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

Should you visit Kingston or Williamsburg?

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

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

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.

Williamsburg

In southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is a historic city that was the capital of Virginia during the 1700's. It's now a popular tourist destination in the state because it has managed to recreate its past in a theme park like setting. Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is "Colonial Williamsburg," an outdoor museum that recreates an 18th century town with working tradesmen and functioning jobs. You can purchase a one day pass to the area for $36 and multiple day passes at a slight discount. Exhibits in the area include observing a court proceeding, seeing the Governor's Palace, and witnessing the impact of the American Revolution on the area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg is $112. 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 Williamsburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kingston $64
    Williamsburg $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kingston $128
    Williamsburg $132
Compare Hotels in Kingston and Williamsburg

Looking for a hotel in Kingston or Williamsburg? 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 Williamsburg


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 Williamsburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kingston $30
    Williamsburg $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
  • 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
  • Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
  • Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
  • All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
  • From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
  • Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
  • Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
  • Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
  • Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
  • Kingston Private Airport Transfer to Accommodation in Montego Bay: $215

Is it cheaper to fly into Kingston or Williamsburg?

Prices for flights to both Williamsburg 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
    Williamsburg $31

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Williamsburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Williamsburg.

  • Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket: $79
  • Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $84

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kingston $13
    Williamsburg $34

Tours and Activities in Kingston

Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
  • Montego Bay: All inclusive tours: $30
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
  • Cannabis Shopping Tour with Lunch: $50
  • Ocho Rios Shore Excursion: Bus Tour of Ocho Rios, Fern Gully and Turtle Beach: $62
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
  • Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
  • Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
  • Shared Tour: Irie Blue Hole & Secret Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $73
  • Friday Evening Kingston Harbour Cruise, Sunday Beach Cruise or Charter Our Boats: $75
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $81

Tours and Activities in Williamsburg

Here are a few actual costs in Williamsburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Wacky Walks: $10
  • Williamsburg West Tour: $15
  • Colonial Self-Guided Walking Tour: $15
  • Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
  • Williamsburg East Ghost Tour: $16
  • Yorktown Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
  • Colonial Christmas Walking Tour: $20
  • The Original Ghost of Williamsburg Candlelight Walking Tour: $20
  • Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Zombie Scavengers: $20
  • The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour: $20
  • Yorktown Hallowed Ground Candlelight Walking Tour: $20

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

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

Sample the Local Flavors in Williamsburg

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

  • Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
  • The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48


When comparing the travel costs between Kingston and Williamsburg, we can see that Williamsburg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Kingston is in Caribbean Islands and Williamsburg is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Kingston or Williamsburg?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Kingston and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg in the Summer?

Both Williamsburg and Kingston are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Kingston is a little warmer than Williamsburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually receives less sunshine than Williamsburg during summer. Kingston gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. In July, Kingston usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Kingston gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kingston 29°C (83°F) 
    Williamsburg 78°F (26°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

Both Williamsburg and Kingston during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Kingston is much warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kingston in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Williamsburg averages at about 61°F (16°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kingston. In the autumn, Kingston often gets more sunshine than Williamsburg. Kingston gets 229 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. Kingston usually gets more rain in October than Williamsburg. Kingston gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kingston 28°C (82°F) 
    Williamsburg 61°F (16°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Williamsburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kingston and Williamsburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Williamsburg can be very cold. In January, Kingston is generally much warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Kingston average around 26°C (79°F), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kingston usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during winter. Kingston gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kingston usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Kingston gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kingston 26°C (79°F) 
    Williamsburg 38°F (4°C)

Should I visit Kingston or Williamsburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kingston as well as Williamsburg. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

Kingston is much warmer than Williamsburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Kingston averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In the spring, Kingston often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Kingston gets 251 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.

Kingston usually gets less rain in April than Williamsburg. Kingston gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kingston 26°C (80°F) 
    Williamsburg 57°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Kingston

Kingston Williamsburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in) 38°F (4°C) 3.6 inches (93 mm)
Feb 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Mar 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in) 49°F (9°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Apr 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in) 57°F (14°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
May 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 66°F (19°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jun 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 74°F (24°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jul 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 78°F (26°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 78°F (25°C) 4.7 inches (120 mm)
Sep 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in) 72°F (22°C) 4.6 inches (118 mm)
Oct 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in) 61°F (16°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Nov 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 52°F (11°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
Dec 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 43°F (6°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)