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

Should you visit Kingston or San Fernando?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or San Fernando, 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 San Fernando?

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.

San Fernando

As the industrial capital of Trinidad & Tobago, San Fernando is an oil city which attracts more business visitors than tourists. While it is primarily focused on industry, the city has a certain charm with its old buildings and sloping streets that frame pretty views of the sea. It is the big city of Trinidad's southern half with plenty to offer in nightlife, especially during Carnival.

Which place is cheaper, San Fernando or Kingston?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $110, while the average daily cost in San Fernando is $154. 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 San Fernando in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $65
    San Fernando $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $130
    San Fernando $148
Compare Hotels in Kingston and San Fernando

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or San Fernando? 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 San Fernando


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    San Fernando $50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $231
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $171
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
  • Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or San Fernando?

Prices for flights to both San Fernando 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
    San Fernando $48

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    San Fernando $28

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 Hole and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $85
  • Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
  • Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $375
  • Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $325
  • Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
  • City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $95
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    San Fernando $22

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or San Fernando?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of San Fernando. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and San Fernando, 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 San Fernando?

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 San Fernando in the Summer?

Both San Fernando 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 San Fernando year-round.

San Fernando gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in July than San Fernando. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

In San Fernando, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets more sunshine than San Fernando. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 206 hours of full sun.

In July, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as San Fernando. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 29°C (83°F), and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Kingston or San Fernando in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and San Fernando. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. San Fernando attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

San Fernando receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives less rain than San Fernando. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 199 mm (7.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in San Fernando this time of the year. In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than San Fernando during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 207 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kingston is around the same temperature as San Fernando in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Kingston or San Fernando in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as San Fernando. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to San Fernando throughout the year.

Kingston usually gets less rain in January than San Fernando. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in San Fernando. 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 San Fernando. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while San Fernando receives 241 hours of full sun.

In the winter, Kingston is around the same temperature as San Fernando. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kingston in January average around 26°C (79°F), and San Fernando averages at about 26°C (78°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    San Fernando 26°C (78°F)

Should I visit Kingston or San Fernando in the Spring?

Both San Fernando 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 San Fernando because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than San Fernando. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while San Fernando receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in San Fernando. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as San Fernando during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while San Fernando receives 238 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kingston is generally around the same temperature as San Fernando. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (80°F), and San Fernando fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    San Fernando 27°C (81°F)

Typical Weather for San Fernando and Kingston

Kingston San Fernando
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 26°C (78°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 26°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 117 mm (4.6 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 252 mm (9.9 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 266 mm (10.5 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 225 mm (8.9 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 203 mm (8 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 199 mm (7.8 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 155 mm (6.1 in)