Which place is cheaper, Big Island of Hawaii or Nags Head?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Nags Head or Big Island of Hawaii? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Other reasons to visit include food.
Big Island of Hawaii is a laid back, relaxing, and adventure-filled island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Big Island of Hawaii. Although Nags Head and Big Island of Hawaii are both popular with visitors, Big Island of Hawaii has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Big Island of Hawaii is more touristy than Nags Head and is known for its active volcanoes, black sand beaches, and majestic manta rays. It is also home to the Waipio Valley Overlook. Nags Head is popular for
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Big Island of Hawaii and Nags Head. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Big Island of Hawaii is a popular place for its historical sights. However, Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.
Big Island of Hawaii is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. There are several local museums around the island such as the Hulihe'e Palace and 'Imiloa Astronomy Center. There's also the Hawaii Plantation Museum and the Lyman House Museum.
Nags Head does not have museums and landmarks.
Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Nags Head and Big Island of Hawaii can be difficult as they are each good in their own way.
There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Nags Head. There are a wide variety of seafood restaurants that serve locally caught fish, shrimp, and crabs. Cajon flavors are popular and you'll also find cheese grits at many places.
Visitors will find a budding food and restaurant scene in Big Island of Hawaii. It can be challenging to find local restaurants that aren't catering to the tourist crowd, but when you do you'll be rewarded with great local dishes. Seafood, poke bowls, and shave ice are all popular.
Big Island of Hawaii is adequate for nightlife. However, Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Big Island of Hawaii doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is very chill with many local places that have live music and drinks. You won't find any major nightclubs, but there are karaoke bars and laid back breweries. The most options are found in Hilo and Kailua-Kona.
Nags Head is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.
Big Island of Hawaii is an amazing island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Nags Head is not a resort destination.
For the ultimate resort vacation, Big Island of Hawaii is a great choice. There are a number of beautiful luxury resorts on the island like the Hilton Waikoloa Village, the Four Seasons Resort, and Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort.
Nags Head is not a resort destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is an amazing island to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Nags Head is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
The clear water and abundant marine life make Big Island of Hawaii a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. There are a number of beautiful snorkeling spots where you'll see beautiful fish and sometimes even sea turtles. A bucket list experience is also diving or snorkeling with the manta rays, which will take your breath away.
Nags Head is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is an amazing island to visit for its beaches. However, Nags Head is not a beach destination.
Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Big Island of Hawaii. This is a younger island than most in Hawaii, so the beaches are varied and diverse. You'll find white sand beaches, black volcanic sand beaches, and even green sand. There are also areas where the lava rock reaches the ocean. Hapuna Beach is a favorite as is Honl's Beach.
Nags Head is not a beach destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is an amazing island to visit for hiking. However, Nags Head is not a hiking destination.
People visit Big Island of Hawaii specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. The island is filled with miles of spectacular hiking trails. They'll take you to iconic waterfalls, world-renowned viewpoints, and through fields of lava rocks. Many people spend days hiking in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, but there are also impressive hikes along the Kona Coast.
Nags Head is not a hiking destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is great for shopping. However, Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Big Island of Hawaii. There are many local artisan shops on the island, particular in Hilo, Historic Kailua Village and along the Kohala Coast. You'll find handmade quilts, wooden carved products, and handcrafted jewelry.
Nags Head is not a noteworthy shopping destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is an amazing island to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its family-friendly activities.
As it has a large number of activities for kids, Big Island of Hawaii is a very family-friendly destination. Families will enjoy the laid back island vibe. You can spend some time on the beach and then head inland to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. If your kids are adventurous, the island is a great place to dive or snorkel with manta rays. There are also great hikes, helicopter rides, and luaus.
Nags Head is a very kid-friendly . It makes a wonderful base for the many family-friendly activities in the area. Jockey's Ridge is a fun place to visit with kids. There are also wonderful beaches and many kids enjoying flying kites.
Big Island of Hawaii is an amazing island to visit for romance. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for its romantic activities.
Big Island of Hawaii makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who enjoy a relaxed beach vibe will love a visit to this laid back island. There are upscale resorts as well as independent hotels that have a more personal style. The island also has stunning views, impressive hikes, and countless opportunities for romance.
Nags Head makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There are great seafood restaurants and a number of activities in the area that are fun for couples.
Big Island of Hawaii is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Nags Head is not as popular, but is still a nice for backpackers.
Big Island of Hawaii is very popular with the backpacker crowd. This is one of the most popular islands for backpackers. It has a mellow atmosphere that appeals to young travelers. There are also hostels on the island, but transportation can be challenging.
Nags Head is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. This is one of the more affordable places to stay in the Outer Banks, so it appeals to more budget-oriented travelers.
Big Island of Hawaii is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Nags Head does not have public transit.
Public transit is mostly limited in Big Island of Hawaii. There is a bus service that connects Kona and Hilo. It's called the Hele-On and there are both north and south routes.
Nags Head does not have public transit.
Big Island of Hawaii is mediocre for its walkability. However, Nags Head is not a walkable destination.
Big Island of Hawaii is not a very walkable island. It's the largest of the Hawaiian islands and a car is necessary if you want to see the whole thing.
Nags Head is not a walkable destination.
Nags Head and Big Island of Hawaii both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Big Island of Hawaii than Nags Head because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Nags Head, and 5-14 days is enough time in Big Island of Hawaii.
Families should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Nags Head. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Big Island of Hawaii, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Nags Head. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Big Island of Hawaii that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than Nags Head if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Big Island of Hawaii.
Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.
You'll find shopping and museums around the island of Big Island of Hawaii. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
Nags Head is a fun place to experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. This offers a variety of activities to choose from.
You'll find museums and food around the laid back destination of Big Island of Hawaii. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.
Many people visit Nags Head for five days. Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the of Nags Head. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this has to offer.
You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the relaxing island of Big Island of Hawaii. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.
Many travelers enjoy the food when visiting the destination of Nags Head. Many people spend one week here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nags Head, one week is sufficent for most.
Big Island of Hawaii is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Big Island of Hawaii, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Nags Head is $149, while the average daily cost in Big Island of Hawaii is $250. 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 Nags Head and Big Island of Hawaii in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Nags Head or Big Island of Hawaii? 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.
Prices for flights to both Big Island of Hawaii and Nags Head 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.
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Nags Head.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nags Head and Big Island of Hawaii, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is Nags Head much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nags Head would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nags Head 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 Big Island of Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Island of Hawaii than you might in Nags Head.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nags Head Expensive? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both Big Island of Hawaii and Nags Head are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Nags Head for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Nags Head is around the same temperature as Big Island of Hawaii in the summer. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Nags Head. Nags Head usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during summer. Nags Head gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. It's quite rainy in Nags Head. In July, Nags Head usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Nags Head gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
Both Big Island of Hawaii and Nags Head during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Nags Head is cooler than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Nags Head in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 76°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Nags Head. In the autumn, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Nags Head gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 138 hours of full sun.
Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nags Head usually gets less rain in October than Big Island of Hawaii. Nags Head gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nags Head and Big Island of Hawaii. Most visitors come to Nags Head for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Nags Head can be very cold during winter. In January, Nags Head is generally much colder than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Nags Head average around 41°F (5°C), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
Nags Head usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Big Island of Hawaii during winter. Nags Head gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the winter. Nags Head gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Nags Head usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Nags Head gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
The spring brings many poeple to Nags Head as well as Big Island of Hawaii. Additionally, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.
Nags Head is much colder than Big Island of Hawaii in the spring. The daily temperature in Nags Head averages around 59°F (15°C) in April, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Nags Head this time of the year. In the spring, Nags Head often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Nags Head gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 134 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. Nags Head usually gets less rain in April than Big Island of Hawaii. Nags Head gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Nags Head | Big Island of Hawaii | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 41°F (5°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 8.7 inches (221 mm) |
Feb | 42°F (6°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 10.8 inches (274 mm) |
Mar | 50°F (10°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 13.6 inches (345 mm) |
Apr | 59°F (15°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 15.6 inches (395 mm) |
May | 67°F (19°C) | 4.6 inches (117 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 10.7 inches (272 mm) |
Jun | 74°F (23°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5 inches (127 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 9.7 inches (247 mm) |
Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.7 inches (119 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 8.5 inches (215 mm) |
Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 9.8 inches (248 mm) |
Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 14.8 inches (375 mm) |
Dec | 45°F (7°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 12.6 inches (321 mm) |