Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Malaga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Malaga 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 Malaga 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: Malaga or Kingston?
Malaga
Malaga is a port city in the southern part of Spain. It is the 6th largest city in Spain and the southernmost large city in Europe. Malaga lies on the Mediterranean on the Costa del Sol, only 62 miles east of the Strait of Gibraltar, and 80 miles north of Africa. Malaga's history dates back about 2,800 years, which makes it one of the oldest cities in the world. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabic and Christian eras make the historic center of the city an "open museum", displaying its history of more than 3,000 years. Because of its important cultural infrastructure and the artistic heritage, Malaga has been nominated for the European Capital of Culture. Malaga's most important economic contributors include tourism, technology, and construction, but transportation and logistics are becoming increasingly important factors as well.
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 Budget Tours to Spain, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMalaga €140Kingston €100
The average daily cost (per person) in Malaga is €140, while the average daily cost in Kingston is €100. 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 Malaga and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMalaga €75Kingston €59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMalaga €150Kingston €118
Compare Hotels in Malaga and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Malaga 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: Malaga Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Malaga €31Kingston €27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malaga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Malaga:
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Arrival Private Transfer: $44
- Airport Transfer: Malaga Airport AGP to Malaga by Luxury Van: $57
- Airport Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Arrival Transfer from Malaga airport AGP to Malaga City by Sedan: $46
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Business Car: $51
- Departure Transfer: Malaga to Malaga Airport AGP by Luxury Van: $57
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Arrival private Transfer: $19
- Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP) to Malaga Port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $37
- Malaga Airport (AGP) to Marbella - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $88
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Arrival Transfer: $44
- Malaga Airport (Costa del Sol) Private Departure Transfer: $44
- Malaga Airport to Granada Hotel or Family House in Private Transfer: $189
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- All Island Private Transfer To/From Kingston Airport (KIN): $22
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Airport Transfer Norman Manley international airport: $30
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Kingston Airport Taxi Transfers Private ***: $47
- Airport Transfer in Kingston: $50
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $71
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- 10. Norman Manley Intl Kingston Airport Fun-Transfer to/from Montego Bay Resorts: $125
- Kingston Airport Transfers to Runaway Bay: $127
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
Is it cheaper to fly into Malaga or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Malaga 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 dayMalaga €35Kingston €24
Typical Food Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Malaga are as follows:
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Dinner for 2€30
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Dinner for 2€44
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Breakfast for 2€8.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malaga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Malaga.
- Horse and Flamenco Show in Malaga with Dinner: $76
- Malaga Tapas Cooking Class: $89
- Andalucia by Sunset - half day tour including dinner and Ronda pickup: $93
- Sardines On Skewers Show Cooking in Malaga beach: $147
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Malaga €31Kingston €12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Malaga
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Malaga are as follows:
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Entrance to Castillos€7.10
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Concert€31
Tours and Activities in Malaga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Malaga are as follows:
- Skip the Line: Picasso's Birthplace Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.37
- Sightseeing Outdoor Escape Game in Malaga: $7.09
- Ronda Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $8.89
- Guided tour of Castillo Colomares: $9.83
- Alcazaba Malaga Guided Tour: $11
- Guided tour in Ronda: $13
- Andalucia's City Of Dreams: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Ronda: $15
- Essential Malaga City Tour: $16
- City Sightseeing Benalmadena Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $16
- Private Guided Tour to the only coffee farm in Europe: $16
- Tour around the Central Market of Malaga: $16
- 1.5-Hour Roman Theater and Alcazaba Castle Walking Tour: $16
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMalaga €22Kingston €10
Sample the Local Flavors in Malaga
Also in Malaga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Malaga Nightlife Pub Crawl Tour with Drinks and Clubs Entry: $17
- Sun and Wine Route - Small group, wine tasting and lunch included: $76
- Malaga City Wine Tour: $94
- Flamenco, Tapas and Wine Tour: Best of Málaga in one Evening: $104
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 Malaga and Kingston, we can see that Malaga is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Malaga 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 Malaga would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Malaga 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 Malaga Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Malaga or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 70% larger than the population of Malaga. When comparing the sizes of Malaga 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 Malaga or Kingston?
Malaga 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 Malaga or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Malaga and Kingston. Many visitors come to Malaga in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the summer, Malaga is cooler than Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Malaga in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Malaga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Malaga usually receives more sunshine than Kingston during summer. Malaga gets 348 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Malaga usually receives less rain than Kingston. Malaga gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMalaga 25°C (77°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Malaga as well as Kingston. Most visitors come to Malaga for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
In October, Malaga is generally cooler than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Malaga average around 19°C (67°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Malaga this time of the year. In the autumn, Malaga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Malaga gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Kingston. Malaga usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Malaga gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMalaga 19°C (67°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Malaga are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Malaga because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Malaga is much colder than Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Malaga averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. Malaga usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Malaga gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Malaga usually receives more rain than Kingston. Malaga gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMalaga 12°C (54°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Malaga or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston and Malaga during the spring are popular places to visit. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Malaga this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
In the spring, Malaga is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Malaga in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Malaga. In the spring, Malaga often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Malaga gets 220 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.
Malaga usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Malaga gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMalaga 16°C (60°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Malaga
| Malaga | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.