Which place is cheaper, Hilo or Freeport?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Freeport or Hilo?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Freeport and Hilo can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Freeport or Hilo?
Freeport
When you picture the Bahamas you likely picture the beaches, resorts and playgrounds of Nassau. Just to the northwest of this tourist paradise is a tropical city founded on industry. Freeport began as mostly swampland and is now the second most populous city in the Bahamas.
This city is less of a tourist attraction - a place where you'll find the true Bahaman culture mixed in with some relaxing spots to help you unwind and get into your island vacation.
Hilo
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayFreeport $244Hilo $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Freeport is $244, while the average daily cost in Hilo is $161. 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 Freeport and Hilo in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personFreeport $141Hilo $71
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomFreeport $282Hilo $142
Compare Hotels in Freeport and Hilo
Looking for a hotel in Freeport or Hilo? 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: Freeport Hotel Prices and Hilo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Freeport $59Hilo $25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Freeport
Also for Freeport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Freeport Grand Bahama Airport (FPO): Transfer to Freeport: $260
- Private Transfer from FPO to Old Bahama Bay resort : $234
- Old Bahama Bay to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) - Private Transfer: $194
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Old Bahama Bay - Private Transfer: $194
- Private Transfer from FPO to Freeport hotels or resorts: $167
- Shared Round Trip Limousine Transfer to the Port Lucaya Market: $150
- Grand Bahama Airport(FPO) to Freeport -RoundTrip Private Transfer: $144
- Grand Bahama Airport: One-Way Transfer to Freeport Hotels: $139
- Private Round Trip Transfer from Freeport Airport to Hotel: $133
- Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) to Freeport - Arrival Private Transfer: $72
- Freeport to Grand Bahama Airport (FPO) Departure Private Transfer: $72
- Round-Trip Airport Transfer Viva Club Fortuna Freeport: $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport to Big Island Hotels: $169
- Private Departure Transfer: Big Island Hotels to Kona International Airport: $169
- Kona Intl Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $151
- Kona International Airport (KOA) to Kailua-Kona - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea : $95
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer : $75
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Kailua-Kona: $75
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Kailua-Kona to Kona Airport at Keahole Private Departure Transfer: $58
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona Port to Kailua Kona city hotels: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Freeport or Hilo?
Prices for flights to both Hilo and Freeport 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 dayFreeport $64Hilo $70
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Around Town/Bahamian Cooking Experience: $175
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilo
For Hilo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- French Hawaiian Fusion Cooking Class: $175
- Historical Dinner Cruise to Kealakekua Bay: $183
- Farm-to-Table Chef's Dinner at Kulaniapia Falls: $199
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Freeport $40Hilo $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Freeport
For Freeport, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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10 Dive Package$300
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4 Hr. Kayak Tour$70
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1/2 Day Snorkel Trip$75
Tours and Activities in Freeport
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Freeport.
- 4 Hour Private Sandy Cay Experience with Snorkeling - Adults Only: $275
- Bahamas Sea Scooter Snorkeling Adventure: $120
- Clear Kayak Tour: $120
- CocoNutz Cruisers Electric Bicycle Tour: $123
- East End Private Day Trip Experience Tour : $200
- Freeport Shore Excursion: Garden of the Groves and City Tour: $82
- Mamma Gal East End Native Experience : $85
- Mamma Gal Native Experience : $70
- Rumbo Tour : $90
- Snorkel/Swim with the Turtles Experience: $250
- Tour of Coral Vita and breach brak at Banana bay beach club: $51
Tours and Activities in Hilo
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hilo.
- Early Morning Whale Cruise from Kawaihae Harbor: $125
- 2018 Eruption Adventure Tour (includes Fissure 8): $199
- 4 Hour Captain Cook Bay Cruise: $99
- 4-hour Kailua-Kona Ocean Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $94
- 6 passengers' max, Sunset Manta Ray Tour in Kailua-Kona: $140
- 9-Line Waterfall Zipline Experience on the Big Island: $240
- Abalone Farm Tour: $25
- Afternoon Kealakekua Snorkel Tour: $129
- Afternoon Marine Adventure: $109
- Baumkuchen Farm Tour: $5.00
- Big Island - Kohala Coast & Backcountry Driving Tour: $9.99
- Big Island - Kona Big Kahuna GPS Driving Tour: $20
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayFreeport $30Hilo $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Freeport
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Freeport:
- Brewery & Taste with Beach & Shop at Largest Market on Freeport 4-hrs : $75
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Freeport and Hilo, we can see that Freeport is more expensive. And not only is Hilo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Freeport is in Caribbean Islands and Hilo is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Hilo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hilo 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 Freeport would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Freeport than you might in Hilo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Freeport Expensive? and Is Hilo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Freeport or Hilo?
Hilo has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Freeport. When comparing the sizes of Freeport and Hilo, 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.