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

Should you visit Austin or Maui?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Austin or Maui, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Austin

Austin is a lively, entrepreneurial, and eccentric city. It's a big city with many activities to entertain visitors, too. Austin is a very beautiful destination, too. And you can't forget about the food, shopping, and museums. See Austin travel costs.

Maui

Maui is a breathtaking, stunning, and idyllic island. The famous beauty of Maui is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Maui travel costs.

Austin and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Austin or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Austin and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Austin attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, and big city activities. Maui is more touristy than Austin and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. Austin is famous for its live music scene, excellent Texas barbecue, authentic Mexican food, and vibrant student population.

How is Austin different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Austin is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Austin offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Austin has a number of great museums and sights including the Blanton Museum of Art, the Mexic-Arte Museum, and the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum. There's also a huge supply of local art galleries. Perhaps the most notable landmark in town is the beautiful Texas Capital Building

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. 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.

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

Austin is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Austin is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It is credited with being the original food truck city and you'll find many diverse food truck options around town. There is also amazing Mexican food, world renowned Texas barbecue, and many modern restaurants that reflect the city's culinary influence.

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 Austin or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Austin is a must-visit destination for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Austin is a world class party destination. It's nightlife is centered around its thriving live music scene. Head for Sixth Street for some of the most popular bars and clubs. There are also many music festivals and outdoor concerts, particularly during the summer months. Popular bars and clubs around town include the White Horse, the Rose Room, and Antone's Nightclub.

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 Austin or Maui Better for Music?

Austin is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Maui is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Austin Music is what gives this city its character. There are many live music venues, concerts, and music festivals to experience. Austin has influenced many music genres such as rock, blues, jazz, hip hop, punk, and country.

Maui is not a live music destination.

Is Austin or Maui Better for Resorts?

Maui is a great destination for its resorts. However, Austin is not a resort destination.

Maui is a popular resort destination that attracts visitors from everywhere. 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.

Austin is not a resort destination.

Is Austin or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Many visitors go to Maui to enjoy scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Austin is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Austin or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Austin is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Maui are among the best in 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.

Austin is not a beach destination.

Is Austin or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Austin is a city with minimal options for hiking.

Known for its hiking, Maui draws a crowd to experience the nature and the trails. 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 include a hike while visiting Austin. Head just outside of town to explore a few great hiking spots right near town.

Is the Shopping Better in Austin or Maui?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Maui and Austin.

Austin is a great destination for shopping. There are a number of local boutiques around town where you can enjoy shopping.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Maui. 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 Austin or Maui More Beautiful?

Maui is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Austin is a city with minimal options 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.

Austin is beautiful destination to visit. The city has some nearby natural beauty as well as an eclectic style.

Is Austin or Maui Better for Families?

Maui is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Maui is an amazing family-friendly island to visit. 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.

Austin offers lots of family activities. The city is a popular destination for young travelers, but there are also some family-friendly activities like Barton Springs, Zilker Park, and several natural swimming holes. There's a number of nice parks around town that are great for kids of all ages.

Is Austin or Maui Better for Couples?

Maui is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Austin is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Maui has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Austin makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Young couples will enjoy the city for its lively nightlife, fun music scene, and youthful vibe. There are also many outdoor areas where you can hike or explore. The restaurant scene is among the best as well.

Is Austin or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Austin is a great city to visit for backpackers. Although the city is relatively small, it does see a disproportionate number of backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in town as well.

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 Austin or Maui Better for Students?

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

Austin is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. The city has a huge university, the University of Texas at Austin, and it is a young city with tons for international students. There is a great nightlife scene and plenty for students to see and do.

Maui is not popular with students.

Is Austin 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 Austin and Maui.

Public transit is generally limited in Austin. There are city buses and a very limited lightrail system, but you really need a car to explore the city.

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 Austin or Maui a more walkable city?

Austin is a city with a few options for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Austin is generally not very walkable. The city, like most southern cities, isn't very walkable and it's important to have a car to get around. There are some downtown areas that are pedestrian-friendly.

Maui is not a very walkable city. 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 Austin Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Austin?

How long in Austin or Maui?

Both Austin 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 Austin. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Austin, and 3-7 days is enough time in Maui.

Families should spend more time in Maui than Austin. 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 Austin. 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 Austin 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 Austin.

One day in Austin or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Austin. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Maui. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Austin or Maui?

Austin is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. 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.

Maui is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Austin or Maui?

You'll find food and shopping around the unconventional destination of Austin. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Maui. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Austin or Maui?

The entrepreneurial city of Austin offers shopping and museums. 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.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the adventure-filled destination of Maui. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Austin 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 Austin or Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and Austin are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Austin in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Austin is a little warmer than Maui. Typically, the summer temperatures in Austin in July average around 87°F (30°C), and Maui averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Austin. Austin usually receives more sunshine than Maui during summer. Austin gets 318 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Austin usually receives more rain than Maui. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Austin or Maui in the Autumn?

Both Maui and Austin during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Austin for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Maui because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Austin is generally cooler than Maui. Daily temperatures in Austin average around 73°F (23°C), and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Austin. In the autumn, Austin often gets less sunshine than Maui. Austin gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

Austin usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Austin gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Austin or Maui in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Austin and Maui. The winter months attract visitors to Austin because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

Austin is much colder than Maui in the winter. The daily temperature in Austin averages around 51°F (11°C) in January, and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. Austin usually receives less sunshine than Maui during winter. Austin gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

Maui receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Austin usually receives less rain than Maui. Austin gets 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Austin or Maui in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Austin as well as Maui. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Austin this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Austin is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the spring temperatures in Austin in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Maui averages at about 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 Austin this time of the year. In the spring, Austin often gets less sunshine than Maui. Austin gets 209 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

Austin usually gets more rain in April than Maui. Austin gets 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Maui and Austin