Which place is cheaper, Maui or Big Pine Key?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key 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.
Where Should I go: Big Pine Key or Maui?
Big Pine Key
If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!
Maui
Who hasn't spent at least one Monday morning fantasizing about holding a mai tai on a Hawaiian beach? A trip to Maui may be just what we all have in mind, but it's so much more than a drink on a sandy towel.
At over 700 square miles, the island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands with a small population of just over 140,000 people. The island enjoys approximately two seasons a year with a mild climate just about everywhere. Rough living, right?
Voted "Best Island in the World" by many in the travel industry, Maui is the center for whale watching, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and the home of a large and lush rainforest.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska, The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.
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Big Pine Key Prices
USA PricesMaui Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBig Pine Key $174Maui $343
The average daily cost (per person) in Big Pine Key is $174, while the average daily cost in Maui is $343. 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 Big Pine Key and Maui in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBig Pine Key $64Maui $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBig Pine Key $128Maui $282
Compare Hotels in Big Pine Key and Maui
Looking for a hotel in Big Pine Key or Maui? 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: Maui Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Big Pine Key $56Maui $62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maui
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maui:
- VIP Private Maui OGG Arrival Transfer in Black Cadillac Escalade: $259
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $16
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Maui city hotels: $173
- Private Transfer from Lahaina Cruise Port to Kahului Airport(OGG): $173
- Private Transfer Kahului Airport OGG to Maui Kihei Lahaina Wailea: $42
- Private Arrival Transfer from Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $39
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $41
- Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) to Maui hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Big Pine Key or Maui?
Prices for flights to both Maui and Big Pine Key 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 dayBig Pine Key $72Maui $162
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Maui
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maui.
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $140
- Ma'alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise : $150
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise - A Hawaiian Hula Experience: $158
- South Gilligans' Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks: $166
- Authentic Hawaiian Dinner Pa'ina with Natives in Hana: $185
- Wailele Luau Including Fire and Knife Performance Plus Dinner: $219
- Haleakala Maui Sunset Twilight Tour with Dinner: $255
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Big Pine Key $42Maui $38
Tours and Activities in Maui
Here are a few actual costs in Maui for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Maui Dolphin Watch Sightsee Raft Tour (Semi-Private): $97
- 2-Hour Ma'alaea Humpback Whale Watching Cruise for up to 6 Guests: $269
- 2.5 Hour Whale Escape Tour: $177
- 4 Dual-Zipline Mountain Adventure in Maui: $200
- 4-Hour Makena Whale Watch Tour: $135
- 9am Haleakala Guided Downhill Tour : $149
- Best of Maui Tour: Sips, Sites and Bites with Lunch: $259
- Classic Haleakala Sunrise Tour: $244
- Clear Bottom Kayak and Snorkel Tour at Turtle Town, Makena : $125
- Deluxe Road to Hana Rainforest and Waterfall Experience from Maui: $226
- Discover Lahaina: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- E-Scooter Tour At Turtle Town With Optional Photo and Video: $139
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBig Pine Key $9.29Maui $41
Sample the Local Flavors in Maui
Also in Maui, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery and Beach Cruise in a Vintage VW Bus : $229
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Big Pine Key Expensive? and Is Maui Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Big Pine Key or Maui?
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 Big Pine Key or Maui in the Summer?
Both Maui and Big Pine Key during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Maui in the summer. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 84°F (29°C) in July, and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the summer, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Maui. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun.
Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in July than Maui. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBig Pine Key 84°F (29°C)Maui 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Maui in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Maui. 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, Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Maui. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Big Pine Key in October average around 80°F (27°C), and Maui averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Maui during autumn. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Big Pine Key gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Big Pine Key usually receives more rain than Maui. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBig Pine Key 80°F (27°C)Maui 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Maui in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Maui. Additionally, most visitors come to Maui for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
In January, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 70°F (21°C), and Maui fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the winter, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Maui. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Maui. Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in January than Maui. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBig Pine Key 70°F (21°C)Maui 72°F (22°C)
Should I visit Big Pine Key or Maui in the Spring?
Both Maui and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Maui because of the beaches and the natural beauty.
Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Maui in the spring. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 77°F (25°C) in April, and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Maui during spring. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Maui. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBig Pine Key 77°F (25°C)Maui 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Maui and Big Pine Key
| Big Pine Key | Maui | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| May | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 0.8 inches (20 mm) |
| Jun | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Aug | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Sep | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Oct | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| Nov | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Dec | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
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.