Which place is cheaper, New Orleans or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or New Orleans?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
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.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109New Orleans $239
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $239. 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 New Orleans in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64New Orleans $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Kingston and New Orleans
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30New Orleans $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from Kingston Hotels to Montego Bay Cruise Port: $118
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $118
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 25 Passenger New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $300
- Airport Transfer in New Orleans: $215
- Boss Be Luxury Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $121
- Cruise Port to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $74
- Full-Day Oak Alley Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp w/Transfer: $155
- Full-Day Whitney Plantation & Large Airboat Swamp Tour w/Transfer: $155
- Handicap New Orleans Airport or Hotel Transfer: $260
- NOLA Cruise Port to New Orleans hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $149
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Arrival Transfer : $82
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans - Round-Trip Transfer : $164
- New Orleans Airport (MSY): Private Transfer to New Orleans: $207
- New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) to Cruise Port - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $149
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or New Orleans?
Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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 $27New Orleans $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cajun and Creole Cooking Class with Meal: $38
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $55
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $55
- Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $55
- French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Flavors of New Orleans: $59
- The Premier New Orleans Food Tour: $77
- Taste Of New Orleans Food Tour and Experience: $80
- French Quarter Food Tour with a Local: $80
- Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89
- New Orleans' Lower Garden Food Tour: $89
- French Quarter Food Tour with Tastings: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13New Orleans $55
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 New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $6.75
- Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street Walking Audio Tour: $6.99
- Struttin' Down Royal Street: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Stories of Faith and Courage: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $9.00
- New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Secret Historical Garden District Audio Tour: $9.99
- Discover Tremé's Soul: A Self-Guided Audio Experience: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- New Orleans, LA: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11New Orleans $60
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
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Haunted Pub Crawl In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $13
- Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting: $15
- New Orleans Distillery Tour and Rum Tasting with Guide: $15
- Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
- Spooky Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $17
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
- Haunted Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $26
- Adults Only True Crime Pub Crawl: $27
- True Crime Pub Crawl in New Orleans: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- New Orleans Spooky Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or New Orleans?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 93% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
New Orleans 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 New Orleans in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as New Orleans. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and New Orleans averages at about 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)New Orleans 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New Orleans in the Autumn?
Both New Orleans and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In October, Kingston is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).
It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than New Orleans. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)New Orleans 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New Orleans in the Winter?
Both New Orleans and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to New Orleans for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.
Kingston is much warmer than New Orleans in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.
New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)New Orleans 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Kingston or New Orleans in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, the spring months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the activities around the city.
In the spring, Kingston is a little warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and New Orleans averages at about 68°F (20°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans 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 New Orleans during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.
New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)New Orleans 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for New Orleans and Kingston
| Kingston | New Orleans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 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.