Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Vail?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vail or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Vail or Kailua-Kona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Vail or Kailua-Kona?
Vail
Vail is one of the premier ski resort areas in the United States. Located in central Colorado, Vail is not far from Denver and situated in the heart of the Rockies. Here you'll find a quaint mountain town designed around tourism, especially for the winter, although plenty of visitors come in the warmer months, too.
High-end hotels, condos, and other accommodation options are surrounded by shops and restaurants that are all somewhat expensive compared to other costs in the United States. Because of this, Vail is definitely not considered an "affordable" travel option for many. However, good deals can be found if you look around and do some research.
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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVail $291Kailua-Kona $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Vail is $291, 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 Vail and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVail $174Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVail $348Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Vail and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Vail 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: Vail Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vail $19Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vail
Also for Vail, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Eagle County Airport(EGE) to Steamboat - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Eagle County Airport to Breckenridge Keystone: Arrival Transfer: $93
- Eagle County Airport to Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon-Arrival Transfer: $115
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat Springs-Round-Trip Transfer: $121
- Eagle County Regional (EGE) to Steamboat Springs-Arrival Transfer: $121
- Private Departure Transfer to Vail Airport EGE: $128
- Eagle County Airport to Steamboat - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Eagle Airport (EGE) to Glenwood Resorts Round-Trip Transfer: $154
- Private Arrival Transfer from Vail Airport EGE: $156
- Vail/Beaver Creek/Avon to Denver Airport DEN - Departure Transfer: $219
- EGE Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Vail, Beaver Creek, and Avon: $230
- Avon/Vail Valley to Denver Airport (DEN) - Departure Private Transfer : $239
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 Vail or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Vail 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 dayVail $74Kailua-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.Vail $133Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Vail
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vail.
- Smartphone Driving Tour between Denver & Vail / Breckenridge: $7.99
- Save the Mountain Escape Room Adventure: $45
- Stand Up Paddle Board Colorado River Adventure: Guided Half Day : $98
- Inflatable Kayak Adventure Colorado River: Half Day Guided Tour : $109
- Bike Tour or Mountain Bike down Vail Mountain: $120
- Dillon Marina & Shopping Tour: $267
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 dayVail $9.79Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vail and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Vail is more expensive. And not only is Kailua-Kona much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kailua-Kona would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kailua-Kona 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 Vail would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vail than you might in Kailua-Kona.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vail Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vail or Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Vail. When comparing the sizes of Vail 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.
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.