A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kailua-Kona vs. Victoria for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kailua-Kona or Victoria?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kailua-Kona or Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

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 Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria 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.

  • Kailua-Kona Prices
    USA Prices
    Victoria Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kailua-Kona $274
    Victoria $201

The average daily cost (per person) in Kailua-Kona is $274, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $201. 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 Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kailua-Kona $141
    Victoria $113
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kailua-Kona $282
    Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Kailua-Kona and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Kailua-Kona or Victoria? 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 Kailua-Kona


Hotels in Victoria


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 Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kailua-Kona $45
    Victoria $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kailua-Kona

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $75
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $77
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
  • Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $131
  • Victoria to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $289
  • Private Cruise Transfer with City Sightseeing Tour: $682

Is it cheaper to fly into Kailua-Kona or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kailua-Kona $100
    Victoria $47
Typical Food Prices in Kailua-Kona

Some typical examples of dining costs in Kailua-Kona are as follows:


  • Buffet Breakfast for Two
    $53

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria

For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $86
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $88
  • Vistas and Views Food Tour with 3-Course Meal: $100
  • Indulge in a Wine & Food Tour - Cowichan Valley : $125
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $144
  • Gourmet Dinner Tour Including Local Beer, Wine and City Highlights: $221

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kailua-Kona $40
    Victoria $45
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kailua-Kona

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


  • Diving with Manta Rays for Two
    $162
  • Body Board Rental (1 Day)
    $12
  • 1 Day Kayak Rental
    $47
  • 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 Victoria

For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 2.5-Hour: $5.02
  • Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
  • Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $15
  • Iconic & Obscure Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Historical Chinatown Walking Tour: $16
  • Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Ghost Tour of Old Town and Bastion Square: $17
  • Walking Tour through History and Heritage: $17
  • Halloween Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $17
  • Royal B.C. Museum in Full-Day Admission Ticket: $21
  • Axe Throwing Experience: $24
  • Malahat SkyWalk Tickets: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kailua-Kona $15
    Victoria $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Victoria BC: Tour & Tasting Around Award Winning Distillery: $21
  • Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $52
  • Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $86
  • Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $118
  • 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $126
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $132
  • Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $144
  • Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $474


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kailua-Kona and Victoria, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Victoria much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Victoria would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Victoria 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 Victoria.

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 Victoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kailua-Kona or Victoria?

Victoria has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Kailua-Kona and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

Both Victoria and Kailua-Kona during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Victoria in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kailua-Kona is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 78°F (25°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Kailua-Kona usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Kailua-Kona gets 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Victoria in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kailua-Kona and Victoria. Also, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Victoria in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kailua-Kona averages around 78°F (26°C) in October, and Victoria fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In October, Kailua-Kona usually receives less rain than Victoria. Kailua-Kona gets 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Victoria in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kailua-Kona as well as Victoria. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Victoria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Victoria can be very cold. In the winter, Kailua-Kona is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kailua-Kona in January average around 74°F (23°C), and Victoria averages at about 5°C (41°F).

It's quite rainy in Victoria. Kailua-Kona receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kailua-Kona usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Kailua-Kona gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Kailua-Kona or Victoria in the Spring?

Both Victoria and Kailua-Kona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In April, Kailua-Kona is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Kailua-Kona average around 74°F (24°C), and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Kailua-Kona usually receives more rain than Victoria. Kailua-Kona gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Kailua-Kona

Kailua-Kona Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 73°F (23°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3 inches (76 mm) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 76°F (24°C) 1.6 inches (40 mm) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 77°F (25°C) 1.8 inches (47 mm) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 78°F (25°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 78°F (26°C) 1.9 inches (49 mm) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 1.1 inches (29 mm) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 1.6 inches (41 mm) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 74°F (24°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)