Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Denver?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Denver or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Denver or Kailua-Kona, 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: Denver or Kailua-Kona?
Denver
The capital of Colorado, Denver is commonly referred to as "The Mile-High City" because it is at an elevation of 5,280 feet (1,600 meters) above sea level. It also sits where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, giving a beautiful backdrop for this metropolitan city. The city is the largest in the Rocky Mountains with a population of more than 600,000 and nearly 3 million in the metropolitan area. Denver is a cosmopolitan city with cowboy roots. It's cultural scene is thriving, and the outdoor recreation in the area is superb. Denver is a rapidly growing city but with change comes challenges. Urban sprawl is a problem and the city's infrastructure has reached its limits. Still, efforts are in place to maintain the character and personality that Denver is known for.
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 Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayDenver $218Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Denver is $218, 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 Denver and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personDenver $87Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomDenver $174Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Denver and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Denver 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: Denver Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Denver $101Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denver
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Denver:
- Private Arrival Transfer - Denver International Airport (DEN) : $40
- Private Departure Transfer to Denver Airport (DEN): $44
- Denver hotel or address to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer: $50
- Transfer in Private Car from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN) : $72
- Transfer in private minivan from Denver Downtown to International Airport (DEN): $86
- Denver Airport BJC to Winter Park Ski Resort Arrival Transfer: $93
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Denver hotel or address - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $100
- Private Transfer from Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $108
- Departure Private Transfer: Denver to Denver Airport DEN in Business Car: $108
- Private Transfer from Denver Airport DEN to Denver in Business Car: $108
- Private One-way Denver Airport Transfer To/From Denver: $113
- Denver Airport (DEN) to Glenwood Springs - Arrival Transfer: $120
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 Denver or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Denver 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 dayDenver $42Kailua-Kona $58
Typical Food Prices in Denver
Some typical examples of dining costs in Denver are as follows:
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Sushi Dinner (for 2)$61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Denver
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Denver.
- RiNo Arts District Food Tour: $79
- Downtown Denver Food Tour: $79
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $79
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Golden, CO: $80
- The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show - Denver, CO: $86
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.Denver $52Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Denver
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Denver are as follows:
- Discover A Walking Tour of Denver's Top Sights: $5.00
- Denver's Art District Self Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Denver's Spokes and Scoops: A Self-Guided Cycle Tour: $5.20
- Denver’s Downtown: Past and Present In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure on Your Phone: $10
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Denver by Operation City Quest: $10
- Denver Ghost Hunt: Mile High Ghost Tour: $12
- Denver Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $13
- Molly Brown House Museum Self-Guided Tour & Entry: $14
- General Admission to Denver Botanic Gardens Ticket: $16
- Denver Botanic Gardens General Admission Ticket: $16
- Colorado Rockies Baseball Game Ticket at Coors Field: $19
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayDenver $5.31Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Denver
Also in Denver, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 4-Hour Downtown Denver Pub Crawl: $25
- California Vs. Colorado Wine Tasting: $30
- Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Private Vintner's Wine Tasting Experience in Colorado: $40
- Golden Ghosts & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $45
- Craft Distillery Bus Tour: $71
- Wine Tasting with Cheese, Charcuterie, and Dessert : $74
- Denver Pedicab Brewery Tour: $130
- Guided Downtown Denver Walking Wine Tour: $190
When comparing the travel costs between Denver and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Denver Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Denver or Kailua-Kona?
Denver has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Denver 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.
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.