Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Kailua-Kona?
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 Kailua-Kona or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kailua-Kona or Vancouver, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kailua-Kona or Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Kailua-Kona Prices
USA PricesVancouver Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKailua-Kona $274Vancouver $165
The average daily cost (per person) in Kailua-Kona is $274, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $165. 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 Kailua-Kona and Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKailua-Kona $141Vancouver $87
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKailua-Kona $282Vancouver $174
Compare Hotels in Kailua-Kona and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Kailua-Kona or Vancouver? 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 and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kailua-Kona $45Vancouver $15
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.35
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.71
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer from/to Squamish: $26
- Bus Transfer from/to Whistler: $26
- Private Arrival Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $32
- Group Transfer to/from Vancouver International Airport (YVR): $33
- Private Transfer to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $34
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR): $34
- Private Airport Transfer to/from YVR Airport: $45
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Hotels to Vancouver Airport (YVR): $47
- Private Transfer from Vancouver Airport (YVR) to Vancouver hotels: $47
- Vancouver hotel/address to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Private Transfer: $61
- City Highlights Tour with Hotel Transfers: $63
- Private Transfer - Canada Place Cruise Terminal: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Kailua-Kona or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver and Kailua-Kona 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 dayKailua-Kona $100Vancouver $54
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
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Vancouver Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $75
- Mt Pleasant Food Tour from Vancouver: $81
- A Wok Around Food Tour of the Granville Island Public Market: $82
- Vancouver Street Food Tour in Mount Pleasant Neighborhood: $92
- Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $96
- Food Tours Gastown & Downtown with 6+ tastings: $98
- Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $98
- Vancouver Local Taste Trail Food Tour: $100
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $114
- Granville Island Market VIP Walking Food Tour : $114
- Private Granville Island Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $132
- Vancouver Chinatown Tour and Dumpling-Making Cooking Class : $135
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kailua-Kona $40Vancouver $36
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
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Stanley Park Self Guided Bike Tour: $3.58
- Gratuity-Based Vancouver City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour: $4.00
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $4.66
- Stanley Park Self Guided Walking Tour: $5.27
- Granville Island Lost LP Exploration Game and Tour: $6.59
- Walking Tour Along Stanley Park's Seawall: $6.59
- Bloedel Conservatory Admission Ticket: $6.93
- Self-Guided Smartphone Tour of Stanley Park: $7.17
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tours of Stanley Park: $7.32
- Vancouver to Whistler Private Self Guided Audio Tour: $7.32
- Vancouver Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Underground Comedy Club Entry Ticket: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKailua-Kona $15Vancouver $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Vancouver British Columbia Bar Crawl: $15
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $22
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $26
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $86
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- North Vancouver Elite Walking Brewery Tour: $95
- Vancouver Wine Tour (Fraser Valley): $121
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $129
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver with a Light Lunch : $132
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $135
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $161
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $169
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kailua-Kona and Vancouver, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Vancouver much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vancouver would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vancouver 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 Vancouver.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kailua-Kona Expensive? and Is Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kailua-Kona or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 190 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Kailua-Kona and Vancouver, 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 Kailua-Kona or Vancouver?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Vancouver in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kailua-Kona as well as Vancouver. Also, many visitors come to Vancouver in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kailua-Kona is a little warmer than Vancouver in the summer. The daily temperature in Kailua-Kona averages around 78°F (25°C) in July, and Vancouver fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In the summer, Kailua-Kona often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Kailua-Kona usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Vancouver in the Autumn?
Both Vancouver and Kailua-Kona are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Vancouver for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kailua-Kona in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Vancouver averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Kailua-Kona usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Kailua-Kona gets 138 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In October, Kailua-Kona usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Vancouver in the Winter?
Both Vancouver and Kailua-Kona during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Vancouver because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. In January, Kailua-Kona is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 74°F (23°C), and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
In the winter, Kailua-Kona often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
Vancouver gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kailua-Kona. Kailua-Kona usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Vancouver in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kailua-Kona and Vancouver. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.
Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Vancouver in the spring. The daily temperature in Kailua-Kona averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Vancouver fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Kailua-Kona usually receives less sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Kailua-Kona gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kailua-Kona usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Kailua-Kona gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Kailua-Kona
| Kailua-Kona | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
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.