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

Should you visit Kyoto or Kingston?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Kyoto and Kingston can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Kyoto or Kingston?

Kyoto

Kyoto is a larger city of Japan, though it is very much set in the old ways. With quiet temples, sublime gardens, colorful shrines, and geisha walking amidst a city surrounded by stunning mountains, Kyoto feels like a world of another time and place. True to ancient Japanese tradition, most aspects of daily life are tied closely with the changing of the seasons.

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 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.


Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Kyoto?

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 Kyoto is $111, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $125. 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 Kyoto and Kingston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kyoto $62
    Kingston $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kyoto $124
    Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Kyoto and Kingston

Looking for a hotel in Kyoto 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.

Hotels in Kyoto


Hotels in Kingston


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: Kyoto Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kyoto $7.38
    Kingston $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kyoto

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kyoto:

  • Kansai Airport(KIX)to/from Osaka or Kyoto Private Transfer: $133
  • Kyoto 5 Hour Private Charter with KIX Airport Transfer: $184
  • Kyoto Private Transfer From or To Kansai Airport (KIX): $246
  • Kyoto Station to Kyoto City Private Transfer: $123
  • Kyoto to Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX) - Departure Private Transfer: $160
  • Naruto & Boruto at Nijigen no Mori Entry & Transfer: $47
  • Private Transfer Between Kansai Airport and Kyoto Hotels: $239
  • Private Transfer from Maizuru Cruise Port to Osaka Airport (ITM): $148
  • Private Transfer: Tempozan Port ↔ Kyoto: $298
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Kansai International airport: $120
  • Private departure transfer from Kyoto city to Osaka Itami International airport: $78
  • Shared Departure Transfer : Kyoto City to Kansai International Airport: $127

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Airport /Hotel Transfer Norman Manley airport and Montego bay: $40
  • Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
  • Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
  • Airport Transfer from NMIA to Hotels in Kingston: $69
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Negril: $79
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (4 - 9 Persons): $159
  • Jamaica Airport Transfers and Tours: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Kyoto or Kingston?

Prices for flights to both Kingston and Kyoto 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
    Kyoto $40
    Kingston $45

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kyoto

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

  • Kyoto Nishiki Market Food Tour Hidden Tastings and Local Insights: $42
  • Kyoto Nishiki Market & Depachika: 2-hours Food Tour with a Local: $48
  • Kyoto Umami Experience | Bonito Shaving & Japanese Cooking: $50
  • Kyoto Home Cooking Class Okonomiyaki and Japanese Cuisines: $52
  • Cooking Class for Kids and Parents in Kyoto: $55
  • 1 hour Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki cooking class in Kyoto: $57
  • Kyoto Private Vegan Cooking : Shojin Ryori with a Local Host: $70
  • Izakaya Style Cooking Class: $71
  • Nishiki Market Walking Food Tour with Local guide: $78
  • Japanese 'Bento' cooking class in Kyoto: $83
  • Gion Food Tour 13 Dishes at 4 Eateries: $84
  • Private Japanese Home Cooking Class in Kyoto with Michiyo: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kyoto $13
    Kingston $12

Tours and Activities in Kyoto

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

  • Kyoto KITSUNE Nightclub Admission Ticket For Foreign: $6.47
  • Self Guided Podcast Tour Unlocking Kyoto's Culinary Soul: $6.84
  • Family Mitsui House Museum with green tea admission ticket: $7.12
  • Nishiki Market and Takashimaya Guided Walking Tour: $10
  • Kyoto Ring Making Experience: Vintage Japanese Coin Ring: $13
  • Kyoto Hanafuda Card Game Experience with Local English Learners: $13
  • Kyoto Casual Matcha Making Experience in Kawaramachi: $13
  • Gion and Geisha District Walking Tour: $13
  • Nidec Kyoto Tower Observation Deck Admission Ticket: $15
  • Kyoto Sightseeing Pass E ticket: $15
  • Japanese Coin Ring-Making Experience with Your Choice of Coin: $16
  • Kyoto Arashiyama Easy Walk Tour: $17

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
  • Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
  • Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Rhythmic Walking Music Tour: $40
  • Guided Bar Hopping Tour with VIP Speakeasy Entry: $40
  • Walk/Drive Tour of Downtown Kingston/Tivoli Gardens/Trench Town.: $48
  • Sugar Minott's Youth Promotion Studio Tour: $50
  • Judgement Yard Tour: $50
  • Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
  • Cultural Walking Tour of Kingston: $65
  • Tour a Jamaican Farm: $70

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kyoto $12
    Kingston $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Kyoto

Also in Kyoto, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Kyoto Pub Crawl & Bar Hopping Night with Local friend: $29
  • Kyoto Nightlife Pub Crawl with Drinks and Karaoke: $34
  • Kyoto's Sake District Brewery Tour and Tasting: $40
  • Kyoto Arashiyama Bamboo, Temple, Monkey or Local Mountain Brewery: $52
  • Fushimi Sake Discovery Tour Tasting and Brewery Visit: $76
  • 3-Hour Kyoto Insider Sake Brewery Tour with Tastings & Pairings: $86
  • Hidden Bar Crawl in Pontocho & Gion (Food & Drink Incl.): $105
  • Kyoto Kyo-Yuzen Craft Workshop Day Tour and Sake Brewery Visit: $141
  • Kyoto Matsui Sake Brewery Experience with Tasting: $194

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


When comparing the travel costs between Kyoto and Kingston, we can see that Kingston 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 Kyoto is in Asia and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Kyoto Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kyoto or Kingston?

Kyoto has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Kingston?

Kyoto 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 Kyoto or Kingston in the Summer?

Both Kingston and Kyoto are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kyoto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the summer, Kyoto is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kyoto in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during summer. Kyoto gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Kyoto. In July, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Kingston. Kyoto gets 236 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kyoto 27°C (81°F) 
    Kingston 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Kyoto or Kingston in the Autumn?

Both Kingston and Kyoto during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Kyoto because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

In October, Kyoto is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Kyoto average around 18°C (64°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Kyoto gets 159 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.

Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Kyoto. Kyoto usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Kyoto gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kyoto 18°C (64°F) 
    Kingston 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Kyoto or Kingston in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kyoto and Kingston. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kyoto this time of year. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Kyoto in the winter. Kyoto is much colder than Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Kyoto averages around 5°C (40°F) in January, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Kyoto usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Kyoto gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kyoto usually receives more rain than Kingston. Kyoto gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kyoto 5°C (40°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Kyoto or Kingston in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kyoto as well as Kingston. Many travelers come to Kyoto for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

In the spring, Kyoto is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kyoto in April average around 14°C (58°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the spring, Kyoto often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Kyoto gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.

Kyoto receives a lot of rain in the spring. Kyoto usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Kyoto gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kyoto 14°C (58°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Kingston and Kyoto

Kyoto Kingston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 5°C (40°F) 50 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 5°C (41°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 8°C (47°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 14°C (58°F) 153 mm (6 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 19°C (67°F) 154 mm (6 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 23°C (73°F) 251 mm (9.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 29°C (83°F) 146 mm (5.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 196 mm (7.7 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 7°C (45°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)