Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Galveston?
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 Galveston or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Galveston and Kailua-Kona can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Galveston or Kailua-Kona?
Galveston
Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.
Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.
Kailua-Kona
Kailua-Kona, often simply called Kona, is a vibrant seaside town located on the west coast of Hawaii’s Big Island. Known for its sunny weather, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere, Kona offers travelers an appealing mix of natural beauty and Hawaiian culture. The town is famous for its historic waterfront, local coffee farms, and as the gateway to many of the island’s unique adventures. Despite its popularity, Kailua-Kona remains more relaxed and less crowded than some of Hawaii’s other tourist hubs. Beach lovers, water sports enthusiasts, history buffs, and foodies will all find plenty to enjoy here. With a mix of affordable accommodations, local eateries, and free or inexpensive attractions, it’s a great destination for budget travelers. The nearby volcanic landscapes, snorkeling spots, and lively marketplaces make it an excellent base for exploring the west side of the Big Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Galveston Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGalveston $221Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Galveston is $221, while the average daily cost in Kailua-Kona is $274. 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 Galveston and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGalveston $81Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGalveston $162Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Galveston and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Galveston or Kailua-Kona? 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: Galveston Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Galveston $35Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
Is it cheaper to fly into Galveston or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Galveston 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 dayGalveston $90Kailua-Kona $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Galveston
For Galveston, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Taste of the Strand all-inclusive family friendly food tours: $125
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Buffet Breakfast for Two$53
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Galveston $15Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Galveston
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.
- Galveston Luggage Storage Close to Cruise Terminal: $9.53
- Self-Guided Galveston Ghost Audio Tour : $10
- Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt Adventure in League City : $10
- Beer Tasting Experience with 4 Beer Flight: $10
- Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion: $18
- Al's Ghost tour : a small group experience : $19
- Tour of haunted locations with ghost hunting gear.: $20
- Galveston Mansions and Murder Walking Tour : $23
- Galveston's Secrets of the Strand Walking Tour : $23
- The Grimoire Ghouls and Graves: Galveston Ghost Tour: $24
- The Grimoire Ghouls and Graves: Galveston Ghost Tour: $25
- Galveston Sweets and Treats Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Kailua-Kona are as follows:
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Diving with Manta Rays for Two$162
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Body Board Rental (1 Day)$12
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1 Day Kayak Rental$47
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2 Tank Morning Scuba Dive$115
Tours and Activities in Kailua-Kona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kailua-Kona are as follows:
- From Kona: Volcano & Waterfall Tour, Small Group: $295
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGalveston $37Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Galveston
Also in Galveston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Galveston Island Brewing Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting : $10
- Haunted Pub Crawl & Scandalous Red Light Tour: $20
- Galveston's Best Pub Crawl: $20
- Haunted Pub Crawl & Scandalous Red Light Tour in Galveston: $29
- Galveston's Best Pub Crawl and Historical Tour near The Strand: $29
- Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Galveston and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Galveston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Galveston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Galveston 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 Kailua-Kona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kailua-Kona than you might in Galveston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Galveston Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Galveston or Kailua-Kona?
Galveston has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Galveston and Kailua-Kona, 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 Galveston or Kailua-Kona?
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 Galveston or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and Galveston during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Galveston this time of year.
In July, Galveston is generally a little warmer than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Galveston average around 84°F (29°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
Galveston usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. Galveston gets 3 inches (77 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyGalveston 84°F (29°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Galveston or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Galveston and Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Galveston for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
Galveston is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Galveston averages around 71°F (22°C) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
In October, Galveston usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Galveston gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberGalveston 71°F (22°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Galveston or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Galveston as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Galveston in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Galveston is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Galveston in January average around 52°F (11°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).
It's quite rainy in Kailua-Kona. Galveston usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. Galveston gets 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryGalveston 52°F (11°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Galveston or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Galveston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Galveston for the beaches and the small town charm during these months.
In April, Galveston is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Galveston average around 70°F (21°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
In April, Galveston usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Galveston gets 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilGalveston 70°F (21°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Galveston
| Galveston | Kailua-Kona | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 55°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 70°F (21°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 81°F (27°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 84°F (29°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 83°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 71°F (22°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.