Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Saint John's?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint John's or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint John's or Kailua-Kona? 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: Saint John's or Kailua-Kona?
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint John's $222Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $222, 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 Saint John's and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint John's $120Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint John's $240Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Saint John's 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: Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint John's $17Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- Round-Trip Transfer between Antigua Airport and Antigua Hotels: $32
- Shared Roundtrip Taxi Transfer from Antigua Airport to Royalton Antigua Resort: $45
- Private One-Way Antigua Airport Transfer To/From Antigua: $45
- Private Transfer from St. John's Port to Antigua Airport (ANU): $50
- Private Transfer from Antigua Airport (ANU) to St. John's Port: $50
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $60
- Antigua Airport Private Roundtrip Transfer to and from Royalton Antigua Resort: $60
- Private Airport Transfers to Antigua and Barbuda: $60
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $74
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $78
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $78
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 Saint John's or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Saint John's 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 daySaint John's $68Kailua-Kona $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
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.Saint John's $103Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- Stingray City Experience Antigua - ONLY TICKET: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
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 daySaint John's $18Kailua-Kona $15
When comparing the travel costs between Saint John's 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. Even though Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Kailua-Kona is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint John's Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Kailua-Kona?
Saint John's has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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 Saint John's or Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint John's or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Kailua-Kona. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round.
In July, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (81°F), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint John's 27°C (81°F)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Kailua-Kona. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint John's is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 27°C (80°F) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Saint John's receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Saint John's usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint John's 27°C (80°F)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
In the winter, Saint John's is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint John's in January average around 24°C (76°F), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during winter. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. In January, Saint John's usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint John's 24°C (76°F)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint John's or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Saint John's during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Saint John's is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 26°C (78°F), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the spring, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint John's 26°C (78°F)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Saint John's
| Saint John's | Kailua-Kona | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) | 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.