Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Kailua-Kona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kailua-Kona or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kailua-Kona or Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKailua-Kona $231Vancouver $141
The average daily cost (per person) in Kailua-Kona is $231, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $141. 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 Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKailua-Kona $141Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKailua-Kona $282Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Kailua-Kona and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Kailua-Kona or Vancouver? 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 Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kailua-Kona $45Vancouver $12
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 Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.35
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.71
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Vancouver Airport-Cypress/Grouse Mountain Private Transfer: $38
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to White Rock - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- White Rock to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $46
- Canada Place Port to Vancouver Airport(YVR) - Departure Transfer : $55
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Canada Place Port - Arrival Transfer: $55
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $61
- Vancouver to Victoria: Ferry with Bus Transfer: $73
- Vancouver to Victoria, Coach Bus Transfer: $74
- Private Transfer from Canada Place Cruise Terminal to any Hotel: $74
- Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Whistler - Arrival Private Transfer: $76
- Vancouver to Victoria - Vancouver Hotel Pickup - Coach Bus Transfer: $83
Is it cheaper to fly into Kailua-Kona or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $58Vancouver $31
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 Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $84
- The Gastown Experience Walking Food Tour: $85
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $100
- Vancouver Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $100
- North Vancouver Shipyards Food Tour: $108
- Vancouver Authentic Chinese Food Tour: $134
- VIP Granville Island Market Vancouver - Walking Food Tour: $138
- Authentic Asian Eats Walking Food Tour: $142
- 3-Hour Bowen Island Boat Cruise with Dinner: $153
- Vancouver Evening Dinner Cruise: $157
- Granville Island Uncorked Walking Food Tour: $161
- Bowen Island Dinner and Zodiac Boat Tour by Vancouver Water Adventures: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kailua-Kona $40Vancouver $36
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 Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Vancouver self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.74
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.82
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.11
- Fort Langley: a Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.19
- Discover Stanley Park with a Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.19
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.46
- Historic Walking Tours of Vancouver with Then & Now Images!: $6.68
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.68
- Vancouver Downtown: Espionage Adventure Outdoor Escape Game: $6.94
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.30
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.42
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKailua-Kona $15Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl ROUTE B: $18
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Vancouver - Granville Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $84
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with a light Lunch from Vancouver: $134
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $134
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $138
- Taste of the Valley Wine Tour: $148
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $164
- Fraser Valley & White Rock Premium Public Wine Tour: $166
- Stawamus Chief Hike & Local Brewery Tasting : $167
- Full-Day Private Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver: $189
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kailua-Kona and Vancouver, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.
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 Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kailua-Kona or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Kailua-Kona and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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 Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kailua-Kona as well as Vancouver.
Kailua-Kona is a little warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Kailua-Kona averages around 78°F (25°C) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In the summer, Kailua-Kona often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Kailua-Kona usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Kailua-Kona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In the autumn, Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kailua-Kona in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Kailua-Kona usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Kailua-Kona gets 138 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Kailua-Kona usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Kailua-Kona during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. In January, Kailua-Kona is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 74°F (23°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Kailua-Kona often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. Kailua-Kona usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kailua-Kona and Vancouver.
Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Kailua-Kona averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Kailua-Kona usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Kailua-Kona gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kailua-Kona usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Kailua-Kona
| Kailua-Kona | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.