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

Should you visit Boulder 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 Boulder 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: Boulder or Honolulu?

Boulder

Boulder is located on the edge of the Rocky Mountains in the state of Colorado. As home to the University of Colorado at Boulder, it's a college town with a liberal vibe and progressive values. In recent years, Boulder's economy has received a boost from the tech industry, which has grown rapidly in the area.

Boulder is also a great city to visit. It's surrounded by a beautiful mountain setting and there are countless outdoor sporting activities that you can enjoy. One unique aspect of Boulder is its role as home to many serious athletes who come here to train in the area's top facilities and programs.

Boulder's climate is similar to most of Colorado. It's a dry city with plenty of sunshine. Winters can vary dramatically from mild to incredibly cold and snowfall averages 44 inches a season. Summers are warm and dry with temperatures climbing above 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the warmest months.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Boulder?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Boulder is $191, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Boulder and Honolulu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Boulder $102
    Honolulu $183
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Boulder $204
    Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Boulder and Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Boulder 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 Boulder


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: Boulder Hotel Prices and Honolulu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Boulder $51
    Honolulu $26

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:

  • VIP Transfer: Ko Olina to Honolulu Airport or Vice Versa: $199
  • Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers: $181
  • Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
  • HNL Airport & Waikiki Private Transfer by Brand New Mercedes Van: $160
  • Arrival Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by Executive Car: $157
  • Oahu: 3 Ziplines and Coral Crater Tour with Transfer: $147
  • Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
  • VIP Transfer Between Waikiki & Honolulu Airport, /vice versa: $136
  • Honolulu Private Transfer from/to Airport,Port (1-12 Passengers): $128
  • Honolulu Hawaii Airport Transfer: $115
  • Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu/ Waikiki - Round-Trip Transfer: $101
  • Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by SUV(up to 6 people): $100

Is it cheaper to fly into Boulder or Honolulu?

Prices for flights to both Honolulu and Boulder 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
    Boulder $54
    Honolulu $53
Typical Food Prices in Boulder

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Boulder:


  • 2 Coffees
    $8.75
  • Nice Dinner for Two
    $71

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:

  • Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
  • Honolulu City Lights Dinner Tour: $177

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Boulder $33
    Honolulu $40

Tours and Activities in Boulder

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Boulder.

  • E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $105
  • "Boulder Peaks & Wilderness Tours: Mallory Cave Trail": $65
  • 2 Hours Drone Experience with Pro Pilot and Photographer: $120
  • Amazing Boulder Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
  • Astronomy Tour: $45
  • Best Family Small-Group E-Bike Guided Tour in Boulder, Colorado: $105
  • Best of Boulder E-Bike Tour: $104
  • Boulder Backroads: E-Bike Dirt Road Tour: $250
  • Boulder Flatirons Private Photo Adventure: $85
  • Boulder Ghost Tour: $20
  • Boulder Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Boulder Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25

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 USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $80
  • 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
  • 1 Hour Private Luxury Classic Car Sightseeing City Tour Honolulu: $138
  • 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $65
  • 3 Hour Waikiki Waterslide and Ocean Playground Cruise: $113
  • 5 Hour Small Group Tour in Pearl Harbor and Honolulu: $145
  • 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
  • 6 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $276
  • 6 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater Adventure Park with Trans: $235
  • 8 Hour Circle Island Jeep Tour: $275
  • All Inclusive Ultimate Circle Island Day Tour and Waimea Falls: $156
  • Aloha Adventures: A Family Walking Tour in Waikiki: $533

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Boulder $27
    Honolulu $6.47

Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:

  • Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $37


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boulder and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is Boulder much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Boulder would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boulder 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu than you might in Boulder.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boulder Expensive? and Is Honolulu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Boulder or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Boulder. When comparing the sizes of Boulder and Honolulu, 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.