Which place is cheaper, Bar Harbor or Kingston?
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 Kingston or Bar Harbor?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor?
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.
Bar Harbor
Bar Harbor is a seafront town located on Mount Desert Island just off the coast of Maine. The Wabanaki Indians who seasonally fished, hunted and gathered berries, clams, and other shellfish in the area, called it the ‘clam-gathering' or ‘clambake' place. Eventually the area was settled by Europeans who established industries in fishing, lumbering, shipbuilding, and agriculture. Its maritime scenery even attracted artists of the Hudson River School like Thomas Cole, and the area soon became a seasonal resort for the affluent, comparable to that of Newport, Rhode Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America, and The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesBar Harbor Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Bar Harbor $243
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Bar Harbor is $243. 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 Bar Harbor in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Bar Harbor $117
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Bar Harbor $234
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Bar Harbor
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Bar Harbor? 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 Bar Harbor Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Bar Harbor $35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $25
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
- Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Jamaica Airport Transfers and Tours: $40
- Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Bar Harbor?
Prices for flights to both Bar Harbor 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 $45Bar Harbor $98
Typical Food Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of dining costs in Bar Harbor are as follows:
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West Street Cafe (for 4)$70
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Bar Harbor $39
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
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Cultural Walking Tour of Kingston: $65
- Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bar Harbor
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bar Harbor are as follows:
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Acadia National Park Entrance Fee$25
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Sunset Cruise (for 4)$96
Tours and Activities in Bar Harbor
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bar Harbor are as follows:
- Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour of Bar Harbor Acadia: $7.99
- Self Guided GPS Audio Driving Tour Acadia NP From Hulls Cove VC: $9.50
- Bar Harbor Self Guided Audio Walking Tour America’s Summer Empire: $9.75
- Acadia's Ocean Path Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Acadia National Park Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
- Acadia Mount Desert Island Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Historic Bar Harbor Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour Guide: $15
- Ultimate Acadia National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Cape Cod Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Acadia National Park: $20
- Acadia National Park & Bar Harbor Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $25
- Bar Harbor Walking Tour: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Bar Harbor $30
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 Kingston and Bar Harbor, we can see that Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Bar Harbor?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 150 times larger than the population of Bar Harbor. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor?
Bar Harbor 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 Bar Harbor in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Bar Harbor. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many travelers come to Bar Harbor for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kingston is a little warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 69°F (21°C).
In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Bar Harbor 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Bar Harbor in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Bar Harbor. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Bar Harbor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Bar Harbor. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Bar Harbor. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Bar Harbor 48°F (9°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Bar Harbor in the Winter?
Both Bar Harbor and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Bar Harbor for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Bar Harbor can be very cold during winter. Kingston is much warmer than Bar Harbor in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Bar Harbor fluctuates around 18°F (-8°C).
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Bar Harbor. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Bar Harbor 18°F (-8°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Bar Harbor in the Spring?
Both Bar Harbor and Kingston during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Bar Harbor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Bar Harbor. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Bar Harbor averages at about 43°F (6°C).
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Bar Harbor. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bar Harbor receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Bar Harbor 43°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for Bar Harbor and Kingston
| Kingston | Bar Harbor | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 18°F (-8°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 20°F (-6°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 3.1 inches (80 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 inches (85 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 inches (87 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 37°F (3°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 24°F (-5°C) | 4 inches (100 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.