Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Providence?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Providence or Kailua-Kona?
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 Providence and Kailua-Kona. 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: Providence or Kailua-Kona?
Providence
Providence is the state capital and the largest city in Rhode Island. It's a fascinating city to visit with diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a rich history. Like much of New England, the winters are cold and snowy with milder summers. It's a great year round destination that has a beautiful setting whether it's covered in snow or in full bloom.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayProvidence $210Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Providence is $210, 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 Providence and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personProvidence $114Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomProvidence $228Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Providence and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Providence 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: Providence Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Providence $46Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Providence TF Green Airport PVD: $36
- Providence to Rhode Island Airport PVD Departure Transfer : $46
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $46
- Private Transfer from Providence Airport (PVD) to Newport Port : $49
- Private Transfer from Providence City Hotels to Newport Port: $61
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- Providence to Boston’s Logan International Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- New York’s JFK International Airport to Providence – Departure Private Transfer: $272
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 Providence or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Providence 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 dayProvidence $48Kailua-Kona $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downcity Providence Food Tour: $89
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.Providence $26Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Providence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
- Providence Scavenger Hunt: Providence Adventure: $12
- Self-Driving Audio Tour: $13
- Providence, RI: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Downtown Providence Self-Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Providence, RI: $15
- Ghosts, Phantoms and Poltergeists Walking Tour: $26
- Providence Ghosts Phantoms and Poltergeists Tour: $30
- Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour: $30
- Haunted History Walking Tour of Providence: $30
- Providence Mob Walking Tour: $33
- The Creative Capital: An Art and Architecture Tour of Providence: $35
- Power and Politics: The Struggle for the Soul of Providence Tour: $35
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 dayProvidence $13Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Providence
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Providence:
- Vineyard Voyages - Floating Wine Tasting: $65
When comparing the travel costs between Providence and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Providence Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Providence or Kailua-Kona?
Providence has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Providence 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 Providence or Kailua-Kona?
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 Providence or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Providence during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Providence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Providence is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Providence in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Providence. In the summer, Providence often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Providence gets 293 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.
Providence usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Providence gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyProvidence 73°F (23°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Providence or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Providence and Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to Providence for the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Providence is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Providence average around 53°F (12°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. Providence usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Providence gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Providence usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Providence gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberProvidence 53°F (12°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Providence or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Providence as well as Kailua-Kona. The winter months attract visitors to Providence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Providence can be very cold. Providence is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Providence averages around 28°F (-2°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
In the winter, Providence often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona. Providence gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kailua-Kona. Providence usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Providence gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryProvidence 28°F (-2°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Providence or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Providence are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In the spring, Providence is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Providence in April average around 48°F (9°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Providence. Providence usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Providence gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Providence usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Providence gets 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilProvidence 48°F (9°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Providence
| Providence | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°F (-2°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 30°F (-1°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 38°F (3°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 48°F (9°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 44°F (7°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 33°F (0°C) | 4.1 inches (105 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.