A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kingston vs. Big Island of Hawaii for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kingston or Big Island of Hawaii?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Big Island of Hawaii, 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 Big Island of Hawaii?

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.

Big Island of Hawaii

What comes to mind when someone says, "Hawaii"? Probably sandy beaches, coconut drinks and lazy days of tanning. It's a dream destination for those who want to get away, but the island of Hawai'i, or the Big Island as it's most commonly called, has so much more to offer than a place to catch up on your latest novel.

At 93 miles across, and a population of 185 thousand, the Big Island was once a large exporter of sugarcane. After its final plantation closed in 1996, tourism became the backbone of Hawai'i Island's economy. More recently, the Big Island has become the focus for sustainable tourism – visiting a place as a tourist and trying to make only a positive impact on your destination.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Big Island of Hawaii or Kingston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Big Island of Hawaii is $250. 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 Big Island of Hawaii in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Big Island of Hawaii $112
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Big Island of Hawaii $224
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Big Island of Hawaii

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Big Island of Hawaii? 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 Kingston


Hotels in Big Island of Hawaii


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 Big Island of Hawaii Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Big Island of Hawaii $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
  • Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Big Island of Hawaii?

Prices for flights to both Big Island of Hawaii 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kingston $27
    Big Island of Hawaii $106

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Big Island of Hawaii $35

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
  • 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 from Kingston: $83
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $320
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
  • Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Big Island of Hawaii $32

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 Kingston and Big Island of Hawaii, we can see that Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Kingston or Big Island of Hawaii?

Big Island of Hawaii 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 Big Island of Hawaii in the Summer?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Kingston during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Big Island of Hawaii this time of year.

In the summer, Kingston is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 169 hours of full sun.

Big Island of Hawaii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Big Island of Hawaii. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.7 inches (247 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Big Island of Hawaii 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Big Island of Hawaii in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Big Island of Hawaii. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many travelers come to Big Island of Hawaii for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 138 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Big Island of Hawaii receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 9.8 inches (248 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Big Island of Hawaii 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Big Island of Hawaii in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Big Island of Hawaii. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kingston is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Big Island of Hawaii fluctuates around 72°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Big Island of Hawaii. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Big Island of Hawaii. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 8.7 inches (221 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Big Island of Hawaii 72°F (22°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Big Island of Hawaii in the Spring?

Both Big Island of Hawaii and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Big Island of Hawaii for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Kingston is a little warmer than Big Island of Hawaii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Big Island of Hawaii averages at about 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Big Island of Hawaii during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 134 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Big Island of Hawaii. In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Big Island of Hawaii. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Big Island of Hawaii receives 15.6 inches (395 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Big Island of Hawaii 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Big Island of Hawaii and Kingston

Kingston Big Island of Hawaii
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 72°F (22°C) 8.7 inches (221 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 72°F (22°C) 10.8 inches (274 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 72°F (22°C) 13.6 inches (345 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 73°F (23°C) 15.6 inches (395 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 74°F (23°C) 10.7 inches (272 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 75°F (24°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 76°F (24°C) 9.7 inches (247 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 76°F (25°C) 9.7 inches (247 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 76°F (25°C) 8.5 inches (215 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 76°F (24°C) 9.8 inches (248 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 74°F (24°C) 14.8 inches (375 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 73°F (23°C) 12.6 inches (321 mm)