A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Portland vs. Maui for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Portland or Maui?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Portland and Maui 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.

Portland

Portland is a nature-filled, scenic, and laid-back city. Don't miss this spot, as it's a charming small town with plenty of activities. Portland is a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Portland travel costs.

Maui

Maui is a adventure-filled, breathtaking, and stunning island. Maui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping. See Maui travel costs.

Portland and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Portland or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Portland and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Portland attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, and small town charm. Maui is more touristy than Portland and is popular for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. Portland is famous for its independent and vintage shops, thriving art scene, lush parks and gardens, progressive and quirky personality, and easy access to amazing natural beauty.

How is Portland different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Portland or Maui?

Spend time exploring the reasonable sights and museums in either Portland or Maui.

While most people don't head to Portland specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Visitors usually come for the city's outdoor recreation and eclectic personality more than the landmarks and museums. There are a few places to visit on a rainy day though including Pittock Mansion, the Portland Art Museum, and the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry.

Maui offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Is the Food Better in Portland or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Both Portland and Maui offer reasonable local cuisine and restaurants.

Portland offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The town is more famous for it's craft beer than it's food, but there are still a number of local restaurants that offer unique Oregon dishes. You'll find no shortage of vegetarian and vegan options on most menus. There is also a big farm-to-table scene with many farmers markets around town as well.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Maui. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Portland is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Portland has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Famously, this town's nightlife is all about the craft beer and local breweries. Make sure you check out Bailey's Taproom, The Big Legrowlski, and The Commons Brewery.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Music?

Portland is a popular place for its live music scene. However, Maui is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Portland is active and vibrant. The town has a thriving live music and international folk dancing scene.

Maui is not a live music destination.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a very popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Portland is not a resort destination.

In Maui, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Portland is not a resort destination.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a very popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Portland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Maui is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Portland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is very popular for its beaches. However, Portland is not a beach destination.

Maui is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Portland is not a beach destination.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is very popular for its hiking trails. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Around Maui visitors will find world-class hiking trails. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Portland. Just outside of town you'll find amazing hikes and stunning natural beauty. In town there are many urban hikes through parks and gardens, but in just a short drive you also have access to Mount Hood and many of the region's most beautiful hikes around the Columbia River Gorge.

Is the Shopping Better in Portland or Maui?

Shoppers can find a variety of nice stores in both Portland and Maui.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Portland. To fully experience shopping in town, head to the local vendors and thrift shops. There are many vintage clothing shops, book stores, and independent sellers around town. The city is also full of farmers markets. For some of the most interesting shopping, check out the Pearl District, Pioneer Place, Union Way, and Downtown neighborhoods.

Maui offers some nice shopping areas. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Portland or Maui More Beautiful?

Maui is very popular for its scenery and beauty. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Maui is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

Portland is a beautiful place to visit, too. Surrounded by mountains and filled with parks and greenspace, many people find this town to be quite beautiful.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is very popular for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Maui is an extremely popular island to visit for families. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Portland. This is an outdoor city by nature, so families will appreciate the many parks and outdoor recreational activities around town. It's easy to fill a couple of days exploring and having fun with the kids. Kid-friendly activities include the zoo, the aerial tram, and several great museums.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is very popular for romance. Also, Portland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Maui is a great island for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Portland makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The laid-back, alternative vibe is fun to explore as a couple. There are independent bookstores, nice parks, and plenty of outdoor activities to choose from. Couples who enjoy an eclectic city, breweries, and nature, will find a lot to do in town.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Portland is a great destination for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Portland is a great city to visit for backpackers. The town has drawn young explorers for years, and backpackers who like to step away from the mainstream will feel right at home here.

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Students?

Portland is a popular place for students. However, Maui is not popular with students.

Portland is popular with students. It's a young and relaxed city that attracts independent thinkers. There are many bookstores and breweries around town. The cost of living can be a bit high though.

Maui is not popular with students.

Is Portland or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Portland is a popular place for its public transit. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Portland, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. The town has a bus and light rail system as well the Aerial tram.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Portland or Maui a more walkable city?

Portland is a great destination for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Portland is a very walkable city. It is quite walkable, particularly in the tourist areas such as Downtown, Pearl, and Old Town Chinatown.

Maui is not a very walkable city. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Portland Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Portland?

How long in Portland or Maui?

Both Portland and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Portland. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Portland, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Portland than Maui 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 Portland.

One day in Portland or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Portland. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

The beautiful island of Maui offers shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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 Portland or Maui?

Portland is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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.

Maui 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 Portland or Maui?

You'll find live music and shopping around the laid-back destination of Portland. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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

A week in Portland or Maui?

The eclectic city of Portland offers shopping and nightlife. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.

Maui 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 Maui has to offer. This island offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Portland or Maui?

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 Portland or Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and Portland during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Portland for the hiking, the small town charm, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Maui in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Portland is cooler than Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Portland in July average around 68°F (20°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Portland. In the summer, Portland often gets more sunshine than Maui. Portland gets 338 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun.

Portland usually gets more rain in July than Maui. Portland gets 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Portland and Maui. Many visitors come to Portland in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Maui for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Portland is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Portland average around 55°F (13°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. Portland usually receives less sunshine than Maui during autumn. Portland gets 155 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Portland usually receives more rain than Maui. Portland gets 2.6 inches (67 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Portland or Maui in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Portland as well as Maui. Most visitors come to Portland for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Maui because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Portland can be very cold during winter. Portland is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in Portland averages around 40°F (4°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. In the winter, Portland often gets less sunshine than Maui. Portland gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Maui. Portland receives a lot of rain in the winter. Portland usually gets more rain in January than Maui. Portland gets 5.2 inches (132 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Portland or Maui in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Portland is much colder than Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Portland in April average around 51°F (11°C), and Maui averages at about 74°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland. Portland usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during spring. Portland gets 231 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Portland usually receives more rain than Maui. Portland gets 2.4 inches (61 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Maui and Portland