A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Phoenix vs. Oahu for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Phoenix or Oahu?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Phoenix and Oahu can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food.

Oahu

Oahu is a vibrant, cosmopolitan, and scenic island. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Phoenix and Oahu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Phoenix or Oahu?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oahu. Although Phoenix and Oahu are both popular with visitors, Oahu has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oahu is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its unique blend of cultures, stunning beaches, vibrant energy, and world class water sports (including surfing). It is also home to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Phoenix different from Oahu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Oahu and Phoenix. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Phoenix or Oahu?

Oahu is a great island for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Oahu. The USS Arizona Memorial & Pearl Harbor is a moving and special place to visit, but tickets should be purchased in advance. Other landmarks around the island include the Tour Iolani Palace and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Is the Food Better in Phoenix or Oahu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Phoenix and Oahu can be an enjoyable experience.

Phoenix is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Oahu offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. Honolulu has a diversity of cuisines and a cosmopolitan vibe, giving it some of the best food in the Hawaiian Islands. The local restaurants are influenced by a number of countries and often incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Portuguese flavors. Dishes are often saucy, sweet, and starchy, but you'll also find fresh tropical fruits such as mango and coconut.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Nightlife?

Oahu is a great island for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Oahu has something for everybody. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Music?

Oahu is adequate for its music scene. However, Phoenix is not a live music destination.

While it's not known for it's music scene, Oahu has some options for casual listeners. There are a few good venues that offer live music on Oahu.

Phoenix is not a live music destination.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Resorts?

Oahu is a great island for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix is not a resort destination.

In Oahu, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The island has a diversity of resorts, from luxury 5 star accommodation to family-friendly resorts that are fun for all ages. Ko Olina is where you'll find Aulani, the Disney Resort. Waikiki is one of the most famous tourist areas on the island and you'll find high rise hotels and condos along the beach.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Oahu is a great island for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Oahu is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. Snorkeling and diving on the island is among the best in the world. There are 3 marine life conservation parks and miles of coastline to explore.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Beaches?

Oahu is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Oahu is considered to be a world-class beach destination. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Hiking?

Oahu is an unbeatable place for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Around Oahu visitors will find world-class hiking trails. World famous hikes on the island include Diamond Head and Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead. There are hikes ranging from easy to challenging and views that will take your breath away.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Phoenix or Oahu?

Oahu is a great island for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Oahu. There are shopping centers and malls in Honolulu that have major department stores as well as island favorites. For a local experience head to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet or wander along the Waikiki Beach Walk with its many boutique shops. Also worth a visit is the Honolulu Chinatown market.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Families?

Oahu is an unbeatable place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Oahu is an extremely popular island to visit for families. There are plenty of outdoor activities, places to learn about Hawaiian culture, and world class beaches. The most popular family-friendly area is Ko Olina, which is where you'll find the Disney Resort, Aulani. Kids will also enjoy the area's snorkeling and kayaking. Surfing lessons are a fun activity for the whole family as well.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Couples?

Oahu is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Oahu is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The island offers a beautiful and adventurous honeymoon destination that is perfect for anniversaries and other romantic getaways. It's an island paradise with world class beaches, stunning vistas, and countless water sports.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oahu is a island with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

Oahu is a good island to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels on the island. Public transportation is also a bit better than the other islands, so it is one of the better Hawaiian islands for backpackers.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Phoenix or Oahu Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Phoenix and Oahu both offer decent public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Public transit is generally limited in Oahu. Honolulu has a fairly good bus system, but once you're out of the city, public transportation is limited.

Is Phoenix or Oahu a more walkable city?

Phoenix and Oahu are decent when it comes to walkability.

Phoenix is generally not a very walkable city. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

Oahu is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable neighborhoods in Honolulu, but if you really want to explore the island, you'll want to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Phoenix Worth Visiting? and Is Oahu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oahu or Phoenix?

How long in Phoenix or Oahu?

Both Phoenix and Oahu have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oahu than in Phoenix. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Phoenix, and 3-7 days is enough time in Oahu.

Families should spend more time in Oahu than Phoenix. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Oahu, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Oahu than Phoenix. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Oahu that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oahu than Phoenix 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 Oahu.

One day in Phoenix or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Phoenix. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

In Oahu, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Phoenix or Oahu?

Phoenix is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Oahu, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Phoenix or Oahu?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the desert destination of Phoenix. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Oahu is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Oahu has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Phoenix or Oahu?

The desert city of Phoenix offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Oahu. In Oahu, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Phoenix or Oahu?

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 Phoenix or Oahu in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Phoenix and Oahu. Most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Oahu because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Phoenix is generally a little warmer than Oahu. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 98°F (36°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Oahu during summer. Phoenix gets 380 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Phoenix usually receives more rain than Oahu. Phoenix gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Phoenix or Oahu in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Phoenix as well as Oahu. The autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Also, the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.

Phoenix is around the same temperature as Oahu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Phoenix averages around 79°F (26°C) in October, and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In the autumn, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Oahu. Phoenix gets 305 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun.

Phoenix usually gets less rain in October than Oahu. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Phoenix or Oahu in the Winter?

Both Oahu and Phoenix are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Oahu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Phoenix is much colder than Oahu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Phoenix in January average around 58°F (14°C), and Oahu averages at about 73°F (23°C).

It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. Phoenix usually receives more sunshine than Oahu during winter. Phoenix gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Phoenix usually receives less rain than Oahu. Phoenix gets 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Phoenix or Oahu in the Spring?

Both Oahu and Phoenix during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oahu in the spring for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Phoenix is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Phoenix average around 74°F (23°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Phoenix. In the spring, Phoenix often gets more sunshine than Oahu. Phoenix gets 355 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun.

Phoenix usually gets less rain in April than Oahu. Phoenix gets 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Oahu and Phoenix