Which place is cheaper, Asheville or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Asheville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Asheville, 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: Kingston or Asheville?
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.
Asheville
Asheville is a beautiful mountain town between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Great Smoky Mountains. It's a popular tourist destination in western North Carolina that attracts hikers, shoppers, and adventurers alike. It's the largest city in the area and is famous for it's liberal mindset and large art community. Local crafts are frequently available for sale in the downtown shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Asheville $133
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Asheville is $133. 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 Kingston and Asheville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Asheville $89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Asheville $178
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Asheville
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Asheville? 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: Kingston Hotel Prices and Asheville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Asheville $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
- Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
- Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
- All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
- Kingston International Airport Jamaica - Private Arrival or Depature transfer : $73
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Asheville?
Prices for flights to both Asheville and Kingston 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 dayKingston $27Asheville $33
Typical Food Prices in Asheville
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Asheville:
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Biltmore Estate Entrance Fee$60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Asheville
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Asheville.
- 1-HR cooking class: $40
- Electric Bike Tour of Asheville's Best Pizza: $98
- Best Pizza E-bike Tour: $111
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Asheville $16
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
- 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
- Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Asheville
Here are a few typical costs in Asheville for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Massage$40
Tours and Activities in Asheville
Here are a few actual costs in Asheville for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Downtown Asheville Tip-Based Sightseeing Walking Tour : $5.00
- River Arts District Tip-Based Sightseeing Walking Tour : $5.00
- Asheville's Famous Ghosts Smart Phone GPS APP Solo Walking Tour: $6.75
- Asheville's Historic Smart Phone Guided App (GPS) Walking Tour: $7.75
- Blue Ridge Parkway South Audio Driving Tour: $7.99
- Blue Ridge Parkway Asheville Audio Driving Tour: $7.99
- Asheville Historic Highlights: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
- Blue Ridge Parkway Self-Drive Tour w/ Audio Guide: $9.99
- Blue Ridge Parkway Driving Audio Tour (Asheville ↔ Roanoke): $12
- Asheville Scavenger Hunt: Downtown Asheville Adventure: $12
- Blue Ridge Parkway (Asheville to Roanoke) Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Asheville Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Asheville $16
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Asheville
Also in Asheville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Skip the Line: Copper Barrel's Premium Distillery Tour & Tasting: $10
- Terrors, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Ultimate Late Night Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- Asheville Terrors Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $39
- Expert-Led Brewery Walking Tour with Beer Samples: $65
- Downtown Asheville Guided Brewery Walking Tour: $69
- Premier Walking Guided Brewery Tour Through Downtown Asheville: $69
- Electric Bike Brewery Crawl of Asheville: $74
- Premier Mobile Guided Brewery Tour Around Asheville: $99
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $99
- Asheville Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Asheville, we can see that Asheville is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Asheville is in North America, 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 Asheville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Asheville 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 Kingston Expensive? and Is Asheville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Asheville?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Asheville, 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 Kingston or Asheville?
Asheville 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 Kingston or Asheville in the Summer?
Both Asheville and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Asheville in the summer for the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Asheville. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Asheville fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Asheville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Asheville. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Asheville 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Asheville in the Autumn?
Both Asheville and Kingston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Asheville for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kingston is much warmer than Asheville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Asheville. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Asheville 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Asheville in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Asheville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Asheville because of the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
In the winter, Kingston is much warmer than Asheville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Asheville averages at about 44°F (7°C).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Asheville during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.
Asheville receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Asheville. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Asheville 44°F (7°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Asheville in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Asheville. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.
In April, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Asheville. Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Asheville. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Asheville 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Asheville and Kingston
| Kingston | Asheville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 4.3 inches (109 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.4 inches (137 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 4.1 inches (103 mm) |
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.