A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kingston vs. Blue Ridge for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kingston or Blue Ridge?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Blue Ridge, 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 Blue Ridge?

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.

Blue Ridge

Blue Ridge is a resort town, located in the northern part of Georgia in the vicinity of the Blue Ridge Mountain region of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is a popular destination for outdoor adventures like hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and even whitewater rafting. Whether you wish to stay in a cozy cabin or luxury resort, the environment is one enveloped by the natural beauty of mountain scenery.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Blue Ridge or Kingston?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Kingston Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Blue Ridge Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $123
    Blue Ridge $150

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Blue Ridge is $150. 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 Blue Ridge in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Blue Ridge $67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Blue Ridge $134
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Blue Ridge

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Blue Ridge? 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.

Hotels in Kingston


Hotels in Blue Ridge


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 Blue Ridge Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $28
    Blue Ridge $34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
  • Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
  • Private Arrivals or Departures Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Kingston : $136
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
  • Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
  • Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Blue Ridge?

Prices for flights to both Blue Ridge 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kingston $44
    Blue Ridge $61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Blue Ridge $18

Tours and Activities in Kingston

Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
  • Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
  • Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,011
  • Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
  • Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
  • Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $134
  • City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $105
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Devon House City Tour Combo: $85

Tours and Activities in Blue Ridge

For Blue Ridge, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Helen Haunts, Murder, Mystery Tour With Paranormal Investigation: $20
  • Helen’s Ghosts of Christmas Past Walking Tour: $26
  • 2 Hour Culture Tour in Helen: $29
  • 2-Hour Helen Haunts and History Walk Tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Blue Ridge $20


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Blue Ridge, we can see that Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Blue Ridge?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 790 times larger than the population of Blue Ridge. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Blue Ridge, 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 Blue Ridge?

Blue Ridge 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 Blue Ridge in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Blue Ridge. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Blue Ridge in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Blue Ridge. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Blue Ridge averages at about 81°F (27°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Blue Ridge. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Blue Ridge. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 265 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Blue Ridge. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Blue Ridge. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Blue Ridge 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Blue Ridge in the Autumn?

Both Blue Ridge and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Blue Ridge for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Blue Ridge. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

It's quite sunny in Blue Ridge. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Blue Ridge during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Blue Ridge. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Blue Ridge 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Blue Ridge in the Winter?

Both Blue Ridge and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Blue Ridge because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Blue Ridge can be very cold. Kingston is much warmer than Blue Ridge in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Blue Ridge fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Blue Ridge. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Blue Ridge receives 145 hours of full sun.

Blue Ridge gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Blue Ridge. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Blue Ridge 40°F (5°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Blue Ridge in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Blue Ridge. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Blue Ridge this time of year.

In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Blue Ridge. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Blue Ridge averages at about 62°F (17°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Blue Ridge this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Blue Ridge during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Blue Ridge receives 243 hours of full sun in the spring.

Blue Ridge receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Blue Ridge. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Blue Ridge receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Blue Ridge 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Blue Ridge and Kingston

Kingston Blue Ridge
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 40°F (5°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (132 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 53°F (12°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 62°F (17°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 70°F (21°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 78°F (25°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 81°F (27°C) 5.2 inches (131 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 80°F (27°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 44°F (7°C) 5.2 inches (133 mm)