A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Williamsburg vs. Oahu for Families, Couples, Attractions, and Food

Should you visit Williamsburg or Oahu?

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 Williamsburg and Oahu. 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.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a charming, quaint, and well-preserved town. Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the shopping, museums, and food. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Oahu

Oahu is a cosmopolitan, scenic, and historic island. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. The famous beauty of Oahu is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Oahu travel costs.

Williamsburg and Oahu: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Oahu?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Oahu. Although Williamsburg and Oahu are both popular with visitors, Oahu has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Oahu is more popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Williamsburg is known for its food and historical sights. Oahu is more touristy than Williamsburg and is popular for its unique blend of cultures, stunning beaches, vibrant energy, and world class water sports (including surfing). It is also home to Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. Williamsburg is popular for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments.

How is Williamsburg different from Oahu?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Williamsburg or Oahu?

For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Williamsburg or Oahu.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

Oahu offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The USS Arizona Memorial & Pearl Harbor is a moving and special place to visit, but tickets should be purchased in advance. Other landmarks around the island include the Tour Iolani Palace and the Battleship Missouri Memorial.

Is the Food Better in Williamsburg or Oahu? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Williamsburg is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Oahu is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Williamsburg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Oahu area. Honolulu has a diversity of cuisines and a cosmopolitan vibe, giving it some of the best food in the Hawaiian Islands. The local restaurants are influenced by a number of countries and often incorporate Japanese, Chinese, Filipino, Korean, and Portuguese flavors. Dishes are often saucy, sweet, and starchy, but you'll also find fresh tropical fruits such as mango and coconut.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Nightlife?

Oahu is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Oahu know how to have a good time. Honolulu, and Oahu, have some of the best nightlife in the Hawaiian islands. There are tiki bars and posh nightclubs that keep buzzing late into the night. Head to Waikiki for some of the island's best nightlife. In Honolulu you'll find some local bars and clubs, but many resorts also offer a great nightlife scene and a fun atmosphere that caters specifically to tourists.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Music?

Oahu is a island with a few options for its music scene. However, Williamsburg is not a live music destination.

For those who seek it out, Oahu has several music venues. There are a few good venues that offer live music on Oahu.

Williamsburg is not a live music destination.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Resorts?

Oahu is a great destination for its resorts. However, Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in Oahu to choose from. The island has a diversity of resorts, from luxury 5 star accommodation to family-friendly resorts that are fun for all ages. Ko Olina is where you'll find Aulani, the Disney Resort. Waikiki is one of the most famous tourist areas on the island and you'll find high rise hotels and condos along the beach.

Williamsburg is not a resort destination.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Oahu is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Williamsburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Oahu. Snorkeling and diving on the island is among the best in the world. There are 3 marine life conservation parks and miles of coastline to explore.

Williamsburg is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Beaches?

Oahu is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Oahu offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. From the energetic Waikiki Beach to the family-friendly Ko Olina, Oahu has some of the most famous beaches in the world. The beaches are lined with sand and some areas offer better swimming conditions than others. You'll also find beaches with snorkeling or sea turtles, and some with world class surfing waves.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Oahu does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Williamsburg is revered around the world. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

Oahu does not have a historic old town.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Hiking?

Oahu is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. However, Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Oahu is well-known for its hiking and trekking. World famous hikes on the island include Diamond Head and Koko Crater Railroad Trailhead. There are hikes ranging from easy to challenging and views that will take your breath away.

Williamsburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Oahu?

Shopping is a popular activity in both Oahu and Williamsburg.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Oahu. There are shopping centers and malls in Honolulu that have major department stores as well as island favorites. For a local experience head to the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet or wander along the Waikiki Beach Walk with its many boutique shops. Also worth a visit is the Honolulu Chinatown market.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu More Beautiful?

Oahu is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. Also, Williamsburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its scenery and beauty.

The famous beauty of Oahu is one of the main draws. The island has striking beaches and stunning mountains, making it a beautiful Hawaiian Island.

Williamsburg is a gorgeous place to visit. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Families?

Both Williamsburg and Oahu are world-class family-friendly destinations.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Williamsburg is very family-friendly. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Oahu is a very family-friendly destination. There are plenty of outdoor activities, places to learn about Hawaiian culture, and world class beaches. The most popular family-friendly area is Ko Olina, which is where you'll find the Disney Resort, Aulani. Kids will also enjoy the area's snorkeling and kayaking. Surfing lessons are a fun activity for the whole family as well.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Couples?

Oahu is a world-class destination for couples. Also, Williamsburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Oahu is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. The island offers a beautiful and adventurous honeymoon destination that is perfect for anniversaries and other romantic getaways. It's an island paradise with world class beaches, stunning vistas, and countless water sports.

Williamsburg is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Oahu is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Oahu. There are a couple of hostels on the island. Public transportation is also a bit better than the other islands, so it is one of the better Hawaiian islands for backpackers.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Students?

Williamsburg is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Oahu is not popular with students.

Williamsburg is a great destination for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Oahu is not popular with students.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Williamsburg and Oahu.

Public transit is generally limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Public transit is mostly limited in Oahu. Honolulu has a fairly good bus system, but once you're out of the city, public transportation is limited.

Is Williamsburg or Oahu a more walkable city?

Williamsburg and Oahu both are decent when exploring on foot.

Williamsburg is generally not very walkable. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

Oahu is generally not a very walkable town. There are some walkable neighborhoods in Honolulu, but if you really want to explore the island, you'll want to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Williamsburg Worth Visiting? and Is Oahu Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Oahu or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Oahu?

Both Williamsburg and Oahu have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Oahu than in Williamsburg. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 3-7 days is enough time in Oahu.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Oahu than Williamsburg 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 Oahu.

One day in Williamsburg or Oahu?

Visitors enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Williamsburg. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In Oahu, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this vibrant island offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Oahu?

Williamsburg is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Oahu is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Williamsburg or Oahu?

You'll find shopping and museums around the historic destination of Williamsburg. This town offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

In Oahu, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this energetic destination offers. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Williamsburg or Oahu?

The charming town of Williamsburg offers museums and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

Oahu is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Williamsburg and Oahu, we can see that Oahu is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

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

When is the best time to visit Williamsburg or Oahu?

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 Williamsburg or Oahu in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Oahu. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Oahu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Williamsburg is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 78°F (26°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Oahu. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Oahu in the Autumn?

Both Oahu and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Oahu because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Williamsburg is much colder than Oahu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 61°F (16°C) in October, and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives less sunshine than Oahu during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Oahu. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Oahu in the Winter?

Both Oahu and Williamsburg during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.

The weather in Williamsburg can be very cold. In the winter, Williamsburg is much colder than Oahu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Williamsburg in January average around 38°F (4°C), and Oahu averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Williamsburg often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Oahu. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Oahu in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Oahu. The natural beauty are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Oahu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In April, Williamsburg is generally much colder than Oahu. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 57°F (14°C), and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Williamsburg usually receives more rain than Oahu. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Oahu and Williamsburg