Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Sonoma?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sonoma or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Sonoma and Kailua-Kona can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Sonoma or Kailua-Kona?
Sonoma
When people say Sonoma, they are often referring to the region's wine country, but in fact, Sonoma is a county, a valley, and a town. The county covers 1,768 square miles and is more spread out than nearby Napa. There are more than 30 cities and towns in the county and 425 wineries with tasting rooms. The county also borders the Pacific Ocean, and the beautiful 55 mile stretch of coastline is rugged and dramatic.
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 Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySonoma $219Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Sonoma is $219, 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 Sonoma and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSonoma $93Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSonoma $186Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Sonoma and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Sonoma 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: Sonoma Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sonoma $134Kailua-Kona $45
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 Sonoma or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Sonoma 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 daySonoma $56Kailua-Kona $58
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.Sonoma $16Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Sonoma
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Sonoma.
- Sonoma Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour & Game: $49
- Sonoma Valley: Wine Trolley Tasting Tour with Lunch: $125
- Sonoma Valley: Guided Winery Tour with Picnic Lunch: $126
- Create your own wine blend experience: $140
- From Napa Valley Classic Sidecar Tour to 3 Wineries: $300
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 daySonoma $41Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Sonoma
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Sonoma:
- San Francisco: Half-Day Wine Tour with 2 Tastings Included: $189
- Sonoma Food & Wine Tour: $235
When comparing the travel costs between Sonoma 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 Sonoma Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sonoma or Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 1% larger than the population of Sonoma. When comparing the sizes of Sonoma 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 Sonoma 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 Sonoma or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Sonoma during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Sonoma for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Sonoma is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sonoma in July average around 73°F (23°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (25°C).
Sonoma usually gets less rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Sonoma gets 0.1 inches (2 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 JulySonoma 73°F (23°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Sonoma or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sonoma and Kailua-Kona. The autumn months attract visitors to Sonoma because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sonoma is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Sonoma average around 62°F (17°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
In October, Sonoma usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Sonoma gets 1.3 inches (33 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 OctoberSonoma 62°F (17°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Sonoma or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sonoma as well as Kailua-Kona. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sonoma this time of year.
Sonoma is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the winter. The daily temperature in Sonoma averages around 46°F (8°C) in January, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
It's quite rainy in Kailua-Kona. Sonoma usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kailua-Kona. Sonoma gets 3.8 inches (96 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 JanuarySonoma 46°F (8°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Sonoma or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Sonoma are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Sonoma for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sonoma is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sonoma in April average around 56°F (13°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (24°C).
In April, Sonoma usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Sonoma gets 1.2 inches (31 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 AprilSonoma 56°F (13°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Sonoma
| Sonoma | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 56°F (13°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 64°F (18°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 69°F (21°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 73°F (23°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 70°F (21°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 62°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 46°F (8°C) | 2.7 inches (68 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.