Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Glasgow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Glasgow or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Glasgow or Kingston, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Glasgow or Kingston?
Glasgow
Glasgow is the biggest city in Scotland with a population of about 600,000 and more than 2 million in the surrounding areas. It is located on the edge of River Clyde and has long been acclaimed as Scotland's main industrial city. It remains a major economic center for the United Kingdom outside of London. In recent years it has also been awarded the European titles as both the City of Culture as well as the City of Architecture and Design.
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 2-Week Tours from Edinburgh, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGlasgow £144Kingston £87
The average daily cost (per person) in Glasgow is £144, 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 Glasgow and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGlasgow £74Kingston £52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGlasgow £148Kingston £104
Compare Hotels in Glasgow and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Glasgow 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: Glasgow Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Glasgow £27Kingston £24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Glasgow
Also for Glasgow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport and Glasgow Centre Private Transfer to Oban: $314
- Departure Private Transfer Glasgow City to Glasgow GLA Airport by Business Car: $93
- Departure Private Transfer Glasgow City to Glasgow GLA Airport by Luxury Car: $139
- Departure Private Transfers: Glasgow City to Glasgow Airport GLA in Business Car: $98
- Executive transfer Glasgow/Edinburgh: $276
- From Private Day Trip to Edinburgh with Transfers: $840
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Edinburgh: $214
- Glasgow Airport (GLA) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $104
- Glasgow Airport Transfer: Glasgow Airport GLA to Glasgow City in Luxury Van: $145
- Glasgow Airport Transfer: Glasgow City to Glasgow Airport GLA in Luxury Van: $145
- Glasgow Airport to Lecht Ski Resort - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $154
- Glasgow Private Transfer from Glasgow Airport to City centre: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $255
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $230
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $215
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $168
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
Is it cheaper to fly into Glasgow or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Glasgow 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 dayGlasgow £45Kingston £21
Typical Food Prices in Glasgow
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Glasgow:
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Dessert at Farmer's Market£1.80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Glasgow Walking Food Tour with EatWalk Tours: $146
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Glasgow £22Kingston £10
Typical Entertainment Prices in Glasgow
For Glasgow, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Luss Highland Games Entrance Fee (for 2)£12
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Two Bike Rental£34
Tours and Activities in Glasgow
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Glasgow.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $4.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.45
- Glasgow Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Uncover Historic In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Discover Glasgow's Imperial Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Center Guided Walking Tour: $15
- Glasgow City Centre Daily Walking Tour: 10:30am, 2pm & 5pm: $15
- Private Historical Walking Tour: $16
- Street Art Guided Walking Tour: $18
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
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- 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 Admission & Kingston Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $258
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGlasgow £15Kingston £8.92
Typical Alcohol Prices in Glasgow
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Glasgow:
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Bottle of Wine£12
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Ciders at Kilted Skirlie£3.50
Sample the Local Flavors in Glasgow
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Glasgow:
- Clydeside Distillery Tour and Whisky Tasting: $23
- Tennent’s Brewery Guided Tour and Free Pint: $24
- Secrets & Summer Serves at Glengoyne Distillery: $25
- Glengoyne Distillery Tour with Whisky & Chocolate: $44
- Glasgow Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $44
- Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond Walk & Whisky Distillery Tour from Glasgow : $70
- Sample Fine & Rare Whiskies at Glengoyne Distillery: $75
- The Malt Master Experience at Glengoyne Distillery: $125
- Scottish Whisky Distillery Tour: $187
- Guided Electric Bike Tour with a Distillery Visit: $188
- Pints & Past: Glasgow Pub Tour: $459
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 Glasgow and Kingston, we can see that Glasgow is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Glasgow 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 Glasgow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Glasgow 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 Glasgow Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Glasgow or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 54% larger than the population of Glasgow. When comparing the sizes of Glasgow 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 Glasgow or Kingston?
Glasgow 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 Glasgow or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Glasgow as well as Kingston. The summer months attract visitors to Glasgow because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Glasgow is much colder than Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 15°C (59°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the summer, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Glasgow gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
Glasgow usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. Glasgow gets 99 mm (3.9 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 JulyGlasgow 15°C (59°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston and Glasgow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Glasgow this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Glasgow is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Glasgow in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during autumn. Glasgow gets 69 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. It's quite rainy in Glasgow. In October, Glasgow usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kingston. Glasgow gets 163 mm (6.4 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 OctoberGlasgow 10°C (49°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Glasgow during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Glasgow for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Glasgow. In January, Glasgow is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Glasgow average around 3°C (38°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Glasgow often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Glasgow gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Glasgow. Glasgow usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Glasgow gets 165 mm (6.5 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 JanuaryGlasgow 3°C (38°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Glasgow or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Glasgow and Kingston. Many visitors come to Glasgow in the spring for the activities around the city. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Glasgow is much colder than Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Glasgow averages around 7°C (45°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Glasgow usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Glasgow gets 134 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Glasgow usually receives more rain than Kingston. Glasgow gets 78 mm (3.1 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 AprilGlasgow 7°C (45°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Glasgow
| Glasgow | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 136 mm (5.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 10°C (51°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (56°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (59°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (58°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 163 mm (6.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (42°F) | 151 mm (5.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 164 mm (6.5 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.