Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Istanbul or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Istanbul 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: Istanbul or Kingston?
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
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 in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $126Kingston $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $126, 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 Istanbul and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personIstanbul $47Kingston $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $94Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Istanbul and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Istanbul 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Istanbul $55Kingston $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry$0.09
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Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Airport Transfer by Private Minivan + Meet & Greet Service: $85
- Private Airport Transfer in Istanbul: $109
- Saw Sabiha Gokcen Airport Transfers for Old City & Taksim Hotels: $55
- 1-Way Private Transfer to/from Sabiha Gokcen Airport: $75
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
- Airport Istanbul Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport : $40
- Arrival & Departure Private Transfer in Istanbul: $43
- Arrival Private Transfer IST or SAW Airport to Istambul, Levent or Taksim by Bus: $65
- Arrival Private Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Van: $70
- Bursa Uludağ Mountain Tour From Istanbul w/Lunch & Hotel Transfer: $35
- CARPEDIEM : SABIHA GOKCEN AIRPORT LUXURY TRANSFER (Arrival/Departure): $45
- Daily Green Bursa Tour with Cable Car & Transfer from Istanbul: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
- Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $71
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Istanbul or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Istanbul 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 dayIstanbul $31Kingston $26
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice$0.06
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Turkish Delight$0.02
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Dessert$0.26
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Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Turkish Night Show All inclusive: $16
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $21
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $22
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Istanbul Bosphorus Cruise with All inclusive Dinner and Belly-Dancer Show : $27
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $79Kingston $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
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Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
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Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
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Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
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Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.15
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.38
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.38
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.38
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.09
- Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.12
- Guided Boat Tour on the Bosphorus: $8.44
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.69
- Self Guided Virtual Tour of Hagia Sophia The Highlights: $9.82
- Hagia Sophia & Hippdrome Tour with Local Expert: $11
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 dayIstanbul $15Kingston $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $84
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $246
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $849
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 Istanbul and Kingston, we can see that Istanbul is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Istanbul or Kingston?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Kingston?
Istanbul 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 Istanbul or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Istanbul and Kingston. The summer months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Istanbul is generally cooler than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 24°C (74°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. Istanbul usually receives more sunshine than Kingston during summer. Istanbul gets 333 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Istanbul usually receives less rain than Kingston. Istanbul gets 19 mm (0.7 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 JulyIstanbul 24°C (74°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Istanbul as well as Kingston. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Istanbul is much colder than Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Istanbul averages around 16°C (61°F) in October, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the autumn, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Istanbul gets 169 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. Istanbul usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Istanbul gets 71 mm (2.8 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 OctoberIstanbul 16°C (61°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Istanbul are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the winter, Istanbul is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Istanbul in January average around 6°C (43°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. Istanbul usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Istanbul gets 75 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Istanbul usually receives more rain than Kingston. Istanbul gets 99 mm (3.9 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 JanuaryIstanbul 6°C (43°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Istanbul or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston and Istanbul during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Istanbul in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
In April, Istanbul is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Istanbul average around 13°C (55°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Istanbul often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Istanbul gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.
Istanbul usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Istanbul gets 49 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 AprilIstanbul 13°C (55°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Istanbul
| Istanbul | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 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 | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.