Is a visit to Hawaii in your future? Whether or not you are visiting for the primary or fifth time, there isn’t any denying {that a} trip to Hawaii is an incredible expertise. However should you’ve checked out all of the completely different islands and are nonetheless attempting to determine Honolulu versus Maui and the way they evaluate to one another, we’re right here to assist.Â
The principle distinction between Maui and Honolulu is that Honolulu is the capital of Hawaii and affords an city expertise on the island of Oahu. It is residence to most of Hawaii’s inhabitants, so you may all the time discover loads to do.
In the meantime, Maui, nicknamed The Valley Isle, is an island itself. It is well-known for its beachy, laid-back ambiance and the favored Haleakala Nationwide Park. The biggest settlement in Maui is Kahului, thought-about the island’s business and monetary hub.
Let’s take a look at the variations between these two locations, the place to remain in every and what to do when visiting.
Each Hawaiian locations are very fashionable with guests, owing little doubt to their tropical, far-from-home really feel.Â
Nonetheless, the island of Oahu is the preferred by far. In 2021, Honolulu, Oahu, noticed a complete of three.3 million guests, whereas neighboring Maui acquired fewer at 2.3 million.
Regardless of this, these two locations are by far the most-visited throughout the Hawaiian islands, which makes it a lot simpler for company to seek out locations to remain and issues to do.Â
It is all the time a superb time to go to Hawaii, however the very best time to go to is determined by your wants. The excessive season runs from December to March when some vacationers arrive to flee the chilly wintery climate, and June to August when households come for summer time trip. That is when the islands are busiest, so you may compete for actions, restaurant reservations and lodging.Â
Think about as an alternative visiting through the shoulder seasons of spring and fall, when the islands are much less crowded.Â
Climate-wise, Might to October is the summer time season, when the typical daytime temperature hovers round 85 levels. Then again, November to April is the winter season and is noticeably cooler than summer time, with a median daytime temperature of 78 levels.Â
There’s all kinds of lodging choices for Honolulu and Maui, although remember that lodging in Hawaii will be very costly, particularly through the excessive season.Â
You are spoiled for selection should you intend to remain in a resort. There are alternatives from main resort chains comparable to Marriott, Hilton and Hyatt positioned in Honolulu and Maui. There are additionally loads of trip leases from which to decide on.Â
Relying on the kind of trip you are seeking to have, you may need to determine whether or not to remain city-center or beachside. Oahu has huge metropolis vibes in Honolulu and exquisite seashores in close by Waikiki.Â
Maui could also be extra your pace should you envision a extra distant — or luxurious — expertise. It is residence to properties such because the Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort and The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua.
You will by no means run out of issues to do when visiting Hawaii. Honolulu, Maui or elsewhere, these islands are surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, which suggests there are tons of water actions.Â
Need to swim, snorkel, dive, parasail, paddleboard, fish, surf or loosen up on the seashore? Each Maui and Oahu present these actions in spades. Or, should you’re on the lookout for one thing extra distinctive, why not strive swimming with dolphins or whale watching?
If surf and solar aren’t your issues, it’s possible you’ll need to veer towards Honolulu on your trip, as most of Maui’s actions are oriented in direction of the outside. Honolulu, in the meantime, has a wealth of cultural websites to go to, together with Pearl Harbor and Iolani Palace, residence of Hawaii’s final reigning monarchs.
No dialog about Maui versus Honolulu is full with out contemplating the price of the go to to Hawaii. That stated, Honolulu, on Oahu, is considerably cheaper than Maui.Â
How important? In December 2022, the typical nightly charge for a resort in Oahu was $202. In Maui, the typical charge for a resort was $410.Â
In reality, Oahu is the most cost effective of the Hawaiian islands for lodging, coming in behind each the Huge Island and Kauai. Add to this its decrease prices for meals and transportation, and Oahu turns into a way more inexpensive possibility than Maui.Â
Regardless of their distant location, each Maui and Honolulu are well-connected to the skin world, due to the hundreds of thousands of tourists that come via annually.Â
That stated, it is simpler to seek out flights to Honolulu than to Maui. The Daniel Okay. Inouye Worldwide Airport in Honolulu options 26 direct routes to the continental U.S., whereas the Kahului Airport in Maui has service to 18.Â
Curiously, costs for flights to the 2 airports are comparatively comparable, with Maui being barely dearer; anticipate to pay from round $250 to $500 for a round-trip ticket from Los Angeles in economic system class — although it will probably get pricier throughout excessive season.
So, is Honolulu higher than Maui?
It is determined by your preferences within the battle of Maui versus Honolulu. Hawaii is a surprising location with loads of enjoyable issues to do, irrespective of which island you go to.
When you’re available in the market for a beachy, enjoyable trip, it’s possible you’ll need to head to Maui. In any other case, think about Honolulu for its abundance of accommodations, issues to do and plentiful flight connections to different U.S. cities.
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