Which place is cheaper, Vancouver or Kingston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Kingston or Vancouver?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Kingston or Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
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.
Vancouver
Vancouver is a beautiful and cosmopolitan city in Western Canada. It is also the largest city in British Columbia, and is dramatically positioned between the coast and mountains. It's a very international city, with a high level of energy and countless activites that you can enjoy while you're in town. In addition to offering all of the activities and entertainment of a modern city, it is also in jumping off distance to any number of outdoor activities.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.
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Kingston Prices
Jamaica PricesVancouver Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKingston $125Vancouver $162
The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Vancouver is $162. 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 Vancouver in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKingston $63Vancouver $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKingston $126Vancouver $170
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Vancouver
Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Vancouver? 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 and Vancouver Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kingston $29Vancouver $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Cruise Port to Kingston Hotels: $263
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $263
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston: $260
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast: $240
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Moon Palace Jamaica Grande: $200
- Private Transfer from Kingston hotel to Falmouth Cruise Port: $197
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Hilton Rose Hall: $187
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to or from Hotels in Falmouth Area: $173
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $167
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vancouver
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vancouver are as follows:
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SkyTrain from Airport$6.24
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Taxi from Airport to Downtown$21
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15 min Taxi Ride$8.56
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SkyTrain DayPass$6.42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vancouver
Also for Vancouver, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- A Private Transfer from Vancouver Pier Cruise Ship to YVR Airport: $190
- Arrival Private Transfer Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by Minibus: $171
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Cruise Port to Vancouver by SUV: $124
- Arrival Private Transfer from Vancouver YVR or Port to Vancouver by Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR to Vancouver in Luxury Car: $194
- Arrival Transfer: Vancouver Airport YVR - Vancouver by Luxury SUV: $143
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Business Car: $129
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury Car: $193
- Departure Private Transfer: Vancouver to Vancouver Airport YVR in Luxury SUV: $143
- Mount Washington to Vancouver Airport (YVR) - Departure Transfer: $267
- Pre- & Post Cruise Vancouver City Tour with Private Transfer: $492
- Private Accessible Vancouver Airport (YVR) Transfer to City of Vancouver: $242
Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Vancouver?
Prices for flights to both Vancouver 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 $45Vancouver $53
Typical Food Prices in Vancouver
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Vancouver:
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All You Can Eat Sushi Lunch$8.65
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vancouver
For Vancouver, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fun Sushi Making Cooking Class With a Local Chef in Vancouver: $62
- Vancouver Gastown's Elite Walking Food Tour Experience: $92
- Vancouver Chinatown Elite Food Tour Hidden Gems & Local Tastings: $98
- Vancouver Local Taste Trail Food Tour: $98
- Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $101
- 6 Tastings Food Tour of Gastown District: $102
- A Wok Around Granville Island Public Market Food Tour: $109
- Gastown Historical Walking Food Tour: $117
- Vancouver Foodie Tour: Granville Island Market Food Tour: $120
- Gastown Historic Walking Food Tour: $121
- Private Granville Island Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $130
- Private Experience Gastown Vancouver's Elite Walking Food Tour: $134
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kingston $12Vancouver $35
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Outback Adventure from Kingston: $288
- Art Walk, Bob Marley Museum Kingston City Tour: $130
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios: $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Black River Safari Tour from Kingston: $272
- Blue Mountain Coffee Tasting & Farm Tour from Kingston: $150
- Bluehole, Dunn's River Falls and Port Royal all in one tour: $690
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley House and Dunns River Falls Private Tour: $150
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
Tours and Activities in Vancouver
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Vancouver.
- Vancouver Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $3.72
- Vancouver Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.60
- Mt. Pleasant Street Art Tour with a Guide: $4.93
- Fort Langley: Film & Television Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $5.83
- Cycling the Seawall: A Self-Guided Audio Tour Along the Stanley Park Seawall: $5.99
- Stanley Park Self Guided Bike Tour: $6.33
- Stanley Park Self Guided Walking Tour: $6.56
- Stanley Park Self Guided Bike Tour: $6.56
- Self-Guided Smartphone Walking Tour of Gastown: $7.04
- Vancouver to Whistler Private Self Guided Audio Tour: $7.29
- Vancouver Downtown Smartphone Guided Walking Tour: $7.75
- Guided Tour of Britannia Shipyards NHS in Steveston: $9.19
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKingston $11Vancouver $15
Sample the Local Flavors in Kingston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kingston:
- Worthy Park Estate Rum Distillery Tour with Tasting: $144
Sample the Local Flavors in Vancouver
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Vancouver:
- Gastown Pub Crawl: $21
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Neighbourhood Walking Tour: $68
- 3.5-Hour Craft Brewery Tour: $85
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Vancouver Craft Brewery Tour Led by a Local: $106
- From Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Local Tastings: $127
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $131
- From Half-Day Fraser Valley Wine Tour: $133
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour from Vancouver with a Light Lunch: $139
- Fraser Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $158
- Fraser Valley and White Rock Wine Tour: $171
- Stawamus Chief Hike and Local Brewery Tasting: $173
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Vancouver, we can see that Vancouver is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Vancouver is in North 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 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 Vancouver would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vancouver 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 Vancouver Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kingston or Vancouver?
Vancouver has a larger population, and is about 96% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Vancouver, 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 Vancouver?
Vancouver 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 Vancouver in the Summer?
Both Vancouver 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vancouver in the summer for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kingston is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kingston in July average around 29°C (83°F), and Vancouver averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Vancouver, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the summer, Kingston often gets less sunshine than Vancouver. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 296 hours of full sun.
Kingston usually gets less rain in July than Vancouver. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKingston 29°C (83°F)Vancouver 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Vancouver in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Vancouver. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Vancouver for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Kingston is generally much warmer than Vancouver. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 28°C (82°F), and Vancouver fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during autumn. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 124 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Vancouver receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kingston usually receives around the same amount of rain as Vancouver. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKingston 28°C (82°F)Vancouver 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Vancouver in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Vancouver. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Vancouver because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Vancouver can be very cold. Kingston is much warmer than Vancouver in the winter. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Vancouver fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the winter, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Vancouver. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vancouver receives 55 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Vancouver. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Vancouver. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKingston 26°C (79°F)Vancouver 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Kingston or Vancouver in the Spring?
Both Vancouver and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Vancouver this time of year.
In the spring, Kingston is much warmer than Vancouver. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kingston in April average around 26°C (80°F), and Vancouver averages at about 9°C (49°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Vancouver during spring. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Vancouver receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Vancouver. In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Vancouver. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Vancouver receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKingston 26°C (80°F)Vancouver 9°C (49°F)
Typical Weather for Vancouver and Kingston
| Kingston | Vancouver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 179 mm (7.1 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 142 mm (5.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 234 mm (9.2 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 198 mm (7.8 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.