Which place is cheaper, Oahu or Tucson?
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 Tucson or Oahu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tucson and Oahu can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tucson or Oahu?
Tucson
Tucson, Arizona, is a vibrant city nestled in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, renowned for its dramatic mountain landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sunny, dry climate. As a gateway to the American Southwest, Tucson blends a laid-back atmosphere with strong Mexican and Native American influences, creating a unique desert city experience. Its historic neighborhoods feature colorful adobe architecture, lively murals, and a thriving arts scene. Nature lovers are drawn to Tucson for its easy access to saguaro-studded national parks, hiking trails, and breathtaking sunsets. With a strong university presence, the city pulses with youthful energy, affordable entertainment, and a dynamic culinary scene. Budget travelers will appreciate Tucson’s range of low-cost attractions and accessible public spaces, making it an excellent base for exploring both city sights and the nearby wilderness. Whether you’re interested in history, outdoor adventures, or simply soaking up desert vibes, Tucson offers something for every traveler.
Oahu
Hawaii is the epitome of paradise, and at the heart of paradise is the island of O'ahu (or Oahu). While it's only the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, O'ahu, or "the gathering place," is the most populous in the state with approximately 976,000 people calling O'ahu home, many of which live in the capital city of Honolulu.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Tucson Prices
USA PricesOahu Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTucson $184Oahu $371
The average daily cost (per person) in Tucson is $184, while the average daily cost in Oahu is $371. 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 Tucson and Oahu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTucson $93Oahu $237
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTucson $186Oahu $474
Compare Hotels in Tucson and Oahu
Looking for a hotel in Tucson or Oahu? 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: Tucson Hotel Prices and Oahu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tucson $27Oahu $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oahu
Also for Oahu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Waikiki: 5-in-1 Turtle Snorkeling Trip with Transfer: $139
- Private Transfer: Waikiki to Honolulu Airport HNL by Sedan: $111
- Private Transfer: Honolulu to Honolulu Airport HNL in Sedan Car: $119
- Private Transfer from North Shore to Honolulu (HLN) Airport: $224
- Private Transfer from Ko Olina to Honolulu (HLN) Airport : $139
- Private Transfer from Kawela to Honolulu (HLN) Airport: $224
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu Airport (HNL): $22
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HNL) Airport to Wakiki Beach: $111
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Pupukea: $224
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to North Shore : $224
- Polynesian Show and Dining experience with Transfer: $230
- One-Way VIP Transfer: Honolulu Airport, Ko Olina, Cruise Port: $265
Is it cheaper to fly into Tucson or Oahu?
Prices for flights to both Oahu and Tucson 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 dayTucson $63Oahu $91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oahu
For Oahu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Waikiki Fireworks Dinner Cruise: Sail & Sparkle on Friday Nights: $129
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower: $135
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $140
- Honolulu Sunset & Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $151
- Germaine's Traditional Luau Show & Buffet Dinner: $159
- Chief's Luau Dinner Show: $177
- Three Star Deluxe Sunset Dinner and Show: $193
- Friday Fireworks Dinner Sail from the Hilton Hawaiian Village : $211
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz: $236
- Traditional Canoe Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tucson $16Oahu $27
Tours and Activities in Oahu
For Oahu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Tour de Honolulu" Foodie Bike Tour: $189
- Guided Kayak Tour to Kailua’s Twin Islands: $219
- Waikiki Two Tank Guided Scuba Diving Adventure: Certified Diver: $249
- "Capture Memories: One-Hour Photography Experience at Waikiki": $150
- 1-Hour 3 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater: $109
- 18 Minutes PRIVATE Helicopter Tour in Honolulu: $269
- 2-Hour 6 Zipline Tour at Coral Crater: $199
- 2-Hour Private Botanical Facial with Hand Dip Experience: $175
- 3 Hour Sunrise Photo Tour with Malasada: $63
- 3-Hour Honolulu Bottom Fishing Adventure : $87
- 5 in 1 Deluxe Cruise: Turtle Snorkeling, Activities and Pick-Up: $59
- 8-Line Zipline Adventure on Oahu's North Shore: $204
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTucson $16Oahu $6.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Oahu
Also in Oahu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Honolulu Self Guided Bar Crawl and Sightseeing: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tucson and Oahu, we can see that Oahu is more expensive. And not only is Tucson much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tucson would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tucson 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu than you might in Tucson.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tucson Expensive? and Is Oahu Expensive?.
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.