Should you visit Kingston or San Fernando?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or San Fernando, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison 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.
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 city 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 $90, while the average daily cost in San Fernando is $122. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Kingston and San Fernando in more detail.
Accommodation
A hotel room in Kingston is about $106 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
The prices for places to stay in San Fernando can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $59, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $118.
Food
Food in Kingston costs travelers about $22 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about $38 per day in San Fernando for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Kingston $22
San Fernando $38
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
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $24 per day to get around in Kingston.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in San Fernando than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $40 on transportation in San Fernando on average per day.
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
-
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
-
Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To Sandals South Coast:
$225
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Fernando
Also for San Fernando, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Arrival Private Transfer San Fernando Airport FDO to Buenos Aires City by Sedan:
$83
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.
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $10 per person, per day in Kingston. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Sightseeing expenses in San Fernando, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $23 per day, per person.
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 San Fernando
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Fernando.
-
Amazing Air Tour Sightseeing Flight through Buenos Aires to Martin Garcia Island:
$298
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Kingston may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $9.14 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In San Fernando, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $17.
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.
Related Articles for Kingston
Related Articles for San Fernando
