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

Should you visit Lisbon or Kingston?

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

Should I visit Lisbon or Kingston? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Lisbon or Kingston?

Lisbon

Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Lisbon?

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 Lisbon is €167, while the average daily cost in Kingston is €110. 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 Lisbon and Kingston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Lisbon 63
    Kingston 55
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Lisbon 126
    Kingston 110
Compare Hotels in Lisbon and Kingston

Looking for a hotel in Lisbon 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 Lisbon


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: Lisbon Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Lisbon 25
    Kingston 25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:


  • Taxi Ride
    6.50

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon

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

  • Airport Private Transfer to Costa da Caparica | Almada | Aroeira: $49
  • Airport Transfer Service in Lisbon: $139
  • Airport Transfer: Lisbon to Lisbon Airport LIS by Business Car: $74
  • Airport transfer to Lisbon (metropolitan area).: $64
  • Arrival Transfer by Sedan from Lisbon Airport LIS to Lisbon City: $47
  • Cascais Aerodrome (CAT) to Lisbon city - Arrival Private Transfer: $61
  • Costa da Caparica Private Transfer to/from Lisbon: $35
  • From Lisbon to Porto Luxury Transfer stops Óbidos,Coimbra,Aveiro: $191
  • From Transfer to Porto with up to 3 City Stops: $261
  • Jardim do Tabaco Quay Cruise Port to Lisbon - Arrival Private Transfer: $24
  • Lisbon - Coimbra, Private Transfer & up to 3 Cities visits: $640
  • Lisbon - Sintra or Cascais Private Transfer (or vice versa): $139

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
  • Private Transfers: Kingston Airport ↔ Montego Bay Area: $215
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $25
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $48
  • Private Transfer to and from Kingston International Airport: $73
  • Private Transfer from Montego Bay Cruise Port to Kingston Hotels: $260
  • Private Transfer from Kingston hotel to Falmouth Cruise Port: $195
  • Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN): $27
  • Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Lisbon or Kingston?

Prices for flights to both Kingston and Lisbon 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
    Lisbon 73
    Kingston 39
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon

For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Coffee
    2.50

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon

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

  • Lisbon Sunset Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Night Luxury Boat Vibes with Drinks & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Luxury Cozy Cruise with Drinks & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Luxury Cruise Experience with Sangria & Pizza: $31
  • Lisbon Night Cozy Boat Cruise with Open Bar & Pizza: $35
  • Lisbon Sunset Cozy Boat Cruise with Open Bar & Pizza: $37
  • Lisbon Sunset DJ Party Cruise with Pizza & Drinks: $40
  • Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $64
  • Dinner with Rising Stars of Fado at Canto do Poeta: $64
  • Lisbon Portuguese Food Tour: $65
  • Lisbon Food Tour with Portuguese Wine: Taste the Best of Portugal: $68
  • Portuguese street food cooking class with Drinks: $70

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Lisbon 24
    Kingston 11

Tours and Activities in Lisbon

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

  • Alfama Walking Tour Lisbon: $0.68
  • Bairro Alto + Downtown Walking Tour: $0.68
  • Lisbon Walking Tour - The Perfect Introduction to the City: $1.19
  • Age of Discoveries Walking Tour in Belém: $3.47
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: $3.47
  • Self-Guided Tours in Lisbon with 100 Captivating Audio Stories: $3.47
  • Historical Walking Tour of Lisbon: $3.48
  • Lisbon Alfama Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $3.48
  • Lisbon Belém Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $4.63
  • Lisbon Walking Tour & Local Market Experience: $5.74
  • Óbidos Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.80
  • Lisbon Walking Tour: Self-Guided City Game: $5.90

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
  • Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
  • Black River Safari Tour from Kingston: $272
  • Blue Mountain Craighton Estate Coffee Tasting Tour / Devon House: $180
  • 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 House and Dunns River Falls Private Tour: $150
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston Hotels: $120
  • Bob Marley Museum and Kingston Sightseeing from Port Royal Cruise Port: $205
  • Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Lisbon 18
    Kingston 9.49

Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon

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

  • Lisbon Port Wine Tasting at Taylors Shop and Tasting Room: $20
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl Nightlife Experience Bars Games and Club Entry: $21
  • Lisbon Rooftop Bar Crawl Private Group Experience: $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl: $23
  • Private Pub Crawl in Lisbon: $23
  • Lisbon Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots & VIP Club Entry: $23
  • Halloween Haunts: Lisbon Pub Crawl Experience: $29
  • Portuguese Wine Tasting Experience in Lisbon: $44
  • Wine Tasting with the best view in Lisbon: $52
  • Carcavelos Vineyard Tour and Wine Tasting: $52
  • Lisbon Small-Group Portuguese Food and Wine Tour: $77
  • Lisbon Food and Wine Tasting Tour of HIDDEN GEMS (Small Groups): $84

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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lisbon and Kingston, we can see that Lisbon is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lisbon is in Europe 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 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Lisbon or Kingston?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 81% larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Kingston?

Lisbon 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 Lisbon or Kingston in the Summer?

Both Kingston and Lisbon during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Lisbon for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

Lisbon is cooler than Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lisbon. In the summer, Lisbon often gets more sunshine than Kingston. Lisbon gets 352 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.

Lisbon usually gets less rain in July than Kingston. Lisbon gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Lisbon 23°C (73°F) 
    Kingston 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Kingston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lisbon and Kingston. Many visitors come to Lisbon in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the autumn, Lisbon is cooler than Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lisbon in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston during autumn. Lisbon gets 213 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Lisbon usually receives less rain than Kingston. Lisbon gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Lisbon 19°C (66°F) 
    Kingston 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Kingston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lisbon as well as Kingston. Most visitors come to Lisbon for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

In January, Lisbon is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Lisbon average around 12°C (53°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the winter, Lisbon often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Lisbon gets 144 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.

Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. Lisbon usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Lisbon gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Lisbon 12°C (53°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Lisbon or Kingston in the Spring?

Both Kingston and Lisbon are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Lisbon because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Lisbon is much colder than Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Lisbon averages around 16°C (60°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. Lisbon usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston during spring. Lisbon gets 235 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lisbon usually receives more rain than Kingston. Lisbon gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Lisbon 16°C (60°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Kingston and Lisbon

Lisbon Kingston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (53°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 13°C (55°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 14°C (58°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 16°C (60°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 21°C (69°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 23°C (74°F) 6 mm (0.2 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 26 mm (1 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 114 mm (4.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 12°C (54°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)