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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Kingston?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg 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: Gothenburg or Kingston?

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

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 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Gothenburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $98, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $107. 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 Gothenburg and Kingston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $40
    Kingston $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $80
    Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Kingston

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg


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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $18
    Kingston $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
  • Gothenburg Airport Transfers : Gothenburg to Airport GOT in Luxury Van: $153
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $95
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $111
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Central Ostersund to Ostersund Airport: $176
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $120
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $509

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $71
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
  • Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
  • Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $230
  • Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
  • Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $255
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
  • MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
  • Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Kingston?

Prices for flights to both Kingston and Gothenburg 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
    Gothenburg $38
    Kingston $26

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gothenburg $16
    Kingston $13

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Universeum Entry Ticket: $21
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $30
  • Hop-On Hop-Off 24-Hour Sightseeing Boat: $30
  • Lilla Bommen: 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour to Vinga Island: $31
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
  • Land & Water Amphibious Bus Sightseeing Tour: $31
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $32
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
  • Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $33
  • Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $33
  • Archipelago cruise with guide: $37
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37

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
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
  • 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 Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $21
    Kingston $11

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 comparing the travel costs between Gothenburg and Kingston, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Gothenburg is in Europe and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gothenburg Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Kingston?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or Kingston?

Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or Kingston in the Summer?

Both Kingston and Gothenburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

Gothenburg is much colder than Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Kingston 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Kingston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Kingston. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Gothenburg is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gothenburg in October average around 9°C (47°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Kingston. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Kingston 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Kingston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Kingston. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around -2°C (29°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Kingston in the Spring?

Both Kingston and Gothenburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Gothenburg is much colder than Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gothenburg usually receives more rain than Kingston. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Kingston and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Kingston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)