Which place is cheaper, Nova Scotia or Hawaii?
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 Hawaii or Nova Scotia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hawaii or Nova Scotia? 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: Hawaii or Nova Scotia?
Hawaii
Located towards the center of the Pacific Ocean and the northeast corner of Polynesia, Hawai'i is the 50th state of the United States of America. It is a major tourist destination for travelers from around the world and as such, its economy is very dependent on the tourist dollar. Historically, the state had strong whaling, sugar and pineapple industries, but today tourism and the military make up a significant part of the economy. The state includes many islands that spread over 1,500 miles, but there are eight main islands which have a diversity of natural beauty and interesting landscapes. The islands offer visitors many impressive features from the beautiful beaches to the lush interior. There is a lot of hiking, snorkeling and scuba diving available throughout the islands. The capital of the state is Honolulu, which is also the largest city. Both Hawaiian and English are spoken throughout.
Nova Scotia
As one of the original four provinces of Canada, Nova Scotia became part of Canada in 1867. With a population of over 900,000 people, 44% of them live in the capital city of Nova Scotia. This region is truly diverse with people of countless ethnic backgrounds calling Nova Scotia home, but the biggest influences come from the early Scottish settlers. It's undoubtedly there even if it's been mixed with the native Mi'kmaq culture and those of other immigrant groups.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vancouver.
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Hawaii Prices
USA PricesNova Scotia Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHawaii $393Nova Scotia $130
The average daily cost (per person) in Hawaii is $393, while the average daily cost in Nova Scotia is $130. 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 Hawaii and Nova Scotia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHawaii $214Nova Scotia $60
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHawaii $428Nova Scotia $120
Compare Hotels in Hawaii and Nova Scotia
Looking for a hotel in Hawaii or Nova Scotia? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hawaii $37Nova Scotia $17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hawaii
Also for Hawaii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure - Private Transfer Waikiki Hotel to Airport: $35
- Honolulu HNL Airport Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $299
- Kahului, Lahaina Airport, Kaanapali & Kapalua Private Transfer : $85
- Arrival - Private Transfer Honolulu Airport to Waikiki Hotel : $40
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu To Ko'olina: $53
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Arrival Transfer: Kona International Airport (KOA) to Hotels - Big Island: $15
- Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers: $174
- Departure Transfer from Hotels to Kona International Airport: $15
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle From Ko'olina To Honolulu Airport: $53
- HNL Airport & Waikiki Private Transfer by Brand New Mercedes Van: $160
- Honolulu / Waikiki to Honolulu Airport (HNL) - Departure Private Transfer: $25
Is it cheaper to fly into Hawaii or Nova Scotia?
Prices for flights to both Nova Scotia and Hawaii 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 dayHawaii $128Nova Scotia $52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Waikiki Fireworks Dinner Cruise: Sail & Sparkle on Friday Nights: $129
- Walking Food Tour of Hanalei, KauaŹ»i : $129
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $140
- From Ma'alaea Harbor: Sunset Dinner Cruise Aboard the Quicksilver: $140
- Ma'alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise : $150
- Da Local's Food Tour of Oahu: $150
- Honolulu Sunset & Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $151
- Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $154
- Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise - A Hawaiian Hula Experience: $158
- Coast of Ka'anapali Beach Sunset Dinner Sail : $158
- Farm to Table Cooking Class at Kulaniapia Falls: $169
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $179
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Hawaii $38Nova Scotia $28
Tours and Activities in Hawaii
For Hawaii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Kona Coffee Farm Tour from Tree to Tasting Room: $5.00
- Waikiki Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $5.00
- Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour: $5.00
- Waikiki Surf Legends History Tour: $5.00
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Oahu Grand Circle Guided Tour: $5.00
- Walk The Deck of The USS Arizona Virtual Reality Experience: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Haleakala: $7.99
- Diamond Head Official Self-Guided Narrated Audio Tour: $8.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- Honolulu's Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- Honolulu Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.61
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHawaii $19Nova Scotia $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Hawaii
Also in Hawaii, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Honolulu Self Guided Bar Crawl and Sightseeing: $15
- Brewery and Beach Cruise in a Vintage VW Bus : $229
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Hawaii and Nova Scotia, we can see that Hawaii is more expensive. And not only is Nova Scotia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nova Scotia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nova Scotia 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 Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hawaii than you might in Nova Scotia.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hawaii Expensive? and Is Nova Scotia Expensive?.
Which has a larger population, Hawaii or Nova Scotia?
Hawaii has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Nova Scotia. When comparing the sizes of Hawaii and Nova Scotia, 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.
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.