How much does it cost to travel to Hilo?
You should plan to spend around $171 per day on your vacation in Hilo. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $70 on meals
- $25 on local transportation
- $142 on hotels
A one week trip to Hilo for two people costs, on average, $2,393. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Hilo has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Hilo expensive to visit?
Prices in Hilo are reasonable and comparable to your average travel destination. Hotels, food, and sightseeing are generally within normal price ranges.
Within North America, which is known to be an expensive region, Hilo is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Charleston or Nashville.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Hilo Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Hilo?
The average Hilo trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Hilo travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
$142
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
$25
|
|
Food 2
|
$70
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
$32
|
|
Alcohol 2
|
$5 -
15
|
Accommodation Budget in Hilo
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Hilo is $71. For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Hilo is $142. This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Hilo? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Hilo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Hilo is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $25 per person, per day, on local transportation in Hilo.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$25
How much does it cost to go to Hilo? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Hilo will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Hilo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Hilo can vary, the average cost of food in Hilo is $70 per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Hilo should cost around $28 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Hilo is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$70
Entertainment Budget in Hilo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Hilo typically cost an average of $32 per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$32
Alcohol Budget in Hilo
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $10 on alcoholic beverages in Hilo per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$10
Hilo On a Budget
Hawaii Volcano National Park, near Hilo, Hawaii
Hilo is a town on the Big Island of Hawaii. It is also the county seat and largest city in Hawaii County, so many people use it as the starting point to explore the eastern half of the island. The town has a population of just over 40,000 people. It looks out over Hilo Bay and most of the town's development is between Hilo Bay and Waiakea-Uka near the active volcano of Mauna Loa. Hilo is where you will find the University of Hawaii at Hilo, Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawaii, the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Corportation and Hilo International Airport.
The town's climate is tropical rainforest. There is a significant amount of rainfall throughout the year. It is located on the eastern, or windward side of the Big Island so it is the third wettest city in the United States. There are an average of 126 inches of rain annually and precipitation occurs on 275 days a year. The monthly mean temperature is 71 degrees Fahrenheit in January and 76 degrees Fahrenheit in August.
Sights
There are a handful of sites around the town of Hilo, although most visitors prefer to get out of town and explore the other area's along the eastern side of the Big Island. Popular museums in town include the Pacific Tsunami Museum, the Hilo Art Museum, and the Lyman House Museum. Other landmarks include the King Kamehameha Statue and Naha Stone. Also make sure you visit Lili'uokalani Gardens. This authentic Japanese garden was built in the early 1900s and is quite beautiful. Rainbow Falls is a good alternative to Akaka Falls. You are most likely to see the rainbow early in the day.
Neighborhoods
Downtown Hilo has plenty of shopping opportunities and restaurants, particularly in the Bayfront area. The farmer's market is also located downtown. The downtown area is pedestrian friendly and you can spend a decent amount of time exploring the area.
If you're looking for retail shopping then head to Prince Kuhio Plaza. It is best to have a car as this is not a pedestrian friendly area.
If you want to enjoy the ocean then Richardson's Ocean Park is a great place to visit. It's located at the end of Kalanianaole (Highway 19). This is a popular place with locals for family cookouts. It's also a great place to snorkel or relax on the beach.
Activities
There is no shortage of activities in and around Hilo. Surfing is a big part of the culture around town. You can rent boards from Orchidland Surf. If you're interested in swimming then head to Four Mile, which is a popular swimming spot, although there is not a beach. Other activities include helicopter tours of the area and visiting the Kaumana caves.
Food and Dining
Hilo offers a handful of local specialties. The town is particularly famous for its locally-made ice cream. It's available at several places around town including Hilo Homemade Ice Cream at 41 Waianuenue Avenue. If you're looking to grab a quick and cheap bite to eat then head to Hilo Farmer's Market, which is located on the corner of Samehameha Avenue and Mamo Street. They have a wide variety of tropical fruit.
Other budget options around town include Blane's Drive Inn, Hilo Coffee Mill, Cafe 100, Kuhio Grille, Suisan, Ken's House of Pancakes, and Ocean Sushi Deli. If you're looking to splurge, then there are a handful of high end restaurants that offer excellent fresh seafood and entrees.
Transportation
The Hilo International Airport is the main airport on the eastern side of the Big Island. Most of the airport's flights arrive from Honolulu but there is also one daily flight from Kahului and a non-stop flight from LAX.
Most visitors to the town have their own vehicle as public transportation is extremely limited on the island. Renting a car is recommended and you should make reservations well in advance as cars may be limited if there is an event or festival taking place on the island. Taxis are also available from the airport. There is also the Hele-On Bus system that runs a couple of times a day.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
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.