A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cologne vs. Kingston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Cologne or Kingston?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Cologne 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: Cologne or Kingston?

Cologne

Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.

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 Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Cologne?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Cologne is €161, while the average daily cost in Kingston is €100. 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 Cologne and Kingston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cologne 91
    Kingston 59
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cologne 182
    Kingston 118
Compare Hotels in Cologne and Kingston

Looking for a hotel in Cologne 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.

Hotels in Cologne


Hotels in Kingston


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: Cologne Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cologne 19
    Kingston 27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83

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 Cologne or Kingston?

Prices for flights to both Kingston and Cologne 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Cologne 50
    Kingston 24
Typical Food Prices in Cologne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:


  • Dinner
    14
  • Donner Kebab
    4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.

  • Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
  • Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $484

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Cologne 20
    Kingston 12

Tours and Activities in Cologne

Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.22
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.23
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.31
  • Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.92
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.00
  • Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.52
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Cologne Self Guided Walking Tour Discovering the Horrors of WWII: $7.63
  • Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.07

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Cologne 23
    Kingston 10

Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:

  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
  • Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
  • Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
  • Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
  • South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $30
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
  • Cologne-Nippes: Gourmet wine tasting with cheese platter: $64

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 Cologne and Kingston, we can see that Cologne is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cologne 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne 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 Cologne Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Cologne or Kingston?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 3% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Cologne 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 Cologne or Kingston?

Cologne 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 Cologne or Kingston in the Summer?

Both Kingston and Cologne are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cologne 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.

Cologne is much colder than Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 19°C (66°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during summer. Cologne gets 184 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Cologne usually receives more rain than Kingston. Cologne gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cologne 19°C (66°F) 
    Kingston 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Kingston in the Autumn?

Both Kingston and Cologne during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cologne 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 the autumn, Cologne is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cologne in October average around 12°C (54°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Cologne gets 104 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. Cologne usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Cologne gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cologne 12°C (54°F) 
    Kingston 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Kingston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cologne and Kingston. Most visitors come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Cologne can be very cold during winter. In January, Cologne is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Cologne average around 3°C (37°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Cologne usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Cologne gets 43 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Cologne usually receives more rain than Kingston. Cologne gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cologne 3°C (37°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Cologne or Kingston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cologne as well as Kingston. The spring months attract visitors to Cologne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

Cologne is much colder than Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Cologne averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the spring, Cologne often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Cologne gets 152 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.

Cologne usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Cologne gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cologne 10°C (50°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Kingston and Cologne

Cologne Kingston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)