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

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Should you visit Charleston or Honolulu?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Charleston or Honolulu, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Charleston or Honolulu?

Charleston

Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.

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 Charleston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Charleston is $136, 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 Charleston and Honolulu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Charleston $72
    Honolulu $146
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Charleston $144
    Honolulu $292
Compare Hotels in Charleston and Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Charleston 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 Charleston


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: Charleston Hotel Prices and Honolulu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Charleston $26
    Honolulu $21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:

  • Private transfer: Charleston to Charleston Airport (CHS): $622
  • Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $124
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charleston Airport (CHS): $52

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 Charleston or Honolulu?

Prices for flights to both Honolulu and Charleston 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
    Charleston $46
    Honolulu $42
Typical Food prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:


  • Lunch in downtown Charleston for two
    $21
  • Breakfast
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.

  • Downtown Charleston Culinary Walking Food Tour: $73
  • Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Charleston Chef's Kitchen Guided Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Charleston Harbor: Luxury Dinner Cruise: $77
  • Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Charleston: $129
  • Undiscovered 1/2 Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class: $154
  • 3-Hour Secret Food Tour in Charleston w/ Private Tour Option: $277

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.
    Charleston $17
    Honolulu $32
Typical Entertainment prices in Charleston

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


  • Patriots Point (for 2)
    $60

Tours and Activities in Charleston

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:

  • 2-Hour Guided Kayaking Eco Tour in Charleston: $48
  • 2-Hour Paddle Board Eco Tour of Charleston Lowcountry: $48
  • 90-Minute Historic Walking Tour of Charleston: $25
  • Amazing Ladies of Charleston Walking Tour: $35
  • Best of Historic Charleston Walking Tour: $35
  • Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston: $61
  • Bruce Knows Insider Walking Tour of Downtown: $26
  • Car Service: Airport to / from Cruise Port: $130
  • Charleston Attraction & Tour Pass for 1, 2, or 3 Days: $73
  • Charleston Boo Hag & Brews Walking Ghost and Bar Tour: $29
  • Charleston Chicora Walking Tour: $26
  • Charleston City Bus Tour with Charleston Museum Admission: $32

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Charleston $28
    Honolulu $5.18

Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:

  • Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $12
  • Ghost Walking Tour and Pub Crawl in Haunted Charleston: $27
  • Haunted Pub Crawl of the Market: $37

Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:

  • Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $68

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Charleston and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Charleston.


When is the best time to visit Charleston 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 Charleston or Honolulu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Charleston as well as Honolulu. The beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.

In the summer, Charleston is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charleston in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Honolulu is about 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 Charleston this time of the year. In the summer, Charleston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu. Charleston gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.

Charleston receives a lot of rain in the summer. Charleston usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Charleston gets 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Charleston 82°F (28°C) 
    Honolulu 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Honolulu in the Autumn?

Both Honolulu and Charleston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Charleston is generally cooler than Honolulu. Temperatures in Charleston average around 67°F (19°C), and Honolulu stays around 80°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Honolulu. Charleston usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during autumn. Charleston gets 197 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Charleston usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Charleston gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Charleston 67°F (19°C) 
    Honolulu 80°F (26°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Honolulu in the Winter?

Both Honolulu and Charleston during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charleston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Charleston is much colder than Honolulu in the winter. The temperature in Charleston is usually 47°F (9°C) in January, and Honolulu stays around 73°F (23°C).

In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Charleston often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Charleston gets 188 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Charleston usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Charleston gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Charleston 47°F (9°C) 
    Honolulu 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Charleston or Honolulu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Charleston and Honolulu. Most visitors come to Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Charleston is cooler than Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charleston in April are around 64°F (18°C), and Honolulu is about 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Charleston usually receives more sunshine than Honolulu during spring. Charleston gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Charleston usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Charleston gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Charleston 64°F (18°C) 
    Honolulu 76°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Honolulu and Charleston

Charleston Honolulu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 47°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 50°F (10°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 58°F (14°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm) 74°F (24°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 64°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm) 76°F (24°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
May 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm) 78°F (25°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Jun 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 76°F (25°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Oct 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 80°F (26°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Nov 58°F (15°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Dec 51°F (10°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)


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Charleston vs. Honolulu Travel Comparison

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