Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
Where Should I go: Kingston or Saint Thomas?
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $109Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $109, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $64Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $128Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Saint Thomas? 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 Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Montego Bay: $284
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $253
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $228
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St. Thomas Airport Transfer to Wyndham Margaritaville: $160
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $169
- Private Airport Transfer in St. Thomas from Cyril E. King Airport: $135
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
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
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Food Meals for one dayKingston $27Saint Thomas $54
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:
- St. James Snorkel & Pizza Pi Lunch: $85
- Pizza Pi Shuttle™ (Official) - St Thomas : $95
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $13Saint Thomas $60
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- Blue Lagoon and Canoeing Ride Experience Portland Jamaica : $210
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Hike & Bike Tour from Runaway Bay: $178
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $370
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $320
- Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Drinks & Diamonds Shopping Experience in St. Thomas: $5.00
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
- St Thomas Shore Excursion: Shopping, Sightseeing and Beach Tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Saint Thomas $27
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
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.
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 Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Saint Thomas?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Saint Thomas, 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 Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Kingston or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
Both Saint Thomas and Kingston during the summer 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 Thomas year-round.
Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Saint Thomas. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Saint Thomas. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Saint Thomas receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Saint Thomas. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Saint Thomas. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Saint Thomas. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
Both Saint Thomas and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Kingston is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Kingston
| Kingston | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.