Which place is cheaper, Portland, Maine or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Portland, Maine?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?
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.
Portland, Maine
The largest city in the U.S. state of Maine, Portland has much to offer with its most visited areas being the historic Old Port and the Arts District. They are a mix of the old and new, with a historic feel of the waterfront port versus the contemporary culture of the local art scene. In addition to these popular locations, the Portland area is marked with historical landmarks and museums, places to shop, award-winning restaurants, and activities in areas just outside the city as well.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Portland, Maine $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Portland, Maine is $192. 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 Portland, Maine in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Portland, Maine $115
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Portland, Maine $230
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Portland, Maine
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Portland, Maine? 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 Portland, Maine Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Portland, Maine $34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
- Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
- Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
- All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
- Kingston International Airport Jamaica - Private Arrival or Depature transfer : $73
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Portland, Maine
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Portland, Maine:
- Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $165
- Portland to Portland Jetport (PWM) - Departure Private Transfer: $82
- Private Transfer from Portland Cruise Port to Portland city: $42
- Private Transfer from Portland Jetport (PWM) to Portland Port: $42
- Private Transfer from Portland Port to Portland Jetport (PWM): $42
- Private Transfer from Portland city to Portland Cruise Port: $42
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Portland, Maine?
Prices for flights to both Portland, Maine 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 $27Portland, Maine $48
Typical Food Prices in Portland, Maine
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Portland, Maine:
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Breakfast for 2$17
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Dinner for 2$30
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Portland, Maine $39
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
- Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
- Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
- Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70
- Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
- Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
- Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
- Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81
Tours and Activities in Portland, Maine
Here are a few actual costs in Portland, Maine for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Audio Guided Walking Tour from Old Port of Portland, Maine: $6.75
- Smartphone Old Port Portland, ME Audio Walking Tour APP/GPS: $6.75
- Walking Tour Audio Guide: $8.49
- Downtown Portland In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Portland Maine Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour: $9.99
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Portland by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Portland by Crazy Dash: $10
- Portland Exploration: Self-Guided Driving & Walking Tour: $14
- Ultimate Portland Self-Guided Driving GPS Audio Tour: $15
- Portland: Self-Guided Sightseeing Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Self-Guided Driving & Walking Bundle of Portland Maine Tours: $17
- Maine: Self-Guided Walking & Driving Audio Tour Bundle: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Portland, Maine $24
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 Portland, Maine
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Portland, Maine:
- Old Port Brewery & Pub Walking Tour: $89
- Local Brewery & Spirits Bus Tour: $99
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Portland, Maine, we can see that Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Portland, Maine?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Portland, Maine. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Portland, Maine, 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 Portland, Maine?
Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine in the Summer?
Both Portland, Maine 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 Portland, Maine for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Kingston is a little warmer than Portland, Maine in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 69°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in Portland, Maine. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Portland, Maine during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 2.6 inches (66 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Portland, Maine 69°F (20°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Portland, Maine in the Autumn?
Both Portland, Maine 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. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Portland, Maine because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Portland, Maine. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Portland, Maine averages at about 49°F (9°C).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 196 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Portland, Maine. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Portland, Maine 49°F (9°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Portland, Maine in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Portland, Maine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Portland, Maine this time of year.
It's quite cold in Portland, Maine in the winter. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Portland, Maine. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 21°F (-6°C).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Portland, Maine during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Portland, Maine receives 163 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Portland, Maine. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Portland, Maine 21°F (-6°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Portland, Maine in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Portland, Maine. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Portland, Maine for the beaches and the natural beauty.
Kingston is much warmer than Portland, Maine in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Portland, Maine fluctuates around 43°F (6°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Portland, Maine. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Portland, Maine. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Portland, Maine receives 212 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Portland, Maine. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Portland, Maine receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Portland, Maine 43°F (6°C)
Typical Weather for Portland, Maine and Kingston
| Kingston | Portland, Maine | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 21°F (-6°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 24°F (-5°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 53°F (12°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 inches (79 mm) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 67°F (20°C) | 2.6 inches (66 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 27°F (-3°C) | 4.1 inches (103 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.