Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tucson or Honolulu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Honolulu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Honolulu?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sunny, dry climate. As a gateway to the American Southwest, Tucson blends a laid-back atmosphere with strong Mexican and Native American influences, creating a unique desert city experience. Its historic neighborhoods feature colorful adobe architecture, lively murals, and a thriving arts scene. Nature lovers are drawn to Tucson for its easy access to saguaro-studded national parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking sunsets. With a strong university presence, the city pulses with youthful energy, affordable entertainment, and a dynamic culinary scene. Budget travelers will appreciate Tucson’s range of low-cost attractions and accessible public spaces, making it an excellent base for exploring both city sights and the nearby wilderness. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up desert vibes, Tucson offers something for every traveler.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Tucson Prices
USA PricesHonolulu Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Honolulu $329
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $329. 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 Tucson and Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Honolulu $190
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Honolulu $380
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Tucson 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.
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: Tucson Hotel Prices and Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Honolulu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 【ARRIVAL】Honolulu Airport -Private Transfer to Waikiki: $85
- Waikiki Private transfer Airport to Hotel *1-12 Passengers: $150
- Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $47
- Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $23
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $24
- Shared Arrival Transfer from Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotels: $25
- Round Trip Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu City: $55
- Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Sedan Car: $119
- Private Transfer: Honolulu Airport HNL to Honolulu in Luxury SUV: $150
- Private Transfer waikiki to HNL airport * 1-12 passenger*: $140
- Private Transfer from Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Minibus: $266
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu / Waikiki hotels: $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu and Tucson 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 dayTucson $63Honolulu $91
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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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:
- Oʻahu: Nā Lei Aloha Lūʻau & Dinner or Cocktail Show Option: $93
- Waikiki Food Tour with Local Guide: $101
- Da Local's Food Tour of Oahu: $150
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show with Transportation: $166
- Sunset 5 Course Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $193
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner Cruise with Live Jazz: $236
- Brewery and Local Food Tour: $600
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Honolulu $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Pearl Harbor USS Arizona Memorial, small group Tour: $100
- #1 Private VIP USS Arizona Memorial & Historic Honolulu Tour: $799
- 'Lost' and Movie Tour: $200
- 3 Hour Sightseeing *SPECIALTY Tour: $149
- 3 Zipline Adventure with Waikiki Transportation: $157
- 3-Hour Honolulu Bottom Fishing Adventure: $87
- 4 Hour Half Day Island Jeep Tour: $190
- 5 Hour Romantic Hawaii Jeep Tour: $276
- 6 Hour Local Food Plate Jeep Tour: $230
- 7 Day Hawaii Tour!: $8,800
- Afternoon Honolulu City Tour: $144
- Afternoon at McGarret - Hawaii 5-0 TV Tour: $239
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Honolulu $6.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:
- Waikiki Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu is more expensive. And not only is Tucson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tucson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tucson 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 Tucson.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tucson Expensive? and Is Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tucson or Honolulu?
Tucson has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of Tucson 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.
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.