Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Beijing?
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 Beijing or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Kingston can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Beijing or Kingston?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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.
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For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Beijing Prices
China PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $89Kingston $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $89, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $126. 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 Beijing and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $39Kingston $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $78Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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: Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $7.62Kingston $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$4.66
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Train from Airport for Two$6.82
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Taxi to Hotel$8.19
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2 Metro Passes$2.18
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Metro$0.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Jinshanling Great Wall Self-hiking Tour by Private Transfer Service : $98
- Private English Transfer to Shilin Gorge Platform And Ming City Wall : $140
- Private One-Way Transfer Between Beijing Railway Station and Hotel: $30
- Private Transfer to Daxing International Airport : $35
- 1 Day Pass for Universal Beijing and Private Transfer Package: $265
- 1-Day Beijing Layover Tour: Mutianyu Great Wall with Round Airport Transfers: $208
- 1-Day Bejing Layover Tour:Mutianyu Great Wall,Forbidden City & Airport Transfers: $250
- 4-Hour Huanghuacheng Great Wall Sunset Tour with Airport Transfer: $160
- 5 Hours Round Trip Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall: $70
- Acrobatic Show at Red Theater With Private Transfer: $80
- Acrobatics Show with Private Driver Service and Hotel Round Transfer: $75
- Airport Layover Transfer Service to Mutianyu Great Wall & City Sightseeing : $115
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Explore Montego Bay Airport Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios : $133
- 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
- From Montego Bay: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $44
- From Negril: One Way Private Transfer to Kingston Airport: $749
- From Negril: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $33Kingston $45
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.82
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Hot Pot Dinner$6.82
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.73
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Watermelon$1.91
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$16
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Two Popsicles$0.82
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Beijing Hutong Food Tour: 3-hour,4 Hutongs & 4 Hidden Restaurants: $5.00
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $51
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $55
- Private Local Food Tour in Beijing with a Local Guide: $59
- Old Beijing Dinner Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $24Kingston $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.19
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Two Opera Tickets$58
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$9.55
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Forbidden City (for 2)$16
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Forbidden City Tickets$16
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$11
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Shanghai: Happy Valley Theme Park Entry Ticket: $0.14
- TIAN AN MEN SQUARE AND FORBIDDEN CITY (guided tour): $0.14
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.85
- Beijing Craft Beer Tour with tastings and Tea Art: $4.00
- Tiananmen Square Ticket Fast and Smooth: $4.83
- Beijing Culture Tour Night Views of Landmarks on a Vintage Tram: $5.00
- Beijing Culture Tour to Antique Market and Cloisonné Workshop: $5.00
- Agent ticket booking service: Temple of heaven: $5.00
- Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $5.00
- Beijing Hutongs Free Walking Tour : $5.00
- Beijing City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated: $5.00
- Beijing Food Culture Tour: Exploring Iconic Flavors and Stories : $5.00
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- White River Tubing and Ocho Rios Private Tour with Hotel pickup: $55
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
- Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
- Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
- Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $85
- Port Royal Heritage Tour from Kingston: $90
- Story of Jamaican Music Tour including Entry Fees: $90
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $11Kingston $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $99
- Evening Food Private Tour with Brewery Taproom Hopping at Slow Boat in Beijing: $110
- Private Tour-Drum Tower, Hutong Food Taste and Local Brewery Beer: $150
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour and Mutianyu Great Wall Visit: $238
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 Beijing and Kingston, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Kingston?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing or Kingston?
Beijing 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 Beijing or Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Beijing is around the same temperature as Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Beijing. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Kingston. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeijing 27°C (80°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston and Beijing during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
In the autumn, Beijing is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the autumn, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeijing 14°C (56°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Kingston. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Beijing in the winter. In January, Beijing is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Kingston. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeijing -4°C (26°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Kingston. Many travelers come to Beijing for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Beijing is much colder than Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the spring, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kingston. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeijing 14°C (57°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Beijing
| Beijing | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 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.