Which place is cheaper, Kailua-Kona or San Antonio?
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 San Antonio or Kailua-Kona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for San Antonio and Kailua-Kona. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: San Antonio or Kailua-Kona?
San Antonio
The third largest city in Texas, San Antonio, has grown in recent years as a popular travel destination. It's a beautiful city that is strategically situated at the edge of Texas's Hill Country near the South Texas Plains and Prairie Lakes areas. The city holds on to its small town feel despite having a population of about 1.4 million and 2.3 million in the greater metropolitan area. The city holds tight to its Spanish and Mexican heritage, making it a fascinating cultural destination. The Hispanic population has much influence in the city and this makes it a fun and unique city to visit, particularly during Fiesta week, which is an annual celebration with parades, music and food.
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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
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San Antonio Prices
USA PricesKailua-Kona Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySan Antonio $161Kailua-Kona $274
The average daily cost (per person) in San Antonio is $161, 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 San Antonio and Kailua-Kona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSan Antonio $69Kailua-Kona $141
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSan Antonio $138Kailua-Kona $282
Compare Hotels in San Antonio and Kailua-Kona
Looking for a hotel in San Antonio 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: San Antonio Hotel Prices and Kailua-Kona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.San Antonio $20Kailua-Kona $45
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Antonio
Some typical examples of transportation costs in San Antonio are as follows:
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Rental Car for a Day$60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Antonio
Some specific examples of transportation prices in San Antonio:
- Private Transfer in a Luxury Vehicle to and/or from SAT Airport: $50
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $68
- San Antonio Airport (SAT) to San Antonio - Arrival Private Transfer: $73
- San Antonio to San Antonio Airport (SAT) - Departure Private Transfer: $73
- Private One Way Transfer from San Antonio to San Antonio Airport : $73
- Private One-way Transfer from San Antonio Airport to San Antonio: $73
- Private Transfer San Antonio Airport SAT to San Antonio City: $93
- Private Transfer: San Antonio Airport to San Antonio by Sedan, SUV or Minibus : $98
- Private Transfer: San Antonio to San Antonio Airport by Sedan, SUV or Minibus: $98
- San Antonio Airport (SAT) to San Antonio - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $146
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 San Antonio or Kailua-Kona?
Prices for flights to both Kailua-Kona and San Antonio 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 daySan Antonio $69Kailua-Kona $100
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Antonio
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in San Antonio.
- Asian Dumplings Cooking Class in San Antonio: $75
- Asian Dumpling Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- The Haunted Dinner Tour: $80
- San Antonio Centre Food Tour of 6 Tastings with Tacos & Ice Cream: $95
- San Antonio Secret Food Tour - Tacos, BBQ & Tex-Mex Classics: $100
- San Antonio Premium Night Driving Tour with Dinner & Cruise: $159
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.San Antonio $36Kailua-Kona $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in San Antonio
Here are a few typical costs in San Antonio for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Spa Treatments$200
Tours and Activities in San Antonio
Here are a few actual costs in San Antonio for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Historic San Antonio Audio APP and GPS Private Self Guided Tour: $9.75
- Self-Guided Ghost Audio Tour in San Antonio App with EMF Reader: $9.75
- San Antonio River Walk Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- San Antonio's 1/2-day History and cultural guided driving tour: $9.99
- The Alamo Exhibit Entry Ticket: $14
- San Antonio River Walk Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
- San Antonio Private Scavenger Hunts Experience: $15
- San Antonio Texas Audio Adventure: $15
- River Walk Cruise Ticket: $17
- Witte Museum Admission Ticket: $17
- Botanical Garden Admission Ticket: $18
- Buckhorn Saloon & Museum / Texas Ranger Museum Entry Ticket: $18
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 daySan Antonio -Kailua-Kona $15
Sample the Local Flavors in San Antonio
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in San Antonio:
- Epic San Antonio Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- San Antonio Texas Bar Crawl: Drinks Up in San Antonio!: $15
- River City: Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Texas’ Oldest Haunted Pub Crawl Shared Walking Tour: $30
- San Antonio Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Guided Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Ghost Bus Pub Crawl : $62
- Ghost Bus Haunted Pub Crawl: $62
- Taste of Fredericksburg Small-Group Wine Tour from San Antonio: $179
- Fredericksburg Hill Country Aficionado Wine Tour from San Antonio: $229
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between San Antonio and Kailua-Kona, we can see that Kailua-Kona is more expensive. And not only is San Antonio much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Antonio would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Antonio 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 San Antonio.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is San Antonio Expensive? and Is Kailua-Kona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, San Antonio or Kailua-Kona?
San Antonio has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Kailua-Kona. When comparing the sizes of San Antonio 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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio or Kailua-Kona in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both San Antonio and Kailua-Kona. Many visitors come to San Antonio in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
San Antonio is a little warmer than Kailua-Kona in the summer. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 87°F (31°C) in July, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In San Antonio, it's very sunny this time of the year. San Antonio usually receives more sunshine than Kailua-Kona during summer. San Antonio gets 307 hours of sunny skies, while Kailua-Kona receives 169 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, San Antonio usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kailua-Kona. San Antonio gets 2.2 inches (57 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 JulySan Antonio 87°F (31°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit San Antonio or Kailua-Kona in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to San Antonio as well as Kailua-Kona. Most visitors come to San Antonio for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, San Antonio is cooler than Kailua-Kona. Typically, the autumn temperatures in San Antonio in October average around 73°F (23°C), and Kailua-Kona averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Antonio this time of the year. In the autumn, San Antonio often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. San Antonio gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 138 hours of full sun.
San Antonio usually gets more rain in October than Kailua-Kona. San Antonio gets 3.3 inches (83 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 OctoberSan Antonio 73°F (23°C)Kailua-Kona 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit San Antonio or Kailua-Kona in the Winter?
Both Kailua-Kona and San Antonio are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to San Antonio because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, San Antonio is generally much colder than Kailua-Kona. Daily temperatures in San Antonio average around 54°F (12°C), and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (23°C).
San Antonio usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kailua-Kona during winter. San Antonio gets 155 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, San Antonio usually receives less rain than Kailua-Kona. San Antonio gets 1.8 inches (45 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 JanuarySan Antonio 54°F (12°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (23°C)
Should I visit San Antonio or Kailua-Kona in the Spring?
Both Kailua-Kona and San Antonio during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to San Antonio this time of year.
San Antonio is around the same temperature as Kailua-Kona in the spring. The daily temperature in San Antonio averages around 74°F (23°C) in April, and Kailua-Kona fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in San Antonio. In the spring, San Antonio often gets more sunshine than Kailua-Kona. San Antonio gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kailua-Kona receives 134 hours of full sun.
San Antonio usually gets less rain in April than Kailua-Kona. San Antonio gets 2.4 inches (60 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 AprilSan Antonio 74°F (23°C)Kailua-Kona 74°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Kailua-Kona and San Antonio
| San Antonio | Kailua-Kona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 54°F (12°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Mar | 65°F (18°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) | 74°F (23°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
| Apr | 74°F (23°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) | 74°F (24°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 79°F (26°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.6 inches (40 mm) |
| Jun | 84°F (29°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) | 77°F (25°C) | 1.8 inches (47 mm) |
| Jul | 87°F (31°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) | 78°F (25°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Aug | 87°F (31°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Sep | 82°F (28°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) | 79°F (26°C) | 1.1 inches (29 mm) |
| Oct | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Nov | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Dec | 56°F (13°C) | 1.6 inches (40 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.