost an average of $26 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
In Honolulu, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average $32 per person, per day.
Typical Entertainment prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
-
2-Day Trip Philadelphia City Tour from Boston:
$519
-
3-Hour Guided Boston Trolley Tour:
$40
-
6-Day Economy East Coast Tour ( Boston Departure) ( BOAP6E):
$448
-
6-Day Economy East Coast Tour (Boston departure)(BO6E):
$448
-
6-Day Tour East Coast Tour ( Boston Departure) ( BOAP6D):
$560
-
6-Day Tour East Coast Tour (Boston Departure)(BO6):
$560
-
6-Day U.S East Coast Tour (Boston departure) BO6U:
$560
-
7-Days Tour US east coast and Canada tour (Boston Departure) (BO7C):
$706
-
Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: Boston Harbor:
$44
-
Beer Tour:
$80
-
Best of Boston Tour - Private Safe Tour:
$185
-
Boston 90-Minute Historic Sightseeing Cruise:
$30
Typical Entertainment prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
-
Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour:
$5.00
-
Diamond Head Hiking Narrated Tour:
$5.00
-
Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center Tour:
$6.99
-
USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour:
$7.99
-
East Oahu Shoreline Drive Audio Tour:
$12
-
Oahu Grand Circle Island Audio Driving Tour:
$12
-
USS Arizona Memorial Deluxe Tour:
$13
-
Arrival Trasfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Cruise Terminal:
$13
-
North Shore Grand Circle Island Tour’s Honolulu Airport Shuttle Waikiki Hotel:
$14
-
USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Tour and Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Center:
$15
-
Honolulu Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
-
Bishop Museum General Admission Ticket:
$25
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Boston per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Honolulu, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $5.18.
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
-
Haunted Boston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour:
$27
-
Historic Pub Crawl Tour along the Freedom Trail:
$40
-
Craft Brewery Beer Tour:
$82
-
Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour:
$90
-
North End Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
-
Back Bay Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
-
South End Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
When comparing the travel costs between Boston and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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.
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