Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Istanbul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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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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Istanbul Prices
Turkey PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayIstanbul $157Kingston $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Istanbul is $157, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $125. 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 $73Kingston $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomIstanbul $146Kingston $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 $34Kingston $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards$4.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $35
- Airport Transfer: $62
- Airport Transfer to Istanbul City with Minivan: $70
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Business Car: $70
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to New Airport IST by Luxury Van: $75
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW by Business Car: $68
- Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW by Luxury Van: $74
- Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $70
- Airport Transfer: Sabiha Airport SAW to Istanbul by Business Car: $68
- Airport transfer Istanbul: $58
- Arrival Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Business Car: $68
- Arrival Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul by Luxury Van: $75
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Private Kingston Airport (KIN) Transfer for Kingston Hotels: $20
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels: $25
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $27
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $40
- Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $48
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
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 $58Kingston $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Food Tour 30 Tasting Stops with Audio Maps Written Guide: $8.00
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Folk Dance and Live Performances: $29
- Budget Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Party: $29
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Show Private Table: $29
- Bosphorus Night Cruise: Dinner, Drinks & Hotel Pickup: $29
- Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus View Tavern Dinner & Belly Dance Show: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show in Istanbul: $30
- İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table: $30
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show: $32
- Luxury Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkis Night Show in Istanbul: $34
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Istanbul $38Kingston $12
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- Istanbul Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.47
- Highlights of Istanbul Walking Tour: $3.48
- Istanbul Sites: Peel back the layers of Turkish history a self-guided audio tour: $5.40
- Istanbul Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.00
- Istanbul Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.51
- Istanbul's Karaköy Neighbourhood: A Self-Guided Photography Tour: $6.79
- Bosphorus Cruise Boat Tour in Istanbul: $6.96
- Walking Tour in Istanbul with Audio and Written Guide Old City: $8.00
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise Tour with Audio Guide: $8.12
- Bosphorus Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $9.00
- Istanbul Istiklal Street Story Self Guided Audio GPS Walking Tour: $9.99
- Ihlamur Pavilion Skip-the-Line Ticket with Audio Guide: $10
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
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Guided Bar Hopping Tour with VIP Speakeasy Entry: $40
- Rhythmic Walking Music Tour: $40
- Judgement Yard Tour: $50
- Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Studio Tour: $50
- Kingston Night Market Experience from Kingston: $55
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayIstanbul $10Kingston $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl: Bars, Dancefloors, & Beyond: $17
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $28
- Istanbul Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus in Sultanahmet and Taksim: $30
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries: $208
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Worthy Park Estate Rum Distillery Tour with Tasting: $144
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.