Which place is cheaper, Honolulu or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Honolulu?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
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.
Honolulu
Hawaii's capital city of Honolulu, on the island of Oahu, is the state's center for government, finance, and transportation. It's also the home of Waikiki Beach, one of the most famous beaches in the state of Hawaii. Nearly one million people live in this Honolulu metropolitan area. This is almost 80% of the state's population. The city is not the relaxed Hawaiian destination that you might be searching for, but is instead a fast paced, cosmopolitan city. In addition to attracting many tourists every year, you'll also find international businesses, military defense and a diverse culture and population.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Honolulu $284
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Honolulu is $284. 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 Honolulu in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Honolulu $183
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Honolulu $366
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Honolulu
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Honolulu? 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 Honolulu Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Honolulu $26
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Honolulu
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Honolulu are as follows:
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Rental Car for One Day$35
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Airport Shuttle for Two$30
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Hilton Parking$24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Honolulu
Also for Honolulu, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Honolulu HNL Airport Round-Trip Private Transfer in SUV: $272
- Arrival Private Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by Executive Car: $157
- Arrival Transfer Honolulu Airport HNL to Beach Resorts by SUV: $211
- Arrival Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- Chief's Luau Admission Including Transfers: $181
- Departure Transfer: Airport Shuttle Honolulu and Waikiki or Cruise Terminal: $18
- HNL Airport & Waikiki Private Transfer by Brand New Mercedes Van: $160
- Honolulu Airport & Ko Olina Hotels Private Transfer by Minivan (up to 5 people): $90
- Honolulu Airport & KoOlina Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 People): $180
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Luxury SUV(up to 5 people): $130
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by Passenger Van(up to 14ppl): $140
- Honolulu Airport & Waikiki Hotels Private Transfer by SUV(up to 6 people): $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Honolulu?
Prices for flights to both Honolulu 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 $27Honolulu $53
Typical Food Prices in Honolulu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Honolulu:
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Dinner for Two$73
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Lapperts Hawaii Ice Cream$5.55
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Chai's Island Bistro (for 2)$53
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Cheeseburger Waikiki (for 2)$34
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Matsumoto Shave Ice (for 2)$7.50
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Hot Dog with the Fixins'$8.30
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Sushi Dinner for Two$73
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hawaii Food Tour - Off The Beaten Path : $150
- Oahu Da Local's Food Tour: $150
- Lanai Tabura curated Private Aloha Plate Food Tour from Honolulu: $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Honolulu $40
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Honolulu
For Honolulu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Parking for Hike$5.00
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Pearl Harbor Audio Tour for Two$12
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2 hr Dinner Cruise$85
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1 Day Kayak Rental$36
Tours and Activities in Honolulu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Honolulu.
- Historic Downtown Honolulu Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Heart of Waikiki Walking Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $4.99
- Oahu: USS Arizona Memorial Chief's Narrated Multimedia Tour: $7.99
- Waikīkī's Beaches and Royalty: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Hawaii‘s Historic Kingdom: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Military and Entertainment in Waikiki: A Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Downtown Honolulu Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $7.99
- Honolulu In-App Audio Tour: Historical & Cultural Treasures: $9.00
- Honolulu's Backyard Rainforest Tour: Audio Tour Guide: $9.99
- Waikiki Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- USS Arizona Commander's Narrated Multimedia Tour - 23 Stops: $11
- Oahu: Grand Circle Island Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Honolulu $6.47
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 Honolulu, we can see that Honolulu 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 Honolulu 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 Honolulu would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Honolulu 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 Honolulu Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Honolulu?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Honolulu. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Honolulu, 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 Honolulu?
Honolulu 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 Honolulu in the Summer?
Both Honolulu 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Honolulu for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Honolulu averages at about 81°F (27°C).
In Honolulu, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Honolulu. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 303 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets more rain in July than Honolulu. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 0.6 inches (15 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Honolulu 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Honolulu in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Honolulu. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Honolulu in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Honolulu. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Honolulu fluctuates around 80°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Honolulu 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 Honolulu during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 246 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 Honolulu. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 2.1 inches (54 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Honolulu 80°F (26°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Honolulu in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Honolulu. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Honolulu for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kingston is a little warmer than Honolulu in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Honolulu fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Honolulu. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Honolulu. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Honolulu receives 212 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Honolulu. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 3.9 inches (99 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Honolulu 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Honolulu in the Spring?
Both Honolulu 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 spring months attract visitors to Honolulu because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kingston is around the same temperature as Honolulu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Honolulu averages at about 76°F (24°C).
It's quite sunny in Honolulu. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Honolulu during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Honolulu receives 253 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Honolulu. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Honolulu receives 1.7 inches (42 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Honolulu 76°F (24°C)
Typical Weather for Honolulu and Kingston
| Kingston | Honolulu | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.6 inches (15 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 0.7 inches (19 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 80°F (26°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (98 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.