Which place is cheaper, Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?
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.
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesCharlottesville Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Charlottesville $185
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Charlottesville is $185. 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 Charlottesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Charlottesville $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Charlottesville $160
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Charlottesville
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Charlottesville? 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 Charlottesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Charlottesville $53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Cruise Port to Kingston Hotels: $261
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $261
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston: $259
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Moon Palace Jamaica Grande: $200
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfers to or from Charlottesville Albemarle Airport: $80
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Charlottesville?
Prices for flights to both Charlottesville 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 $45Charlottesville $73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Dairy Market Food Tour: $128
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $228
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $228
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Charlottesville $18
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Outback Adventure from Kingston: $288
- Art Walk, Bob Marley Museum Kingston City Tour: $130
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Coffee Tasting & Farm Tour from Kingston: $150
- Blue Mountain Craighton Estate Coffee Tasting Tour / Devon House: $180
- Blue Mountain Waterfall and Sightseeing Ecotour: $200
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bluehole, Dunn's River Falls and Port Royal all in one tour: $690
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston Hotels: $120
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Self Guided Audio Tour Skyline Drive and Shenandoah NP: $15
- Shenandoah National Park Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Downtown History & Culture Walking Tours: $23
- Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $24
- Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $26
- Crozet Virginia Winery and Bike Tour Experience: $195
- Winery & Bike Tour w/ Sommelier: $195
- Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour: $248
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Charlottesville $53
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tours Transportation, staring from 3 people & more: $95
- Special 6 hours premium Wine Tours for 2 or 3 people: $130
- Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour: $270
- 5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour: $270
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Charlottesville, we can see that Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Charlottesville?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?
Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville in the Summer?
Both Charlottesville 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, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.
Charlottesville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Charlottesville. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Charlottesville 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charlottesville in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Charlottesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kingston is much warmer than Charlottesville in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Charlottesville 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charlottesville in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Charlottesville. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.
The weather in Charlottesville can be very cold. In the winter, Kingston is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Charlottesville averages at about 36°F (2°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 Charlottesville. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Charlottesville. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Charlottesville 36°F (2°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Charlottesville in the Spring?
Both Charlottesville 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, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.
In April, Kingston is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Charlottesville 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Kingston
| Kingston | Charlottesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.