Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Mombasa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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: Mombasa or Kingston?
Mombasa
Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya.
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Mombasa Prices
Kenya PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMombasa $81Kingston $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Mombasa is $81, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $126. 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 Mombasa and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMombasa $26Kingston $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMombasa $52Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Mombasa and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Mombasa 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: Mombasa Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Mombasa $18Kingston $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mombasa
Also for Mombasa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Diani Taxi and Airport Transfers: $70
- DianiBeach: Private Transfer from Airport or Railway Station: $70
- From Mombasa Airport: Diani transfer in a minivan (5 pax): $75
- Mombasa Airport (MBA) to Mombasa - Roundtrip Private Transfer: $73
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Nyali/bamburi/shanzu: $37
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To South Coast Diani Hotels: $80
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer To Watamu Hotels: $114
- Mombasa Airport Private Transfer to Diani Beach: $81
- Mombasa Airport Transfers: $129
- Mombasa Airport Transfers to Mtwapa: $130
- Mombasa Kenya Minivan Airport Transfer: $100
- Private Arrival Transfer in Mombasa: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Transfer for Kingston Airport to or from Hotels in Falmouth Area: $173
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport(KIN): $261
- 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: $45
- Private Transfer to and from Kingston International Airport: $73
- Private Transfer from Kingston hotel to Falmouth Cruise Port: $199
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $199
- Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
- Private Kingston Airport Transfer: $70
- Private Kingston Airport KIN Transfer for Ocho Rios Hotels: $128
- Private Kingston Airport (KIN) Transfer for Kingston Hotels: $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Mombasa or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Mombasa 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 dayMombasa $41Kingston $45
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Special African Dinner: $46
- Mombasa Meals Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Swahili Street Food Tour: $55
- Swahili Cooking Class Experience with a Local Chef: $65
- Tamarind Dhow Dinner Cruise & Nightlife: $137
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Mombasa $18Kingston $12
Tours and Activities in Mombasa
For Mombasa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mombasa Guided City Tour Experience: $25
- Sunset Canoe Tour on a River within the Mangroves: $28
- Tusks, Fort Jesus, Old Town, Beach and City Tour: $30
- Mombasa city tour: $30
- Kongo River Sunset Experience in Canoe: $32
- Mombasa walking tour: $35
- Mombasa old town Walking Tour and Fort Jesus: $38
- Private Mombasa Food & Sightseeing Tour: $39
- Fort Jesus Museum Walking Tour in Mombasa: $40
- Half day city tour of mombasa: $40
- Private Mombasa City Tour Watamu Diani and Malindi: $40
- Mombasa City Tour: $40
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- ATV Adventure of Ocho Rios: $124
- ATV Outback Adventure from Kingston: $288
- Authentic Jamaica: A Local's Guide Tour: $240
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios: $62
- Bamboo Rafting and Boston Jerk Centre Tour in Portland Jamaica: $220
- Blue Mountain Craighton Estate Coffee Tasting Tour / Devon House: $155
- Bluehole, Dunn's River Falls and Port Royal all in one tour: $690
- Bob Marley City Guided Tours: $95
- Bob Marley Guided City Tour: $95
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston Hotels: $120
- Bob Marley Museum, Devon House and Downtown Kingston Tour: $125
- Bunny Lee Museum and Recording Studio Admission Ticket: $30
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMombasa $8.83Kingston $11
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 Mombasa and Kingston, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa 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 Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa 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 Mombasa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Mombasa Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Mombasa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa 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 Mombasa 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 Mombasa or Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston and Mombasa during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 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 Mombasa. In the summer, Mombasa often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
In the summer, Mombasa is cooler than Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMombasa 24°C (75°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Mombasa usually receives less rain than Kingston. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 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. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Kingston during autumn. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Mombasa is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMombasa 26°C (79°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Kingston. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Mombasa usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 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. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the winter, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Kingston. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
Mombasa is around the same temperature as Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMombasa 27°C (81°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Mombasa or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa 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 Mombasa. In April, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Kingston. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In the spring, Mombasa is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMombasa 27°C (81°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Mombasa
| Mombasa | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (81°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (81°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 25°C (77°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 26°C (79°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.