Which place is cheaper, Victoria 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 Victoria?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Victoria, 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 Victoria?
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.
Victoria
The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Canada, and The Best Eco Tours in Canada.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesVictoria Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Victoria $201
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $201. 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 Victoria in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Victoria $113
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Victoria $226
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Victoria
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Victoria? 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 Victoria Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Victoria $37
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 Victoria
Also for Victoria, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $130
- Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $77
- Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $91
- Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $75
- Victoria to Vancouver Scenic Seaplane Transfer: One Way: $289
- Private Cruise Transfer with City Sightseeing Tour: $682
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Victoria?
Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 $44Victoria $47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria
For Victoria, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $86
- Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $88
- Vistas and Views Food Tour with 3-Course Meal: $100
- Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $144
- Gourmet Dinner Tour Including Local Beer, Wine and City Highlights: $219
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Victoria $45
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 Victoria
For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tips-Based City Highlights Walking Tour | 2.5-Hour: $5.02
- Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
- Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $15
- Iconic & Obscure Victoria Walking Tour: $16
- Walking Tour through History and Heritage: $17
- Ghost Tour of Old Town and Bastion Square: $17
- Halloween Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $17
- Royal B.C. Museum in Full-Day Admission Ticket: $21
- Axe Throwing Experience: $24
- Heritage Horse-Drawn Carriage Experience in Victoria: $26
- Malahat SkyWalk Tickets: $32
- Upper Gorge Waterway Paddle Boarding Tour: $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Victoria $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:
- Victoria BC: Tour & Tasting Around Award Winning Distillery: $21
- Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $52
- Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $86
- Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $118
- 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $126
- Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $132
- Private Saanich Peninsula Wine Tour : $143
- Cowichan Valley Premium Wine Tour: $474
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Victoria, we can see that Victoria 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 Victoria 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 Victoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Victoria 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 Victoria Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Victoria?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Victoria, 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 Victoria?
Victoria 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 Victoria in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Victoria. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Victoria in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
Kingston is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Victoria 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Victoria in the Autumn?
Both Victoria 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, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).
It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Victoria. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Victoria 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Victoria in the Winter?
Both Victoria 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, the winter months attract visitors to Victoria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Victoria can be very cold. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Victoria 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Victoria in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Victoria. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
Kingston is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Victoria. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Victoria 10°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Victoria and Kingston
| Kingston | Victoria | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 19 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 153 mm (6 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.