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

Should you visit Seattle or Maui?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Seattle or Maui, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the museums, theater, and nightlife.

Maui

Maui is a idyllic, adventure-filled, and breathtaking island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Seattle and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Seattle or Maui?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seattle. Although Seattle and Maui are both popular with visitors, Seattle has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Seattle is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, and big city activities, while Maui is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Maui is more touristy than Seattle and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.

How is Seattle different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Seattle is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Seattle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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 Seattle or Maui Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for its theatre productions. However, Maui is not a theatre destination.

With some theater and performance venues, you might want to see a show in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Maui is not a theatre destination.

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

Seattle is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. 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 Seattle or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Seattle is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Seattle know how to have a good time. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

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 Seattle or Maui Better for Music?

Seattle is a great destination for its live music scene. However, Maui is not a live music destination.

Seattle has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Maui is not a live music destination.

Is Seattle or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is notable for its resorts. However, Seattle is not a resort destination.

Maui is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Seattle is not a resort destination.

Is Seattle or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is notable for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Maui to enjoy 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.

Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Seattle or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is renowned for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

The beaches in Maui are among the best in the world. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Seattle or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is renowned for the nearby hiking options. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

Known for its hiking, Maui draws a crowd to experience the nature and the 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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Seattle or Maui?

Both Seattle and Maui are good shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Seattle to go shopping. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Maui. 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 Seattle or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is renowned for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Maui is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Seattle or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is renowned for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Maui has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Seattle or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Seattle is a popular place for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

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 Seattle or Maui Better for Students?

Seattle is a great destination for students. However, Maui is not popular with students.

Seattle is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Maui is not popular with students.

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

Seattle 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 Seattle, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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 Seattle or Maui a more walkable city?

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

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Seattle?

How long in Seattle or Maui?

Both Seattle 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 Seattle. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Seattle, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Seattle. 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 Seattle. 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 Seattle 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 Seattle.

One day in Seattle or Maui?

Seattle is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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.

In Maui, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Seattle or Maui?

Seattle 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.

In Maui, you'll find shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Seattle or Maui?

You'll find live music and food around the outdoorsy big city of Seattle. 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 great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Maui has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Seattle or Maui?

The bustling city of Seattle offers food and shopping. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Maui. In Maui, you'll find shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seattle and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Seattle much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Seattle would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seattle 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 Seattle.

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

When is the best time to visit Seattle or Maui?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Seattle or Maui in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Seattle and Maui. Many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Seattle is generally cooler than Maui. Daily temperatures in Seattle average around 67°F (19°C), and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Seattle, it's very sunny this time of the year. Seattle usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during summer. Seattle gets 313 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Seattle usually receives more rain than Maui. Seattle gets 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Seattle or Maui in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Seattle as well as Maui. Most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Maui because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Seattle is much colder than Maui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Seattle averages around 54°F (12°C) in October, and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. In the autumn, Seattle often gets less sunshine than Maui. Seattle gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

Seattle usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Seattle gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Seattle or Maui in the Winter?

Both Maui and Seattle are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

In the winter, Seattle is much colder than Maui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Seattle in January average around 42°F (5°C), and Maui averages at about 72°F (22°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. Seattle usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. Seattle gets 67 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Maui. It's quite rainy in Seattle. In January, Seattle usually receives more rain than Maui. Seattle gets 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Seattle or Maui in the Spring?

Both Maui and Seattle during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Seattle is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Seattle average around 51°F (11°C), and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Seattle. In the spring, Seattle often gets less sunshine than Maui. Seattle gets 212 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

Seattle usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Seattle gets 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and Seattle