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

Should you visit Raleigh or Honolulu?

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

Should I visit Raleigh or Honolulu? 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: Raleigh or Honolulu?

Raleigh

Raleigh is the capital city of the state of North Carolina. The city has a population of about 450,000 and is home to many colleges and university including North Carolina State University, Shaw University, Saint Augustine's College, Meredith College and Peace University. The city has a wide range of museums, restaurants, theaters, and parks. There's also an extensive greenway system that is great for biking or running.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Raleigh?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Raleigh is $189, 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 Raleigh and Honolulu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Raleigh $104
    Honolulu $183
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Raleigh $208
    Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Raleigh and Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Raleigh 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 Raleigh


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: Raleigh Hotel Prices and Honolulu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Raleigh $37
    Honolulu $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Raleigh

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Raleigh:

  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $126
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $119
  • Durham to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $63
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Durham - Arrival Private Transfer: $63
  • Raleigh to Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) - Departure Private Transfer: $59
  • Raleigh-Durham Airport (RDU) to Raleigh Arrival Private Transfer: $59

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:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by Executive Car: $157
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu To Ko'olina: $53
  • Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
  • Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers: $181
  • Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
  • Full-day Tour in Oahu Island with Transfer: $98
  • HNL Airport & Waikiki Private Transfer by Brand New Mercedes Van: $160
  • Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
  • Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 people): $130
  • Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Minivan (up to 5 people): $70
  • Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
  • Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by SUV(up to 6 people): $100

Is it cheaper to fly into Raleigh or Honolulu?

Prices for flights to both Honolulu and Raleigh 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
    Raleigh $57
    Honolulu $53
Typical Food Prices in Raleigh

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Raleigh:


  • The Pit Authentic BBQ (for 3)
    $84

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Raleigh

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Raleigh.

  • Private Cooking Class in Durham with an Expert Home Cook: $104

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
  • Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
  • Honolulu City Lights Dinner Tour: $177
  • Lanai Tabura curated Aloha Plate Hawaii Food Tour from Honolulu: $208

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Raleigh $37
    Honolulu $40

Tours and Activities in Raleigh

Here are a few actual costs in Raleigh for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Carolina Hurricanes Ice Hockey Game Ticket at PNC Arena: $68
  • Murder Mystery Detective Experience Chapel Hill, NC: $15
  • Private Pedicab Tour of Downtown Raleigh: $60
  • Raleigh African American History Tour: $13
  • Raleigh Downtown: Historic Walking Tours: $16
  • Raleigh Ghost and Urban Legend Tour: $16
  • Raleigh Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Tour: $30
  • Raleigh Historian-Guided Downtown Walking Tour: $16
  • Raleigh Puzzling Adventure: $35
  • Ghosts and Ghouls Hauntings Walking Tour: $26
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • True Crime History Guided Walking Tour: $16

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.

  • Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia 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
  • Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio 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
  • Historic A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • O'ahu's South Shore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Raleigh $27
    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 Raleigh and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is Raleigh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Raleigh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Raleigh 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 Raleigh.

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


Which is Bigger, Raleigh or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 35% larger than the population of Raleigh. When comparing the sizes of Raleigh 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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh or Honolulu in the Summer?

Both Honolulu and Raleigh during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Raleigh in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Raleigh is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Raleigh in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Honolulu averages at about 81°F (27°C).

In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Raleigh. In the summer, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Raleigh gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Raleigh gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Raleigh 79°F (26°C) 
    Honolulu 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Raleigh or Honolulu in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Raleigh and Honolulu. Most visitors come to Raleigh for the city's sights and attractions during these months.

In October, Raleigh is generally much colder than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Raleigh average around 61°F (16°C), and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. In Raleigh, it's very sunny this time of the year. Raleigh usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during autumn. Raleigh gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Raleigh gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Raleigh 61°F (16°C) 
    Honolulu 80°F (26°C)

Should I visit Raleigh or Honolulu in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Raleigh as well as Honolulu. The winter months attract visitors to Raleigh because of the museums and the cuisine.

The weather in Raleigh can be very cold. Raleigh is much colder than Honolulu in the winter. The daily temperature in Raleigh averages around 40°F (5°C) in January, and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. In the winter, Raleigh often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Raleigh gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Raleigh usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Raleigh gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Raleigh 40°F (5°C) 
    Honolulu 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Raleigh or Honolulu in the Spring?

Both Honolulu and Raleigh are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city are the main draw to Raleigh this time of year.

In the spring, Raleigh is much colder than Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Raleigh in April average around 60°F (16°C), and Honolulu averages at about 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Raleigh. Raleigh usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu during spring. Raleigh gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Raleigh usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Raleigh gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Raleigh 60°F (16°C) 
    Honolulu 76°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Honolulu and Raleigh

Raleigh Honolulu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 40°F (5°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 43°F (6°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 52°F (11°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 74°F (24°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 60°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 76°F (24°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
May 68°F (20°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm) 78°F (25°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Jun 76°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Jul 79°F (26°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 4.9 inches (125 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 73°F (23°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm) 81°F (27°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Oct 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm) 80°F (26°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Nov 53°F (11°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm) 77°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Dec 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)