Which place is cheaper, Alaska or Hawaii?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHawaii $342Alaska $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Hawaii is $342, while the average daily cost in Alaska is $243. 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:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $13
- Shared Departure Transfer: Hotel to Maui Kahului Airport: $13
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kauai Hotels to Kauai International Airport: $13
- Departure Transfer from Hotels to Kona International Airport: $15
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $18
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
- Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
- Private Arrival Transfer from Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $31
- Honolulu Airport Private Transfer to or from Waikiki: $32
- Honolulu Airport -Waikiki Arrival Private Transfer W/Lei Greeting: $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alaska
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alaska:
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
- Seward to Anchorage- Post Cruise Curated Wildlife Tour +Transfer: $197
- SUV-Private Transfer, Whittier Cruise ship to Anchorage: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Seward Cruise ship to Anchorage : $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Whittier Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- SUV-Private Transfer, Anchorage to Seward Cruise Ship Terminal: $299
- Private Transfer Whittier Cruise Port to Anchorage Airport ANC: $232
- Private Transfer Anchorage Airport (ANC) to Whittier Cruise Port: $232
- Private Departure Transfer to Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Departure Transfer - to Anchorage Airport (ANC): $62
- Private Arrival Transfer from Juneau Airport (JNU): $48
- Private Arrival Transfer from Anchorage Airport ANC: $62
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 $77Alaska $57
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Moonlight Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $106
- Honolulu Sunset & Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $107
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $107
- Ahi Uila Fire Show and Dinner: $110
- Walking Food Tour Exploring Hanalei: $119
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $120
- Hanalei, Kauaʻi Walking Food Tour: $129
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Aboard Calypso: $130
- Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Prime Rib or Mahi Mahi Dinner Cruise : $140
- Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class: $149
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Alaska
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Alaska.
- City of Anchorage SIGHTSEEING & FOOD Tour: $190
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
- Kenai Fjords Glacier Dinner Cruise from Seward: $213
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:
- Diamond Head Hiking Narrated Tour: $5.00
- Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour: $5.00
- Walk The Deck of The USS Arizona Virtual Reality Tour: $5.99
- Historic Downtown Honolulu GPS-Led Self-Guided Walking Tour: $7.99
- Honolulu Historic District a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.99
- USS Arizona Memorial Narrated Chief'sTour: $7.99
- Honolulu's Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- 15 Minutes Air Raid Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Tour: $9.99
- Commander's 1-Hour Official Pearl Harbor Narrated Multimedia Tour: $9.99
- Kauai Poipu & Koloa Town Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Hawaii Tiki Tour with Lava Rock Sculptures and Off Grid Lifestyle: $10
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Honolulu, HI: $15
Tours and Activities in Alaska
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alaska are as follows:
- Adventurers Ready To Jump Into the Void Alaska Style Wanted: $39
- PREMIUM Sitka Scenic Tour: $99
- Private Mat-Su Valley, Hatcher Pass & Local Wildlife Tour: $199
- Spenard Neighborhood FOOD & TRUE CRIME Walking Tour: $150
- “OVER THE TOP TOURS”AK Wildlife & Totem poles Tour.: $95
- 1 Hour Snowmobile Tour in Fairbanks Alaska: $215
- 1-hr. Dog Sledding Tour in Fairbanks (without transportation): $135
- 2 Hour Alaska Rainforest Walk and Totem Park Small Group Tour: $85
- 2-Hour Private Wildlife Tour in Sitka: $200
- 2.5 Hour Tour in Ketchikan on the Tongass Trolley: $72
- 2.5 Hours Sailing Adventure in Skagway: $150
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $79
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:
- Whiskey Tour - Koʻolau Distillery - Kailua, Hawai'i 96734: $25
- Honolulu Haunts Ghost Tours And Pub Crawls: $30
- Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $37
- History Tour Pub Crawl in Waikiki: $45
Sample the Local Flavors in Alaska
Also in Alaska, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Ketchikan Pub Crawl: $79
- Half-Day Anchorage Craft Brewery Tour and Tastings: $179
- Guided Tour on Matanuska Glacier w/Alaska Honey & Wine Tasting: $285
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.