Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Hershey?
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 Hershey or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Hershey 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: Hershey or Kailua-Kona?
Hershey
Often called "Chocolatetown, USA" and "The Sweetest Place on Earth," Hershey, Pennsylvania is most known for being home to the famous Hershey's chocolates. The Hershey Company was founded in 1894 by Milton S. Hershey, and has grown to sell products in over sixty countries worldwide. Before the town was named Hershey, it was called Derry Church and was the hometown of the chocolatier. While there are now manufacturing plants in many locations, Hershey, PA, remains the location that draws the crowds. It is the place where the Hershey Company originated and is home to attractions like Hershey Park, Hershey Gardens, and Hershey's Chocolate World.
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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Hershey Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHershey $257Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Hershey is $257, 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 Hershey and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHershey $114Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHershey $228Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Hershey and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Hershey 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: Hershey Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Hershey $49Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hershey
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hershey:
- Private transfer from MDT airport to Harrisburg, Lancaster, York, Hershey: $150
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 Hershey or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Hershey 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 dayHershey $105Kailua-Kona $100
Typical Food Prices in Hershey
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Hershey:
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Frozen Hot Chocolate$4.19
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Plain and Fancy Farm$46
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Homemade Apple Butter$7.98
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hershey
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hershey.
- Hershey Trolley Crawl and Evening Food Tour on a Vintage Trolley: $20
- Hershey Trolley Food Tour Experience: $99
- Rise and Dine Food Tour in Vintage Style Trolley: $99
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.Hershey $53Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hershey
Here are a few typical costs in Hershey for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Hershey Chocolate World (for 3)$75
Tours and Activities in Hershey
Here are a few actual costs in Hershey for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Harrisburg's Historic Downtown Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
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 dayHershey $27Kailua-Kona $15
When comparing the travel costs between Hershey and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Hershey Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Hershey or Kailua-Kona?
Hershey has a larger population, and is about 33% larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Hershey 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 Hershey or Kailua-Kona?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Hershey or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Hershey and Kailua-Kona. Many travelers come to Hershey for the family-friendly experiences.
Hershey is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Hershey averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In Hershey, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hershey usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Hershey gets 310 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Hershey usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Hershey gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHershey 77°F (25°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Hershey or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Hershey as well as Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to Hershey in the autumn for the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Hershey is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hershey in October average around 56°F (13°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
In the autumn, Hershey often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Hershey gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Hershey usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Hershey gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHershey 56°F (13°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Hershey or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Hershey are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Hershey for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Hershey can be very cold during winter. In January, Hershey is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Hershey average around 30°F (-1°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Hershey usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona during winter. Hershey gets 153 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. In January, Hershey usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Hershey gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHershey 30°F (-1°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Hershey or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Hershey during the spring are popular places to visit.
Hershey is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Hershey averages around 53°F (12°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Hershey. In the spring, Hershey often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Hershey gets 237 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
Hershey usually gets more rain in April than Kailua-Kona. Hershey gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHershey 53°F (12°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Hershey
| Hershey | Kailua-Kona | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 33°F (0°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 42°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 53°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 46°F (8°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (82 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.