Which place is cheaper, Toronto 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 Toronto?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Toronto, 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 Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesToronto Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Toronto $249
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Toronto is $249. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Toronto $86
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Toronto $172
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Toronto? 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 Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Toronto $32
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle$26
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Train: 2 Day Passes$16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer:- Toronto Pearson Airport to Waterloo Black Car Service: $92
- Arrival Private Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Luxury Van: $173
- Arrival Private Transfer: Toronto Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls in Luxury SUV: $215
- Arrival Transfer: Pearson Airport YYZ to Toronto in Sedan Car: $167
- Departure Private Transfer Toronto City to Toronto Airport YYZ by SUV or Minibus: $72
- Departure Private Transfer: Toronto to Pearson Airport YYZ in Luxury Van: $147
- Low Cost :- Private Transfer Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls Ont: $262
- Low cost Transfer: Toronto Downtown to Niagara Falls (Lake): $657
- Niagara Falls private transfers : $277
- Niagara Falls: Private Transfer to/from Toronto Airport: $700
- Private Arrival Transfer-Pearson Airport (YYZ) to Niagara Falls: $229
- Private Departure Transfer to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ): $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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 $44Toronto $112
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two$23
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)$56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Premium Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $46
- Great White North Food Tour: $54
- Great White North Toronto Food Tour: $55
- Pasta Making Cooking Class at a Local Distillery: $61
- Toronto Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $65
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $66
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Food Tastings: $71
- Kensington Market 'Taste the World' Food Tour: $72
- Must-Do Toronto Food Tour by Toronto's First Food Tour Company: $73
- St Lawrence Market Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $78
- French Bistro Cooking Class in Toronto (Includes 3-Course Meal): $80
- Niagara Falls Evening Tour with Boat, Journey, Dinner & Fireworks: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Toronto $31
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 Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two$15
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CN Tower at night for Two$36
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Harbour Dinner Cruise$26
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)$7.26
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Niagara Falls with bus ticket from/to Toronto: $3.58
- Old Town Toronto Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $4.00
- City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $4.02
- Old Town Toronto History Walking Tour: $4.44
- Graffiti in Toronto Walking Tour: $4.44
- Toronto Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $7.74
- Discover Toronto's Waterfront with a Smartphone Trivia Tour!: $8.12
- Historical Ghost Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Downtown Hamilton: $8.99
- Toronto Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Toronto by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Bata Shoe Museum Entrance Ticket: $11
- Toronto Audio Tour:Maple Delights in Toronto Audio Tour Adventure: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Toronto $22
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $20
- Nickel 9 Distillery Tour and Tasting: $25
- Illuminarium Toronto in the Distillery District: $26
- Distillery & Old Town Private Walking Tour: $28
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $35
- 30-Minute Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $42
- Toronto Distillery District Self-Guided Walking Tour: $43
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $44
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $53
- Distillery District Breakfast Tour: $54
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
Toronto 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 Toronto in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Toronto. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Toronto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kingston is a little warmer than Toronto. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Toronto averages at about 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Toronto. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Toronto. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Toronto in the Autumn?
Both Toronto 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 visitors come to Toronto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Toronto. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Toronto in the Winter?
Both Toronto 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, most visitors come to Toronto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Toronto can be very cold during winter. Kingston is much warmer than Toronto in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Toronto fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Toronto. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Toronto. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Toronto in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Toronto. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Toronto because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Toronto. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Toronto averages at about 7°C (44°F).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Toronto during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Toronto. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Kingston
| Kingston | Toronto | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) |
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.