Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Norfolk?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Norfolk or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Norfolk or Kailua-Kona? 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.
Where Should I go: Norfolk or Kailua-Kona?
Norfolk
The city of Norfolk in the U.S. state of Virginia is a port city holding a large Navy and shipping presence in its harbor. With a long history as a strategic military point, Norfolk is home to the largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk. Other attractions include opportunities for dining, shopping, and entertainment as well as many parks and memorials.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorfolk $166Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Norfolk is $166, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $231. 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 Norfolk and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorfolk $84Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorfolk $168Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Norfolk and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Norfolk or Kailua-Kona? 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: Norfolk Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Norfolk $54Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Norfolk
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Norfolk:
- Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Norfolk or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Norfolk 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 dayNorfolk $49Kailua-Kona $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Norfolk
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Norfolk.
- Norfolk Buffet Dinner Cruise : $101
- Buffet Dinner Cruise: $101
- Norfolk Father's Day Buffet Dinner Cruise: $126
- Norfolk Mother's Day Signature Dinner Cruise: $169
- Norfolk 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise: $182
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Norfolk $14Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Norfolk
Here are a few actual costs in Norfolk for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Norfolk with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Skip the Line: Virginia Living Museum Admission Ticket: $22
- Neon District Contemporary Art Walking Tour: $32
- Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin Combo Ticket: $38
- Electric Bike Rental Downtown Norfolk (self guided tour) : $60
- Elizabeth River Candlelit Buffet Lunch Cruise: $67
- Norfolk Buffet Brunch Cruise : $84
- Elizabeth River Sunday Buffet Brunch Cruise: $95
- Norfolk Father's Day Buffet Brunch Cruise: $104
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNorfolk $10Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Norfolk and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Norfolk much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Norfolk would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Norfolk 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 Norfolk.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Norfolk Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Norfolk or Kailua-Kona?
Norfolk has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Norfolk and Kailua-Kona, 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 Norfolk or Kailua-Kona?
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.
Should I visit Norfolk or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Norfolk and Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Norfolk for the family-friendly experiences.
Norfolk is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. Norfolk usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Norfolk gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
Norfolk gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Norfolk usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Norfolk gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNorfolk 79°F (26°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Norfolk or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Norfolk as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Norfolk in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Norfolk is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Norfolk in October average around 62°F (16°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Norfolk this time of the year. In the autumn, Norfolk often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Norfolk gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Norfolk usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Norfolk gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNorfolk 62°F (16°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Norfolk or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Norfolk are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Norfolk for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Norfolk can be very cold during winter. In January, Norfolk is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Norfolk average around 39°F (4°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Norfolk usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona during winter. Norfolk gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. In January, Norfolk usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Norfolk gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNorfolk 39°F (4°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Norfolk or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Norfolk during the spring are popular places to visit.
Norfolk is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Norfolk averages around 58°F (14°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Norfolk. In the spring, Norfolk often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Norfolk gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
Norfolk usually gets less rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Norfolk gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNorfolk 58°F (14°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Norfolk
| Norfolk | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 39°F (4°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 49°F (10°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 79°F (26°C) | 5.7 inches (145 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 62°F (16°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 53°F (12°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 44°F (7°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.