I’m curious to know how much it costs to go to Kona. Say you go over for like 10 days, get a condo/homestay, just yourself. Nothing fancy like Chris Lieto’s pad (do a youtube search for Chris Lieto’s Kona Krib). I always hear how expensive qualifying and going to Hawaii is, but have never seen any numbers. I would guess…$3000? Am I close?
Went in 2006, and after flights and such, little over 4k. But that was with wife and baby as well. I would say depending where located, you could do it for under 3k if alone. Small condo say 150.00 night, and 500 for flight if on west coast.
Figure that much:
$500 entry fee
$500 to $1000 flight (depending where you fly from)
$180 bike fees on plane
$400 to $700 if you split a condo
$1500 to $3000 if you live in a hotel
$300 to $400 rental car/gas (not really needed)
$300 to $500 in food
$100 in Ironman Hawaii swag/gear/souvenirs
The experience: priceless
Herbert
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I stayed at the Koa wood hostel for $55 a night. 2 rood suites, with your own room that locked. Free internet, 5 blocks from start. Almost everyone there were athletes, met some really nice folks. Very clean and affordable.
Uncle Billy’s is a close but a pretty cheap place to stay. I think it’s under $100 a night. Kinda run down though.
Don’t forget if you are German, the Lava Java bill. Over 10 days I figure at least $300…
Don’t forget if you are German, the Lava Java bill. Over 10 days I figure at least $300…
Or a Portuguese. 
Yes…Uncle Billy’s is cheap and so close. But if your a female traveling alone…it’s very scary !!!
I was just in Kona for the first time a couple of weeks ago and me and my GF stayed at Uncle Billy’s, against all the scary reviews I read on the place. When we got there I couldn’t understand what everyone was freaking out about. To me it seemed like a standard motel. If someone went expecting a 5 star resort they’d be dissapointed, but I don’t get what was so bad about it. Can you shed some light on it for me? Here’s the view from our room.
I think if you get stuck in the units that are across the street (ocean side–away from the main building/office), they are more sketchy.
And then there’s the cost of the support crew!
But for those that have earned their entry I agree that the experience would be priceless. For them, the question of cost is really a superfluous question.
Hmm, I didn’t even realize those were the same hotel. Having the buffet breakfast included in the price of the room was nice too. 
*I think if you get stuck in the units that are across the street (ocean side–away from the main building/office), they are more sketchy. *
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Ditto
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My trip in 05:
- Entry fee …Usd$500
- Flights x2 (1300)… 2600
- Sheraton Keauheu (x8)…1622
- Car rental (x8)…640
- Gas ( roughly )…300
- Food…1000
- Gifts /Paraphanelia…1200
- Honolulu (x5 nights and car rental )…4000
$11 862
My wife and I flew in from Singapore. Would I do it again abso%$#$%lutely ! I’ve been training my ass off since to get back. I love throwing away money
In future though we would not spend more than one night in Honolulu , it was very expensive and too commercialised for our taste.
And then there’s the cost of the support crew!
Yeah, and I don’t come cheap. Plus, I don’t go to Hawaii with no losers.
more than I can afford… next year.