Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Sarasota?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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: Sarasota or Kailua-Kona?
Sarasota
Located on the Gulf Coast of southwest Florida, Sarasota is a popular city known for its thriving arts scene, selection of restaurants, plenty of shopping, and beautiful beaches. The metropolitan area is a hub of city culture, while the beaches offer escapes of fine white sand and aqua waters.
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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySarasota $249Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Sarasota is $249, 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 Sarasota and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSarasota $108Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSarasota $216Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Sarasota and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Sarasota 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: Sarasota Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sarasota -Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sarasota
Also for Sarasota, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Sarasota to Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Intl. Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota - Arrival Private Transfer: $48
- Sarasota–Bradenton Airport (SRQ) to Sarasota Round-Trip Transfer: $96
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 Sarasota or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Sarasota 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 daySarasota $137Kailua-Kona $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sarasota
For Sarasota, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Sarasota Street Food Tour: $85
- Taste of Downtown Food Tour: $105
- Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota: $110
- Sarasota Kayak and Food Tour: $165
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.Sarasota $11Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Sarasota
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sarasota.
- Sarasota Art Crawl Trolley Tour: $14
- Palmetto: Haunted History Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Robinson Preserve Nature Walk Eco Tour: $40
- Mangroves, Manatees, and a Hidden Beach: Kayak Tour: $50
- Adventure and Wildlife Watch Kayak Rentals in Sarasota: $50
- Sharkey's Glass Bottom Fish Feeding LED Night Tour in Sarasota: $55
- 2 Hours Guided Robinson Preserve Mangrove Tour: $55
- Siesta Key Kayak Tour : $57
- Kayak Paddling Experience at The Bay Park: $58
- Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure: $59
- Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour: $59
- Siesta Key Guided Eco Tour: $59
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 daySarasota -Kailua-Kona $15
When comparing the travel costs between Sarasota and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Sarasota 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 Sarasota Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Kailua-Kona?
Sarasota has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Sarasota 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Sarasota is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the summer, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Sarasota gets 8.4 inches (214 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 JulySarasota 82°F (28°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Sarasota or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the shopping scene during these months.
Sarasota is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Sarasota usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSarasota 76°F (24°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Sarasota or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Kailua-Kona. The winter months attract visitors to Sarasota because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Sarasota is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kailua-Kona. Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Sarasota gets 2.3 inches (59 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 JanuarySarasota 59°F (15°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Sarasota or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year.
In April, Sarasota is generally around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSarasota 73°F (23°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Sarasota
| Sarasota | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 78°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 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.