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

Should you visit Kingston or Ushuaia?

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

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

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.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is a city on the Tierra del Fuego island of Argentina on the Beagle Strait. The city is considered to be one of the southernmost cities in the world and is often used as a base for cruises to Antarctica. Ushuaia's close proximity to Antarctica and their amazing hiking trails have made it a popular tourist destination over the past few decades.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Argentina, and The Best Eco Tours in Argentina.


Which place is cheaper, Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia is $11. 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 Ushuaia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Ushuaia $5.64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Ushuaia $11
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Ushuaia

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Ushuaia? 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 Ushuaia


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 Ushuaia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Ushuaia -

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
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $229
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $170
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
  • Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Ushuaia

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Ushuaia are as follows:


  • Taxi Ride
    $0.03

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ushuaia

Also for Ushuaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Airport and Hotel Transfer in Ushuaia: $139
  • Private Embarkation Debarkation Transfer: $129
  • Private Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $120
  • Private Transfer Airport-Port or Port-Airport (Ushuaia): $55
  • Private Transfer Hotel-Bus Station or Bus Station-Hotel (Ushuaia): $27
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport (USH) to Ushuaia Port : $25
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Airport(USH) to Ushuaia Cruise Port: $28
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Cruise Port to Ushuaia Airport(USH): $28
  • Private Transfer from Ushuaia Port to Ushuaia Airport (USH): $25
  • Shared Transfer Airport-Hotel-Airport (Ushuaia): $37
  • Transfer Cerro Castor (Round Trip): $25
  • Transfer Ushuaia Airport - Hotel in Ushuaia - Ushuaia Airport : $35

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Ushuaia?

Prices for flights to both Ushuaia 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
    Ushuaia $2.18

Typical Food Prices in Ushuaia

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Ushuaia:


  • Lunch for Two
    $0.06

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ushuaia

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

  • The Martial Glacier at Night with Dinner Included: $94
  • Ushuaia at night: A Snow and Fire dinner, sledding and adventure: $280

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Ushuaia $13

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
  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
  • Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
  • Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Runaway Bay: $142
  • 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: $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 Ushuaia

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

  • Panoramic City Train Tour: $10
  • Exploring Double Decker Bus Tour: $22
  • Double-Decker Sightseeing Tour: $24
  • Ushuaia City Tour: $26
  • Ushuaia City Half-Day Tour: $31
  • An Hour Tour in the City of Ushuaia: $32
  • City Tour of Ushuaia: $42
  • End of the World Train Ticket: $45
  • Beagle Channel & Sea Wolves Island Catamaran Cruise: $45
  • Half-Day Tierra del Fuego National Park (NOT CRUISE): $59
  • Escondido & Fagnano Lake Tour: $60
  • Tour to Tierra del Fuego National Park from Ushuaia: $62

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Ushuaia -

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

Typical Alcohol Prices in Ushuaia

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Ushuaia are as follows:


  • Wine
    $0.05
  • Beer
    $0.01


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Ushuaia, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Ushuaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Ushuaia is in South 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 Ushuaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ushuaia 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 Kingston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kingston than you might in Ushuaia.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kingston Expensive? and Is Ushuaia Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Ushuaia?

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

Ushuaia 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 Ushuaia in the Summer?

Both Ushuaia 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.

In the summer, Kingston is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 10°C (50°F)in January.

It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain January. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 169 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Ushuaiain January. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Ushuaia 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Ushuaia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Ushuaia. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Ushuaiain April. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Ushuaia fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 74 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Ushuaiain April. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Ushuaia in the Winter?

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

It's quite cold in Ushuaia in the winter. Kingston is much warmer than Ushuaia in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Ushuaia fluctuates around 2°C (36°F)in July.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Ushuaiain July. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ushuaia receives 61 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Ushuaiain July. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Ushuaia 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Ushuaia in the Spring?

Both Ushuaia and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Ushuaia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Ushuaia averages at about 6°C (43°F)in October.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Ushuaia during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Ushuaia receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Ushuaiain October. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Ushuaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Ushuaia 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Ushuaia and Kingston

Kingston Ushuaia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 3°C (37°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)