Which place is cheaper, Kauai or Kailua-Kona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kailua-Kona or Kauai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kailua-Kona or Kauai, 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 Kauai?
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.
Kauai
Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.
Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.
With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.
You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.
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 $231Kauai $190
The average daily cost (per person) in Kailua-Kona is $231, while the average daily cost in Kauai is $190. 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 Kauai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKailua-Kona $141Kauai $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKailua-Kona $282Kauai $226
Compare Hotels in Kailua-Kona and Kauai
Looking for a hotel in Kailua-Kona or Kauai? 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 Kauai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kailua-Kona $45Kauai $34
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 Kauai
Also for Kauai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Departure Transfer: Kauai Hotels to Kauai International Airport: $13
- Lihue Airport: Shared Transfer to Lihue: $19
- Private Departure Transfer to Kauai Airport (LIH): $80
- Private SUV Transfer - Kauai Cruise Ship terminal : $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Kailua-Kona or Kauai?
Prices for flights to both Kauai 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 $58Kauai $56
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kauai
For Kauai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
- Ahi Uila Fire Show and Dinner: $110
- Walking Food Tour Exploring Hanalei: $119
- Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $171
- Luau Ka Hikina Admission Ticket with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $209
- Napali Coast Sunset Sail with Dinner: $226
- Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $226
- VIP 4-Course Dinner and Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
- Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: $242
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kailua-Kona $40Kauai $17
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 Kauai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.
- Kauai Poipu & Koloa Town Audio Driving Tour: $9.99
- Kauai Audio Driving Private Tour: $15
- Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii: $17
- Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app: $20
- North Shore Kauai Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Kauai Tour Bundle: Self-Drive GPS Road Trip: $30
- Island Highlights Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $40
- Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour: $64
- Princeville Botanical Gardens Tour and Chocolate Tasting Ticket: $99
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise: $104
- 2-Hour Snorkeling Adventure in Kauai: $115
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKailua-Kona $15Kauai $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kailua-Kona and Kauai, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Kauai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kauai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kauai 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Kauai.
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 Kauai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kailua-Kona or Kauai?
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 Kauai in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kailua-Kona as well as Kauai. Additionally, many visitors come to Kauai in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kailua-Kona is generally around the same temperature as Kauai. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 78°F (25°C), and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kauai. In the summer, Kailua-Kona often gets less sunshine than Kauai. Kailua-Kona gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 255 hours of full sun.
Kailua-Kona usually gets more rain in July than Kauai. Kailua-Kona gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Kauai in the Autumn?
Both Kauai and Kailua-Kona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kauai for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kailua-Kona is around the same temperature as Kauai in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kailua-Kona averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Kauai. Kailua-Kona usually receives less sunshine than Kauai during autumn. Kailua-Kona gets 138 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 208 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kailua-Kona usually receives less rain than Kauai. Kailua-Kona gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Kauai in the Winter?
Both Kauai and Kailua-Kona during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kauai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kailua-Kona is around the same temperature as Kauai. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kailua-Kona in January average around 74°F (23°C), and Kauai averages at about 71°F (22°C).
In the winter, Kailua-Kona often gets less sunshine than Kauai. Kailua-Kona gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 174 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. Kailua-Kona usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kauai. Kailua-Kona gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)Kauai 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Kauai in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kailua-Kona and Kauai. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.
In April, Kailua-Kona is generally around the same temperature as Kauai. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 74°F (24°C), and Kauai fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kauai this time of the year. Kailua-Kona usually receives less sunshine than Kauai during spring. Kailua-Kona gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 206 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kailua-Kona usually receives more rain than Kauai. Kailua-Kona gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)Kauai 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Kauai and Kailua-Kona
| Kailua-Kona | Kauai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 71°F (22°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Apr | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Jul | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.6 inches (17 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Dec | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (62 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.