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

Should you visit Kingston or Palm Springs?

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

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

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.

Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a desert resort town located about two hours east of Los Angeles, most famously known as Hollywood's playground, where stars and starlets could escape for rest and relaxation but still be close enough to return for impromptu work.

It's no wonder that Palm Springs is increasingly popular as a weekend getaway for special occasions, and even for bachelor and bachelorette parties. Closer than the typical Las Vegas weekend for Southern California residents, Palm Springs provides a desert getaway with endless possibilities of activities, whether visitors want to gamble, shop, hike, or wander through an art gallery.

Climate in the high-desert is generally warm with highs in the 100s during the hot and dry summers, and lows in the mid 40s in the winter months, with sparse rainfall. However, if you're visiting during winter, be sure to pack versatile attire and layers as the days may be warm, but the nights in the low desert can get chilly enough to convince you to change into long pants.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Palm Springs 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
    Palm Springs Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $123
    Palm Springs $244

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Palm Springs is $244. 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 Palm Springs in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Palm Springs $120
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Palm Springs $240
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Palm Springs

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Palm Springs? 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 Palm Springs


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 Palm Springs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $28
    Palm Springs $52

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
  • MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
  • 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
  • Private Airport transfer from MBJ to & from Hotel's in Ochi Rios : $46
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Palm Springs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Palm Springs:

  • Desert Hot Springs to Palm Springs Airport PSP Departure Transfer: $201
  • Palm Springs Airport (PSP) to Desert Hot Springs Arrival Transfer: $201
  • Private Airport Transfer in Palm Springs: $214
  • Private Transfer from PSP to Vía La Quinta, Indio, CA : $173

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Palm Springs?

Prices for flights to both Palm Springs 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
    Palm Springs $92

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Palm Springs

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

  • Private Palm Springs Cooking Class with a Fun Local Chef Stephen: $199

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Palm Springs $29

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 Palm Springs

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Palm Springs are as follows:

  • Joshua Tree's Hidden Valley Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
  • Journey into Joshua Tree Audio Tour and Locals Guide: $15
  • Death Valley National Park Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $15
  • Joshua Tree National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
  • Palm Springs Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
  • Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour in Joshua Tree National Park: $20
  • Palm Springs and Joshua Tree Self-Guided Driving Audio Tours: $22
  • Private 1-Hour Archery Experience around Joshua Tree National Park.: $28
  • Self-Driving Windmill Tour: $30
  • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Admission Ticket: $33
  • Aerial Tramway Round-Trip Ticket: $35
  • 10+ Self-Guided Driving Tours from Las Vegas: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Palm Springs $13


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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Palm Springs?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Palm Springs. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Palm Springs, 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 Palm Springs?

Palm Springs 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 Palm Springs in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Palm Springs. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Palm Springs because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kingston is a little warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Palm Springs averages at about 73°F (23°C).

In July, Kingston usually receives more rain than Palm Springs. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0 inches (1 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Palm Springs 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Palm Springs in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Palm Springs. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Palm Springs this time of year.

In October, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Palm Springs. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Palm Springs fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).

Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Palm Springs. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.3 inches (7 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Palm Springs 69°F (20°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Palm Springs in the Winter?

Both Palm Springs 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 travelers come to Palm Springs for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kingston is much warmer than Palm Springs in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Palm Springs fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Palm Springs. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Palm Springs 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Palm Springs in the Spring?

Both Palm Springs 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 much warmer than Palm Springs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Palm Springs averages at about 62°F (17°C).

Kingston usually gets more rain in April than Palm Springs. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Palm Springs receives 0.9 inches (24 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Palm Springs 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Palm Springs and Kingston

Kingston Palm Springs
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 57°F (14°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 58°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (58 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 59°F (15°C) 2.2 inches (57 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.9 inches (24 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 65°F (18°C) 0.2 inches (6 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 69°F (20°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 73°F (23°C) 0 inches (1 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 74°F (24°C) 0.2 inches (4 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 73°F (23°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 69°F (20°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 62°F (17°C) 1.5 inches (39 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 57°F (14°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)