Which place is cheaper, Kauai 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 Kauai?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Kauai, 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 Kauai?
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.
Kauai
Hawaii is certainly a bucket list destination, but what if you want to do it without being surrounded by tourists? You want the adventure of the land of volcanoes and less of the kids in water wings. Then Kaua'i is the island for you.
Kaua'i, or the "garden island," is full of tropical forests, little villages and even more laid back lifestyle – if you can imagine. It's a smaller island at 560 square miles with a population of only 68,000.
With more coastline miles than any other island, Kaua'i is the result of massive erosion forming awe-inspiring sights like the Waimea Canyon and Na Pali Coast. The island experiences more rainfall every year – keeping it lush and green all year.
You'll feel like you've walked into another world in Kaua'i. Because of height restrictions, this island's buildings are no taller than the coconut trees. So if you're looking for an escape from civilization, you'll want to head straight for Kaua'i.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesKauai Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Kauai $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Kauai is $231. 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 Kauai in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Kauai $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Kauai $226
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Kauai
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Kauai? 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 Kauai Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Kauai $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
- Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $479
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Round Trip Airport Transfers to Ocho Rios : $230
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kauai
Also for Kauai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private SUV Transfer- Lihue Airport to Lihue/Kapaa : $149
- Private SUV Transfer-LIH Airport to Koloa/Poipu : $179
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Kauai?
Prices for flights to both Kauai 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 $44Kauai $96
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kauai
For Kauai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Allerton Garden and Estate Tour with Sunset Dinner: $106
- Local Tastes Small Group Food Tour: $121
- Walking Food Tour of Hanalei, Kauaʻi : $129
- Local Dishes Cooking Class: $174
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Buffet Dinner and Show: $179
- Luau Ka Hikina Admission Ticket with Dinner and Lei Greeting: $189
- Luau Kalamaku – Elevated Seating, Dinner & Show: $198
- Napali Coast Sunset Sailboat Tour with Dinner: $226
- Napali Sunset Dinner Cruise: $226
- VIP Manor House Dinner & Luau Kalamaku Show: $237
- Luau Kalamaku on Kauai with Manor House 4-Course Dinner & Show: $251
- Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner Sail: $264
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Kauai $17
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 Kauai
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Kauai.
- Ultimate Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour of Kauai (Na Pali, Waimea), Hawaii: $15
- North Shore Kauai Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Kauai: $20
- Kauai Poipu and Koloa Town Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
- Kauai Wailua Valley & Waterfalls Audio Driving Tour: $20
- Waimea Canyon & Na Pali Driving Tour app: $23
- Allerton Garden Guided Group Walking Tour: $64
- Kauai Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Journey to Waimea Canyon: $97
- Kauai Cruise Ship Excursion: Wailua River & Fern Grotto: $109
- Kalapaki Kai Sunset Catamaran Cruise: $109
- Kauai Adventure: Kayak & Hike to Secret Falls with Expert Guide: $112
- Catamaran Sunset Cruise: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Kauai $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Kauai, we can see that Kauai 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 Kauai 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 Kauai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kauai 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 Kauai Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kingston or Kauai?
Kauai 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 Kauai in the Summer?
Both Kauai and Kingston during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Kauai in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kingston is a little warmer than Kauai in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Kauai fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).
In Kauai, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kauai. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 255 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than Kauai. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 0.6 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Kauai in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Kauai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, most visitors come to Kauai for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Kingston is a little warmer than Kauai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kauai averages at about 78°F (25°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kauai this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 208 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Kauai. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Kauai 78°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Kauai in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Kauai. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kauai because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In January, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Kauai. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Kauai fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Kauai. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kauai receives 174 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Kauai. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Kauai 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Kauai in the Spring?
Both Kauai and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Kauai this time of year.
Kingston is a little warmer than Kauai in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Kauai fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
It's quite sunny in Kauai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Kauai during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Kauai receives 206 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kauai. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kauai receives 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Kauai 73°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Kauai and Kingston
| Kingston | Kauai | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 1.3 inches (32 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2 inches (52 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 1.1 inches (27 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 0.4 inches (10 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 0.6 inches (17 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 1 inches (26 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 2.5 inches (62 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.