Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Kailua-Kona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks?
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.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
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 $231Fairbanks $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Kailua-Kona is $231, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $272. 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 Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKailua-Kona $141Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKailua-Kona $282Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Kailua-Kona and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks? 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 and Fairbanks Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kailua-Kona $45Fairbanks $66
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
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Full Tank of Gas$90
Is it cheaper to fly into Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks 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 $58Fairbanks $63
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
Typical Food Prices in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
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Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kailua-Kona $40Fairbanks $65
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
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The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
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1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
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Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fairbanks, AK: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour: $58
- Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour: $95
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $99
- Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour: $100
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
- From Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour: $120
- Aurora Chaser Tour: $125
- Budget Aurora Borealis tour, Fairbanks, Alaska : $125
- 3 Hour Ice Fishing Experience: $135
- Fairbanks Heritage Sightseeing Tour: $140
- Fairbanks Autumn/Winter City Tour: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKailua-Kona $15Fairbanks $27
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kailua-Kona and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Kailua-Kona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kailua-Kona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kailua-Kona 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Kailua-Kona.
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 Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks?
Fairbanks has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Kailua-Kona and Fairbanks, 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 Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks?
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 Fairbanks in the Summer?
Both Fairbanks and Kailua-Kona during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Kailua-Kona is generally a little warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 78°F (25°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
Kailua-Kona usually gets more rain in July than Fairbanks. Kailua-Kona gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kailua-Kona and Fairbanks. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
The weather in Fairbanks can be very cold. Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Fairbanks in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kailua-Kona averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
In October, Kailua-Kona usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Kailua-Kona gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kailua-Kona as well as Fairbanks. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
It's quite cold in Fairbanks in the winter. In the winter, Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kailua-Kona in January average around 74°F (23°C), and Fairbanks averages at about -9°F (-23°C).
Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kailua-Kona usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Kailua-Kona gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Fairbanks in the Spring?
Both Fairbanks and Kailua-Kona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. In April, Kailua-Kona is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 74°F (24°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
In April, Kailua-Kona usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Kailua-Kona gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Kailua-Kona
| Kailua-Kona | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.9 inches (23 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.