Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Auckland?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Auckland or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Auckland and Kingston can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Auckland or Kingston?
Auckland
Auckland is located on the North Island of New Zealand on an isthmus between the Northland Peninsula and the other parts of the North Island. Auckland is not only a city but also a region. In 2010 New Zealand combined what had previously been four separate cities into one region. These cities include the southern city of Manukau, the western city of Waitakere, the North Shore in the north, and Auckland City. The City of Auckland is the largest city in Polynesia and is very diverse with many expatriates from elsewhere in Polynesia. This diversity becomes most apparent in Auckland's many festivals and sporting events.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAuckland $141Kingston $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Auckland is $141, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $107. 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 Auckland and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAuckland $89Kingston $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAuckland $178Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Auckland and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Auckland or Kingston? 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: Auckland Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Auckland $16Kingston $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Auckland
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Auckland:
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Bus from Airport$9.62
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Airport Shuttle$15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Auckland
Also for Auckland, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Auckland Airport Private Transfer: $81
- Airport Transfer From Auckland Airport To Auckland City: $121
- Arrival Private Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Business Car: $83
- Arrival Private Transfer from Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland in Luxury Van: $110
- Arrival Private Transfer: Auckland Airport AKL to Auckland City by Luxury Van: $108
- Auckland Airport & Ground Transfers - Private Luxury Car/ Van.: $118
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore - Arrival Private Transfer: $60
- Auckland Airport (AKL) to North Shore-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $120
- Auckland Airport (AKL): Private Transfer to Downtown hotels: $353
- Auckland Airport (AKL): Transfer to North Shore hotels: $327
- Auckland Airport Arrival Transfer to North Shore or Henderson: $121
- Auckland Airport Private Pickup / Transfer: $84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $71
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $230
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $255
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Auckland or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Auckland 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 dayAuckland $27Kingston $26
Typical Food Prices in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast$4.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Auckland
For Auckland, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Auckland Harbour 3-Course Dinner Cruise with Welcome Drink: $90
- Auckland Harbour Sailboat Cruise Including Three Course Dinner: $90
- Flavours of the City Walking Food Tour: $105
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Auckland $28Kingston $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Auckland
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Auckland's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Auckland Sky Tour (for 2)$33
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Waiheke Island Tour (for 2)$121
Tours and Activities in Auckland
For Auckland, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Explore Auckland's Sailing Spirit: In-App Audio Tour: $5.32
- Auckland Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Maritime Museum Entry Ticket: $14
- Tree Heart Park Adventure Clue Trail Family Package: $15
- Auckland War Memorial Museum Entry Ticket: $17
- Skip the Line: Auckland Museum General Admission Entry Ticket: $17
- Vibrosaun Therapy Experience: $18
- Auckland Sky Tower General Admission Ticket : $24
- Sky Tower General Admission Ticket: $25
- Hologate Virtual Reality Gaming Experience: $29
- The Lagoon Lights Family Experience at Tree Heart Park: $30
- Hop-On Hop-Off Explorer Bus Ticket: $33
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $85
- Blue Hole and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $99
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Runaway Bay: $142
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $368
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $318
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAuckland $14Kingston $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Auckland
Also in Auckland, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Waiheke Island: Scenic Wine Tour Tasting Wines on Waiheke: $93
- Muriwai Scenic Wine Tour from Auckland: $106
- Waiheke Island: The Essence of Waiheke Wine Tour: $132
- Waiheke Island Gourmet Food and Wine Tour with Platter Lunch: $150
- Waiheke Island: Tour with Wine Tastings and Restaurant Lunch: $150
- From Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour with Lunch: $153
- From Small Group Kumeu Wine Tour with Lunch: $171
- Small-Group Kumeu Wine Country Tour Includes Wine Tastings & Lunch: $172
- Piha Waitakere Rainforest Wine Tour from Auckland: $178
- Auckland Coastal Experience - Small Group City & Beach Tour Incl. Wine Tasting: $196
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Ocho Rios Pub Crawl and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Auckland and Kingston, we can see that Auckland is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Auckland is in Pacific and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Auckland would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Auckland 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 Auckland Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Auckland or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Auckland. When comparing the sizes of Auckland and Kingston, 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 Auckland or Kingston?
Auckland 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 Auckland or Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston and Auckland during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Auckland this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
In the summer, Auckland is cooler than Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Auckland in January average around 20°C (68°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F)in July.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Auckland. In the summer, Auckland often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingstonin July. Auckland gets 240 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
Auckland usually gets more rain in January than Kingstonin July. Auckland gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyAuckland 20°C (68°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Auckland and Kingston. Many travelers come to Auckland for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Auckland is generally much colder than Kingstonin October. Daily temperatures in Auckland average around 16°C (61°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Auckland usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during autumn. Auckland gets 162 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In April, Auckland usually receives less rain than Kingstonin October. Auckland gets 95 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberAuckland 16°C (61°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Auckland as well as Kingston. Many visitors come to Auckland in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Auckland is much colder than Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Auckland averages around 11°C (52°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in January.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the winter, Auckland often gets less sunshine than Kingstonin January. Auckland gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
Auckland receives a lot of rain in the winter. Auckland usually gets more rain in July than Kingstonin January. Auckland gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryAuckland 11°C (52°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Auckland or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston and Auckland are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Auckland for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Auckland is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Auckland in October average around 14°C (58°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F)in April.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. Auckland usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Auckland gets 192 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Auckland usually receives more rain than Kingstonin April. Auckland gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilAuckland 14°C (58°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Auckland
| Auckland | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 20°C (68°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 19°C (66°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (61°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 12°C (53°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (53°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (61°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 18°C (65°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.