Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Glacier National Park?
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 Glacier National Park or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Glacier National Park or Kailua-Kona? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Glacier National Park or Kailua-Kona?
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a large park situated in the far north of Montana, bordering Canada. The park borders the Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and both share UNESCO World Heritage Site and are biosphere reserves. Glacier National Park offers over 700 miles of trails and countless activities, including hiking, biking, canoeing, and fishing. As the park is split by the Continental Divide, the east and west sides of the park experience fairly different weather. The western side of the park gets the most rainfall while the eastern side offers more sunshine, but also more wind. During summer months, temperatures can get into the 90's Fahrenheit during the day while winter sees temperatures in the 20's and plenty of snowfall. The high season for the park is June-September, which is also when the majority of hiking trails, hotels, and shops are open.
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 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United States of America.
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Glacier National Park Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGlacier National Park $148Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Glacier National Park is $148, 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 Glacier National Park and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGlacier National Park $56Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGlacier National Park $112Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Glacier National Park and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Glacier National Park 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: Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Glacier National Park $69Kailua-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 Glacier National Park or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Glacier National Park 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 dayGlacier National Park $49Kailua-Kona $100
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.Glacier National Park $34Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Glacier National Park
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Glacier National Park are as follows:
- Many Glacier Self-Guided Audio Tour in Glacier National Park: $9.99
- Glacier National Park Going-to-the-Sun Road Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
- Glacier National Park North Fork Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Glacier National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $16
- Glacier National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Glacier National Park: $20
- Self Guided Bike Tour in Glacier National Park : $65
- Full Day Whitewater Adventure Trip with Included Lunch: $159
- Doris Lake Hike and Pack Raft Adventure: $219
- E Bike Tour in Glacier National Park Cammas Road: $229
- Driving Tour West Glacier National Park (excludes Sun Road): $245
- Driving Tour in Glacier National Park: $250
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 dayGlacier National Park $8.41Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Glacier National Park and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Glacier National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Glacier National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Glacier National Park 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 Glacier National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Glacier National Park Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
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.