A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kingston vs. Dayton for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kingston or Dayton?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Dayton, 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 Dayton?

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.

Dayton

Located in southwest Ohio, Dayton is known as the "Gem City." It's the original home of Orville and Wilbur Wright, the brothers who designed the first airplane. You'll also find the Dayton Aviation Heritage Park here, which is one of the only multi-site National Parks in the United States. The cities climate has four different seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall. The winter months are quite cold and you can expect a decent amount of snow in the area. Spring remains cool and there are infrequent showers. This is also the peak time for tornadoes in the area. Summer is hot and humid and can be unpleasant at times, but fall is crisp and refreshing with occasional storms and infrequent tornadoes.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, and The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Dayton 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 Dayton is $323. 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 Dayton in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Dayton $250
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Dayton $500
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Dayton

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Dayton? 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 Dayton


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 Dayton Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Dayton $25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
  • MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
  • Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
  • Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
  • Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
  • Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
  • Kingston International Airport Jamaica - Private Arrival or Depature transfer : $73
  • Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $118
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Hotels to Montego Bay Cruise Port: $118
  • 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Dayton?

Prices for flights to both Dayton 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
    Dayton $61

Typical Food Prices in Dayton

Some typical examples of dining costs in Dayton are as follows:


  • Noodle Company Lunch (for 2)
    $17
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $34

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Dayton -

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

Tours and Activities in Dayton

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Dayton are as follows:

  • Daytona Beach: Guided Kayaking or Standup Paddling Tour: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Dayton -

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 Dayton

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dayton:

  • Dive Bar Bus Crawl: $38


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Dayton, we can see that Dayton 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 Dayton 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 Dayton would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dayton 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 Dayton Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Dayton?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Dayton. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Dayton, 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 Dayton?

Dayton 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 Dayton in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Dayton. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

Kingston is a little warmer than Dayton in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Dayton fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Dayton this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Dayton during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 298 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Dayton. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Dayton 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Dayton in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Dayton. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Dayton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Dayton averages at about 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 188 hours of full sun.

Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Dayton. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Dayton 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Dayton in the Winter?

Both Dayton and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

Dayton can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Dayton. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Dayton fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Dayton during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Dayton receives 129 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Dayton. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Dayton 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Dayton in the Spring?

Both Dayton 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.

Kingston is much warmer than Dayton in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Dayton fluctuates around 55°F (13°C).

In Dayton, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Dayton. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dayton receives 215 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Dayton. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Dayton receives 3.5 inches (88 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Dayton 55°F (13°C)

Typical Weather for Dayton and Kingston

Kingston Dayton
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 30°F (-1°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 33°F (1°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 44°F (7°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 65°F (18°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 74°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 78°F (26°C) 3.4 inches (86 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 76°F (25°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 69°F (21°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.5 inches (64 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 47°F (8°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (75 mm)