A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Honolulu for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zurich or Honolulu?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Zurich and Honolulu. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Zurich or Honolulu?

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

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 Zurich, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Zurich?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $273, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Zurich and Honolulu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $173
    Honolulu $183
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $346
    Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Honolulu

Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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.

Hotels in Zurich


Hotels in Honolulu


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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Honolulu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $36
    Honolulu $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Switzerland: Private Transfer to Interlaken & Grindelwald: $618
  • Private Transfer between Zurich and Interlaken: $444
  • Private Transfer From Zurich to Vaduz, 2 Hour Stop in Balzers: $296
  • Private Transfer From Zurich to St. Gallen, With a 2 Hour Stop: $282
  • Private Transfer From St. Gallen to Zurich With a 2 Hour Stop: $282
  • Private Sightseeing Transfer from Zurich to Basel With Stops: $271
  • Private Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Basel in Luxury Van: $264
  • Private Arrival Transfer: from Zurich Airport to Zug: $258
  • Private Transfer from Zurich to Interlaken with English Driver: $243
  • Private Transfer From Zurich to Bern: $232
  • Private Transfer Zurich city to Zurich Airport ZRH by Minibus: $213
  • Private Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Basel City in Car or Van: $209

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $35
  • Airport Shuttle for Two
    $30
  • Hilton Parking
    $24

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu

Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
  • Shared Departure Transfer from Waikiki Hotels to Honolulu Airport: $18
  • Shared Departure Transfer: Oahu Hotels or Cruise Terminal to Honolulu Airport: $20
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $20
  • Honolulu Airport Private Transfer to or from Waikiki: $32
  • Airport Private Transfer with Arrival Lei Greeting: $35
  • Oahu: Honolulu Shuttle Bus Transfer to Pearl Harbor: $37
  • Private Transfer from Honolulu Airport (HNL) to Honolulu Port: $37
  • Shared Round-Trip Transfer: Honolulu Airport to Hotel or Cruise Terminal: $39
  • Oahu: Diamond Head Crater Trailhead Transfer & Entry Fee: $50
  • Private Transfers between HNL Airport and Honolulu City: $56
  • Private Airport Transfer: Honolulu International Airport (HNL) to Honolulu: $66

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Honolulu?

Prices for flights to both Honolulu and Zurich 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zurich $63
    Honolulu $53
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.

  • Zürich Food Tour: $100
  • Culinary Tour from Zurich with Traditional Swiss Cheese Fondue Dinner: $153

Typical Food Prices in Honolulu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:


  • Dinner for Two
    $73
  • Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream
    $5.55
  • Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)
    $53
  • Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)
    $34
  • Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)
    $7.50
  • Hot Dog with the Fixins'
    $8.30
  • 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:

  • Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
  • Honolulu City Lights Dinner Tour: $177

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $36
    Honolulu $40

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • 2 Hour Private Walking Tour to Explore the Gems of Zürich: $281
  • 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $229
  • 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $103
  • A Cairo Adventure to Memphis, Sakkara, and Dahshur Pyramids: $56
  • A Guided Tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo: $78
  • A Thrifty Luxor Adventure to the West Bank's Top Sights: $61
  • Adventure to Mount Pilatus from Zurich: $188
  • Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $159
  • Best of Zürich & Surroundings: Walking Tour, Cable Car and Ferry: $89
  • Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
  • Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour with a local: $88
  • Cairo Tour To Pyramids of Giza, Old Cairo, Khan Bazaar: $95

Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu

For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Parking for Hike
    $5.00
  • Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two
    $12
  • 2 hr Dinner Cruise
    $85
  • 1 Day Kayak Rental
    $36

Tours and Activities in Honolulu

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.

  • Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Waikīkī's Beaches and Royalty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
  • Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $7.99
  • Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Honolulu In-App Audio Tour: Historical & Cultural Treasures: $9.00
  • Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
  • USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $11
  • Oahu: Honolulu 3-Hour Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
  • Honolulu, HI: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
  • O'ahu's South Shore: A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15
  • Historic A Self-Guided Driving Tour: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $30
    Honolulu $6.47

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Zurich: $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Honolulu

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Honolulu:

  • Shaxi Dive Bar Tour: $37


When comparing the travel costs between Zurich and Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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. Even though Zurich is in Europe and Honolulu is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Honolulu?

Honolulu has a larger population, and is about 9% larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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.


When is the best time to visit Zurich or Honolulu?

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 Zurich or Honolulu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Honolulu. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Zurich is generally cooler than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 21°C (70°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zurich 21°C (70°F) 
    Honolulu 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Zurich or Honolulu in the Autumn?

Both Honolulu and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Zurich is much colder than Honolulu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 13°C (56°F) in October, and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Honolulu. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Zurich usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zurich 13°C (56°F) 
    Honolulu 80°F (26°C)

Should I visit Zurich or Honolulu in the Winter?

Both Honolulu and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In the winter, Zurich is much colder than Honolulu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Zurich in January average around 3°C (37°F), and Honolulu averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zurich 3°C (37°F) 
    Honolulu 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Zurich or Honolulu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Honolulu. Many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty.

In April, Zurich is generally much colder than Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 12°C (53°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Honolulu during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Honolulu. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zurich 12°C (53°F) 
    Honolulu 76°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Honolulu and Zurich

Zurich Honolulu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 74°F (24°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 76°F (24°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 78°F (25°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (12 mm)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.6 inches (15 mm)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.4 inches (11 mm)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 81°F (27°C) 0.7 inches (19 mm)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 80°F (26°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)