A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Havana vs. Boston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Havana or Boston?

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 Havana and Boston can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Havana or Boston?

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

Boston

Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Boston or Havana?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Havana Prices
    Cuba Prices
    Boston Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Havana $74
    Boston $291

The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $74, while the average daily cost in Boston is $291. 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 Havana and Boston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Havana $42
    Boston $166
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Havana $84
    Boston $332
Compare Hotels in Havana and Boston

Looking for a hotel in Havana or Boston? 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.

Hotels in Havana


Hotels in Boston


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: Boston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Havana $19
    Boston $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Havana

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.68

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:


  • Taxi
    $35
  • Subway Daily Pass
    $9.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:

  • Boston hotels to Flynn Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $121
  • Arrival Private Transfer: Boston Airport BOS to Boston City in Luxury SUV: $143
  • Arrival Transfer: Boston Airport BOS to Boston by Business Car: $119
  • Boston Airport (BOS) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $70
  • Boston Airport (BOS): Transfer to Flynn Cruise Port Boston: $184
  • Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
  • Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $121
  • Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $190
  • Boston Logan Airport Chauffeur, Boston Airport private Transfer: $50
  • Boston Logan Airport Transfer Limo & Car Service: $140
  • Boston Logan International Airport: Transfer to Boston: $120
  • Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $94

Is it cheaper to fly into Havana or Boston?

Prices for flights to both Boston and Havana 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Havana $18
    Boston $86
Typical Food Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:


  • Pizza
    $0.03

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.

  • Self Guided "The North End Pizza, Cannoli and Picnic" Solo Walking Tour : $5.50
  • Morning Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
  • Boston Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
  • Freedom Trail History and Food Tour: $39
  • Pizza Beer and Paul Revere Tour: $65
  • Boston Pizza Lovers Food & History Walking Food Tour: $69
  • North End Pizza Walking Tour with 3 Slices & Cannoli: $69
  • 2-Hour Pasta Making Cooking Class With Local Chef in Boston: $75
  • North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $75
  • Pizza, Beer, and Paul Revere Tour: $75
  • City Cruises Harbor Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $89
  • Boston’s Politically Incorrect North End Food tour: $98

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Havana $11
    Boston $33

Tours and Activities in Havana

Here are a few actual costs in Havana for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private: City Tour with Lunch, Rum, and Chocolate: $2,000

Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:


  • Two Tickets to Celtics Game
    $101
  • Duck Tour
    $32

Tours and Activities in Boston

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:

  • 2 Hour Boston Historical and Heritage Walking Tour: $5.00
  • Self Guided "Historic Boston Downtown Freedom Trail" Audio/GPS Walking Tour: $5.00
  • The Ghosts of Boston's Past Haunted Self-guided Tour: $5.00
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Boston North End: $5.75
  • Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $7.75
  • Harvard's Haunts Solo Smart Phone Guided App Ghost Walking Tour: $7.75
  • Self Guided Classic Freedom Trail Location Aware (GPS) Walking Audio Tour: $7.75
  • City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
  • Boston's Old North Church Admission with Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.00
  • Boston Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.32
  • Harvard’s Secret Society: Exploration Game and Tour: $8.93
  • Boston Harborwalk & Tea Party Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99

For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Havana $5.76
    Boston $27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Havana

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:


  • Mojito
    $0.15

Sample the Local Flavors in Boston

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:

  • Boston Bar Crawl Back Bay Beat Bar Craw: $15
  • Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $35
  • 2 Hour Historic Pub Crawl in Boston: $35
  • Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $36
  • Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $36
  • History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $56
  • Boston Freedom Trail History Pub Crawl Small-Group Tour: $60
  • Freedom Trail History Tour and Brewery Taste: $71
  • Sushi Making Class at a Local Brewery in Boston: $75
  • Sushi Making Class at a Local Distillery in Boston: $75


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Boston, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Havana is in Caribbean Islands and Boston is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Havana.

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


Which is Bigger, Havana or Boston?

Havana has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Boston. When comparing the sizes of Havana and Boston, 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 Havana or Boston?

Boston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Havana or Boston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Havana and Boston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Havana is a little warmer than Boston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Havana in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Boston averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In July, Havana usually receives less rain than Boston. Havana gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Havana 27°C (81°F) 
    Boston 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Havana or Boston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Havana as well as Boston. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Boston because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Havana is generally much warmer than Boston. Daily temperatures in Havana average around 25°C (77°F), and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Havana usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Boston. Havana gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Havana 25°C (77°F) 
    Boston 54°F (12°C)

Should I visit Havana or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Havana are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Boston this time of year.

It's quite cold in Boston in the winter. Havana is much warmer than Boston in the winter. The daily temperature in Havana averages around 21°C (70°F) in January, and Boston fluctuates around 29°F (-2°C).

In January, Havana usually receives less rain than Boston. Havana gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Havana 21°C (70°F) 
    Boston 29°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Havana or Boston in the Spring?

Both Boston and Havana during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Havana is much warmer than Boston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Havana in April average around 24°C (75°F), and Boston averages at about 48°F (9°C).

Havana usually gets less rain in April than Boston. Havana gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Havana 24°C (75°F) 
    Boston 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Boston and Havana

Havana Boston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 21°C (70°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 29°F (-2°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Feb 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°F (-1°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 38°F (4°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
May 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 58°F (15°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 50 mm (2 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Oct 25°C (77°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 54°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Nov 23°C (73°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 45°F (7°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 33°F (1°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)