Which place is cheaper, Saint John's or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kingston or Saint John's?
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's, 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's?
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's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Saint John's $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $222. 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's in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Saint John's $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Saint John's $240
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Saint John's
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Saint John's? 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's $17
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus$1.52
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Taxi From Airport$6.99
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:
- 3-Hours Snorkeling Activity in Stingray City - Transfer Included: $128
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, German & English Guide Included: $147
- 3-Hours Stingray City - Transfer, Spanish-Italian Guide Included: $155
- Airport Transfer from/to all resorts in Antigua - Water Inc.: $59
- Airport Transfers to Antigua Hotels/Resorts: $170
- Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $154
- Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU) to island Private Transfer: $77
- Antigua&BarbudaV.C.Bird Airport(ANU)to island hotels-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $253
- Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70
- Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
- D.A.G Airport Transfers : $30
- Island to Antigua&Barbuda V.C.Bird Airport(ANU)- Private Transfer: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Saint John's?
Prices for flights to both Saint John's 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's $68
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.
- City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
- Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
- Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Saint John's $103
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
- 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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu$3.00
Tours and Activities in Saint John's
Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Chariot City Tour Antigua: $20
- Antigua Shore Excursion: City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- City of St John's Sightseeing Tour: $59
- Cultural and Historical Home Tour in The Antiguan Experience : $66
- Glenmon taxi and tours: $70
- Small-Group Hiking Experience in Antigua: $70
- 2-Hours Stingray City Experience in Antigua: $73
- Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $75
- Kayak Eco Adventures Glass Kayak Nature and Snorkeling Tour: $75
- Authentic Antiguan Experience: $79
- TRIPLE ACTIVITY TOUR, Bike Kayak Hike, ANTIGUA : $80
- Nightlife Tour of Antigua and Barbuda: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Saint John's $18
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's, we can see that Saint John's 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's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's 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's Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Saint John's?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Saint John's, 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 Saint John's?
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's in the Summer?
Both Saint John's 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's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Saint John's. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 245 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Saint John's 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint John's in the Autumn?
Both Saint John's 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's year-round.
Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets less rain in October than Saint John's. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 228 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 217 hours of full sun.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint John's in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Saint John's fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Saint John's 27°C (80°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint John's in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Saint John's. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint John's. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Saint John's during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Saint John's receives 236 hours of full sun in the winter.
In the winter, Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint John's. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and Saint John's averages at about 24°C (76°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Saint John's 24°C (76°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint John's in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Saint John's. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Saint John's. Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Saint John's. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint John's receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint John's. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint John's receives 240 hours of full sun.
In April, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Saint John's. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint John's fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Saint John's 26°C (78°F)
Typical Weather for Saint John's and Kingston
| Kingston | Saint John's | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 198 mm (7.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 236 mm (9.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 228 mm (9 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 137 mm (5.4 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.