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

Should you visit Kingston or Saint Augustine?

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

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

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.

Saint Augustine

St. Augustine is the oldest European-established settlement in the United States. Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon landed nearby and claimed the land now known as Florida in the name of Spain in 1513. They had originally named the land La Florida, which means "Land of Flowers". The city was founded by Spanish explorer Pedro Menendez de Aviles in 1565. Sir Francis Drake and John Davis burnt the city to the ground in 1586 and 1665 respectively, but St. Augustine soon became strong enough to fend off such attacks. Florida was purchased by the United States from Spain in 1819; it seceded during the Civil War, during which St. Augustine was occupied by Union forces.

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


Which place is cheaper, Saint Augustine 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
    Saint Augustine Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $123
    Saint Augustine $195

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Saint Augustine is $195. 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 Saint Augustine in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Saint Augustine $86
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Saint Augustine $172
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Saint Augustine

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Saint Augustine? 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 Saint Augustine


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 Saint Augustine Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $28
    Saint Augustine $39

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 Saint Augustine?

Prices for flights to both Saint Augustine 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
    Saint Augustine $85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Augustine

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

  • Cooking Class/Dinner W/ Celebrity French Chef OR Private Chef Ser: $115
  • St. Augustine Historical FOOD Tour on Electric Cart with Pick Up : $129
  • The Ghoulish Gourmet Haunted Food Tour: $129
  • Feast of Saint Augustine Historical Walking Food Tour: $139

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Saint Augustine $18

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 Saint Augustine

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

  • St Augustine Haunted History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Self-Guided Haunted Ghost Walking Audio Tour in St. Augustine: $9.75
  • Historic St Augustine Audio Self Guided App GPS Tour: $9.75
  • Bastions of St. Augustine Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • St. Augustine City Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $15
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of St Augustine's Twisted History: $15
  • Haunting Hour Walking Ghost Tour: $18
  • Old Jail Museum Tour in St. Augustine: $18
  • Historic Museum Tour Ticket: $19
  • America‘s Oldest City: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of St Augustine: $20
  • St. Augustine's Original Ghostly Experience Walking Tour: $20
  • St. Augustine Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Saint Augustine $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Augustine

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Augustine:

  • St. Augustine's Booze & Boos Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • St. Augustine Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
  • Dark History Pub Crawl from Saint Augustine: $40
  • Wine Tasting Cruise in St. Augustine : $49
  • Spirits with the Spirits haunted pub crawl - drinks included: $59
  • Toast of St. Augustine Walking Pub Crawl - drinks included: $63
  • Mobile Wine Tasting and Food Pairing Tour St. Augustine: $129


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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Saint Augustine?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Saint Augustine. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Saint Augustine, 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 Saint Augustine?

Saint Augustine 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 Saint Augustine in the Summer?

Both Saint Augustine 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, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Augustine this time of year.

In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint Augustine. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Augustine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Saint Augustine during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Saint Augustine 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Augustine in the Autumn?

Both Saint Augustine 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, many travelers come to Saint Augustine for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In Saint Augustine, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Augustine. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 214 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Saint Augustine. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Augustine is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Saint Augustine 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Augustine in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Saint Augustine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many visitors come to Saint Augustine in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kingston is much warmer than Saint Augustine in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint Augustine fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Saint Augustine during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Augustine receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint Augustine. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint Augustine 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Augustine in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Saint Augustine. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Saint Augustine for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kingston is a little warmer than Saint Augustine. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint Augustine averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Augustine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Saint Augustine. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Augustine receives 285 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Saint Augustine. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Augustine receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Augustine is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Saint Augustine 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Augustine and Kingston

Kingston Saint Augustine
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)