Which place is cheaper, Nova Scotia 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 Nova Scotia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hawaii or Nova Scotia? 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 Nova Scotia?
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.
Nova Scotia
As one of the original four provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia became part of Canada in 1867. With a population of over 900,000 people, 44% of them live in the capital city of Nova Scotia. This region is truly diverse with people of countless ethnic backgrounds calling Nova Scotia home, but the biggest influences come from the early Scottish settlers. It's undoubtedly there even if it's been mixed with the native Mi'kmaq culture and those of other immigrant groups.
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 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.
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Hawaii Prices
USA PricesNova Scotia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHawaii $393Nova Scotia $8,648
The average daily cost (per person) in Hawaii is $393, while the average daily cost in Nova Scotia is $8,648. 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 Nova Scotia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHawaii $214Nova Scotia $3,392
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHawaii $428Nova Scotia $
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6.00
Compare Hotels in Hawaii and Nova Scotia
Looking for a hotel in Hawaii or Nova Scotia? 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 $37Nova Scotia $1,790
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hawaii
Also for Hawaii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Departure - Private Transfer Waikiki Hotel to Airport: $50
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle From Ko'olina To Honolulu Airport: $53
- Explore Waikiki: Self Guided tour from Ko Olina with transfers: $42
- HNL Airport & Waikiki Private Transfer by Brand New Mercedes Van: $160
- Honolulu / Waikiki to Honolulu Airport (HNL) - Departure Private Transfer: $24
- Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(14 ppl): $170
- Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 people): $130
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
- Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu / Waikiki - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $49
- Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu/ Waikiki - Round-Trip Transfer: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Hawaii or Nova Scotia?
Prices for flights to both Nova Scotia 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 $128Nova Scotia $3,603
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour of Kaua'i: $125
- Honolulu: Pacific Star Sunset Dinner Cruise and Show: $139
- Maui Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class: $149
- Walking Food Tour Exploring Hanalei: $149
- Maui Ma'alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise: $150
- Honolulu: Off The Beaten Path Food Tour: $150
- Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $166
- Maui: Coast of Ka'anapali Beach Sunset Dinner Sail: $167
- Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise - A Hawaiian Hula Experience: $168
- Maui Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience: $170
- Kauai: Luau Ka Hikina Admission with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $175
- Authentic Hawaiian Dinner Pa'ina with Natives in Hana: $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hawaii $38Nova Scotia $1,971
Tours and Activities in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kona Coffee Farm Tour from Tree to Tasting Room: $5.00
- Explore the USS Arizona Today Virtual Reality Experience: $6.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
- Official Diamond Head Self-Guided Narrated Hiking Tour: $8.99
- Skies Over Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Experience: $11
- Official Pearl Harbor Commander's Self-Guided Multimedia Tour: $12
- Maui Beach Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour: $13
- Official Pearl Harbor Captain's Self-Guided Multimedia Tour: $14
- Discover Honolulu: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour in Honolulu: $15
- Kona Manta Ray Snorkel Tour: Guaranteed or come again free: $15
- Ultimate Self-Driving Audio Tour of Road to Hana, Maui: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHawaii $19Nova Scotia $706
Sample the Local Flavors in Hawaii
Also in Hawaii, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- A Spectacular Bar Crawl in Honolulu: $15
- RHS Distillery Hand Crafted In Hawaii Spirits - Liquor Tasting: $23
- Kō Hana Hawaiian Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting for One: $25
- Oahu: Kō Hana Agricole Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $35
- Twilight Wine Tasting by Sea and Sunset Cruise in Honolulu: $119
- Oahu: Kō Hana Rum Deep Dive Distillery Tour with Tasting: $150
- North Shore, Kailua Distillery Brewery V.I.P circle island tour: $241
- Maui Upcountry Drive, Haleakala NP & Ocean Vodka Distillery Tour: $259
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hawaii and Nova Scotia, we can see that Nova Scotia is more expensive. And not only is Hawaii much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hawaii would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hawaii 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 Nova Scotia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Nova Scotia than you might in Hawaii.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hawaii Expensive? and Is Nova Scotia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Hawaii or Nova Scotia?
Hawaii has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Nova Scotia. When comparing the sizes of Hawaii and Nova Scotia, 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.