A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sun Valley vs. Maui for Hiking, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Sun Valley or Maui?

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 Sun Valley and Maui. 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.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley is a outdoorsy, active, and adventurous town. The beauty of Sun Valley is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the food, hiking, and shopping. See Sun Valley travel costs.

Maui

Maui is a breathtaking, stunning, and idyllic island. The famous beauty of Maui is one of the main draws. It's also known for hiking, shopping, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Maui travel costs.

Sun Valley and Maui: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sun Valley or Maui?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Maui. Although Sun Valley and Maui are popular destinations, Maui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Maui is very popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Sun Valley attracts visitors for its skiing, food, and nightlife. Maui is more touristy than Sun Valley and is known for its beach-filled coastline, world-class snorkeling and scuba diving, dramatic landscapes, and paradise environment. It is also well known for Haleakala National Park. Sun Valley is famous for its ski resorts as well as being the home of Ernest Hemingway.

How is Sun Valley different from Maui?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Maui and Sun Valley. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Skiing?

Sun Valley is a must-visit destination for winter skiing. However, Maui is not a skiing destination.

If you're an avid snow skiier, Sun Valley should be on your list. There are plenty of slopes that are accessible by lift as well as backcountry terrain for those who are more adventurous. The ski areas include Bald Mountain, which is next to Ketchum, and Dollar Mountain, by Sun Valley. Bald Mountain is best for advanced skiers and Dollar Mountain has options for beginners and intermediates.

Maui is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sun Valley or Maui?

Both Sun Valley and Maui have reasonable landmarks and museums for visitors.

Sun Valley offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Museums in the area include the Sun Valley Museum of Art and the Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

While most people don't head to Maui specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. Most people prefer not to spend their time inside or at a museum, but for a rainy day you can check out the Maui Ocean Center.

Is the Food Better in Sun Valley or Maui? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sun Valley is a great destination for its restaurant scene. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Sun Valley. Many restaurants pride themselves in using local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. You'll find everything from cafes and bakeries to sushi, pizza, and Mediterranean.

Maui may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Like the other Hawaiian islands, food is expensive and of varying quality here, but the food scene continues to grow and improve. There are eclectic food trucks where you can try local flavors. There's also plenty of fresh tropical produce like mangos, avocadoes, and coconuts. Seafood is common on many menus as well.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Nightlife?

Sun Valley is a popular place for nightlife and partying. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its evening party scene.

Sun Valley has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. It's a low key town with relaxing bars and breweries where you can enjoy a cold drink after a day on the slopes. It's not a party town that's high energy, but there are plenty of places where you can hang out in a mellow setting.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Maui The island is not known for its nightlife, but the limited activities that do exist you'll find in Kaanapali and Lahaina.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Resorts?

There are superb resorts to choose from in both Sun Valley and Maui.

There are plenty of resorts in Sun Valley to choose from. The most popular place to stay is Sun Valley Lodge, but there are also other small lodges and hotels in the area.

Maui is known as a popular and fun resort destination. There are a number of nice resorts, but there are also VRBOs, condos, and local hotels where you can stay. High-end luxury resorts on the island include The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua and Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. There are also more reasonable priced resorts without all of the glitz and glam.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Maui is a great destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Sun Valley is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Maui. The island has excellent snorkeling and scuba diving. You can really find it anywhere on the island, but some places are more crowded than others. Some of the best beaches for snorkeling include Honolua Bay, Slaughterhouse (Mokuleia Bay), DT Fleming Beach, and Kapalua Bay.

Sun Valley is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Beaches?

Maui is terrific for its beaches. However, Sun Valley is not a beach destination.

Maui offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island has stunning beaches and more miles of swimmable beach than any of the other Hawaiian islands. One of the best swimming beaches is Kapalua Beach, but other favorite beaches include Makena Beach State Park, Ka'anapali Beach, Baldwin Beach Park, and Wai'anapanapa State Park.

Sun Valley is not a beach destination.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Hiking?

Maui is terrific for its hiking experiences. Also, Sun Valley is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Maui is well-known for its hiking and trekking. There are many diverse hikes on the island that pass through different landscapes and ecosystems. Hikes range from easy to challenging and are of varying length. Some of the favorites include 'Iao Valley State Park, Haleakala's Sliding Sands Trail (in Haleakala National Park), and The Pipiwai Trail.

Many visitors go to Sun Valley for the hiking trails. During the warmer months you'll enjoy miles of hiking trails in the area that take you by fields of wildflowers and to scenic mountain overlooks. White Cloud Trails is a relatively easy 4 mile trail that many visitors enjoy. Baker Lake and Taylor Canyon are also nice options.

Is the Shopping Better in Sun Valley or Maui?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Maui and Sun Valley.

Sun Valley is a great destination for shopping. While most visitors spend their time adventuring outdoors, there are also plenty of shopping options in the area. Whether you need to pick up hiking or ski gear, or you want to browse some local boutiques, you'll find shops that meet your need.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Maui. There are many shopping centers where you'll find souvenirs, Hawaiian clothing, and even handmade crafts. If you forgot something from home, you'll also find many of the major chains that are common on the mainland.

Is Sun Valley or Maui More Beautiful?

Maui is terrific for its scenery and beauty. Also, Sun Valley is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Maui is one of the main draws. With its dramatic mountains and beautiful blue water, this island offers stunning beauty.

The beauty of Sun Valley is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. The resort town is surrounded by impressive mountains and pristine natural beauty.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Families?

Both Sun Valley and Maui are amazing family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Sun Valley is very family-friendly. During the winter months there's skiing, ice skating, and other winter activities. During the warmer months families will enjoy riding the Roundhouse Express Gondola, hiking through the mountains, or horseback riding.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Maui is a very family-friendly destination. It is one of the best of the Hawaiian islands to explore with kids. There's plenty of snorkeling, outdoor adventure sports, and hiking that are great for kids of all ages. There are some kid-friendly beaches where kids can play in the water. There's also the Maui Ocean Center, Ali'i Kula Lavender Farm, and 'Iao Valley State Park.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Couples?

Sun Valley and Maui both amazing destinations for a couple.

Sun Valley is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Couples who enjoy winter sports and outdoor activities will love a romantic getaway to the area. There's also a charming downtown area that has great restaurants. In the surrounding countryside there's plenty of spectacular hikes that couples will enjoy as well.

Maui makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples will enjoy the outdoor sports, excellent snorkeling and diving, and beautiful waterfalls that make for a romantic getaway. There are world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery that attract honeymooning couples from around the globe.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sun Valley is a great destination for backpackers. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Sun Valley is a great town to visit for backpackers. There are a couple of hostels in the area and plenty of activities that appeal to the backpacker crowd.

Maui is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Like most of the Hawaiian Islands, everything is expensive here and even though there are a couple of hostels, you can still expect to pay high prices for them. Public transportation is also limited so you'll really need to rent a car if you hope to explore the island in depth.

Is Sun Valley or Maui Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sun Valley is a great destination for its public transit. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

Sun Valley has some very good public transit options. There are free shuttle buses that run through Wood River Valley including connections between the Village and Dollar and Bald Mountains. It's also connected to Ketchum and Elkhorn Springs.

Public transit is mostly limited in Maui. The island does have a bus system with 14 routes, but most visitors prefer to have their own transportation to get around.

Is Sun Valley or Maui a more walkable city?

Sun Valley is a must-visit destination for its high level of walkability. However, Maui is a island with minimal options for its ease of walking around.

Getting around Sun Valley on foot is easy. It's easy to walk to almost anything you need if you stay at a conveniently located hotel.

Maui is not a very walkable town. The island is large enough that you'll want to have access to a car if you hope to explore it in its entirety.

For even more information, also check out Is Sun Valley Worth Visiting? and Is Maui Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Maui or Sun Valley?

How long in Sun Valley or Maui?

Both Sun Valley and Maui have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Sun Valley has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Sun Valley than Maui. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Sun Valley than Maui. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sun Valley, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Sun Valley than Maui. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Sun Valley that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sun Valley than Maui if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sun Valley.

One day in Sun Valley or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Sun Valley. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

With shopping and scuba diving and snorkeling around the stunning island of Maui, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sun Valley or Maui?

Sun Valley is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the skiing. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

With scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the destination of Maui, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Sun Valley or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the adventurous destination of Sun Valley. This town offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Maui, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Sun Valley or Maui?

Visitors enjoy the skiing and nightlife when visiting the active town of Sun Valley. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Maui is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sun Valley and Maui, we can see that Maui is more expensive. And not only is Sun Valley much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sun Valley would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sun Valley 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 Maui would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Maui than you might in Sun Valley.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sun Valley Expensive? and Is Maui Expensive?.