Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or North Conway?
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 North Conway or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit North Conway 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: North Conway or Kailua-Kona?
North Conway
North Conway is a small town in New Hampshire in the Mount Washington Valley (MWV). The entire valley is a popular vacation area year-round due to the multiple ski resorts and summer activities including amusement parks, hiking, outdoor activities, and more.
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 Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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North Conway Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNorth Conway $270Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in North Conway is $270, 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 North Conway and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNorth Conway $125Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNorth Conway $250Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in North Conway and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in North Conway 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: North Conway Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.North Conway $52Kailua-Kona $45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in North Conway
Also for North Conway, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $100
- Pittsburgh City to Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) - Departure Private Transfer: $100
- Pittsburgh Airport (PIT) to Pittsburgh City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $200
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 North Conway or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and North Conway 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 dayNorth Conway $110Kailua-Kona $100
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.North Conway $38Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in North Conway
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for North Conway.
- Kancamagus highway GPS Smartphone Audio Driving Tour App : $9.50
- Kancamagus Scenic Byway Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour Guide: $15
- Meet the Cider Makers with Rhythm Cidery Lincoln Tour: $40
- Meet the Winemakers - Seven Birches Winery Tour: $40
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 dayNorth Conway $33Kailua-Kona $15
When comparing the travel costs between North Conway 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 North Conway Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, North Conway or Kailua-Kona?
Kailua-Kona has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of North Conway. When comparing the sizes of North Conway 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 North Conway or Kailua-Kona?
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 North Conway or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
Both Kailua-Kona and North Conway during the summer are popular places to visit.
In July, North Conway is generally cooler than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 69°F (20°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in North Conway. In the summer, North Conway often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. North Conway gets 282 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun.
North Conway usually gets more rain in July than Kailua-Kona. North Conway gets 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNorth Conway 69°F (20°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both North Conway and Kailua-Kona.
North Conway is much colder than Kailua-Kona in the autumn. The daily temperature in North Conway averages around 49°F (9°C) in October, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
North Conway usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during autumn. North Conway gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, North Conway usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNorth Conway 49°F (9°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to North Conway as well as Kailua-Kona.
North Conway can be very cold during winter. In the winter, North Conway is much colder than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the winter temperatures in North Conway in January average around 21°F (-6°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 74°F (23°C).
In the winter, North Conway often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona. North Conway gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kailua-Kona. North Conway usually gets less rain in January than Kailua-Kona. North Conway gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNorth Conway 21°F (-6°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit North Conway or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and North Conway are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.
In April, North Conway is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in North Conway average around 43°F (6°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in North Conway. North Conway usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during spring. North Conway gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, North Conway usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. North Conway gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNorth Conway 43°F (6°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and North Conway
| North Conway | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 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.