Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boston 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 Boston 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: Boston or Kailua-Kona?
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.
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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoston $255Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $255, 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 Boston and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoston $166Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoston $332Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Boston and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Boston 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: Boston Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boston $37Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Private Departure Transfer to Boston Airport BOS: $28
- Private Arrival Transfer from (BOS) Boston Airport: $28
- Cruiseport Boston to Boston Airport (BOS) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Boston Airport(BOS) to Flynn Cruiseport Boston - Arrival Transfer: $38
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Airport (BOS) to City Downtown: $69
- Transfer in private vehicle from Boston Downtown to Boston Airport (BOS): $69
- Boston to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) - Departure Private Transfer: $79
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS Business-Luxury Vehicle: $84
- Private Transfer from Boston City Hotels to Newport Cruise Port: $88
- Private transfer: Boston to Boston Airport (BOS): $96
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 Boston or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona 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
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Food Meals for one dayBoston $49Kailua-Kona $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $68
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $79
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
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.Boston $33Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Self Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking Tour: $5.00
- Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem: $5.00
- Underground Railroad Audio App Self-Guided Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $5.95
- Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App: $5.99
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $5.99
- App Self-guided tours with Audioguide Boston: $6.42
- Self-Guided Boston's Beacon Hill Underground Railroad Audio Tour Walking Tour: $7.75
- Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
- City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
- Boston History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Charlestown: Bunker Hill Monument Self-Guide Walking Tour: $7.99
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
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoston $27Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Boston Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
When comparing the travel costs between Boston and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Boston 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.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boston Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boston or Kailua-Kona?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Boston 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 Boston or Kailua-Kona?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Boston or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Boston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Boston in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Boston is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 73°F (23°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. Boston usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Boston gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Boston usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Boston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBoston 73°F (23°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Boston or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona and Boston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Boston for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Boston is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Boston in October average around 54°F (12°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
In the autumn, Boston often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Boston gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Boston usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Boston gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBoston 54°F (12°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Boston or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Boston and Kailua-Kona. The winter months attract visitors to Boston because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Boston can be very cold. In January, Boston is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Boston average around 29°F (-2°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Boston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona during winter. Boston gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Boston usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Boston gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBoston 29°F (-2°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Boston or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Boston as well as Kailua-Kona. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Boston this time of year.
Boston is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Boston averages around 48°F (9°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. In the spring, Boston often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Boston gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
Boston usually gets more rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Boston gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBoston 48°F (9°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Boston
| Boston | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 29°F (-2°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 38°F (4°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 54°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 45°F (7°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 33°F (1°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
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.