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

Should you visit Kingston or Chattanooga?

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

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

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.

Chattanooga

Located on the Tennessee River near the border of the U.S. state of Georgia, Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city and a major transportation hub. The city has received national recognition for the renaissance of its once dilapidated downtown and redevelopment of its riverfront, including the restoration of the historic Walnut Street Bridge.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Historical Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Chattanooga 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
    Chattanooga Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $123
    Chattanooga $225

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Chattanooga is $225. 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 Chattanooga in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Chattanooga $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Chattanooga $184
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Chattanooga

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Chattanooga? 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 Chattanooga


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 Chattanooga Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $28
    Chattanooga $35

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
  • Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
  • Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $70
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Negril: $79
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
  • Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chattanooga

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chattanooga:


  • Chattanooga Zoo (for 2)
    $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chattanooga

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chattanooga:

  • Private One Way Transfer from/to Chattanooga Airport and Hotels: $185

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Chattanooga?

Prices for flights to both Chattanooga 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
    Chattanooga $103

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chattanooga

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chattanooga.

  • Historic Southside Food Tour in Chattanooga: $99
  • Downtown Chattanooga Food Tour: $119
  • ChattaBrunch Food Tour: $119
  • ChattaBrunch Food Tour: $119
  • Southside Food Tour with Lunch: $129
  • Downtown Food Tour with 3-4 Tastings: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Chattanooga $52

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 Chattanooga

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

  • Chattanooga Blues to Bridges Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
  • National Medal of Honor Heritage Museum Admission Ticket in Chattanooga: $14
  • Guided Ghost Walking Tour: $23
  • Chattanooga Crypts and Chills Ghost Tour: $24
  • Murder & Mayhem Haunted History Walking Tour: $25
  • Original Local Award-Winning Walking Ghost Tour: $25
  • Family Friendly Ghost Tour in Chattanooga: $30
  • A Spooky and Family-Friendly Walking Tour: $30
  • Ghost & Booze Tour of Chattanooga - 21+ Over: $31
  • Chattanooga Crypts and Chills Ghost Tour: $32
  • The Flash City Sightseeing Tour by Trolley: $34
  • The Flash: 1 Hour City Tour : $34

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Chattanooga $24

Sample the Local Flavors in Chattanooga

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chattanooga:

  • Distillery Tour at Gate 11: $18
  • Chattanooga Wine Tasting with Art Sightseeing Tour: $180


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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Chattanooga?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Chattanooga, 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 Chattanooga?

Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga in the Summer?

Both Chattanooga and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Chattanooga for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Kingston is around the same temperature as Chattanooga in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Chattanooga. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Kingston or Chattanooga in the Autumn?

Both Chattanooga and Kingston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chattanooga because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Chattanooga. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Chattanooga averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Chattanooga. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 211 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Chattanooga. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Kingston or Chattanooga in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Chattanooga. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chattanooga this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chattanooga in the winter. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Chattanooga. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Chattanooga fluctuates around 40°F (5°C).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Chattanooga during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Chattanooga receives 145 hours of full sun in the winter.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Chattanooga. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


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

Should I visit Kingston or Chattanooga in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Chattanooga. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Kingston is much warmer than Chattanooga in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Chattanooga fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chattanooga. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chattanooga receives 243 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Chattanooga. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Chattanooga receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Typical Weather for Chattanooga and Kingston

Kingston Chattanooga
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)