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

Should you visit Kingston or Victoria?

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

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

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.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

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


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Kingston?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kingston is $125, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $196. 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 Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $63
    Victoria $110
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $126
    Victoria $220
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Victoria? 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 Victoria


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 Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $29
    Victoria $36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • VIP Private Airport Transfer: Norman Manley to Montego Bay Hotels: $123
  • Transfer from Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston Hotels: $150
  • Transfer for Kingston Airport to or from Hotels in Falmouth Area: $173
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $54
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $45
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
  • Private Transfer to and from Kingston International Airport: $73
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Cruise Port to Kingston Hotels: $261
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Montego Bay Port: $261
  • Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
  • Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

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

  • Private Transfer from Victoria City Hotels to Nanaimo Cruise Port: $127
  • Vancouver ↔ One-Way Scenic Seaplane Transfer: $349
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $66
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $64

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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 $45
    Victoria $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria

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

  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $92
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $93

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $12
    Victoria $44

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 and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
  • Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
  • Blue Mountain Coffee Tasting & Farm Tour from Kingston: $150
  • Blue Mountain Craighton Estate Coffee Tasting Tour / Devon House: $180
  • Blue Mountain Waterfall and Sightseeing Ecotour: $200
  • Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
  • Bluehole, Dunn's River Falls and Port Royal all in one tour: $690
  • Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston Hotels: $120

Tours and Activities in Victoria

For Victoria, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Victoria City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour Grauity-Based: $5.00
  • City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $5.00
  • Butterfly Gardens Admission Ticket: $15
  • Iconic & Obscure Victoria Walking Tour: $16
  • Walking Tour through History and Heritage: $17
  • Ghost Tour of Old Town and Bastion Square: $17
  • Ghostly Walking Tour in Victoria: $17
  • Historical Chinatown Walking Tour: $17
  • Royal BC Museum Admission Ticket: $22
  • Axe Throwing Experience: $23
  • Hidden Gems Walking Tour with Coffee or Bubble Tea: $28
  • Malahat SkyWalk Tickets: $36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kingston $11
    Victoria $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 Victoria

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Victoria:

  • Pickle Pub Crawl: Ferry Rides and Appetizers: $46
  • Pickle Pub Crawl in Victoria's Inner Harbour: $52
  • Local Brewery Tour with a Guide: $85
  • Victoria Craft Brewery Tour: $87
  • Victoria Craft Beer and Distillery Tour: $108
  • Victoria, BC: Food & Wine Tour to the Cowichan Valley: $119
  • 6-Hour Victoria to Cowichan Wine Tour: $123
  • Victoria Wine Tour with Wine Tastings and Charcuterie: $137
  • Cowichan Valley Private Wine Tour with Lunch: $389
  • Guided Pedal-Powered Pub Crawl: $476


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kingston and Victoria, we can see that Victoria 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 Victoria 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 Victoria would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Victoria 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 Victoria Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Victoria?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

Victoria 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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Victoria. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Victoria in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Kingston is much warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Kingston usually gets more rain in July than Victoria. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Victoria in the Autumn?

Both Victoria and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Victoria for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

It's quite rainy in Kingston. In October, Kingston usually receives more rain than Victoria. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Kingston during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Victoria because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Victoria can be very cold. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Victoria gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kingston usually gets less rain in January than Victoria. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Kingston or Victoria in the Spring?

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

Kingston is much warmer than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In April, Kingston usually receives less rain than Victoria. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Kingston

Kingston Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)