Which place is cheaper, Gainesville 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 Gainesville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?
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.
Gainesville
Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, and The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesGainesville Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Gainesville $267
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Gainesville is $267. 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 Gainesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Gainesville $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Gainesville $230
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Gainesville
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Gainesville? 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 Gainesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Gainesville $39
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Gainesville?
Prices for flights to both Gainesville 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 $44Gainesville $121
Typical Food Prices in Gainesville
Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:
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Diner Breakfast for Two$17
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Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)$24
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Gainesville $43
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 Gainesville
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Gainesville are as follows:
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Manatee Tour for Two$98
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Tour Guide Tip$5.00
Tours and Activities in Gainesville
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Gainesville are as follows:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Gainesville by Operation City Quest: $10
- 2 Hour Guided Clear Glass Bottom Kayak Tour Gilchrist Blue Spring: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Gainesville $49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Gainesville, we can see that Gainesville 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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville 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 Gainesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Gainesville?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Gainesville, 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 Gainesville?
Gainesville 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 Gainesville in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Gainesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Gainesville this time of year.
In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Gainesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Gainesville averages at about 81°F (27°C).
Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Gainesville 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Gainesville in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Gainesville. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Gainesville for the shopping scene.
In October, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Gainesville. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Gainesville fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Gainesville. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Gainesville is the hurricane season.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Gainesville 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Gainesville in the Winter?
Both Gainesville 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 Gainesville in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Kingston is much warmer than Gainesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Gainesville fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Gainesville. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Gainesville 54°F (12°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Gainesville in the Spring?
Both Gainesville 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.
In the spring, Kingston is a little warmer than Gainesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Gainesville averages at about 69°F (20°C).
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Gainesville. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Gainesville receives 2 inches (50 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Gainesville 69°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for Gainesville and Kingston
| Kingston | Gainesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.9 inches (75 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 6.8 inches (174 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 8.3 inches (211 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (139 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.9 inches (74 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.