Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesPhiladelphia Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Philadelphia $224
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $224. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Philadelphia $28
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 from Montego Bay Port to Kingston Airport (KIN): $268
- 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
- Private Airport transfer from MBJ to & from Hotel's in Ochi Rios : $46
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Philadelphia City to Baltimore City - Private Car Transfer: $209
- Private Transfer Philadelphia to Philadephia Airport PHL by SUV: $146
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $104
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Luxury SUV: $115
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia to Airport PHL by Business Car: $104
- Private transfer from PHL to Philadelphia Downtown: $130
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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 $44Philadelphia $84
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Nibble Food Tour: $58
- Philadelphia Italian Market Public Food Tour: $59
- Center City Philadelphia Food Tour with Reading Market : $59
- Philadelphia Historic Centre Food Tour with 5 Authentic Tastings: $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Behind The Scenes Food Tour: South Philly & Italian Market: $95
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $105
- City Cruises Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $109
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Philadelphia $28
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Philadelphia Haunted Ghost Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.75
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Philadelphia by Operation City Quest: $10
- Philadelphia Architecture: Discover Every American Style on a GPS Audio Tour: $12
- The Road to Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Philadelphia: $12
- Philadelphia 76ers Basketball Game Ticket at Wells Fargo Center: $15
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Allentown by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- City Sightseeing Walking Tour – Founding Fathers and Mothers: $20
- The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia: $24
- Haunted Spirits of '76 Ghost Tour: $24
- The Ghosts of Philadelphia Tour: $25
- Walking Tour of Historic Philadelphia: $25
- The Phantom Penance of Philadelphia Ghost Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Philadelphia $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Philly Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Philadelphia?
Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Philadelphia. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
In July, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Philadelphia. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Philadelphia. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
Both Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Kingston is much warmer than Philadelphia in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Philadelphia. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Philadelphia in the Winter?
Both Philadelphia 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. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Philadelphia can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Kingston is much warmer than Philadelphia. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Philadelphia. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Philadelphia. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Philadelphia in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Philadelphia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In April, Kingston is generally much warmer than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Philadelphia this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Philadelphia during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Kingston
| Kingston | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 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.