Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Cardiff?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Cardiff or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Cardiff or Kingston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Cardiff or Kingston?
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital city of Wales, and a major port on the country's southern coast. Though Cardiff boomed with the coal industry during the Industrial Revolution, the city began its history as a Roman fort on the River Taff-perhaps taking its name from a combination of the Welsh word for fort (caer) and the name of the river (Taff). The fort still stands today along with many other landmarks that attract tourists each year.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United Kingdom, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCardiff £156Kingston £87
The average daily cost (per person) in Cardiff is £156, while the average daily cost in Kingston is £87. 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 Cardiff and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCardiff £93Kingston £52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCardiff £186Kingston £104
Compare Hotels in Cardiff and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Cardiff 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: Cardiff Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cardiff £21Kingston £24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cardiff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cardiff:
- Arrival Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport CWL to Cardiff by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Barry Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $33
- Bristol Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $13
- Cardiff Airport (CWL): Transfer to Cardiff Accommodation: $140
- Cardiff Private Transfer from Cardiff Airport to City centre: $79
- Cardiff to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfer from Cardiff to Cardiff Airport CWL by Luxury Vehicle: $96
- Heathrow Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Cardiff: $16
- Newport Accommodation to Cardiff Airport (CWL) - Departure Private Transfer: $60
- Private Cardiff Arrival Transfer- Airport to Hotel / Accommodation : $58
- Private Cardiff Departure Transfer - Hotel / Accommodation to Airport: $58
- Private Transfer from Holyhead Port to Manchester Airport (MAN): $102
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
- Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
- Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
- All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $168
- Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $215
Is it cheaper to fly into Cardiff or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Cardiff 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 dayCardiff £44Kingston £21
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cardiff £25Kingston £10
Tours and Activities in Cardiff
Here are a few actual costs in Cardiff for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Ghosts of Llandaff Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cardiff’s Bay and Waterfront: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Bay and Barrage: $5.99
- A Journey through Tudor A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Cardiff's Civic Centre: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- The Ghosts of Llandaff: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Essential Caerphilly: Explore the town’s history on a self-guided audio tour: $6.22
- Uncover Ghostly Chester: In-App Audio Tour of Eerie Tales: $11
- Uncover Spectral Secrets with the Llandaff Ghosts Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Cardiff's Waterfront: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Cardiff Bay Private Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Llanberis, Conwy and Caernarfon Castle: A Self-Guided Driving Tour of Snowdonia: $15
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
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
- Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
- Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
- 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
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCardiff £13Kingston £8.92
Sample the Local Flavors in Cardiff
Also in Cardiff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Gin Tour at Hensol Castle Distillery: $32
- Cardiff Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
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 Cardiff and Kingston, we can see that Cardiff is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cardiff is in Europe 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 Cardiff would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cardiff 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 Cardiff Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cardiff or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cardiff. When comparing the sizes of Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Kingston?
Cardiff 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 Cardiff or Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston and Cardiff are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cardiff for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Cardiff is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cardiff in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during summer. Cardiff gets 220 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Kingston. Cardiff gets 62 mm (2.4 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 JulyCardiff 17°C (63°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston and Cardiff during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cardiff in the autumn for 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 October, Cardiff is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Cardiff average around 11°C (52°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Cardiff gets 95 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. It rains a lot this time of the year in Cardiff. Cardiff usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Cardiff gets 101 mm (4 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 OctoberCardiff 11°C (52°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cardiff and Kingston. Most visitors come to Cardiff for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Cardiff can be very cold during winter. Cardiff is much colder than Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Cardiff averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Cardiff usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Cardiff gets 57 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Cardiff usually receives more rain than Kingston. Cardiff gets 95 mm (3.7 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 JanuaryCardiff 3°C (38°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Cardiff or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Cardiff as well as Kingston. The spring months attract visitors to Cardiff because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
In the spring, Cardiff is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cardiff in April average around 9°C (48°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the spring, Cardiff often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Cardiff gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.
Cardiff usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Cardiff gets 47 mm (1.9 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 AprilCardiff 9°C (48°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Cardiff
| Cardiff | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 80 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 9°C (48°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (58°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (52°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 97 mm (3.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 96 mm (3.8 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.