Which place is cheaper, Charleston 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 Charleston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Charleston, 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 Charleston?
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.
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesCharleston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Charleston $212
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $212. 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 Charleston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Charleston $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Charleston
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Charleston? 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 Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Charleston $33
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 Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $268
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $134
- One Way Airport Transfer Service: $80
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $147
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Kiawah/Seabrook Islands to Charleston Airport (CHS) – Departure Private Transfer: $208
- Private Transfer from Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston Port: $134
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Charleston?
Prices for flights to both Charleston 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 $44Charleston $100
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Hands-on Cooking Class in Charleston: $89
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour!: $96
- Tastes Through Time - Charleston's Best Food Tour: $98
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $100
- Charleston French Quarter or Brunch Food Tour with 7+ Tastings: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Small Group Food Tour – Savor the Flavors: $111
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $111
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $111
- Historic Downtown Food Tour: $112
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $116
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Charleston $22
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- Charleston Self-Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $5.00
- Charleston's Haunted Ghost Tour - Solo Smart Phone Guided Tour: $6.75
- Charleston Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.78
- Charleston Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Self-Guided "The French Quarter Charleston" Solo Walking Tour: $9.75
- Charleston Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
- Window into American History: A Self-guided Charleston Audio Tour: $9.99
- Charleston Self Guided Ghost Tour in 12 Languages: $10
- Charleston Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
- South Carolina Audio Tour: Charleston Audio Tour Adventure: $15
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Charleston Water Taxi Cruise with Dolphin Sighting: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Charleston $36
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $13
- Striped Pig Distillery Tour and Tasting: $22
- Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Women and Wine Tour: $34
- Charleston Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl for the Broken-Hearted: $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- 108 Elemental Presents Spirits & Spirits: Pub Crawl w/ Adam Miles: $36
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Charleston, we can see that Charleston 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 Charleston 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston 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 Charleston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Charleston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Charleston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Charleston, 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 Charleston?
Charleston 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 Charleston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Charleston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Charleston in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Charleston fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charleston this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Charleston during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
Charleston receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Charleston. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Charleston 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charleston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Charleston. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Charleston for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kingston is a little warmer than Charleston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Charleston averages at about 67°F (19°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Charleston. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun.
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Charleston. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Charleston 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charleston in the Winter?
Both Charleston 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 Charleston in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Charleston. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Charleston during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Charleston. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Charleston 47°F (9°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charleston in the Spring?
Both Charleston 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 Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.
Kingston is a little warmer than Charleston in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Charleston fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the spring, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Charleston. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 275 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Charleston. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Charleston 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Charleston and Kingston
| Kingston | Charleston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 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.