Which place is cheaper, New Bern 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 New Bern?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or New Bern, 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 New Bern?
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.
New Bern
New Bern is a town in the coastal region of North Carolina. The town, which has a population of about 30,000, is the county seat of Craven County. It sits at the confluence of the Trent and Neuse Rivers close to the North Carolina coast, although there is no coastline in town. The town makes a nice daytrip from Raleigh, which is 112 miles away, and Wilmington, which is 87 miles away. It's also 162 miles from Norfolk, Virginia.
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.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesNew Bern Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123New Bern $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in New Bern is $169. 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 New Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62New Bern $76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124New Bern $152
Compare Hotels in Kingston and New Bern
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or New Bern? 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 New Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28New Bern $34
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or New Bern?
Prices for flights to both New Bern 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 $44New Bern $70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12New Bern $26
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11New Bern $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and New Bern, we can see that New Bern 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 New Bern 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 New Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Bern 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 New Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or New Bern?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of New Bern. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and New Bern, 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 New Bern?
New Bern 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 New Bern in the Summer?
Both New Bern 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 New Bern for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as New Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and New Bern averages at about 80°F (27°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Bern. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than New Bern. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 6.6 inches (169 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)New Bern 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New Bern in the Autumn?
Both New Bern 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to New Bern because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than New Bern. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and New Bern fluctuates around 65°F (18°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than New Bern. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 3.4 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)New Bern 65°F (18°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New Bern in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and New Bern. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to New Bern this time of year.
Kingston is much warmer than New Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and New Bern fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).
New Bern receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than New Bern. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)New Bern 44°F (7°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New Bern in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as New Bern. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to New Bern for the small town charm.
In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than New Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and New Bern averages at about 62°F (16°C).
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than New Bern. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while New Bern receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)New Bern 62°F (16°C)
Typical Weather for New Bern and Kingston
| Kingston | New Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 6.6 inches (169 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 7.6 inches (192 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.8 inches (96 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.