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

Should you visit Kingston or Norfolk?

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

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

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.

Norfolk

The city of Norfolk in the U.S. state of Virginia is a port city holding a large Navy and shipping presence in its harbor. With a long history as a strategic military point, Norfolk is home to the largest Navy base in the world, Naval Station Norfolk. Other attractions include opportunities for dining, shopping, and entertainment as well as many parks and memorials.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Norfolk 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
    Norfolk Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $123
    Norfolk $202

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Norfolk is $202. 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 Norfolk in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Norfolk $84
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Norfolk $168
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Norfolk

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Norfolk? 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 Norfolk


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 Norfolk Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $28
    Norfolk $54

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Norfolk

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Norfolk:

  • Bamville Transportation (Private & Airport Transfers): $275

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Norfolk?

Prices for flights to both Norfolk 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
    Norfolk $85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Norfolk

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

  • City Cruises Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner Buffet Cruise: $57
  • City Cruises Buffet Dinner Cruise : $103
  • 4th of July Buffet Dinner Cruise with Fireworks: $210

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Norfolk $14

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 Norfolk

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

  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Norfolk with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Norfolk's Combo Tickets - Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin: $40
  • Virginia Zoo & Battleship Wisconsin Combo Ticket: $42
  • Half-Day Self-Guided Tour E-Bike Rental in Norfolk: $75
  • City Cruises Signature Lunch Cruise: $84

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Norfolk $10

Sample the Local Flavors in Norfolk

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Norfolk:

  • Norfolk Bar Crawl: $15


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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Norfolk?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Norfolk. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Norfolk, 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 Norfolk?

Norfolk 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 Norfolk in the Summer?

Both Norfolk 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 Norfolk for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Norfolk. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Norfolk averages at about 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Norfolk. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Norfolk during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Norfolk 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Norfolk in the Autumn?

Both Norfolk 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 Norfolk because of the shopping scene.

In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Norfolk. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Norfolk fluctuates around 62°F (16°C).

In Norfolk, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Norfolk. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk 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 Norfolk. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Norfolk 62°F (16°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Norfolk in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Norfolk in the winter. Kingston is much warmer than Norfolk in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Norfolk fluctuates around 39°F (4°C).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Norfolk during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Norfolk receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Norfolk. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Norfolk 39°F (4°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Norfolk in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Norfolk. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Norfolk averages at about 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Norfolk. 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 Norfolk. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Norfolk receives 253 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Norfolk. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Norfolk receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Norfolk 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Norfolk and Kingston

Kingston Norfolk
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 39°F (4°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 49°F (10°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 58°F (14°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 67°F (19°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 79°F (26°C) 5.7 inches (145 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 78°F (25°C) 5.9 inches (150 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 62°F (16°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 53°F (12°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)