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

Should you visit Kingston or Duck Key?

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

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

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.

Duck Key

If you are thirsty for the taste of tropical splendor, Duck Key, Florida will surely quench your desires. Located in Monroe County, Florida, right beside its neighbor Conch Key, Duck Key stands. The community is chock full of everyone's favorite seaside activities, including fishing, jetskiing, scuba diving, canoeing, and kayaking. Though a quaint town, Duck Key attracts tourists from all over due to its quiet beaches and friendly locals. Whether you are looking to meet and greet with the dolphins or simply lie upon the sandy white beaches as the fire orange sun sets before you, Duck Key is truly a sweet and small subtropical diversion.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.


Which place is cheaper, Duck Key or Kingston?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Kingston Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Duck Key Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $125
    Duck Key $175

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Duck Key is $175. 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 Duck Key in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Duck Key $56
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Duck Key $112
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Duck Key

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Duck Key? 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 Duck Key


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Duck Key $69

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • VIP Private Airport Transfer: Norman Manley to Montego Bay Hotels: $122
  • Transfer from Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston Hotels: $150
  • Transfer for Kingston Airport to or from Hotels in Falmouth Area: $173
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
  • Private Transfer to and from Kingston International Airport: $73
  • Private Transfer from Kingston hotel to Falmouth Cruise Port: $199
  • Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast: $240
  • Private Kingston Airport Transfer: $70
  • Private Kingston Airport KIN Transfer for Ocho Rios Hotels: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Duck Key?

Prices for flights to both Duck Key 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 $45
    Duck Key $77

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Duck Key $30

Tours and Activities in Kingston

Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • ATV Adventure of Ocho Rios: $117
  • Art Walk, Bob Marley Museum Kingston City Tour: $130
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios: $62
  • Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
  • Blue Mountain Craighton Estate Coffee Tasting Tour / Devon House: $180
  • Blue Mountain Waterfall and Sightseeing Ecotour: $200
  • 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 Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston Hotels: $120
  • Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Duck Key $7.99

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 Duck Key, we can see that Duck Key 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 Duck Key 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 Duck Key would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Duck Key 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 Duck Key Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Duck Key?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 1910 times larger than the population of Duck Key. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Duck Key, 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 Duck Key?

Duck Key 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 Duck Key in the Summer?

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

In July, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Duck Key. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Duck Key fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Duck Key. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 328 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Duck Key. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Duck Key 84°F (29°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Duck Key in the Autumn?

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

Kingston is around the same temperature as Duck Key in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Duck Key fluctuates around 80°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Duck Key. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 258 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Duck Key. It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Duck Key. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Duck Key 80°F (27°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Duck Key in the Winter?

Both Duck Key and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Kingston is a little warmer than Duck Key. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Duck Key averages at about 70°F (21°C).

In Duck Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Duck Key. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Duck Key receives 252 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Duck Key. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Duck Key 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Duck Key in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Duck Key. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

In April, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Duck Key. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Duck Key fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Duck Key this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Duck Key during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Duck Key receives 326 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kingston usually receives more rain than Duck Key. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Duck Key receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Duck Key 77°F (25°C)

Typical Weather for Duck Key and Kingston

Kingston Duck Key
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)