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

Should you visit Geneva or Kingston?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Geneva and Kingston. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Geneva or Kingston?

Geneva

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.

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 Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Geneva?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Geneva is $288, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $123. 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 Geneva and Kingston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Geneva $168
    Kingston $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Geneva $336
    Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Geneva and Kingston

Looking for a hotel in Geneva 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 Geneva


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: Geneva Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Geneva $11
    Kingston $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Geneva

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:

  • Airport Transfer: Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Business Car: $83
  • Airport Transfer: Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Luxury Van: $112
  • Airport Transfer: Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by Business Car: $99
  • Airport Transfer: Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by Luxury Van: $112
  • Arrival Transfer from Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Sedan: $90
  • Arrival Transfer: Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Business Car: $99
  • Arrival Transfer: Geneva Airport GVA to Geneva by Luxury Van: $112
  • Chamonix: Private Transfer from Geneva with Wi-Fi and Water: $293
  • Departure Transfer from Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by MiniVan: $116
  • Departure Transfer: Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by Business Car: $99
  • Departure Transfer: Geneva to Geneva Airport GVA by Luxury Van: $112
  • From One-Way Transfer from Geneva Airport to Morzine: $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
  • Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
  • Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $70
  • 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
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
  • Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Geneva or Kingston?

Prices for flights to both Kingston and Geneva 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
    Geneva $105
    Kingston $44

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Geneva

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

  • City Tour and Fondue Cooking Class, Swiss Folklore: $223
  • Taste Geneva – A Full Food Tour of Swiss Flavors by Do Eat Better: $225
  • Geneva City Tour with Cooking Class: $228

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Geneva $35
    Kingston $12

Tours and Activities in Geneva

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

  • Highlights of Dark History Quest Experience: $5.94
  • Geneva Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $8.32
  • From Brunswick Monument to the Botanical Garden: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Geneva Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Geneva (International District) City Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Geneva Exploration Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.51
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Geneva’s Old Town: $12
  • The Many Faces of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Many Faces of Geneva: $13
  • Unusual Audio Tour of Geneva: $21
  • 50-Minute Lake Geneva Cruise: $24
  • Audioguided sightseeing cruise of Geneva: $24

Tours and Activities in Kingston

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

  • Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
  • Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
  • Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
  • Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
  • Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Geneva $26
    Kingston $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Geneva

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Geneva:

  • Geneva Countryside Wine tasting, Aperitif, Castle By E-bike: $175
  • Swiss Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour in Vaud: $262
  • Lavaux, Chexbres, and Valais Wine Tasting Tour: $450
  • Vineyard Tour & Wine Tasting by TukTuk: $541


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Geneva and Kingston, we can see that Geneva is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva 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 Geneva Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Geneva or Kingston?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Geneva 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 Geneva or Kingston?

Geneva 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 Geneva or Kingston in the Summer?

Both Kingston and Geneva are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Geneva in the summer 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 July, Geneva is generally cooler than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 22°C (71°F), 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 Geneva. Geneva usually receives more sunshine than Kingston during summer. Geneva gets 285 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Geneva usually receives more rain than Kingston. Geneva gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Geneva 22°C (71°F) 
    Kingston 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Geneva or Kingston in the Autumn?

Both Kingston and Geneva during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Geneva for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

Geneva is much colder than Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Geneva averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Geneva gets 127 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. Geneva usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Geneva gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Geneva 14°C (56°F) 
    Kingston 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Geneva or Kingston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Geneva and Kingston. The winter months attract visitors to Geneva because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The weather in Geneva can be very cold. In the winter, Geneva is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Geneva in January average around 4°C (39°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Geneva usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Geneva gets 62 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Geneva usually receives more rain than Kingston. Geneva gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Geneva 4°C (39°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Geneva or Kingston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Geneva as well as Kingston. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Geneva this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

In April, Geneva is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Geneva average around 11°C (53°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the spring, Geneva often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Geneva gets 174 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.

Geneva usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Geneva gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Geneva 11°C (53°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Kingston and Geneva

Geneva Kingston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (39°F) 55 mm (2.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 6°C (42°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 11°C (53°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 15°C (60°F) 85 mm (3.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 75 mm (3 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 21°C (70°F) 75 mm (3 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 75 mm (3 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 8°C (46°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 4°C (40°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)