Which place is cheaper, Providence or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Providence?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Providence, 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 Providence?
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.
Providence
Providence is the state capital and the largest city in Rhode Island. It's a fascinating city to visit with diverse neighborhoods, beautiful parks, and a rich history. Like much of New England, the winters are cold and snowy with milder summers. It's a great year round destination that has a beautiful setting whether it's covered in snow or in full bloom.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Providence $210
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Providence is $210. 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 Providence in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Providence $114
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Providence $228
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Providence
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Providence? 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 Providence Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Providence $46
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Providence
Also for Providence, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- New York’s JFK International Airport to Providence – Departure Private Transfer: $272
- Private Departure Transfer to Providence TF Green Airport PVD: $36
- Private Transfer from Providence Airport (PVD) to Newport Port : $49
- Private Transfer from Providence City Hotels to Newport Port: $61
- Providence to Boston’s Logan International Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $170
- Providence to Rhode Island Airport PVD Departure Transfer : $46
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $46
- T. F. Green State Airport (PVD) to Providence - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Providence?
Prices for flights to both Providence 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 $27Providence $48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Providence
For Providence, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downcity Providence Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Providence $26
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
Tours and Activities in Providence
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Providence.
- Providence Scavenger Hunt: Providence Adventure: $12
- Self-Driving Audio Tour: $13
- Providence, RI: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Downtown Providence Self-Driving Audio Tour: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Providence, RI: $15
- Ghosts, Phantoms and Poltergeists Walking Tour: $26
- Providence Ghosts Phantoms and Poltergeists Tour: $30
- Parasols and Pocket Watches: A History Tour: $30
- Haunted History Walking Tour of Providence: $30
- Providence Mob Walking Tour: $33
- The Creative Capital: An Art and Architecture Tour of Providence: $35
- Power and Politics: The Struggle for the Soul of Providence Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Providence $13
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 Providence
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Providence:
- Vineyard Voyages - Floating Wine Tasting: $65
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Providence, we can see that Providence 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 Providence 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 Providence would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Providence 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 Providence Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Providence?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Providence. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Providence, 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 Providence?
Providence 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 Providence in the Summer?
Both Providence and Kingston during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Providence in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Kingston is a little warmer than Providence in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Providence fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).
In Providence, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Providence. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 293 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Providence. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Providence receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Providence 73°F (23°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Providence in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Providence. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, most visitors come to Providence for the shopping scene during these months.
In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Providence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Providence averages at about 53°F (12°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Providence this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Providence during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 211 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Providence. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Providence receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Providence 53°F (12°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Providence in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Providence. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Providence because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Providence can be very cold. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Providence. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Providence fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Providence. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Providence receives 170 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Providence. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Providence receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Providence 28°F (-2°C)
Should I visit Kingston or Providence in the Spring?
Both Providence and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Kingston is much warmer than Providence in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Providence fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).
It's quite sunny in Providence. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Providence during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Providence receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Providence. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Providence receives 3.7 inches (94 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Providence 48°F (9°C)
Typical Weather for Providence and Kingston
| Kingston | Providence | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) |
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.