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

Should you visit Kingston or Maui?

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

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

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.

Maui

Who hasn't spent at least one Monday morning fantasizing about holding a mai tai on a Hawaiian beach? A trip to Maui may be just what we all have in mind, but it's so much more than a drink on a sandy towel.

At over 700 square miles, the island of Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian islands with a small population of just over 140,000 people. The island enjoys approximately two seasons a year with a mild climate just about everywhere. Rough living, right?

Voted "Best Island in the World" by many in the travel industry, Maui is the center for whale watching, relaxing on the beach, snorkeling, and the home of a large and lush rainforest.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Maui 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 $125, while the average daily cost in Maui is $343. 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 Maui in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $63
    Maui $141
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $126
    Maui $282
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Maui

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Maui? 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 Maui


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 Maui Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Maui $62

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
  • Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
  • Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
  • Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport To Ocho Rios Hotels: $45
  • Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $40
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
  • 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
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (4 - 9 Persons): $159

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Maui

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Maui:

  • Maui Kahului Airport OGG Arrival Private Transfer: $39
  • Maui hotel or address to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) - Departure Private Transfer: $20
  • Maui to Maui Kahului Airport (OGG) - Departure Private Transfer: $39
  • Private Departure Transfer to Maui Kahului Airport OGG: $39
  • Private Transfer from Kahului Airport(OGG) to Lahaina Cruise Port: $168
  • Private Transfer from Maui City Hotels to Lahaina Cruise Port: $168
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Maui Airport to Hotel: $17

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Maui?

Prices for flights to both Maui 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
    Maui $162

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Maui

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Maui.

  • Maui Farm to Taco: A Farm to Table Cooking Class: $149
  • Maui Ma'alaea Sunset Prime Rib or Fresh Island Fish Dinner Cruise: $150
  • Maui Premium Sunset Dinner Cruise from Ka’anapali Beach: $166
  • South Gilligans' Island Luau with Dinner and Drinks: $166
  • Maui Sunset Dinner Cruise - A Hawaiian Hula Experience: $168
  • Maui Premium Dinner Cruise: Four Course Dining Experience: $170
  • Authentic Hawaiian Dinner Pa'ina with Natives in Hana: $185
  • Wailele Luau with Fire and Knife Performance and Dinner: $219
  • Haleakala Maui Sunset Twilight Tour with Dinner: $257

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Maui $38

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
  • Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Rhythmic Walking Music Tour: $40
  • Guided Bar Hopping Tour with VIP Speakeasy Entry: $40
  • Judgement Yard Tour: $50
  • Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Studio Tour: $50
  • Kingston Night Market Experience from Kingston: $55
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64

Tours and Activities in Maui

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

  • Maui Beach Parks Self-Guided Driving Tour: $13
  • Ultimate Self-Driving Audio Tour of Road to Hana, Maui: $15
  • Haleakala Sunrise Self-Guided Audio Tour: $20
  • Haleakala Sunset and Stargazing Audio Tour: $20
  • Maui "Loop" Road To Hana Audio Driving Tour: $20
  • Shaka Guide Maui "Classic" Road to Hana Audio Driving Tour: $25
  • Cat Café Maui Experience – Relax with Rescue Cats: $25
  • Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Maui: $30
  • All Hawaiian Islands Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour Bundle: $34
  • Maui Adventure Bundle: 6 Epic Audio Driving Tours, Including Road to Hana: $35
  • Tropical Fruit Tasting Experience: $45
  • Herbal Tea Tasting Tour at Maui Dragonfruit Farm: $45

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Maui $41

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Maui

Also in Maui, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Maui Upcountry Drive, Haleakala NP & Ocean Vodka Distillery Tour: $259


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



When is the best time to visit Kingston or Maui?

Maui 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 Maui in the Summer?

Both Maui and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Maui for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Maui. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Maui fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Maui. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Maui during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 290 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kingston usually receives more rain than Maui. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Maui receives 0.4 inches (10 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Maui 79°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Maui in the Autumn?

Both Maui 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Maui because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Kingston is around the same temperature as Maui in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Maui fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

In Maui, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Maui. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 245 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Maui. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Maui 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Maui in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Maui. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Maui this time of year.

In the winter, Kingston is a little warmer than Maui. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Maui averages at about 72°F (22°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Maui this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Maui during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Maui receives 217 hours of full sun in the winter.

Maui receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Maui. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Maui receives 4.1 inches (105 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Maui 72°F (22°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Maui in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Maui. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Maui for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Maui. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Maui fluctuates around 74°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Maui. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Maui. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Maui receives 231 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Maui. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Maui receives 1.8 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Maui 74°F (24°C)

Typical Weather for Maui and Kingston

Kingston Maui
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 72°F (22°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 74°F (24°C) 1.8 inches (47 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 76°F (24°C) 0.8 inches (20 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 78°F (25°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 79°F (26°C) 0.4 inches (10 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 80°F (26°C) 0.5 inches (13 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 79°F (26°C) 0.4 inches (9 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 78°F (26°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (66 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)