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

Should you visit Kingston or Newport?

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

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

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.

Newport

Established in colonial times as one of the most important ports of Rhode Island, Newport has since transformed into a historic seaside city and resort town for many summer visitors. It has one of the highest concentrations of colonial homes in the nation in the downtown Newport Historic District, and is perhaps most known for the famous Newport Mansions. The area is also home to Salve Regina University and Naval Station Newport which houses the United States Naval War College, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, and a major United States Navy training center. With its rich history, culture, and prime location overlooking the ocean, Newport has been host to many seaside events like the America's Cup sailing regatta as well as the Newport Folk Festival.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Newport or Kingston?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Newport is $159. 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 Newport in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Newport $92
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Newport $184
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Newport

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Newport? 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 Newport


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 Newport Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Newport $36

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 Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $71
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
  • Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
  • Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $230
  • Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $255
  • 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: $215

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Newport

Also for Newport, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Newport Cruise Port to Boston city hotels: $88
  • Private Transfer from Newport Port to Boston Logan Airport (BOS) : $88
  • Private Transfer from Newport Port to Providence Airport (PVD): $49
  • Private Transfer from Newport Port to Providence city Hotels: $61

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Newport?

Prices for flights to both Newport 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 $27
    Newport $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Newport

For Newport, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Newport Neighborhood Food Tour: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Newport $17

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
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $85
  • 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 Skip the Line Tickets: $45
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370

Tours and Activities in Newport

For Newport, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Downtown Historic Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
  • Newport Downtown Historic Audio APP Self Guided Smart Phone Tour: $6.75
  • Newport Cliff Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Newport's Cliff Walk: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Newport, Rhode Island: Cliff Walk Gilded Age Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Cliff Walk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
  • Newport Cliff Walk - Legends of the Gilded Age GPS Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • Ocean Drive Historic District: A Newport Self-Guided Driving Tour: $9.99
  • Newport Cliff Walk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
  • Ocean Drive Historic District Self-Guided Tour: $9.99
  • Discover Newport's Grandeur: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Newport, Rhode Island: Scenic Self-Driving Audio Tour: $13

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Newport $14

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


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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Newport?

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

Newport 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 Newport in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Newport. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Newport because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kingston is a little warmer than Newport in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Newport fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Newport. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Newport. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 293 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Newport. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Newport receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Newport 73°F (23°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Newport in the Autumn?

Both Newport 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, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Newport this time of year.

In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Newport. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Newport averages at about 53°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Newport. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Newport during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Newport. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Newport receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Newport 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Newport in the Winter?

Both Newport 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. Furthermore, many travelers come to Newport for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Newport. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Newport. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Newport fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Newport. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Newport receives 170 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Newport. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Newport receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Newport 28°F (-2°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Newport in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Newport. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Newport in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Kingston is much warmer than Newport in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Newport fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Newport this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Newport during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Newport receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Newport. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Newport receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Newport 48°F (9°C)

Typical Weather for Newport and Kingston

Kingston Newport
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 28°F (-2°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 30°F (-1°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 38°F (3°C) 4 inches (101 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.7 inches (94 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 58°F (15°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 67°F (20°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 73°F (23°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 64°F (18°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 44°F (7°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 33°F (0°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)