Which place is cheaper, Halifax or Hilo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hilo or Halifax?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hilo or Halifax? 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: Hilo or Halifax?
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.
Halifax
The quaint and charming coastal town of Halifax, Nova Scotia has an interesting personality. While it caters to travelers from all over the world, it maintains the pace and lifestyle of a small town.
Steeped in maritime history, Halifax is the capital of Nova Scotia, and one of the world's greatest natural harbors. This busy seaport serves as the economic and cultural hub of Eastern Canada.
When planning your trip keep in mind that this city has a climate like other coastal cities. Summers are nice with the occasional humidity. Winters are mild, but still full of snow and wind. The best time of year to visit is most certainly the fall.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHilo $171Halifax $114
The average daily cost (per person) in Hilo is $171, while the average daily cost in Halifax is $114. 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 Hilo and Halifax in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHilo $71Halifax $65
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHilo $142Halifax $130
Compare Hotels in Hilo and Halifax
Looking for a hotel in Hilo or Halifax? 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: Hilo Hotel Prices and Halifax Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hilo $25Halifax $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hilo
Also for Hilo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona Port to Kailua Kona city hotels: $58
- Private Transfer from Kailua Kona City Hotels to Kailua Kona Port: $58
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea : $95
- Private Transfer From Kona International Airport to Hotels in Kailua-Kona: $75
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Waikoloa & Waimea to Kona International Airport: $85
- Private Transfer From Hotels in Kailua-Kona to Kona International Airport: $70
- Private Departure Transfer: Big Island Hotels to Kona International Airport: $169
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport to Big Island Hotels: $169
- Luxury Private Airport Transfer : $75
- Kona Intl. Airport (KOA) to Waikoloa beach hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $75
- 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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Halifax
Also for Halifax, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ): Transfer to Halifax Port: $209
- Halifax Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Halifax hotels: $133
- From Peggy’s Cove Small-Group Tour with Transfers: $80
- Halifax Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $68
- Transfer to/from Stanfield International Airport: $44
- Private Transfer from Halifax Stanfield Airport to Halifax: $36
- Halifax Stanfield Airport (YHZ) to Halifax Port-Arrival Transfer: $34
- Halifax Stanfield Airport(YHZ) to Halifax Port - Arrival Transfer: $34
Is it cheaper to fly into Hilo or Halifax?
Prices for flights to both Halifax and Hilo 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 dayHilo $70Halifax $31
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
Typical Food Prices in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Bluenose II Restaurant$45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Halifax
For Halifax, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Peggy's Cove Small Group Night Tour with Dinner: $160
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hilo $32Halifax $28
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
Tours and Activities in Halifax
For Halifax, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Exlore Halifax with 3 Unique Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $13
- From City and Peggy's Cove Sunset Guided Tour: $65
- From Small Group Lunenberg Express Tour: $120
- Halifax Boardwalk and Seaport: Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.11
- Halifax self-guided walking tour and scavenger hunt: $38
- Churches, Gardens, & Graveyards Smartphone Tour: $5.11
- City Segway Tour: $67
- Discover the Halifax Explosion Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Full Day City Sightseeing Tour: $1,675
- Guided Harbourfront Food Walking Tour: $120
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Small Group Walking Tour with Citadel & Museum: $102
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHilo $10Halifax $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hilo and Halifax, we can see that Hilo is more expensive. And not only is Halifax much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Halifax would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Halifax 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 Hilo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hilo than you might in Halifax.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hilo Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hilo or Halifax?
Halifax has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Hilo. When comparing the sizes of Hilo and Halifax, 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.
When is the best time to visit Hilo or Halifax?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hilo or Halifax in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilo and Halifax. Many travelers come to Hilo for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Hilo is a little warmer than Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hilo in July average around 76°F (24°C), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Halifax this time of the year. Hilo usually receives less sunshine than Halifax during summer. Hilo gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 230 hours of full sun in the summer.
Hilo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Hilo usually receives more rain than Halifax. Hilo gets 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHilo 76°F (24°C)Halifax 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Halifax in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hilo as well as Halifax. Many visitors come to Hilo in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Hilo is generally much warmer than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Hilo average around 76°F (24°C), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In the autumn, Hilo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Halifax. Hilo gets 138 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Halifax. Hilo receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hilo usually gets more rain in October than Halifax. Hilo gets 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHilo 76°F (24°C)Halifax 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Halifax in the Winter?
Both Halifax and Hilo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hilo for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Halifax can be very cold. Hilo is much warmer than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Hilo averages around 72°F (22°C) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
Hilo usually receives more sunshine than Halifax during winter. Hilo gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Halifax receives 111 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. It's quite rainy in Hilo. In January, Hilo usually receives more rain than Halifax. Hilo gets 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHilo 72°F (22°C)Halifax -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Hilo or Halifax in the Spring?
Both Halifax and Hilo during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Hilo because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Halifax in the spring. In the spring, Hilo is much warmer than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hilo in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In the spring, Hilo often gets less sunshine than Halifax. Hilo gets 134 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Halifax receives 148 hours of full sun.
Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Hilo. Hilo usually gets more rain in April than Halifax. Hilo gets 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHilo 73°F (23°C)Halifax 4°C (39°F)
Typical Weather for Halifax and Hilo
| Hilo | Halifax | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) | -4°C (24°F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) |
| Feb | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) | -5°C (24°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) | -1°C (31°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) | 9°C (48°F) | 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jun | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) | 14°C (57°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Jul | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Aug | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) | 18°C (65°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) | 15°C (58°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) | 10°C (49°F) | 121 mm (4.7 in) |
| Nov | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) | 5°C (40°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 mm) | -1°C (29°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
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.