A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Pasadena vs. Honolulu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Pasadena or Honolulu?

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 Pasadena and Honolulu. 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: Pasadena or Honolulu?

Pasadena

Pasadena, California is adjacent to Los Angeles and is probably most famous as the host for the New Year's Day Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football game. As such, it has become known as the City of Roses. Year around Pasadena is known to have a vibrant night life. It has a great Old Town area that has impressive shopping and many excellent restaurants. It's also home to the California Institute of Technology and has many museums, theaters, and independent films that make it a cultural haven for the area. Also make sure you visit the Huntington Library which has an impressive art collection and over 150 acres of botanical gardens. It's been featured in several Hollywood Films.

Honolulu

Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.

Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Pasadena?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Pasadena is $62, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Pasadena and Honolulu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Pasadena $25
    Honolulu $183
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Pasadena $50
    Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Pasadena and Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Pasadena or Honolulu? 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.

Hotels in Pasadena


Hotels in Honolulu


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: Pasadena Hotel Prices and Honolulu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Pasadena $21
    Honolulu $26

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $35
  • Airport Shuttle for Two
    $30
  • Hilton Parking
    $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu

Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
  • Honolulu Airport Private Transfer to or from Waikiki: $32
  • Airport Private Transfer with Arrival Lei Greeting: $35
  • Oahu: Honolulu Shuttle Bus Transfer to Pearl Harbor: $37
  • Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu Port: $37
  • Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $39
  • Oahu: Diamond Head Crater Trailhead Transfer & Entry Fee: $50
  • Private Transfers between HNL Airport and Honolulu City: $56
  • Private Airport Transfer: Honolulu International Airport (HNL) to Honolulu: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Pasadena or Honolulu?

Prices for flights to both Honolulu and Pasadena 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Pasadena $19
    Honolulu $53
Typical Food Prices in Pasadena

Some typical examples of dining costs in Pasadena are as follows:


  • Casual Dinner Out (family of 4)
    $58

Typical Food Prices in Honolulu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:


  • Dinner for Two
    $73
  • Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream
    $5.55
  • Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)
    $53
  • Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)
    $34
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)
    $7.50
  • Hot Dog with the Fixins'
    $8.30
  • Sushi Dinner for Two
    $73

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu

For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
  • Honolulu City Lights Dinner Tour: $177

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Pasadena -
    Honolulu $40

Tours and Activities in Pasadena

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Pasadena are as follows:

  • LA: East Side Guided Film Locations Tour: $350
  • Old Pasadena Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $49

Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu

For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Parking for Hike
    $5.00
  • Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two
    $12
  • 2 hr Dinner Cruise
    $85
  • 1 Day Kayak Rental
    $36

Tours and Activities in Honolulu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.

  • Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Waikīkī's Beaches and Royalty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
  • Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $7.99
  • Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Honolulu In-App Audio Tour: Historical & Cultural Treasures: $9.00
  • Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $11
  • Oahu: Honolulu 3-Hour Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Honolulu, HI: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
  • O'ahu's South Shore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Historic A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Pasadena -
    Honolulu $6.47

Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:

  • Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $37


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pasadena and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is Pasadena much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pasadena would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pasadena 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu than you might in Pasadena.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Pasadena Expensive? and Is Honolulu Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Pasadena or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Pasadena. When comparing the sizes of Pasadena and Honolulu, 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 Pasadena or Honolulu?

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 Pasadena or Honolulu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Pasadena as well as Honolulu.

In the summer, Pasadena is cooler than Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pasadena in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Honolulu averages at about 81°F (27°C).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in July than Honolulu. Pasadena gets 0 inches (0 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Pasadena 73°F (23°C) 
    Honolulu 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Pasadena or Honolulu in the Autumn?

Both Honolulu and Pasadena are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In October, Pasadena is generally cooler than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Pasadena average around 68°F (20°C), and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

In October, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Pasadena gets 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Pasadena 68°F (20°C) 
    Honolulu 80°F (26°C)

Should I visit Pasadena or Honolulu in the Winter?

Both Honolulu and Pasadena during the winter are popular places to visit.

Pasadena is much colder than Honolulu in the winter. The daily temperature in Pasadena averages around 56°F (13°C) in January, and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

Pasadena usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Pasadena gets 2.5 inches (63 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Pasadena 56°F (13°C) 
    Honolulu 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Pasadena or Honolulu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Pasadena and Honolulu.

In the spring, Pasadena is cooler than Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pasadena in April average around 62°F (17°C), and Honolulu averages at about 76°F (24°C).

In April, Pasadena usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Pasadena gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Pasadena 62°F (17°C) 
    Honolulu 76°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Honolulu and Pasadena

Pasadena Honolulu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 56°F (13°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 58°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 59°F (15°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 74°F (24°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 62°F (17°C) 0.7 inches (17 mm) 76°F (24°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
May 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm) 78°F (25°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Jun 69°F (20°C) 0 inches (1 mm) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Jul 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (0 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Aug 74°F (24°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Oct 68°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm) 80°F (26°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Nov 62°F (16°C) 1.6 inches (42 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Dec 56°F (13°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)