Which place is cheaper, Denali National Park or Kailua-Kona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park?
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.
Denali National Park
There is a place in Alaska, 240 miles wide, where you can be a part of the wild frontier. The expansive and untouched area of Denali National Park welcomes thousands of visitors ever year with stunning natural wonders and incredible wildlife like grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou and more.
As home to North America's tallest peak, Denali has attracted nature adventurers from all over the world. Established in 1917 as wildlife refuge, Denali National Park contains areas of tundra and taiga. Taiga zones are covered in evergreen, spruce and aspen trees, while tundra zones are full of miniaturized versions of the plants including flowers, mosses and shrubs.
Remember that the weather changes without warning in Denali. It is a well known to the locals that you can expect sun, wind, rain and clouds in the same day. Pack accordingly.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKailua-Kona $231Denali National Park $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Kailua-Kona is $231, while the average daily cost in Denali National Park is $218. 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 Kailua-Kona and Denali National Park in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKailua-Kona $141Denali National Park $116
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKailua-Kona $282Denali National Park $232
Compare Hotels in Kailua-Kona and Denali National Park
Looking for a hotel in Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park? 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: Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kailua-Kona $45Denali National Park $76
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Denali National Park
Also for Denali National Park, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shuttle Transfer: Anchorage ↔ Denali National Park: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park?
Prices for flights to both Denali National Park and Kailua-Kona 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 dayKailua-Kona $58Denali National Park $57
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.Kailua-Kona $40Denali National Park $30
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
Tours and Activities in Denali National Park
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Denali National Park.
- 2.5-Hour Denali Wilderness ATV Adventure Tour: $79
- Midnight Sun ATV Adventure 2.5 Hour Tour: $79
- Denali ATV Trailblazer 3.5 Hour Tour : $114
- 3 Hour Naturalist Walking Tour in Denali National Park: $119
- Denali National Park Walking Tour: $125
- Wilds of Alaska Classic ATV Adventure: $140
- Classic ATV Adventure with Back Country Dining: $150
- Alaskan Back Country Side by Side ATV Adventure with Meal: $150
- Denali Park Zipline Adventure: $165
- 5-Hour Mountain Hiking Tour in Denali: $169
- Half-Day Sled Dog Experience: $175
- 4 Hour Off-Trail Hiking Tour in Denali: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKailua-Kona $15Denali National Park $12
When comparing the travel costs between Kailua-Kona and Denali National Park, we can see that Kailua-Kona 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 Kailua-Kona Expensive? and Is Denali National Park Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park?
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 Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kailua-Kona as well as Denali National Park. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Denali National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kailua-Kona in July average around 78°F (25°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 60°F (15°C).
Kailua-Kona usually gets less rain in July than Denali National Park. Kailua-Kona gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.6 inches (92 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)Denali National Park 60°F (15°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park in the Autumn?
Both Denali National Park and Kailua-Kona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Denali National Park this time of year.
It's quite cold in Denali National Park in the autumn. In October, Kailua-Kona is generally much warmer than Denali National Park. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 78°F (26°C), and Denali National Park fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
In October, Kailua-Kona usually receives less rain than Denali National Park. Kailua-Kona gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 3.1 inches (79 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)Denali National Park 32°F (0°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park in the Winter?
Both Denali National Park and Kailua-Kona during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Denali National Park for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Denali National Park. Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Denali National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Kailua-Kona averages around 74°F (23°C) in January, and Denali National Park fluctuates around 11°F (-12°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. Kailua-Kona usually gets more rain in January than Denali National Park. Kailua-Kona gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)Denali National Park 11°F (-12°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Denali National Park in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kailua-Kona and Denali National Park. Also, many visitors come to Denali National Park in the spring for the natural beauty.
Denali National Park can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Denali National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kailua-Kona in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Denali National Park averages at about 34°F (1°C).
In April, Kailua-Kona usually receives more rain than Denali National Park. Kailua-Kona gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Denali National Park receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)Denali National Park 34°F (1°C)
Typical Weather for Denali National Park and Kailua-Kona
| Kailua-Kona | Denali National Park | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 11°F (-12°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Feb | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.4 inches (37 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.5 inches (37 mm) |
| Apr | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 60°F (15°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 56°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 47°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (108 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 18°F (-8°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) |
| Dec | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 1.9 inches (49 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.