Big Island (Kona & Hilo) from Raleigh-Durham, Nov 14–23: $2,862 for two, all in
The verdict
Our verdict
Worth it, if
- $562 per person, $461 below the typical fare on this route
- Highs of 80–81°F and lows near 70°F for the whole stay
- Kalani Kai#104 in walkable Kailua-Kona, rated 9 from 6 reviews
The catch: The outbound connects once and takes 13h 32m, and checked bags run about $160 for two, which isn't in the total.
Worth it if you want nine nights of volcanoes, snorkeling and 80°F days; skip it if a 13h 32m connecting flight sounds rough.
Worth it if you can handle a long connecting flight, because the fare is 45% under the typical fare on this route. The total for two is $2,862: flights at $1,124 plus Kalani Kai#104 at $1,501 and its $237 resort fee, with taxes and fees included but checked bags and spending money not included. You leave Saturday, Nov 14 and return Monday, Nov 23, 2026, which is 9 nights, flying American with one stop.
The total, before you go
$2,862 for two · 9 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, round trip | $1,124 |
| Kalani Kai#104, 9 nights, two guests, taxes in | $1,501 |
| Resort fee, collected at the desk | $237 |
| The total, before you go | $2,862 |
| A checked bag each, round trip (not in the total) | about $160 |
$461 per person below the typical fare on this route.
Not in it: seat picks on basic fares and a checked bag (about $40 each way per bag on American, $160 for two round trip); the resort fee is counted above. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
$562 per person, round trip
$1,124 for two, taxes and fees included · American · 1 stop · 13h 32m
Out Sat, Nov 14, 6:30 AM – Sat, Nov 14, 3:02 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| American | $562 | 1 stop | 13h 32m |
| United | $562 | 1 stop | 13h 39m |
| Delta | $681 | 1 stop | 12h 36m |
Prices checked Oct 15, 2026, 8:28 PM EDT. Prices change; the binding price is the one on the booking site.
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. How we earn
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Why now
The fare is $562 per person. That's $461 below the typical fare on this route, or 45% under the $1,023 median of our earlier checks. It also carries a Lowest in 30 days tag, and fares we saw for this trip went as high as $1,229 per person. For Nov 14–23, normals point to highs of 80–81°F and lows near 70°F. Most days look partly cloudy or overcast, with drizzle on arrival day. Mid-November falls between the two season notes we have: Ironman World Championship weekend in Kona in October, and humpback whale season with the Kohala Coast peak starting in December. Nine nights gives you room to split the trip between the Kona side and the volcano without rushing. The prices were all-in when we checked, and they can change.
The kind of trip this is
This is a nature-and-beach road trip: volcano craters, night snorkeling, black sand and coffee farms, all on one island. It suits couples or friends who like a full day out followed by a slow evening. You'll drive between the sunny Kona side and the rainforest around the national park. With nine nights the pace can stay easy, so a big outing one day can be a beach afternoon the next.
Weather in Big Island (Kona & Hilo), Nov 14–23
Typical highs 80–81°F, lows near 70°F this time of year
| Day | Typical high | Typical low | Typical weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, Nov 14 | 80 °F | 70 °F | Drizzle |
| Sun, Nov 15 | 80 °F | 71 °F | Partly cloudy |
| Mon, Nov 16 | 80 °F | 69 °F | Partly cloudy |
| Tue, Nov 17 | 80 °F | 70 °F | Overcast |
| Wed, Nov 18 | 81 °F | 70 °F | Overcast |
| Thu, Nov 19 | 81 °F | 70 °F | Overcast |
| Fri, Nov 20 | 80 °F | 69 °F | Overcast |
| Sat, Nov 21 | 80 °F | 69 °F | Partly cloudy |
| Sun, Nov 22 | 81 °F | 70 °F | Overcast |
| Mon, Nov 23 | 80 °F | 70 °F | Overcast |
Weather data by Open-Meteo.com · averages, not a forecast
Where to stay in Big Island (Kona & Hilo)
All three picks are in Kailua-Kona, a walkable seaside town with coffee shops, snorkel tours and mid-range hotels. None of them offers free cancellation. Kalani Kai#104 is the best value: a vacation home at $1,501 for the stay ($167 a night), rated 9 from 6 reviews, plus $237 in fees at the property that our total already counts. Aston Kona By The Sea is the top-rated pick: 4 stars, 8.3 from 327 reviews, with a one-bedroom ocean-front suite at $3,990 for the stay ($443 a night) plus $629 in fees at the property. Kona Bali Kai Couples Studio Near Beach- AC, Pool, Hot Tub, Laundry, Lanai, WIFI is a studio at $1,739 ($193 a night) plus $274 at the property, and it has no review score yet. For a night near the volcano, Volcano Village has rainforest B&Bs at the park gate.
Kalani Kai#104
$1,501 for 9 nights, two guests · $167 a night
See roomsAston Kona By The Sea
$3,990 for 9 nights, two guests · $443 a night
See roomsKona Bali Kai Couples Studio Near Beach- AC, Pool, Hot Tub, Laundry, Lanai, WIFI
$1,739 for 9 nights, two guests · $193 a night
See roomsAll hotels in Big Island (Kona & Hilo) for these dates
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Where in Big Island (Kona & Hilo)
- Kohala Coast (Waikoloa, Mauna Lani, Mauna Kea): The island's sunniest resort strip with golden beaches and golf.
- Kailua-Kona: Walkable seaside town with coffee shops, snorkel tours and mid-range hotels.
- Volcano Village: Rainforest B&Bs at the gate of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
- Hilo: Rainy east-side town near waterfalls and the volcano, at budget rates.
- Captain Cook / Kealakekua: Coffee-farm country above the best snorkelling bay.
What to do in Big Island (Kona & Hilo)
- See the Kilauea caldera at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
- Snorkel with manta rays at night off Kona
- Kayak and snorkel Kealakekua Bay at the Captain Cook monument
- Stargaze from the Mauna Kea visitor station
- Walk the black sand of Punaluu Beach
- Tour a Kona coffee farm in Captain Cook / Kealakekua coffee-farm country
Tours and tickets in Big Island (Kona & Hilo)
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Getting there and around
| Airports in Raleigh-Durham | Raleigh-Durham International (RDU) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Big Island (Kona & Hilo) | Kona International (KOA), Hilo International (ITO) |
| Flight time | 13h 32m (1 stop) |
| Distance | 4,745 miles each way |
| Time difference | -5 hours |
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What 9 nights in Big Island (Kona & Hilo) costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $1,124 |
| Hotel, 9 nights (Kalani Kai#104) | $1,501 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 9 days for two | $2,340 |
| Total for two | $4,965 |
Flights and hotel are the prices we found; spending is a planning estimate for an upscale destination, per person per day times two.
Price history: Raleigh-Durham to Big Island (Kona & Hilo)
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $562 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $562 (Oct 16, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $1,023 |
| Price checks | 6 |
Good to know
- Passport: no passport needed for travelers from the United States: a government photo ID is enough for Big Island (Kona & Hilo).
- Currency: US dollar (USD).
- No passport needed: it's a domestic trip, and you pay in US dollars.
- Hawaii is 5 hours behind Raleigh-Durham, and the 6:30 AM flight from RDU lands in Kona at 3:02 PM.
- None of the three hotels offers free cancellation, so read the terms before you pay.
- We estimate spending money at $130 per person a day, or $2,340 for two over 9 days, which isn't in the total.
- The island has two airports: Kona International (KOA) and Hilo International (ITO).
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Yes, if the long flight doesn't bother you. The fare is $562 per person, 45% below the $1,023 typical fare, highs run 80–81°F, and the best-value stay is rated 9. The trade-off is a 13h 32m outbound with one connection.
How much is the whole trip for two?
It's $2,862 all in: $1,124 in flights plus $1,501 for Kalani Kai#104 and its $237 resort fee, taxes and fees included. Checked bags (about $160 for two) and spending money are extra. With our $2,340 spending estimate, the full budget comes to $4,965.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a US trip, and the currency is the US dollar.
What is the weather like?
Normals for Nov 14–23 show highs of 80–81°F and lows of 69–71°F. Most days are partly cloudy or overcast, with drizzle on Nov 14.
Are there other flight options?
United leaves at 8:00 AM for the same $562 per person and lands at 4:39 PM. Delta leaves at 7:05 AM, lands at 2:41 PM after 12h 36m, and costs $681 per person. All three have one stop.
Is 9 nights enough?
Yes, for a well-rounded trip. That's time for the volcano park, a night manta snorkel, Kealakekua Bay, Mauna Kea stargazing and a coffee farm, plus a few beach days in Kailua-Kona.
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All trips from Raleigh-Durham · Big Island (Kona & Hilo) from every city · Prices on this route · Trips in November 2026 · Home
Big Island (Kona & Hilo) in pictures
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