A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Asheville vs. Maui for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Asheville or Maui?

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 Asheville and Maui. 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.

Asheville

Asheville is a progressive, open-minded, and eclectic mountain town. Asheville is a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Asheville travel costs.

Maui

Maui is a breathtaking, stunning, and idyllic island. The famous beauty of Maui is one of the main draws. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Maui travel costs.

Asheville and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Asheville or Maui?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Maui than Asheville, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Maui is better known for its museums and attractions, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Asheville is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere. Maui is more touristy than Asheville and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. Also, Maui is famous for Haleakala National Park. Asheville is well known for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, and local North Carolina barbecue.

How is Asheville different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Maui and Asheville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Asheville or Maui?

Maui is a island with a few options for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Maui offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Asheville or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Asheville is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Asheville. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Asheville is a great destination for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

The people in Asheville know how to have a good time. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Music?

Asheville is a great destination for its live music scene. However, Maui is not a live music destination.

Asheville has become a hotbed of musicians and artists. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Maui is not a live music destination.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is well known for its resorts. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its luxury resorts.

There are plenty of resorts in Maui to choose from. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Asheville has a few great resort options. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is well known for its diving and snorkeling. However, Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Asheville is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for its Old Town?

Asheville is a mountain town with a few options for its old town. However, Maui does not have a historic old town.

You can check out the historic old town in Asheville. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Maui does not have a historic old town.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its hiking experiences. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Maui is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Many visitors go to Asheville for the hiking trails. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Is the Shopping Better in Asheville or Maui?

Asheville is a great destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Maui is still popular, but not quite as popular for its shopping areas.

Asheville is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Maui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Asheville or Maui More Beautiful?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Maui is one of the main draws. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

Asheville offers plenty of beauty for visitors. With the surrounding mountains and the charming town, the area is filled with natural beauty.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Maui is very family-friendly. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Asheville. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for couples.

Maui is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Asheville is a great mountain town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a great destination for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Asheville is a great mountain town to visit for backpackers. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Students?

Asheville is a great destination for students. However, Maui is not popular with students.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

Maui is not popular with students.

Is Asheville or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Asheville and Maui.

Public transit is generally limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around by using their own vehicle. In particular, if you plan to hike or explore the Blue Ridge Mountains, you'll need a car. Many of the downtown hotels offer shuttle buses to the Biltmore area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Asheville or Maui a more walkable city?

Asheville is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Asheville is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to reach restaurants and shops on foot. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

Maui is not a very walkable mountain town. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Asheville Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Asheville?

How long in Asheville or Maui?

Both Asheville and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Maui than in Asheville. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Asheville, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Asheville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Maui, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Maui than Asheville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Maui that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Asheville than Maui if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Asheville.

One day in Asheville or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the live music and food when visiting the destination of Asheville. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the island of Maui. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Asheville or Maui?

Asheville is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling around the stunning destination of Maui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Asheville or Maui?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the outdoorsy destination of Asheville. This mountain town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the adventure-filled island of Maui. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. If you have five days, this island makes for a great vacation. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer.

A week in Asheville or Maui?

The outdoorsy mountain town of Asheville offers nightlife and live music. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Maui is a popular choice for travelers. One week here is typical. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Maui, one week is sufficent for most. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Asheville and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Asheville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Asheville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Asheville 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 Asheville.

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

When is the best time to visit Asheville or Maui?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Asheville or Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and Asheville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Asheville this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

Asheville is around the same temperature as Maui in the summer. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. Asheville usually receives less sunshine than Maui during summer. Asheville gets 268 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Asheville. In July, Asheville usually receives more rain than Maui. Asheville gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Asheville or Maui in the Autumn?

Both Maui and Asheville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Maui in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Asheville is cooler than Maui. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Asheville in October average around 64°F (18°C), and Maui averages at about 78°F (26°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Asheville. In the autumn, Asheville often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Asheville gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

Asheville usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Asheville gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Asheville or Maui in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Asheville and Maui. Many visitors come to Asheville in the winter for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Asheville is generally much colder than Maui. Daily temperatures in Asheville average around 44°F (7°C), and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. Asheville usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. Asheville gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

Maui receives a lot of rain in the winter. Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Asheville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Maui. Asheville gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Asheville or Maui in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Asheville as well as Maui. Most visitors come to Asheville for the natural beauty during these months. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

Asheville is cooler than Maui in the spring. The daily temperature in Asheville averages around 64°F (18°C) in April, and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In the spring, Asheville often gets more sunshine than Maui. Asheville gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the spring. Asheville usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Asheville gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and Asheville