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

Should you visit Kingston or Saint Simons?

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

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

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 Simons

Located just off the coast of southern Georgia, Saint Simons Island is the largest of the state’s renowned "Golden Isle's." Visitors are drawn to the Island for its warm climate, beaches, variety of outdoor activities, shops and restaurants, historical sites, and its natural environment. With most of the natural marsh and woodlands to the north and the commercial attractions centralized in the south, Saint Simons has a little taste of everything for all who come to see it.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Simons or Kingston?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Saint Simons is $176. 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 Simons in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Saint Simons $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Saint Simons $200
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Saint Simons

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Saint Simons? 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 Simons


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 Simons Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Saint Simons $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
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
  • Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
  • 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

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Saint Simons?

Prices for flights to both Saint Simons 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 $27
    Saint Simons $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Saint Simons $16

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
  • Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
  • 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
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Saint Simons $60

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 Simons, we can see that Saint Simons 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 Simons 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 Simons would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Simons 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 Simons Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Saint Simons?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Saint Simons. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Saint Simons, 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 Simons?

Saint Simons 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 Simons in the Summer?

Both Saint Simons 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, most visitors come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint Simons. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint Simons averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Simons. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Saint Simons during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 286 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Saint Simons 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Simons in the Autumn?

Both Saint Simons 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. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Saint Simons because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Kingston is generally a little warmer than Saint Simons. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Simons fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).

In Saint Simons, 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 Simons. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 214 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Saint Simons. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.9 inches (73 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Saint Simons 70°F (21°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Simons in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Saint Simons. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Simons this time of year.

Kingston is much warmer than Saint Simons in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint Simons fluctuates around 53°F (12°C).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Saint Simons during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Simons receives 191 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint Simons. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Saint Simons 53°F (12°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Saint Simons in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Saint Simons. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Saint Simons for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kingston is a little warmer than Saint Simons. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint Simons averages at about 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Simons. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Saint Simons. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Simons receives 285 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Saint Simons. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Simons receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Saint Simons 68°F (20°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Simons and Kingston

Kingston Saint Simons
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 53°F (12°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 56°F (13°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 62°F (17°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 68°F (20°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 74°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 80°F (27°C) 5.7 inches (146 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 82°F (28°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 82°F (28°C) 7.8 inches (199 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 79°F (26°C) 7.1 inches (180 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 70°F (21°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)