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

Should you visit London or Kingston?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between London and Kingston can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: London or Kingston?

London

The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.

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 Coach Bus Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best Adventure Tours to United Kingdom.


Which place is cheaper, Kingston or London?

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

  • London Prices
    UK Prices
    Kingston Prices
    Jamaica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    London £217
    Kingston £92

The average daily cost (per person) in London is £217, while the average daily cost in Kingston is £92. 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 London and Kingston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    London £125
    Kingston £46
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    London £250
    Kingston £92
Compare Hotels in London and Kingston

Looking for a hotel in London 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 London


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: London Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    London £26
    Kingston £21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in London

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


  • Taxi Ride
    £15
  • Heathrow Express
    £18
  • Luggage Storage
    £8.00
  • London Map
    £1.29
  • Oyster Card
    £36
  • Train to Gatwick Airport (2)
    £22
  • Oyster Card
    £27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in London

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

  • Heathrow Airport to Gatwick Airport Transfers: $182
  • Private Transfer To or From London City Airport: $123
  • "Private Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Dover Cruise Port": $181
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bath".: $175
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Bournemouth".: $164
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Cambridge.": $115
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Slough": $59
  • "Private Transfer: London Heathrow Airport to Watford".: $78
  • 8 Seater Transfer: Heathrow Airport to Central London: $240
  • 8 Seater Transfer: Heathrow Airport to/from Central London: $229
  • Airport - hotel - airport transfers for Heathrow groups.: $532
  • Airport Transfer: $219

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • Montego Bay: 5-Day Jamaica Tour with Meals and Transfers: $2,200
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
  • Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $479
  • Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $369
  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
  • Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
  • Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
  • Port Antonio Hotel Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $235
  • Kingston Round Trip Airport Transfers to Ocho Rios : $230
  • NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
  • Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
  • Transfer for Kingston Airport to and from Hotels in Montego Bay: $173

Is it cheaper to fly into London or Kingston?

Prices for flights to both Kingston and London 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
    London £59
    Kingston £33
Typical Food Prices in London

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:


  • Lunch at Starbucks
    £13
  • Tea
    £6.00
  • Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason
    £39
  • Morning Tea
    £6.35
  • Pastry
    £5.00
  • Sushi Dinner for One
    £18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London

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

  • Ultimate London Cheese Crawl : Guided Food Tour: $48
  • Tasting History: A Choose Your Own Menu Food Tour: $49
  • Pizza and Beer Bus Experience: $67
  • London Soho & Covent Garden Food Tour by Do Eat Better : $79
  • International Stand Up Show & Monmouth K. Dinner in Covent Garden: $89
  • Borough Market Christmas Food Tour with Tea and Doughnuts: $96
  • Private South Indian Home Cooking Experience in Orpington: $105
  • Devour Borough Market & Leadenhall Food Tour with Wine: $115
  • Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $117
  • Hungry for Soho: London's Finest Food Tour: $122
  • Eating London East End Food Tour: $122
  • London Cheese Chocolate and Christmas Lights Food Tour: $123

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    London £33
    Kingston £9.12
Typical Entertainment Prices in London

For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Two Tickets to a Concert
    £83
  • London Symphony Orchestra
    £34
  • London Pass
    £47
  • Comedy Show
    £8.00

Tours and Activities in London

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.

  • London's Hidden Gems Self Guided City Tour: $2.37
  • London Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $3.61
  • Soho's Contribution to Health Care History Walking Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Camden Town's Quirky Characters: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Brixton Self-Guided Music Walking Tour - Guided By Historian: $6.84
  • Natural History Museum London Audio Guide and Free Entry Ticket: $6.85
  • Jazz Notes - Jazz Jam Ticket: $6.85
  • Experience Fitzrovia Comedy Club in London: $6.85
  • Harry Potter's London Self-Guided Tour for Muggles with an App: $6.93
  • Soho Instagram Self-Guided Walking Tour - Top Photo Spots: $7.00
  • Shoreditch Self-Guided Walking Tour: Art, Cuisine & Culture: $7.00
  • Jack the Ripper in Quest Experience: $7.20

Tours and Activities in Kingston

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

  • Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
  • Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
  • Blue Mountain Tour: A Half-Day Escape from Kingston: $1,011
  • Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
  • Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
  • Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
  • Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
  • Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $134
  • City Tour of Kingston Including Entry Fees: $105
  • Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
  • Devon House City Tour Combo: $85

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    London £15
    Kingston £7.96

Sample the Local Flavors in London

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

  • Historic Pub Walking Tour of London: $16
  • London Pub Tour: $27
  • London Pub Crawl: $29
  • Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery Tour and Cocktail: $30
  • Camden Pub Crawl in London: $34
  • The Great East London Pub Crawl!: $34
  • Small Group Covent Garden Historic Pub Tour in London: $34
  • Sipsmith Distillery Tour and Complimentary Tasting: $41
  • Small Group Historical Pub Tour, Beer Included: $60
  • East End Craft Brewery Tour: $67
  • Brixton Craft Brewery Tour: $67
  • Devour London Historical Pub Tour:Traditional British Food & Ales: $95


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


Which is Bigger, London or Kingston?

London has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Kingston. When comparing the sizes of London 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 London or Kingston?

London 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 London or Kingston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to London as well as Kingston. The city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to London this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

London is much colder than Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in London averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the summer, London often gets less sunshine than Kingston. London gets 195 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. London gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    London 18°C (64°F) 
    Kingston 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit London or Kingston in the Autumn?

Both Kingston and London are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, London is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in London in October average around 12°C (53°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. London usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during autumn. London gets 107 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In October, London usually receives less rain than Kingston. London gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    London 12°C (53°F) 
    Kingston 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit London or Kingston in the Winter?

Both Kingston and London during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to London in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

London can get quite cold in the winter. In January, London is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in London average around 4°C (40°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, London often gets less sunshine than Kingston. London gets 52 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.

London usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. London gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    London 4°C (40°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit London or Kingston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both London and Kingston. Most visitors come to London for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

London is much colder than Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in London averages around 9°C (48°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. London usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. London gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, London usually receives more rain than Kingston. London gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    London 9°C (48°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Kingston and London

London Kingston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 4°C (40°F) 52 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 7°C (44°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 9°C (48°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 16°C (61°F) 51 mm (2 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 15°C (59°F) 51 mm (2 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 12°C (53°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 5°C (42°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)