Big Island (Kona & Hilo) from San Francisco, Nov 19–24: $1,993 for two, all in
The verdict
Our verdict
Worth it, if
- Round trip $497 per person, $28 below the typical fare
- Kalani Kai#104 in Kailua-Kona, 9 review score from 6 reviews
- Typical highs 80–81°F, lows near 70°F for your dates
The catch: The Southwest fare has 2 stops and 660 minutes of travel, and a checked bag is about $140 for two, not in the total.
Worth it if a full travel day is fine for volcanoes, snorkeling and 80°F weather; skip it if you only want a nonstop.
Worth it if you don't mind a long travel day: $1,993 for two, which is the flights at $994 plus Kalani Kai#104 at $999, taxes and fees included. That covers Nov 19–24, 2026, 5 nights in Kailua-Kona. Southwest is the airline, and it isn't nonstop: the fare has 2 stops.
The total, before you go
$1,993 for two · 5 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
| For two | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two, round trip | $994 |
| Kalani Kai#104, 5 nights, two guests, taxes in | $999 |
| The total, before you go | $1,993 |
| A checked bag each, round trip (not in the total) | about $140 |
$28 per person below the typical fare on this route.
Not in it: seat picks on basic fares and a checked bag (about $35 each way per bag on Southwest, $140 for two round trip); a resort fee, if the hotel has one, is collected at the desk. Prices are what we found at the time shown; the booking site’s checkout is the binding one.
The flight
$497 per person, round trip
$994 for two, taxes and fees included · Southwest · 2 stops · 11h
Out Thu, Nov 19, 12:25 PM – Thu, Nov 19, 9:25 PM
| Airline | Per person | Stops | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest | $497 | 2 stops | 11h |
| Alaska | $568 | nonstop | 10h 42m |
| Alaska. Operated by Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines + Alaska as Hawaiian Airlines | $555 | 1 stop | 9h 48m |
Prices checked Oct 14, 2026, 3:25 AM PDT. 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
Tweak this trip
Why now
The fare is $497 per person, which is $28 below the typical fare on this route, or 5% under the $525 median of our earlier checks. It's also the lowest we've seen in 30 days. With Kalani Kai#104 for 5 nights, the whole trip comes to $1,993 for two, taxes and fees included. A checked bag, any fees at the property and spending money aren't in that number. Mid-to-late November gives you typical highs of 80–81°F and lows near 70°F. Expect mostly overcast skies, which still makes for comfortable days in the park and on the water. You'll also beat the crowds: humpback whale season and the Kohala Coast peak start in December. That makes this a good window for a nature trip before the island gets busy.
The kind of trip this is
This is a nature and adventure trip on a road-trip island. You'll drive to an active volcano caldera, snorkel at night with manta rays, walk black sand and visit coffee farms. It's best for a couple or two friends who like early starts and full days, with easy evenings in walkable Kailua-Kona. The pace is active. If you want to stay in one spot by the pool all week, this trip asks more of you.
Weather in Big Island (Kona & Hilo), Nov 19–24
Typical highs 80–81°F, lows near 70°F this time of year
| Day | Typical high | Typical low | Typical weather |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Tue, Nov 24 | 81 °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. It's a walkable seaside town with coffee shops, snorkel tours and mid-range hotels, and a handy base for the Kona side. Kalani Kai#104 is the best value: $999 for the stay, or $200 a night, for a vacation home with a 9 review score from 6 reviews. It doesn't offer free cancellation. Kona Mansions is the budget pick at $1,050, or $210 a night, for a one-bedroom apartment scored 8.6 from 26 reviews. It's the only one of the three with free cancellation. Aston Kona By The Sea is the top-rated pick, a 4-star with a one-bedroom suite and partial ocean view. It's scored 8.2 from 326 reviews and costs $2,173, or $435 a night. For an easier volcano day, Volcano Village sits at the park gate.
Kalani Kai#104
$999 for 5 nights, two guests · $200 a night
See roomsAston Kona By The Sea
$2,173 for 5 nights, two guests · $435 a night
See roomsKona Mansions
$1,050 for 5 nights, two guests · $210 a night
See roomsAll hotels in Big Island (Kona & Hilo) for these dates
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
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
- Stargaze from the Mauna Kea visitor station
- Kayak and snorkel Kealakekua Bay at the Captain Cook monument
- Walk the black sand of Punaluu Beach
- Tour a Kona coffee farm
Tours and tickets in Big Island (Kona & Hilo)
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
Getting there and around
| Airports in San Francisco | San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland San Francisco Bay (OAK), San Jose Mineta International (SJC) |
|---|---|
| Airports in Big Island (Kona & Hilo) | Kona International (KOA), Hilo International (ITO) |
| Flight time | 11h (2 stops) |
| Distance | 2,370 miles each way |
| Time difference | -2 hours |
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
What 5 nights in Big Island (Kona & Hilo) costs
| Estimate | |
|---|---|
| Flights for two | $994 |
| Hotel, 5 nights (Kalani Kai#104) | $999 |
| Food, getting around and tickets, 5 days for two | $1,300 |
| Total for two | $3,293 |
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: San Francisco to Big Island (Kona & Hilo)
| Per person | |
|---|---|
| This trip | $497 per person |
| Lowest in the last 30 days | $497 (Oct 14, 2026) |
| Typical price, last 60 days | $525 |
| Price checks | 9 |
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, and the currency is the US dollar.
- The Big Island is 2 hours behind San Francisco.
- The outbound flight leaves SFO at 12:25 PM on Thursday, Nov 19 and lands at KOA at 9:25 PM.
- A checked bag is about $140 for two, and it isn't in the total.
- Humpback whale season and the Kohala Coast peak run December through March, so this trip lands just before them.
Questions readers ask
Is it worth it?
Worth it if a long travel day doesn't bother you. The fare is $28 per person below the typical fare on this route and the lowest in 30 days. The catch is 2 stops on Southwest.
How much is the whole trip for two?
$1,993 all in: $994 for two round-trip flights plus $999 for 5 nights at Kalani Kai#104, taxes and fees included. Checked bags, any fees at the property and spending money are extra. Prices were found when we checked and can change.
How long is the flight?
The Southwest fare has 2 stops and takes 660 minutes in total. You leave SFO at 12:25 PM and land in Kona at 9:25 PM local time. The Big Island is 2 hours behind San Francisco.
What is the weather like?
For Nov 19–24, typical highs are 80–81°F and lows are near 70°F. Expect mostly overcast days with one partly cloudy day.
Do I need a passport?
No. It's a domestic trip, and you pay in US dollars.
Which hotel has free cancellation?
Kona Mansions, at $1,050 for the stay, is the only one of the three with free cancellation. Kalani Kai#104 and Aston Kona By The Sea don't offer it.
Also found for you
The newest finds from San Francisco.
Just found · from San Francisco43% below typicalWorth it, if
Los Cabos
Nov 14–21, 2026 · 7 nights
- $431 per person round trip, $338 below the typical fare
- Lumina at Cardinal Cabo San Lucas rated 9 from 588 reviews
- Typical highs of 82–87°F, lows near 68°F, free cancellation
$1,641 for two · 7 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $861 + hotel $676 + resort fee $104, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $140
Alaska · with a stop · 8h 20m
The catch: It's one stop and 8h 20m on the way down, and a checked bag is about $140 for two, not in the total.
Worth it if you want a warm week of beach, snorkeling and boat trips; skip it if you're going for whales, which start in December.
Tweak this trip
Just found · from San Francisco19% below typicalWorth it, if
Cancún
Nov 14–21, 2026 · 7 nights
- $370 per person on American, $87 below the typical fare
- Riu Dunamar - All Inclusive scores 8.3 from 827 reviews, free cancellation
- Highs of 82–83°F for snorkeling MUSA and a day on Isla Mujeres
$2,439 for two · 7 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
Flights $740 + hotel $1,699, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $160
American · with a stop · 10h 11m
The catch: It's one stop and 10h 11m overnight each way out, and the climate normals show drizzle most days, with rain on Nov 17 and Nov 20.
Worth it if you want a warm all-inclusive week at a lower fare; skip it if an overnight one-stop flight or some drizzle would spoil it.
Tweak this trip
Just found · from San FranciscoWorth it, if
New York City
Nov 27–Dec 2, 2026 · 5 nights
- $2,529 for two covers flights and 5 hotel nights, all in
- Fare is $83 per person below the highest we saw
- Four Points rates 8.2 from 2,698 reviews, with free cancellation
$2,529 for two · 5 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
Flights $988 + hotel $1,541, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $140
Alaska · with a stop · 18h 6m
The catch: It's one stop and 18h 6m of travel time, and a checked bag, about $140 for two, isn't in the total.
Worth it if you want museums, Broadway and holiday windows in coat weather; skip it if you need a nonstop or want sunshine.
Tweak this trip
More trips
Next weekend · from San Francisco21% below typicalWorth it, if
San Antonio
Oct 16–18, 2026 · 2 nights
- $450 per person, $121 below the typical fare on this route
- Highs 71–76°F and rain chances of 0–13% for River Walk strolls
- Breakfast and free cancellation at all three hotels, from $88 a night
$1,149 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
Flights $900 + hotel $249, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $240
Frontier · with a stop · 5h 32m
The catch: The Frontier flight has one stop and takes 5h 32m, United's nonstop takes 3h 31m but costs $669 per person, and all three hotels are in North San Antonio, not downtown.
Worth it if you want Tex-Mex, history and the River Walk for less; skip it if a connection or staying outside downtown bothers you.
Just found · from San FranciscoLowest in 30 days
Las Vegas
Oct 23–25, 2026 · 2 nights
- Nonstop on Frontier, 1h 44m
- $54 per person below the typical fare on this route
- Lowest in 30 days on this route
$826 for two · 2 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
Flights $366 + hotel $460, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $240
Frontier · nonstop · 1h 44m
The catch: The best-value hotel is rated 7.9; a better one costs more.
Worth it if you want late nights and a crowd; skip it if you want to sleep.
A week away · from San FranciscoLowest in 30 daysWorth it, if
Grand Canyon
Nov 14–21, 2026 · 7 nights
- Fare is $1,391 per person below the typical fare on this route
- Red Feather Lodge/Hotel: 8.8 from 829 reviews, free cancellation
- Highs of 43–57°F for Rim Trail walks, after the summer crowds
$2,337 for two · 7 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
Flights $904 + hotel $1,433, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $160
American. Operated by SkyWest Airlines as American Eagle + SkyWest Airlines as American Eagle · with a stop · 3h 55m
The catch: The flight has one stop and leaves at 5:50 AM, nights drop to around 31°F, and resort fees and a checked bag are not in the total.
Worth it if you want trails and quiet rim views in cool weather; skip it if you hate early flights or cold mornings.
Just found · from San Francisco43% below typicalWorth it, if
Los Cabos
Nov 14–21, 2026 · 7 nights
- $431 per person round trip, $338 below the typical fare
- Lumina at Cardinal Cabo San Lucas rated 9 from 588 reviews
- Typical highs of 82–87°F, lows near 68°F, free cancellation
$1,641 for two · 7 nights · flights, hotel, taxes, fees & the resort fee
Flights $861 + hotel $676 + resort fee $104, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $140
Alaska · with a stop · 8h 20m
The catch: It's one stop and 8h 20m on the way down, and a checked bag is about $140 for two, not in the total.
Worth it if you want a warm week of beach, snorkeling and boat trips; skip it if you're going for whales, which start in December.
Just found · from San Francisco19% below typicalWorth it, if
Cancún
Nov 14–21, 2026 · 7 nights
- $370 per person on American, $87 below the typical fare
- Riu Dunamar - All Inclusive scores 8.3 from 827 reviews, free cancellation
- Highs of 82–83°F for snorkeling MUSA and a day on Isla Mujeres
$2,439 for two · 7 nights · flights, hotel, taxes & fees
Flights $740 + hotel $1,699, taxes in · a checked bag each adds about $160
American · with a stop · 10h 11m
The catch: It's one stop and 10h 11m overnight each way out, and the climate normals show drizzle most days, with rain on Nov 17 and Nov 20.
Worth it if you want a warm all-inclusive week at a lower fare; skip it if an overnight one-stop flight or some drizzle would spoil it.
All trips from San Francisco · Big Island (Kona & Hilo) from every city · Prices on this route · Trips in November 2026 · Home
Big Island (Kona & Hilo) in pictures
Paid links: when you book through a link on this page, the booking site pays us a referral fee. Your price does not change. We use AI tools to draft the text of each page from the data on it; code checks every number in the draft against that data and rejects what does not match, and the team reviews pages and fixes or removes what readers report. How we pick · Report a mistake.
Image credits
- Photo: Ham Chitnupong / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Josh Withers / Pexels, Pexels License
- Photo: Brian Wolf / Pexels, Pexels License