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

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Should you visit Kingston or Saint Thomas?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Saint Thomas, 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.

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 Thomas

Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.

Which city is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Kingston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $89, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $175. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Kingston and Saint Thomas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $53
    Saint Thomas $105
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $106
    Saint Thomas $210

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $24
    Saint Thomas $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Private Airport Transfer from Kingston to Montego Bay: $660
  • Private transfer: Kingston to Kingston Airport (KIN): $622
  • Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Montego Bay: $589
  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston & St Andrew: $383
  • Private Transfer From Kingston Airport To Ocho Rios Hotels 1-3 Pax: $322
  • MBJ Transfer - from Kingston: $320
  • Falmouth Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $315
  • Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to or from Montego Bay: $294
  • Private Round Trip Transfer Norman Manley Airport KIN to Port Antonio by Minivan: $283
  • Kingston Airport Transfers: $275
  • Hotel Riu, Jewel Dunn's River, Moon Palace Transfer from Kingston: $272

Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint Thomas

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:


  • Scooter Rental
    $65
  • Taxi Ride
    $5.00

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Saint Thomas?

Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 $22
    Saint Thomas $43

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kingston

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

  • Jamaican Food Tour of Kingston: $90

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas

For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Charlotte Amalie: Flavors of St Thomas Food Tour: $112

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $10
    Saint Thomas $48

Tours and Activities in Kingston

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

  • 3-days Jamaica Sightseeing Tour of Treasure Beach and Negril departing from Kingston: $695
  • 3-days Sightseeing Tour of Ocho Rios & Montego Bay departing from Kingston: $695
  • 6-Day Private Tour of Jamaica from Kingston: $2,800
  • Black River Safari Tour from Kingston: $272
  • Blue Mountain Coffee and Sightseeing Tour: $315
  • Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $160
  • Bob Marley Museum and Tuff Gong Studio Combo Entrance Ticket: $50
  • Cultural Walking Tour of Kingston: $65
  • Dirt Bike Tours: $256
  • Dunn's River Falls & Jungle River Tubing Adventure Tour from Kingston: $241
  • Dunns River Falls Scenic Tour: $300
  • Dunns River Falls Scenic Tour: $300

Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.

  • Bird Island Sunset Kayak Adventure: $39
  • St. Thomas: Island Tour with Mountain Top and Magens Bay: $68
  • Snorkel St. John Tour from Sapphire & Margaritaville: $135
  • St. Thomas Mangrove Kayak, Hike, & Snorkel Tour with Lunch: $139
  • St. John: Kayak, Hike & Snorkel 5-Hour Adventure: $149

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $9.11
    Saint Thomas $22

About these numbers

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

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Kingston vs. Saint Thomas Travel Comparison

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