Which place is cheaper, Maui or Tucson?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tucson or Maui?
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 Maui can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Maui?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona is the second largest city in the state and sits at an elevation of 2,400 feet. It's temperature is slightly milder than Phoenix and it is a pleasant place to visit. Most people arrive in the city by car, but Amtrak does travel through Tucson, as does Greyhound. The area is also served by the Tucson International Airport. Once in the city, you'll likely want to have access to a car, as the city is not very pedestrian friendly and public transportation is very much lacking. Many popular and beautiful sights are also outside of town in the surrounding desert, so having access to a vehicle is paramount if you hope to visit any of the places.
Maui
Who hasn't spent at least one Monday morning fantasizing about holding a mai tai on a Hawaiian beach? A trip to Maui may be just what we all have in mind, but it's so much more than a drink on a sandy towel.
At over 700 square miles, the island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands with a small population of just over 140,000 people. The island enjoys approximately two seasons a year with a mild climate just about everywhere. Rough living, right?
Voted "Best Island in the World" by many in the travel industry, Maui is the center for whale watching, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and the home of a large and lush rainforest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $157Maui $275
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $157, while the average daily cost in Maui is $275. 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 Maui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Maui $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Maui $282
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Maui
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Maui? 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 Maui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Maui $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maui
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maui:
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $13
- Private transfer: Kahului to Kahului Airport (OGG): $99
- Private transfer: Kahului Airport (OGG) to Kahului: $99
- Private Transfer from Maui City Hotels to Lahaina Cruise Port: $80
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Maui city hotels: $80
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Kahului Airport(OGG): $80
- Private Departure Transfer to Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $78
- Private Arrival Transfer from Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $31
- Private Customizable Road to Hana Tour with Transfer: $500
- Private Customizable Island Tour with Transfer: $500
- Maui to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) - Departure Private Transfer: $85
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Maui?
Prices for flights to both Maui 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 $36Maui $94
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Maui
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maui.
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $120
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Thanksgiving Dinner Cruise Aboard Calypso: $130
- Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Prime Rib or Mahi Mahi Dinner Cruise : $140
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- South Gilligans' Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks: $166
- Mystery Puzzle Food Tour in Lahaina for 2 People: $170
- Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience - Ma'alaea: $170
- Maui Sunset Luau Dinner Cruise from Ma'alaea Harbor aboard Pride of Maui: $187
- Haleakala's Best Sunset Tour with Dinner: $210
- Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance plus Dinner: $219
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Maui $38
Tours and Activities in Maui
Here are a few actual costs in Maui for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Private Upcountry Farm Tour on Maui : $300
- Sunset Tour to Haleakalā National Park from Paia : $189
- 1pm Haleakala Guided Downhill Tour: $149
- 2 hour Maalaea Luxury Powerboat Sunset Cruise Exclusive 6 Guests: $283
- 2hr Koa Kai Sunset Whale Watch Adventure: $149
- 3 Hours Guided Koa Kai Snorkel Adventure & Sunset Combo: $83
- 4 Dual-Zipline Mountain Adventure ~ Maui: $200
- 4-HR Molokini Crater + Turtle Town Snorkeling Experience: $180
- 4-Hour Lanai Snorkel & Dolphin Tour from Lahaina: $205
- 7-Line Maui Zipline Tour on the North Shore: $149
- Afternoon Adventure Snorkel from Ka'anapali: $169
- All Hawaii Self-Guided Driving Tours Bundle: $40
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Maui $41
Sample the Local Flavors in Maui
Also in Maui, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Goat Farm, Distillery, & Glass-Blowing Tour w/ Tasting: $224
- Maui Tour : Iao Valley, Hawaiian Distillery and Lavender Farm Tour: $300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Maui, we can see that Maui 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 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 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 Maui Expensive?.
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.