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

Should you visit Kingston or Myrtle Beach?

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

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

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.

Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular and touristy beach destinations on the South Atlantic coast. It's a popular spring break destination for college kids and there is no shortage of hotels and entertainment options along the beach front. It's also well known as a golfing destination, and it has some wonderful seafood restaurants and shopping areas. If you're looking for a natural, relaxed beach destination, Myrtle Beach is not your best option, but if you're looking for the thrills of club hopping, wonderful food options, and souvenir shopping opportunities, then Myrtle Beach is where it's at.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Myrtle Beach 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
    Myrtle Beach Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $125
    Myrtle Beach $214

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Myrtle Beach is $214. 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 Myrtle Beach in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $62
    Myrtle Beach $88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $124
    Myrtle Beach $176
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Myrtle Beach

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Myrtle Beach? 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 Myrtle Beach


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 Myrtle Beach Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Myrtle Beach $24

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 MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
  • 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
  • Jamaica Airport Transfers and Tours: $40
  • Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79
  • Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $25
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $167

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Myrtle Beach?

Prices for flights to both Myrtle Beach 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
    Myrtle Beach $97

Typical Food Prices in Myrtle Beach

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Myrtle Beach:


  • Dinner for Two
    $49
  • Diner Breakfast for Two
    $21

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Myrtle Beach

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

  • Riga Tony's Murder Mystery Dinner Show: $60
  • Polynesian Fire Luau and Dinner Show Ticket in Myrtle Beach: $67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Myrtle Beach $46

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
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission 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
  • 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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Myrtle Beach

Here are a few typical costs in Myrtle Beach for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Mini Golf for Two
    $18
  • Beach Chairs
    $15

Tours and Activities in Myrtle Beach

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

  • Mayhem, Mystique, & Murder in Myrtle Beach Ghost Tour: $26
  • Children's Pirate Adventure Cruise in Murrells Inlet: $29
  • The Floor is Lava Experience: $30
  • Murrells Inlet Sunset Cruise: $32
  • Dolphin & Sealife Cruise at Crazy Sister Marina: $34
  • 2 Hour Dolphin Watching Adventure in Calabash: $35
  • Hollywood Wax Museum Myrtle Beach Admission Ticket: $35
  • Saltwater Marsh Eco Shelling Tour in Murrells Inlet, SC: $36
  • Ocean Sunset Dolphin & Sealife Cruise in Murrells Inlet: $38
  • Blue Wave Adventures TursiOps Dolphin Watch Cruise Murrells Inlet: $39
  • Murrells Inlet Ghost Cruise Legends and Lores of the Lowcountry: $39
  • Catamaran Dolphin Cruise in Myrtle Beach with Barrier Island Stop: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Myrtle Beach $16

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Myrtle Beach?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Myrtle Beach. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach?

Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach in the Summer?

Both Myrtle Beach 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, the summer months attract visitors to Myrtle Beach because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kingston is around the same temperature as Myrtle Beach in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Myrtle Beach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Myrtle Beach during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 283 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 8.1 inches (207 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Myrtle Beach 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Myrtle Beach in the Autumn?

Both Myrtle Beach 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 city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Myrtle Beach this time of year.

In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Myrtle Beach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Myrtle Beach averages at about 65°F (18°C).

In Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 227 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Myrtle Beach. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Myrtle Beach 65°F (18°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Myrtle Beach in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Myrtle Beach. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, many travelers come to Myrtle Beach for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Myrtle Beach. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Myrtle Beach during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Myrtle Beach receives 180 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Myrtle Beach. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Myrtle Beach 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Myrtle Beach in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Myrtle Beach. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Myrtle Beach in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Kingston is much warmer than Myrtle Beach in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Myrtle Beach fluctuates around 62°F (17°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Myrtle Beach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Myrtle Beach. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Myrtle Beach receives 278 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Myrtle Beach. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Myrtle Beach receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Myrtle Beach 62°F (17°C)

Typical Weather for Myrtle Beach and Kingston

Kingston Myrtle Beach
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 45°F (7°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 55°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 70°F (21°C) 4.4 inches (113 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 77°F (25°C) 6 inches (152 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 81°F (27°C) 8.1 inches (207 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 80°F (26°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 75°F (24°C) 5 inches (128 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 65°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 57°F (14°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 49°F (9°C) 3.6 inches (92 mm)