Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Grand Canyon 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 Grand Canyon National Park or Kailua-Kona?
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 Grand Canyon National Park and Kailua-Kona. 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: Grand Canyon National Park or Kailua-Kona?
Grand Canyon National Park
The Grand Canyon is a national landmark in the United States. It is also one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country and the colors, particularly at sunrise and sunset, will never cease to amaze you. The canyon is entirely within the state of Arizona and has been carved over millions of years by the Colorado River. It stands at over a mile deep and you can easily see the layers of geology with the Canyon's dramatic colors. The Grand Canyon National Park itself was created by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1908 as a national monument. It was later upgraded to a national park in 1919. It currently covers an area of more than 1.2 million acres and is visited yearly by more than four million guests.
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 G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.
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Grand Canyon National Park Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGrand Canyon National Park $203Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Grand Canyon National Park is $203, 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 Grand Canyon National Park and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGrand Canyon National Park $89Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGrand Canyon National Park $178Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Grand Canyon National Park and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Grand Canyon 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: Grand Canyon National Park Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Grand Canyon National Park $43Kailua-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 Grand Canyon National Park or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Grand Canyon 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 dayGrand Canyon National Park $84Kailua-Kona $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Grand Canyon National Park
For Grand Canyon National Park, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Grand Canyon South Rim Sunset Tour with Dinner included: $170
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.Grand Canyon National Park $35Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Grand Canyon National Park
For Grand Canyon National Park, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Grand Canyon South & East Rim Self-Driving, Walking & Shuttling Tour: $17
- Ultimate Arizona Self-Guided Driving and Walking Tour Bundle: $32
- Grand Canyon West: All Access Ticket: $114
- 3 Hour Off-Road Sunset Safari to Grand Canyon with Entrance Gate Detour : $123
- Grand Canyon Signature Hummer Tour with Optional Sunset Views: $127
- Express Grand Canyon Jeep Tour : $136
- 4-Hour Biblical Creation + Sunset Tour • Grand Canyon National Park South Rim: $149
- 4-Hour Grand Canyon Morning Rim Tour featuring Biblical Creation: $149
- Tusayan: Grand Canyon Desert View & South Rim Pink Jeep Tour: $150
- Grand Entrance Sunset Tour from Tusayan: $155
- Premier Grand Canyon JeepTour: $157
- Private Grand Canyon South Rim VAN tours: $162
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 dayGrand Canyon National Park $11Kailua-Kona $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Grand Canyon National Park and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Grand Canyon National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Grand Canyon National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Grand Canyon 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 Grand Canyon National Park.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Grand Canyon 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.