Which place is cheaper, Vernon or Kauai?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kauai or Vernon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kauai and Vernon. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kauai or Vernon?
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.
Vernon
Vernon is located in British Columbia, Canada. It's in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior and dates back to 1892. The city has a population of about 40,000 and the Greater Vernon area has a population of about 58,584. It's the largest city in the North Okanagan Regional District. In many ways Vernon feels like most other towns around North America, but if you find yourself here with some time to spare, you can find a handful of activities that will help you see it's unique personality and interesting qualities. The town is most popular for its lakes and beaches during the summer monts, and its skiing and hockey during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Canada, and The Best Adventure Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKauai $190Vernon $30
The average daily cost (per person) in Kauai is $190, while the average daily cost in Vernon is $30. 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 Kauai and Vernon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKauai $113Vernon $4.82
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKauai $226Vernon $9.64
Compare Hotels in Kauai and Vernon
Looking for a hotel in Kauai or Vernon? 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: Kauai Hotel Prices and Vernon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kauai $34Vernon -
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 - Lihue Airport to South Shore Kauai Resorts Koloa Poipu: $179
- Private SUV Transfer - Kauai Cruise Ship terminal : $199
Is it cheaper to fly into Kauai or Vernon?
Prices for flights to both Vernon and Kauai 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 dayKauai $56Vernon $25
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
- Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
- Explore Waimea Town on a Walking Food Tour: $129
- 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
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Manor House Dinner & Show: $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.Kauai $17Vernon -
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
- Cruise Ship Excursion: Kauai – Wailua River Cruise & Fern Grotto: $99
- Princeville Botanical Gardens Tour and Chocolate Tasting Ticket: $99
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise: $104
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKauai $14Vernon $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kauai and Vernon, we can see that Kauai is more expensive. And not only is Vernon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vernon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vernon 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 Kauai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kauai than you might in Vernon.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kauai Expensive? and Is Vernon Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kauai or Vernon?
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 Kauai or Vernon in the Summer?
Both Vernon and Kauai during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Kauai in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kauai is around the same temperature as Vernon in the summer. The daily temperature in Kauai averages around 78°F (25°C) in July, and Vernon fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
Kauai usually gets less rain in July than Vernon. Kauai gets 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKauai 78°F (25°C)Vernon 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kauai or Vernon in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kauai and Vernon. Most visitors come to Kauai for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Kauai is much warmer than Vernon. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kauai in October average around 78°F (25°C), and Vernon averages at about 11°C (51°F).
In October, Kauai usually receives more rain than Vernon. Kauai gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKauai 78°F (25°C)Vernon 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kauai or Vernon in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kauai as well as Vernon. The winter months attract visitors to Kauai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Vernon in the winter. In January, Kauai is generally much warmer than Vernon. Daily temperatures in Kauai average around 71°F (22°C), and Vernon fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
Kauai usually gets more rain in January than Vernon. Kauai gets 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKauai 71°F (22°C)Vernon -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Kauai or Vernon in the Spring?
Both Vernon and Kauai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.
Kauai is much warmer than Vernon in the spring. The daily temperature in Kauai averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Vernon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In April, Kauai usually receives more rain than Vernon. Kauai gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Vernon receives 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKauai 73°F (23°C)Vernon 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Vernon and Kauai
| Kauai | Vernon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | -3°C (27°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Feb | 71°F (22°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) | 2°C (35°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 73°F (23°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) | 12°C (53°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| May | 74°F (24°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) | 16°C (61°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 76°F (25°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (25°C) | 0.6 inches (17 mm) | 23°C (73°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) | 23°C (73°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Sep | 78°F (26°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) | 17°C (63°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Nov | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 4°C (39°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (62 mm) | -1°C (30°F) | 33 mm (1.3 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.