Which place is cheaper, Oahu 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 Oahu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Oahu, 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 Oahu?
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.
Oahu
Hawaii is the epitome of paradise, and at the heart of paradise is the island of O'ahu (or Oahu). While it's only the third largest of the Hawaiian islands, O'ahu, or "the gathering place," is the most populous in the state with approximately 976,000 people calling O'ahu home, many of which live in the capital city of Honolulu.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesOahu Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Oahu $371
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Oahu is $371. 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 Oahu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Oahu $237
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Oahu $474
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Oahu
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Oahu? 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 Oahu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Oahu $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Arrivals or Departures Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Kingston : $136
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oahu
Also for Oahu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle From Ko'olina To Honolulu Airport: $53
- Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(14 ppl): $170
- Luxury Private Airport Transfers-Waikiki Honolulu up to 6 Seats : $70
- Honolulu Airport Private Transfer: $80
- Honolulu Harbor Cruise Terminal Transfer: $105
- Manoa Falls Waterfall Hike with Lunch and Transfers: $119
- One-Way VIP Transfer: Honolulu Airport, Ko Olina, Cruise Port: $265
- Polynesian Show and Dining experience with Transfer: $230
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to North Shore : $224
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HLN) Airport to Pupukea: $224
- Private Transfer from Honolulu (HNL) Airport to Wakiki Beach: $111
- Private Transfer from Honolulu Port to Honolulu Airport (HNL): $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Oahu?
Prices for flights to both Oahu 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 $44Oahu $91
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oahu
For Oahu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Waikiki Fireworks Dinner Cruise: Sail & Sparkle on Friday Nights: $129
- Ka Moana Luau Dinner and Show at Aloha Tower: $135
- Sunset Dinner Cruise in Honolulu: $140
- Honolulu Sunset & Friday Fireworks Dinner Cruise: $151
- Germaine's Traditional Luau Show & Buffet Dinner: $159
- Chief's Luau Dinner Show: $177
- Three Star Deluxe Sunset Dinner and Show: $193
- Friday Fireworks Dinner Sail from the Hilton Hawaiian Village : $211
- Nova Five Star Sunset Dinner and Jazz: $236
- Traditional Canoe Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Oahu $27
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 Oahu
For Oahu, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Waikiki Surf Legends History Tour: $5.00
- Oahu Grand Circle Guided Tour: $5.00
- Honolulu Downtown Walking Tour: $5.00
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Tour: $5.00
- Waikiki Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $5.00
- Walk The Deck of The USS Arizona Virtual Reality Experience: $6.99
- Honolulu's Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self Guided Walking Audio Tour: $8.99
- Diamond Head Official Self-Guided Narrated Audio Tour: $8.99
- Honolulu Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.61
- Chief's Official Pearl Harbor Self-Guided Multimedia Tour: $9.99
- Air Raid Pearl Harbor Virtual Reality Experience: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Oahu $6.47
Sample the Local Flavors in Oahu
Also in Oahu, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Honolulu Self Guided Bar Crawl and Sightseeing: $15
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Oahu, we can see that Oahu 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 Oahu 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 Oahu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Oahu 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 Oahu Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kingston or Oahu?
Oahu 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 Oahu in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Oahu. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Oahu this time of year.
In July, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Oahu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Oahu. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 303 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than Oahu. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Oahu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Oahu in the Autumn?
Both Oahu and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Oahu for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Oahu in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Oahu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Oahu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 246 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Oahu. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Oahu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Oahu in the Winter?
Both Oahu and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many visitors come to Oahu in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kingston is a little warmer than Oahu. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Oahu averages at about 73°F (23°C).
In Oahu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Oahu. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oahu receives 212 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Oahu. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Oahu 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)Oahu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Oahu in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Oahu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Oahu for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Oahu. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Oahu fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Oahu this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oahu during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Oahu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Oahu. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Oahu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Oahu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Oahu and Kingston
| Kingston | Oahu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.