Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or Saint Augustine?
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 Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona, 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: Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona?
Saint Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.
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 Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
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Saint Augustine Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Augustine $195Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Augustine is $195, 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 Saint Augustine and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Augustine $86Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Augustine $172Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in Saint Augustine and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in Saint Augustine 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: Saint Augustine Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Augustine $39Kailua-Kona $45
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 Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and Saint Augustine 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 daySaint Augustine $85Kailua-Kona $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Augustine.
- Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser: $115
- St. Augustine Historical FOOD Tour on Electric Cart with Pick Up : $129
- The Ghoulish Gourmet Haunted Food Tour: $129
- Feast of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Food Tour: $139
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.Saint Augustine $18Kailua-Kona $40
Tours and Activities in Saint Augustine
Here are a few actual costs in Saint Augustine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- St Augustine Haunted History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Historic St Augustine Audio Self Guided App GPS Tour: $9.75
- A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
- St. Augustine City Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- Haunting Hour Walking Ghost Tour: $18
- Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: $18
- Historic Museum Tour Ticket: $19
- America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
- Walking Guided History Tour of Old St. Augustine: $25
- Castillo after Dark 1 Hour Guided Exterior Tour: $25
- Guardian Angels of St. Augustine Walking Tour: $27
- Dolphin and Wildlife Adventure of St. Augustine: $29
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 daySaint Augustine $25Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:
- St. Augustine's Booze & Boos Haunted Pub Crawl: $36
- Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine : $49
- Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
- Mobile Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour St. Augustine: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Augustine and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is Saint Augustine much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Augustine would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saint Augustine Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona?
Saint Augustine has a larger population, and is about 23% larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Augustine and Kailua-Kona. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Augustine because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Augustine is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. Saint Augustine gets 286 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
Saint Augustine gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Augustine usually receives more rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint Augustine gets 5.4 inches (137 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 JulySaint Augustine 82°F (28°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Augustine as well as Kailua-Kona. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.
In the autumn, Saint Augustine is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Augustine in October average around 70°F (21°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Augustine this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint Augustine gets 214 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
Saint Augustine usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. Saint Augustine gets 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 1.6 inches (41 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Augustine 70°F (21°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and Saint Augustine are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Saint Augustine is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in Saint Augustine average around 53°F (12°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
Saint Augustine usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during winter. Saint Augustine gets 191 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, Saint Augustine usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. Saint Augustine gets 3.3 inches (83 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 JanuarySaint Augustine 53°F (12°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit Saint Augustine or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and Saint Augustine during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Saint Augustine is cooler than Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Augustine averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. In the spring, Saint Augustine often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. Saint Augustine gets 285 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
Saint Augustine usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kailua-Kona. Saint Augustine gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Kailua-Kona receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Augustine.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Augustine 68°F (20°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and Saint Augustine
| Saint Augustine | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 56°F (13°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 62°F (17°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 74°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 80°F (27°C) | 5.7 inches (146 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 7.8 inches (199 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 79°F (26°C) | 7.1 inches (180 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.