Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Hilton Head Island?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and Kailua-Kona can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona?
Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head, also called Hilton Head Island, is primarily a resort and beach town off the coast of South Carolina. Located on a barrier island, the place is best known for its beaches and golf courses overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua Kona, or Kona, as it is commonly referred, is the largest city on the western side of the Big Island of Hawaii. It's a popular destination for sport fishing, snorkeling, and its beautiful sunsets. Kona is protected by the mountains so it receives very little rain annually and has about 300 days of sunshine every year. The closest airport is Kona International Airport at Keahole, which receives flights from the mainland United States, Canada, as well as Honolulu and other islands. Once in town, you can walk around Kona, but if you hope to explore anywhere else on the Big Island you will need a car. To take full advantage of your Hawaiian vacation it really is recommended that you rent a car for at least a few days while you're on the island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHilton Head Island $243Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Hilton Head Island is $243, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $231. 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 Hilton Head Island and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHilton Head Island $129Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHilton Head Island $258Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Hilton Head Island and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona? 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: Hilton Head Island Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hilton Head Island $34Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Hilton Head Island 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 dayHilton Head Island $60Kailua-Kona $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hilton Head Island
For Hilton Head Island, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Dolphin Watching 3-Course Dinner Cruise: $70
- Sunset Hibachi Dinner Cruise : $102
- Hilton Head Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
- Sunset Dinner Cruise: $106
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hilton Head Island $23Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Hilton Head Island
For Hilton Head Island, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kazoo Factory Tour & Museum : $15
- Beaufort Ghost Walking Tours : $22
- Tybee Island Ghost Tour: $30
- Walking Tour in Beaufort: $30
- Historic Tour of Tybee Island: $30
- Historic Walking Tour of Tybee Island: $30
- Complete History and Movie Walking Tour of Beaufort: $30
- History and Movie Tour of Beaufort by Golf Cart: $32
- Beaufort City Minibus Tour: $35
- 90-Minute Dolphin & Nature Tour: $35
- #1 Historical Horse Drawn Carriage Tour: $35
- Beaufort’s #1 Horse & Carriage History Tour: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona-Volcanoes & waterfall tour in a small group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHilton Head Island $26Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Hilton Head Island
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Hilton Head Island:
- Hilton Head's ONLY Distillery Experience: $55
When comparing the travel costs between Hilton Head Island and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Hilton Head Island is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hilton Head Island Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona?
Hilton Head Island has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Hilton Head Island and Kailua-Kona, 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 Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Hilton Head Island as well as Kailua-Kona. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hilton Head Island this time of year.
In the summer, Hilton Head Island is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hilton Head Island in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hilton Head Island this time of the year. In the summer, Hilton Head Island often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Hilton Head Island gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.
Hilton Head Island receives a lot of rain in the summer. Hilton Head Island usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Hilton Head Island gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHilton Head Island 82°F (28°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
Both Kailua-Kona and Hilton Head Island are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Hilton Head Island for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Hilton Head Island is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Hilton Head Island average around 68°F (20°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hilton Head Island. Hilton Head Island usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Hilton Head Island gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Hilton Head Island usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Hilton Head Island gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHilton Head Island 68°F (20°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Hilton Head Island during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Hilton Head Island in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Hilton Head Island is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Hilton Head Island averages around 48°F (9°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
In the winter, Hilton Head Island often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Hilton Head Island gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.
Kailua-Kona gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Hilton Head Island usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHilton Head Island 48°F (9°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Hilton Head Island or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hilton Head Island and Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to Hilton Head Island for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Hilton Head Island is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hilton Head Island in April average around 67°F (19°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
In Hilton Head Island, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hilton Head Island usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Hilton Head Island gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Hilton Head Island usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kailua-Kona. Hilton Head Island gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHilton Head Island 67°F (19°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Hilton Head Island
| Hilton Head Island | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 48°F (9°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 58°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (26°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 7.9 inches (200 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (164 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
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.