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

Should you visit Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?

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.

Koh Pha Ngan

Ko Phangan (or Pha Ngan) is best known for its full moon parties, attracting backpackers and budget travelers the world over for all-night parties on the beach. The clear, blue water, beautiful beaches, and tropical atmosphere bring the tourists to the island, and the low prices, diverse activities, and abundant amenities keep them here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Koh Pha Ngan or Kingston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Koh Pha Ngan is $61. 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 Koh Pha Ngan in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Koh Pha Ngan $27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Koh Pha Ngan $54
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Koh Pha Ngan

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan? 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 Koh Pha Ngan


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 Koh Pha Ngan Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $28
    Koh Pha Ngan $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
  • Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
  • Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $70
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Negril: $79
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
  • Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $9.42
  • Ferry Ride
    $16
  • Gas for Scooter
    $3.45

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan?

Prices for flights to both Koh Pha Ngan 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 $44
    Koh Pha Ngan $20

Typical Food Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Koh Pha Ngan:


  • Noodle Lunch (for One)
    $1.26
  • Sit Down Dinner (for Two)
    $12
  • Smoothies (for Two)
    $1.26
  • Ice Cream
    $0.63
  • Juice
    $1.88
  • 3 Spring Rolls
    $0.94
  • 2 Pancakes
    $1.88

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Koh Pha Ngan $19

Tours and Activities in Kingston

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

  • Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
  • Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
  • Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
  • Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
  • Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Koh Pha Ngan $11

Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Pha Ngan

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Koh Pha Ngan are as follows:


  • Drinks at Irish Pub (for Two)
    $8.16


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Koh Pha Ngan is in Asia, 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 Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Koh Pha Ngan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Koh Pha Ngan. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Koh Pha Ngan, 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 Koh Pha Ngan?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Pha Ngan. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Kingston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

December to March is the dry season in Koh Pha Ngan. October and November is the rainy season in Koh Pha Ngan. Koh Pha Ngan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets less rain in October than Koh Pha Ngan. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In October, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Koh Pha Ngan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 22°C (72°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Koh Pha Ngan. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the spring, Kingston is around the same temperature as Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Koh Pha Ngan 24°C (76°F)

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Kingston

Kingston Koh Pha Ngan
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 22°C (72°F) 11 mm (0.4 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 23°C (74°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 24°C (76°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 145 mm (5.7 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 24°C (76°F) 143 mm (5.6 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 24°C (76°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 25°C (76°F) 196 mm (7.7 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 240 mm (9.5 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 23°C (74°F) 335 mm (13.2 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 134 mm (5.3 in)