Should you visit Kingston or Saint Croix?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Saint Croix, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Saint Croix
Sometimes all you want out of a vacation is the warmth of the sun, the sound of the waves and the taste of a cold drink. No more. No less. That's exactly what you can expect in St. Croix.
The largest of the U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Croix is a place of our leisure and relaxation. It's a bit of an expensive lifestyle for its 50,000 residents and daily visitors, but when you're living on island time, money is never a worry. There are no worries on island time.
This once volcanic island is covered in incredible beaches, stunning mountains, palm tress in the wind and historic colonial towns. While they may be a bit old and rundown, the Danish architecture still stands as a unique part of this island's legacy. Don't expect much window-shopping, though. That was not a feature incorporated in this style of architecture. If you want to know if a store is open, just step on in, but remember, shop hours are also running on island time.
Which city is cheaper, Saint Croix or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $87, while the average daily cost in Saint Croix is $189. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Kingston and Saint Croix in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Kingston is about $102 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $119. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Saint Croix the cost is $238 on average.
Food
Food in Kingston costs travelers about $21 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
While meal prices in Saint Croix can vary, the average travelers spends about $45 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Saint Croix should cost around $18 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Saint Croix is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Kingston $21
Saint Croix $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kingston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kingston.
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Jamaican Food Tour of Kingston:
$90
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $24 per day to get around in Kingston.
The average price of local transportation around Saint Croix is $28 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
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Private Airport Transfer: Norman Manley International Airport (KIN) to Kingston:
$32
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Private Airport Transfer: Kingston to Norman Manley International Airport (KIN):
$32
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN):
$34
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Hotel/Airport Transfers in Kingston Round Trip:
$43
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Hotel/Airport Transfers in Kingston (One Way):
$50
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Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel:
$53
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Kingston to Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) - Departure Private Transfer:
$60
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Private Kingston Airport Transfers:
$69
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Private Arrival Transfer from Jamaica Kingston Airport to Kingston City:
$70
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Private Departure Transfer from Jamaica Kingston to Kingston Airports:
$70
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Private Departure Transfer from Kingston City Center to Kingston Harbour:
$77
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Airport Transfers in Kingston Only. Round Trip:
$80
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Saint Croix?
Prices for flights to both Saint Croix 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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $10 per person, per day in Kingston. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Saint Croix's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $46 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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Kingston Night Market Experience from Kingston:
$26
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Trench Town: Birthplace of Reggae Tour:
$32
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Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Kingston:
$34
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Bob Marley Museum and Tuff Gong Studio Combo Entrance Ticket:
$50
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Kingston Bike Tours:
$52
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Cultural Walking Tour of Kingston:
$65
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Experience Jamaica like a Jamaican:
$70
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Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston):
$72
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The Best Farm Experience Ever:
$74
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Jamaican Music History Tour of Kingston:
$92
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The Equine Experience:
$93
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Sizzla Kalonji Museum Tour:
$103
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Kingston may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $8.87 per day on alcoholic beverages.
The average person spends about $22 on alcoholic beverages in Saint Croix per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Saint Croix, we can see that Saint Croix is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Saint Croix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Croix than you might in Kingston.
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