A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kingston vs. Saint Louis for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kingston or Saint Louis?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Saint Louis, 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 Louis?

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 Louis

Nicknamed the "Gateway to the West" and perhaps best known for its iconic Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, has grown from a last stop for pioneers journeying west to a thriving metropolis notable for its diverse culture, impressive architecture, and unique neighborhoods. It sits on the Mississippi River and has plenty to offer in dining, shopping, sight-seeing, and entertainment.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Louis or Kingston?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Kingston Prices
    Jamaica Prices
    Saint Louis Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Kingston $125
    Saint Louis $224

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Saint Louis is $224. 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 Louis in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $63
    Saint Louis $101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $126
    Saint Louis $202
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Saint Louis

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Saint Louis? 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.

Hotels in Kingston


Hotels in Saint Louis


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 Saint Louis Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Saint Louis $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
  • Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
  • Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $30
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Negril: $79
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (4 - 9 Persons): $159
  • Jamaica Airport Transfers and Tours: $40
  • Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Louis

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint Louis:

  • Arrival transfer St. Louis Airport STL to St. Louis by Car or SUV: $129
  • Departure Transfer St. Louis to St. Louis Airport by Car or SUV: $129
  • Private STL Airport to St. Louis Hotel Transfer-Black Car Service: $140
  • Private St. Louis Hotel to STL Airport Transfer–Black Car Service: $140
  • St. Louis Lambert Airport (STL) to St. Louis City - Arrival Private Transfer: $136

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Saint Louis?

Prices for flights to both Saint Louis 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Kingston $45
    Saint Louis $93

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Louis

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint Louis.

  • Dinner Detective True Crime Murder Mystery Show - St. Louis, MO: $89

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Saint Louis $46

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
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
  • Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Guided Bar Hopping Tour with VIP Speakeasy Entry: $40
  • Rhythmic Walking Music Tour: $40
  • Judgement Yard Tour: $50
  • Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Studio Tour: $50
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Cultural Walking Tour of Kingston: $65
  • Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70

Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint Louis

Here are a few typical costs in Saint Louis for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Gateway Arch parking
    $6.00

Tours and Activities in Saint Louis

Here are a few actual costs in Saint Louis for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Downtown St. Louis Smartphone Guided Audio Walking Tour App: $7.75
  • Gateway Arch National Park Self Guided Audio Walking Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour of Gateway Arch National Park & St. Louis: $15
  • St. Louis & Gateway Arch NP Self Guided Walk & Drive Audio Tour: $17
  • Landmarks Downtown-East Walking Tour: $20
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in St. Louis by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • Landmarks Downtown-West Walking Tour: $20
  • Lemp Haunted Neighborhood Walking Tour: $25
  • St Louis Ghost Tours: Sinister Sins & Shadows Ghost Tour: $26
  • Ghosts of St. Louis Haunted History Walking Tour: $30
  • St. Louis True Crime Tour: Soulard’s Murders, Mafia & Mayhem: $30
  • St. Louis Narrated Trolley Tour: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Saint Louis $19

Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:

  • Worthy Park Estate Rum Distillery Tour with Tasting: $144

Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Louis

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Louis:

  • The Haunted Lemp Brewery Bottle Works Tour: $25
  • St. Louis Haunted Pub Crawl Ghost Stories and Drinks: $35
  • St. Louis Burlesque & Nightlife Experience at The Boom Boom Room: $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Saint Louis, we can see that Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Louis 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 Louis Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Saint Louis?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint Louis. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Saint Louis, 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 Louis?

Saint Louis 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 Saint Louis in the Summer?

Both Saint Louis 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, many visitors come to Saint Louis in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint Louis. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint Louis averages at about 81°F (27°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Louis. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Saint Louis during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 309 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint Louis. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Saint Louis 81°F (27°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Louis in the Autumn?

Both Saint Louis 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, most visitors come to Saint Louis for the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Saint Louis. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Louis fluctuates around 60°F (16°C).

In Saint Louis, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Saint Louis. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 203 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Saint Louis. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Saint Louis 60°F (16°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Louis in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Saint Louis. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Saint Louis because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Saint Louis can be very cold. Kingston is much warmer than Saint Louis in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint Louis fluctuates around 31°F (-1°C).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Saint Louis during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Louis receives 160 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint Louis. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 2 inches (52 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint Louis 31°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Louis in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Saint Louis. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Saint Louis. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint Louis averages at about 58°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Louis. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Saint Louis. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Louis receives 229 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint Louis. Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Saint Louis. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Louis receives 4.4 inches (111 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Saint Louis 58°F (15°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Louis and Kingston

Kingston Saint Louis
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 31°F (-1°C) 2 inches (52 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 35°F (2°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 47°F (8°C) 3.6 inches (91 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 58°F (15°C) 4.4 inches (111 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 68°F (20°C) 4.1 inches (103 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.8 inches (97 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 81°F (27°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 79°F (26°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 72°F (22°C) 3.1 inches (80 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 60°F (16°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 48°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 35°F (2°C) 3 inches (77 mm)