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

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Should you visit Boston or Honolulu?

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 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, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Boston or Honolulu?

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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Boston and Honolulu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boston $132
    Honolulu $146
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boston $264
    Honolulu $292
Compare Hotels in Boston and Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Boston 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 Boston


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: Boston Hotel Prices and Honolulu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boston $28
    Honolulu $21
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.





Food
  • 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.

  • Boston's North End "Little Italy" Pizza, Cannoli, and Freedom Trail Walking Tour: $49
  • Boston's North End Small-Group Walking Food Tour: $71
  • Fenway Neighborhood Food Tour (Boston): $79
  • Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $81
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Boston North End: $103
  • Spirit of Boston Sunset Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $105
  • Boston Odyssey Dinner Cruise: $118
  • Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Odyssey: $122
  • North End Neighborhood Food Tour: $150

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boston $26
    Honolulu $32
Typical Entertainment prices in Boston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:


  • Two Tickets to Celtics Game
    $101
  • Duck Tour
    $32

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
  • 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 Back Bay Tourist Scavenger Hunt: $36
  • Boston Chocolate Tours w/ Private Tour Option: $204

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 Virtual Reality Center Tour: $4.95
  • 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
  • Oahu: Grand Circle Island Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
  • 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

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boston $22
    Honolulu $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: $56
  • Sip of Boston Guided Brewery Tour: $90

Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:

  • Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $68

About these numbers

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.


When is the best time to visit Boston or Honolulu?

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 Boston or Honolulu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Boston as well as Honolulu. Most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Boston is cooler than Honolulu in the summer. The temperature in Boston is usually 73°F (23°C) in July, and Honolulu stays around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In the summer, Boston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu. Boston gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.

Boston usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Boston 73°F (23°C) 
    Honolulu 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Boston or Honolulu in the Autumn?

Both Honolulu and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Boston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Boston is much colder than Honolulu. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boston in October are around 54°F (12°C), and Honolulu is about 80°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Honolulu. Boston usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during autumn. Boston gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Boston usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Boston 54°F (12°C) 
    Honolulu 80°F (26°C)

Should I visit Boston or Honolulu in the Winter?

Both Honolulu and Boston during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

It's quite cold in Boston in the winter. In January, Boston is generally much colder than Honolulu. Temperatures in Boston average around 29°F (-2°C), and Honolulu stays around 73°F (23°C).

In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Boston often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Boston gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Boston usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Boston 29°F (-2°C) 
    Honolulu 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Boston or Honolulu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Honolulu. Many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Boston is much colder than Honolulu in the spring. The temperature in Boston is usually 48°F (9°C) in April, and Honolulu stays around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In Boston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Boston usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during spring. Boston gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Boston usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Boston 48°F (9°C) 
    Honolulu 76°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Honolulu and Boston

Boston Honolulu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 29°F (-2°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 30°F (-1°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 38°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm) 74°F (24°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm) 76°F (24°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
May 58°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 78°F (25°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Jun 68°F (20°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Aug 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 64°F (18°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Oct 54°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 80°F (26°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Nov 45°F (7°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Dec 33°F (1°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)


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Boston vs. Honolulu Travel Comparison

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