Which place is cheaper, Koh Tao 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 Koh Tao?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Koh Tao, 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 Tao?
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 Tao
With a name that literally means, "Turtle Island," Koh Tao, Thailand is the type of vacation spot divers dream of. There is the faintest current and a buffet of dive sites and shops.
This tiny island hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors a year, but take not that there are no garbage disposal facilities. Everything that can't be burnt needs to be taken from the island. Avoid plastic bags, and don't dump your trash in the open landscape (then again, why would you?) because there are no departments for road clean up. Water and electricity on the island are scarce, so use them wisely.
Keep in mind that monsoon season from November to January so you may be faced with constant rain for days at a time in those months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, and The Best Contiki Tours to Thailand.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesKoh Tao Prices
Thailand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $123Koh Tao $50
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $123, while the average daily cost in Koh Tao is $50. 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 Tao in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $62Koh Tao $16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $124Koh Tao $32
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Koh Tao
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Koh Tao? 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 Koh Tao Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $28Koh Tao $9.98
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 Negril: $749
- Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $479
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Kingston Round Trip Airport Transfers to Ocho Rios : $230
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Koh Tao
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Koh Tao:
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Motorbike Rental$5.97
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Chumpon to Koh Tao Ferry$20
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Koh Tao?
Prices for flights to both Koh Tao 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 $44Koh Tao $18
Typical Food Prices in Koh Tao
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Koh Tao:
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Sit Down Lunch (for One)$6.28
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Breakfast$4.71
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Casual Breakfast (for Two)$3.77
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Fancy Dinner (for Two)$15
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Pancake$2.20
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American Breakfast (for Two)$8.79
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Dinner at Bam Bam (for Two)$8.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Half Day Thai Cooking Class with Sea View from Koh Tao : $51
- Memorable Thai Cooking Class with Stunning View from Koh Tao : $55
- Private Thai Cooking Class at Rooftop Kitchen on Koh Tao: $208
- Koh Tao Private Rooftop Thai Cooking Class with Scenic View: $222
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Koh Tao $30
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,011
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- 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, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $134
- City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $105
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Devon House City Tour Combo: $85
Typical Entertainment Prices in Koh Tao
For Koh Tao, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Kayak Rental (One Hour)$7.85
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Snorkel Rental$3.14
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Kayak and Snorkel (2)$3.14
Tours and Activities in Koh Tao
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Koh Tao.
- Full day snorkeling adventure around Koh Tao: $24
- Amazing 5 Point Snorkeling Tour in Koh Tao and Koh Nang Yuan: $24
- Koh Nang Yuan and Koh Tao 5 Point Snorkeling Tour: $27
- Snorkelling Trip 5 Island Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nang yuan: $27
- Snorkel Tour to Koh Nangyuan and the hidden bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $27
- No Rush Morning & Afternoon 5 Stop Snorkeling tour for Koh Tao: $27
- 5 Islands Full-Day Tour Around Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan: $27
- Koh Tao Top Crystal Clear Snorkeling Day Tour by Big Boat : $27
- Koh Tao Snorkeling Tour to Hidden Bays and Koh Nang Yuan : $29
- Koh Tao's First Light Snorkel Adventure with Oxygen Tours: $32
- Premium Snorkel Tour to the Bays of Koh Tao onboard the Oxygen: $37
- CocoTipAdventures and Snorkel with Meals-BBQs-Cocktail-Sunset: $54
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Koh Tao $8.22
Typical Alcohol Prices in Koh Tao
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Koh Tao from other travelers:
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Beer$2.04
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Bottle of Wine$12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Koh Tao, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Koh Tao much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Koh Tao 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 Tao would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Tao 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 Tao.
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 Tao Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Koh Tao?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 680 times larger than the population of Koh Tao. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Koh Tao, 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 Tao?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Kingston or Koh Tao in the Summer?
Both Koh Tao 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Tao year-round.
Koh Tao gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Koh Tao. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Koh Tao. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 195 hours of full sun.
In July, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Koh Tao in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Koh Tao. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Koh Tao attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Also, October and November is the rainy season in Koh Tao. Koh Tao receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 276 mm (10.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Koh Tao during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kingston is a little warmer than Koh Tao in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Koh Tao fluctuates around 24°C (76°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Koh Tao 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Koh Tao in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Koh Tao. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Tao throughout the year.
Also, February to June in Koh Tao is the dry season. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Koh Tao. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Koh Tao. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koh Tao receives 255 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Kingston is a little warmer than Koh Tao. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Koh Tao averages at about 22°C (72°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Koh Tao 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Koh Tao in the Spring?
Both Koh Tao and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Tao because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
The dry season in Koh Tao is February to June. In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Koh Tao. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Koh Tao receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Koh Tao. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Koh Tao during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Koh Tao receives 239 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Koh Tao. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Koh Tao fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Koh Tao 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Koh Tao and Kingston
| Kingston | Koh Tao | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 189 mm (7.4 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 174 mm (6.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 276 mm (10.9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 380 mm (15 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
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.