Which place is cheaper, Berkeley or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kingston or Berkeley?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Berkeley, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Berkeley?
Kingston
Kingston is Jamaica's capital city with a population of about 579,000. For being located on an island, Kingston is a very large city with several different zip codes. Not only is Kingston the cultural capital of the country, but also the commercial one as well.
Berkeley
Berkeley is considered to be perhaps the most progressive or liberal city in the United States. The town has deep roots in the Free Speech movement of the 1960s. Visitors, students, and locals alike will find an eclectic mix of cultures and viewpoints. The city's free-thinking environment has witnessed the creation of quality attractions, great food from many world cultures, and of course the internationally renowned University of California, Berkeley (also known as "Cal" or "Cal Berkeley").
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, and The Best Walking Tours in United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesBerkeley Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Berkeley $217
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Berkeley is $217. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kingston and Berkeley in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Berkeley $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Berkeley $262
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Berkeley
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Berkeley? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Kingston Hotel Prices and Berkeley Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Berkeley $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer from Kingston's Airport: $32
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Berkeley
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Berkeley:
- Private Departure Transfer to Oakland Airport OAK: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Berkeley?
Prices for flights to both Berkeley and Kingston change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayKingston $44Berkeley $63
Typical Food Prices in Berkeley
Some typical examples of dining costs in Berkeley are as follows:
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Chocolates at Sweet Dreams$4.46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Berkeley
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Berkeley.
- Best of North Berkeley Food Tour: $137
- Black Food Tour - Downtown Oakland: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Berkeley $30
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
Tours and Activities in Berkeley
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Berkeley are as follows:
- Ruth Bancroft Garden General Admission Ticket: $15
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour in Berkeley: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Berkeley by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Antioch by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Redwoods of Marin and Mt. Tamalpais Walking Tour with Local Guide: $59
- Historic Houseboat Tour: $65
- Experience Create your own jewelry workshop for beginners: $95
- Classic Sausalito Wooden Boat Tour: $100
- Oakland's Temescal Tastes Tour: $126
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Berkeley $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Berkeley
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Berkeley:
- Guided Wine Tasting at Berkeley Wineries with Local Sommelière : $175
- Guided Wine Tasting with Local Sommelière: $175
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Berkeley, we can see that Berkeley is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Berkeley is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Kingston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kingston 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 Berkeley would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Berkeley than you might in Kingston.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Berkeley Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Berkeley?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Berkeley. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Berkeley, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
When is the best time to visit Kingston or Berkeley?
Berkeley has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kingston experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kingston or Berkeley in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Berkeley. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Berkeley this time of year.
Kingston is much warmer than Berkeley in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Berkeley fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
In July, Kingston usually receives more rain than Berkeley. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Berkeley 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Berkeley in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Berkeley. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Berkeley for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Berkeley. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Berkeley averages at about 63°F (17°C).
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Berkeley. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Berkeley 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Berkeley in the Winter?
Both Berkeley and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Berkeley in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Berkeley. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Berkeley fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Berkeley. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Berkeley 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Berkeley in the Spring?
Both Berkeley and Kingston during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Berkeley for the natural beauty during these months.
Kingston is much warmer than Berkeley in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Berkeley fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Berkeley. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Berkeley receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Berkeley 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Berkeley and Kingston
| Kingston | Berkeley | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.