Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Kuala Lumpur?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kuala Lumpur or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kuala Lumpur and Kingston. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kuala Lumpur or Kingston?
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKuala Lumpur $62Kingston $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Kuala Lumpur is $62, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $107. 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 Kuala Lumpur and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKuala Lumpur $36Kingston $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKuala Lumpur $72Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Kuala Lumpur or Kingston? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kuala Lumpur $6.45Kingston $29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.16
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.68
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Short Taxi Ride$3.16
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.69
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Car Transfer: $268
- *Chauffeur: Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Transfer [Van]: $175
- 2 Way Transfer to or from Kuala Lumpur International Airport : $25
- AVANI Sepang Goldcoast Resort Hotel To Kuala Lumpur International Airport KLIA KLIA2 Transfer: $50
- Airport Private Transfer: KLIA/ KLIA 2 to or from Hotel (6 seater): $48
- Airport Transfer Hotel - KL Airport (KLIA / KLIA 2 || Private): $40
- Airport Transfer from/to KLIA /KLIA 2: $25
- Airport to Hotel Drop Off Transfer (Kuala Lumpur): $50
- Airport transfer : $40
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Car: $85
- Arrival Private Transfers from Airport KUL to Kuala Lumpur in Business Van: $115
- Arrival Transfer - Kuala Lumpur Airport To Genting Highlands: $41
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $71
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $230
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $255
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Kuala Lumpur or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Kuala Lumpur 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 dayKuala Lumpur $15Kingston $26
Typical Food Prices in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.44
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.04
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $29
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Cultural Night Tour with Dinner: $55
- Malaysia Cooking Classes: $60
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Eat Like a Local: Kuala Lumpur Hawker Center and Street Food Tour by Night: $62
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $63
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kuala Lumpur $13Kingston $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.49
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $3.95
- Malaysia: KL Tower Entry Ticket: $4.60
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $8.12
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.87
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Kuala Lumpur's Cultural Highlights and Landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $13
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Half-Day City Tour: $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
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $85
- Blue Hole and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $99
- 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 Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $368
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $318
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKuala Lumpur $6.25Kingston $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.49
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kuala Lumpur and Kingston, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Kuala Lumpur much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kuala Lumpur is in Asia and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kuala Lumpur would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kuala Lumpur Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kuala Lumpur or Kingston?
Kuala Lumpur has a larger population, and is about 55% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kuala Lumpur and Kingston, 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 Kuala Lumpur or Kingston?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston and Kuala Lumpur during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. Kuala Lumpur gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kuala Lumpur. In the summer, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Kuala Lumpur gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
In July, Kuala Lumpur is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kuala Lumpur and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Kingston. Kuala Lumpur gets 280 mm (11 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during autumn. Kuala Lumpur gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kuala Lumpur averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kuala Lumpur as well as Kingston. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the winter. Kuala Lumpur usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Kuala Lumpur gets 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the winter, Kuala Lumpur often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Kuala Lumpur gets 185 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Kuala Lumpur is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kuala Lumpur in January average around 27°C (81°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Kuala Lumpur or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston and Kuala Lumpur are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Kuala Lumpur usually receives more rain than Kingston. Kuala Lumpur gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. Kuala Lumpur usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Kuala Lumpur gets 199 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kuala Lumpur is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Kuala Lumpur average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Kuala Lumpur
| Kuala Lumpur | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.