Which place is cheaper, Alaska or Hawaii?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Hawaii or Alaska?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hawaii or Alaska? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Hawaii or Alaska?
Hawaii
Located towards the center of the Pacific Ocean and the northeast corner of Polynesia, Hawai'i is the 50th state of the United States of America. It is a major tourist destination for travelers from around the world and as such, its economy is very dependent on the tourist dollar. Historically, the state had strong whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, but today tourism and the military make up a significant part of the economy. The state includes many islands that spread over 1,500 miles, but there are eight main islands which have a diversity of natural beauty and interesting landscapes. The islands offer visitors many impressive features from the beautiful beaches to the lush interior. There is a lot of hiking, snorkeling and scuba diving available throughout the islands. The capital of the state is Honolulu, which is also the largest city. Both Hawaiian and English are spoken throughout.
Alaska
Alaska joined the United States of America as the 49th state. The US purchased the area from the Russian Empire in 1867 for just 7.2 million dollars (about two cents an acre). It became an organized territory in 1912 and a state in 1959. It is separated from the rest of the country by Canada and, although it is the largest state, it is the least densely populated and for many years had the lowest population. It covers an area equal to California, Texas and Montana combined and lies on the Arctic Circle. Many people consider Alaska to be the United State's "final frontier" because of its vast wilderness. It is also where you will find the highest point in North America.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Hawaii Prices
USA PricesAlaska Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHawaii $393Alaska $280
The average daily cost (per person) in Hawaii is $393, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $280. 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 Hawaii and Alaska in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHawaii $214Alaska $135
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHawaii $428Alaska $270
Compare Hotels in Hawaii and Alaska
Looking for a hotel in Hawaii or Alaska? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hawaii $37Alaska $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hawaii
Also for Hawaii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport (KOA) to Hotels - Big Island: $15
- Departure Transfer from Hotels to Kona International Airport: $15
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Maui Kahului Airport: $17
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $17
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu / Waikiki hotels: $21
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu Airport (HNL): $21
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu Port: $21
- Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu/Waikiki Arrival Private Transfer: $24
- Honolulu / Waikiki to Honolulu Airport (HNL) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Private Honolulu Transfer: Waikiki & Pearl Harbor: $28
- Maui Kahului Airport OGG Arrival Private Transfer: $38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Whittier to Anchorage Transfer on Sprinter Van: $199
- Whittier to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $69
- Whittier to Anchorage Post Cruise Scenic Transfer Tour: $195
- Whittier to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $80
- Whittier to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $217
- Whittier Cruise Transfer with Wildlife&Glacier tour to Anchorage: $199
- Seward to Anchorage Shared Bus Transfer Service: $75
- Seward to Anchorage Direct Transfer Tour: $89
- Seward to Anchorage Cruise Transfer & Wildlife Tour: $247
- Seward Cruise Transfer with Wildlife & Scenic Tour to Anchorage: $249
- Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
Is it cheaper to fly into Hawaii or Alaska?
Prices for flights to both Alaska and Hawaii 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 dayHawaii $128Alaska $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downtown Honolulu Food Tour with 5 Local Favorites Tastings: $107
- Honolulu: Pacific Star Sunset Dinner Cruise and Show: $139
- Maui Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class: $149
- Maui Ma'alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise: $150
- Honolulu: Off The Beaten Path Food Tour: $150
- Maui: Coast of Ka'anapali Beach Sunset Dinner Sail: $168
- Friday Fireworks Dinner Sail from the Hilton Hawaiian Village: $170
- Craft Cocktail and Dinner Experience: $175
- Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $180
- Kauai: Luau Ka Hikina Admission with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $183
- Big Island: Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $185
- Kauai: Luau Kalamaku with Buffet Dinner and Show: $187
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- Alaska Cabin Nite Dinner Theatre Experience: $95
- Aurora Viewing and Dinner: $120
- Anchorage Sightseeing and Food Tour - Available All Year Long!: $195
- Northern Lights Experience and Cabin Dinner: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hawaii $38Alaska $65
Tours and Activities in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Honolulu Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $4.58
- Kona Coffee Farm Tour from Tree to Tasting Room: $5.00
- Self-Guided Podcast Tour Honolulu: The Grand Illusion of Waikiki: $6.86
- Self Guided Podcast Tour Honolulu Hawaiian Kingdom and the Coup: $6.86
- Explore the USS Arizona Today Virtual Reality Experience: $7.00
- Downtown Honolulu Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Hala Tree Coffee Farm Tour: $10
- Official Diamond Head Self-Guided Narrated Hiking Tour: $11
- Maui Beach Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Honolulu: $15
- Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour Guaranteed or come again free: $15
- Downtown Honolulu and Chinatown: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $16
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- 1 Hour Fall Sled Dog Experience in Two Rivers: $130
- 1 Hour Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $175
- 1.5-Hour Beer and Puppies Guided Experience in Fairbanks: $57
- 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $95
- 2 Hour Private Marine Wildlife Tour: $200
- 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $85
- 3 Hour Guided Driving Tour in Hoonah Alaska: $150
- 3 Hour Rainforest Walk & Totem Park Wild Wolf Tours: $125
- 3 Hour SHERP Tour: Denali Fat Truck Tours: $249
- 3 Hour Scenic Birding Cruise: $175
- 3 Hour guided Fishing Experience/class in Juneau: $225
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHawaii $19Alaska $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Hawaii
Also in Hawaii, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Koʻolau Distillery Whiskey Tour in Kailua, Hawai'i: $25
- Oahu: Kō Hana Agricole Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $35
- North Shore Oahu Distillery Tour, Tasting & Craft Cocktail: $45
- Ola Distillery Tour and Spirit Tasting in Hawaii: $50
- Twilight Wine Tasting by Sea and Sunset Cruise in Honolulu: $119
- Oahu: Kō Hana Rum Deep Dive Distillery Tour with Tasting: $150
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Sitka Haunted Pub Crawl: Ghost Stories, Local History & Drinks: $104
- Lumberjack Cove Distillery Tour with Infusion Experience: $119
- Distillery Tour and Signature Bottle Infusion Experience: $149
- Craft Brews & Epic Views: Juneau's Brewery & Sightseeing Tour: $159
- Arctic Ale Trail: a Fairbanks Brewery Tour with Drinks & Pickup.: $189
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hawaii and Alaska, we can see that Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is Alaska much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alaska would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alaska 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 Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hawaii than you might in Alaska.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hawaii Expensive? and Is Alaska Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Hawaii or Alaska?
Hawaii has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Alaska. When comparing the sizes of Hawaii and Alaska, 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.