Which place is cheaper, Saint John or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Saint John?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Saint John, 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 Saint John?
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 John
With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.
This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Saint John $192
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Saint John 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 Saint John in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Saint John $106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Saint John $212
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Saint John
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Saint John? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $30Saint John $49
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
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (4 - 9 Persons): $117
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $170
- 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
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Saint John?
Prices for flights to both Saint John 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 $27Saint John $56
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Saint John $23
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: $25
- Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- 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
- Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
- Tour a Jamaican Farm: $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
Tours and Activities in Saint John
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- USVI: Island & Beach Tours in St. Thomas & St. John (2 Days): $199
- St. John: A Private Island Adventure Tour & Trunk Bay Beach: $627
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Saint John $44
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 Saint John, we can see that Saint John 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 John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Kingston or Saint John?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Kingston or Saint John in the Summer?
Both Saint John and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint John. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint John averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Saint John 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint John in the Autumn?
Both Saint John 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.
Saint John gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Saint John. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In October, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Saint John. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Saint John 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint John in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Saint John. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint John. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint John in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint John fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Saint John 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint John in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Saint John. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.
Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Saint John. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
In the spring, Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint John. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint John averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Saint John 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John and Kingston
| Kingston | Saint John | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.