A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America New Bern vs. Big Island of Hawaii for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit New Bern 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.

New Bern

New Bern is a laid back, quaint, and charming town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

Big Island of Hawaii

Big Island of Hawaii is a laid back, relaxing, and adventure-filled island. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

New Bern and Big Island of Hawaii: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Big Island of Hawaii. Although New Bern 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 popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while New Bern is known for its small town charm. Big Island of Hawaii is more touristy than New Bern and is popular for its active volcanoes, black sand beaches, and majestic manta rays. It is also home to the Waipio Valley Overlook. New Bern is popular for being the birthplace of Pepsi.

How is New Bern different from Big Island of Hawaii?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Big Island of Hawaii and New Bern. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

Both New Bern and Big Island of Hawaii have good landmarks and museums for visitors.

New Bern is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. Many visitors check out the Tryon Palace while they're in town. Other museums include the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Carolina Creations Fine Art & Contemporary Craft Gallery, and the New Bern Academy Museum.

Big Island of Hawaii offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. 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.

Is the Food Better in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both New Bern and Big Island of Hawaii can be an enjoyable experience.

New Bern offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of local eateries, bistros, and cafes in town. You can sample southern favorites or something international. Popular dishes include fresh caught fish, crab cakes, and even tacos.

Big Island of Hawaii has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Nightlife?

Party-goers will find similar levels of energy in New Bern and Big Island of Hawaii.

New Bern is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. There are a couple of pubs and breweries around town.

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.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Resorts?

Big Island of Hawaii is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not a resort destination.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Big Island of Hawaii is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Beaches?

Big Island of Hawaii is an unbeatable place for its beaches. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not a beach destination.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Hiking?

Big Island of Hawaii is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. However, New Bern 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.

New Bern is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

Big Island of Hawaii is well known for shopping. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping opportunities.

Big Island of Hawaii is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting New Bern. There are local shops and boutiques that sell clothing, antiques, and gifts.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Families?

Big Island of Hawaii is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. However, New Bern is not particularly known for its kid-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.

For families, New Bern is not always the best place to visit. Stand up paddle boarding and other outdoor activities are a fun way to experience the area with kids. You could also visit the New Bern Fireman's Museum, the Tryon Palace, or one of the parks around town.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Couples?

Big Island of Hawaii is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, New Bern is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

New Bern makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town's charm and quaint parks make this a nice weekend getaway. There are outdoor activities and the Tryon Palace which is nice to visit. There are also local restaurants around town.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Big Island of Hawaii is well known for backpackers. However, New Bern is not particularly known for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Big Island of Hawaii. 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.

New Bern is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not popular with backpackers in part because it's a small town that most people breeze through on their way to the beach.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Big Island of Hawaii is a island with a few options for its public transit. However, New Bern is not particularly known for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is quite limited in New Bern. There's no real public transit in the area.

Is New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii a more walkable city?

New Bern is a nice place to visit for its walkability. However, Big Island of Hawaii is not known for its high level of walkability.

New Bern is somewhat walkable. The downtown area is walkable and nice to explore on foot.

Big Island of Hawaii is not a walkable town. It's the largest of the Hawaiian islands and a car is necessary if you want to see the whole thing.

For even more information, also check out Is New Bern Worth Visiting? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii or New Bern?

How long in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

New Bern 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 New Bern because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for New Bern, and 5-14 days is enough time in Big Island of Hawaii.

Families should spend more time in Big Island of Hawaii than New Bern. 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 New Bern. 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 New Bern 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.

One day in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

New Bern is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that New Bern has to offer.

The beautiful island of Big Island of Hawaii offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

New Bern is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Big Island of Hawaii is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

Many people visit New Bern for five days. New Bern is a small town, so you can explore the area with less time. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Big Island of Hawaii is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Big Island of Hawaii, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

Because New Bern is a small town, it's easy to explore in a short amount of time. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Big Island of Hawaii is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Big Island of Hawaii has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New Bern and Big Island of Hawaii, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is New Bern much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to New Bern would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in New Bern 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 New Bern.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New Bern Expensive? and Is Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii?

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 New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii in the Summer?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and New Bern during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

New Bern is around the same temperature as Big Island of Hawaii in the summer. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 80°F (27°C) in July, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. New Bern usually gets less rain in July than Big Island of Hawaii. New Bern gets 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New Bern and Big Island of Hawaii. Many visitors come to New Bern in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere. 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, New Bern is cooler than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New Bern in October average around 65°F (18°C), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 76°F (24°C).

Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, New Bern usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. New Bern gets 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New Bern as well as Big Island of Hawaii. Most visitors come to New Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Big Island of Hawaii because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, New Bern is generally much colder than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in New Bern average around 44°F (7°C), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. New Bern usually gets less rain in January than Big Island of Hawaii. New Bern gets 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New Bern or Big Island of Hawaii in the Spring?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and New Bern are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to New Bern because of the small town charm. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.

New Bern is cooler than Big Island of Hawaii in the spring. The daily temperature in New Bern averages around 62°F (16°C) in April, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. In April, New Bern usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. New Bern gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Big Island of Hawaii and New Bern