Which place is cheaper, Charleston or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Charleston?
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 Negril and Charleston. 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: Negril or Charleston?
Negril
Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!
Charleston
Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Charleston $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $170. 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 Negril and Charleston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Charleston $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Charleston $180
Compare Hotels in Negril and Charleston
Looking for a hotel in Negril or Charleston? 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: Negril Hotel Prices and Charleston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Charleston $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:
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Taxi From Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Negril Resorts Transfer 1 way: $33
- Private Transfer from MBJ Airport to Grand Palladium Hotel: $36
- Round-Trip or Direct Private Airport Transfer to Lucea Resorts: $37
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium: $40
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels Private: $46
- Private Airport Transfer Grand Palladium/ Lady Hamilton Jamaica: $47
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Private Airport Transfers to Negril Hotels: $48
- Private Transfer from Negril to Sangster Airport (MBJ): $50
- One-Way & Round-Trip Private Transfer from Montego Bay to Negril *42O VIP Option: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island -Roundtrip Private Transfer: $208
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $175
- Charleston Airport: One-Way Transfer to Charleston: $153
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Kiawah/Seabrook Islands – Arrival Private Transfer: $118
- Charleston Airport to Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island– Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Folly Beach - Arrival Private Transfer: $104
- Isle of Palms/Sullivans Island to Charleston Airport –Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Folly Beach to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $104
- Charleston Airport (CHS) to Charleston city – Arrival Private Transfer: $88
- Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $88
- From Boone Hall Plantation Entry with Transfers: $71
- Private Transfer from Charleston Port to Charleston Airport (CHS): $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Negril or Charleston?
Prices for flights to both Charleston and Negril 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 dayNegril $23Charleston $58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $85
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
Typical Food Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:
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Lunch in downtown Charleston for two$21
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Breakfast$26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.
- Charleston Sunset Blues & BBQ Dinner Cruise: $72
- Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $88
- Luxury Harbor Dinner Cruise: $93
- Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
- Charleston Food Tour: $99
- Historic Downtown Food Tour with Tastings: $99
- 3-Hour Secret Food Tour: $108
- Charleston Farm-to-Table Food Tour and Chef's Challenge: $109
- Charleston Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $110
- Downtown Charleston Food Tour: $110
- Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $110
- Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $110
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Charleston $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril
For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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2 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- From Negril/Palladium: Negril Beach and Ricks Cafe Tour: $49
- Private Glass Bottom Boat Sight Seeing Tour Jamaica: $58
- Buddle's Taxi and Tours : $60
- Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
- Negril Beach and Catamaran Cruise: $79
- Negril guided day tour:7 mile beach and sunset at Ricks Cafe: $80
- Jamwest JamCulture Tour from Negril: $89
- Bob Marley Birth Place Nine Mile Day Tour: $94
- Private Dunn River Falls Tour From Negril: $100
- South Coast Jamaica YS Falls Tour: $100
- Floyd's Pelican Bar (Complimentary Rum Punch, Private Tour): $100
- Must Do-Accompong Town Maroon Village Tour & Celebration from Negril: $112
Typical Entertainment Prices in Charleston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:
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Patriots Point (for 2)$60
Tours and Activities in Charleston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:
- 2 Hours Private Morris Island and River Cruise: $295
- 1.5-Hour Charleston Harbor Cruise with Live Narration: $42
- 2 Hours Shem Creek Safari Kayak Tour: $52
- 2-Hour Guided Kayak Eco Tour in Charleston: $54
- 300 Years of War and Peacetime in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- 90-Minute Charleston City Sightseeing Bus Tour : $37
- Access Tour to the Cameron House from Outer Banks: $225
- Afternoon Schooner Sightseeing Dolphin Cruise on Charleston Harbor: $56
- An Amazing Guided Ghost Tour: $30
- Behind the Scenes of Shem Creek Shrimp Walking Tour: $25
- Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston: $78
- Boone Hall Plantation All-Access Admission Ticket: $28
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Charleston $36
Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:
- Charleston Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Women and Wine Tour: $20
- Charleston Terrors Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $27
- Guided Pub Crawl and Haunted History Tour: $30
- Bay Street Bastards Pub Crawl Shared Tour in Charleston : $35
- Speakeasy Sagas Prohibition Pub Crawl: $35
- Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Historic District Haunted Pub Crawl Tour: $40
- Charleston Brewery District Cruise (Public Tour): $95
- Wadmalaw Island Wine Tasting and Tea Garden Trip: $135
- Half Day Party Bus Brewery Tour of Charleston: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Negril and Charleston, we can see that Charleston is more expensive. And not only is Negril much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands and Charleston is in North America, 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 Negril would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Negril 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 Charleston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Charleston than you might in Negril.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Charleston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Charleston?
Charleston has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril and Charleston, 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 Negril or Charleston?
Charleston has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Negril experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Negril or Charleston in the Summer?
Both Charleston and Negril during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Negril is around the same temperature as Charleston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Charleston averages at about 82°F (28°C).
In Charleston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Negril. In the summer, Negril often gets less sunshine than Charleston. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun.
Charleston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Charleston. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Charleston 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Negril or Charleston in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Charleston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Charleston because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Negril is generally a little warmer than Charleston. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Charleston fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).
In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Charleston during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Charleston. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Charleston 67°F (19°C)
Should I visit Negril or Charleston in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Negril as well as Charleston. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charleston this time of year.
Negril is much warmer than Charleston in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Charleston fluctuates around 47°F (9°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the winter, Negril often gets more sunshine than Charleston. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun.
Negril usually gets less rain in January than Charleston. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Charleston 47°F (9°C)
Should I visit Negril or Charleston in the Spring?
Both Charleston and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Negril is a little warmer than Charleston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Charleston averages at about 64°F (18°C).
It's quite sunny in Charleston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives less sunshine than Charleston during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Negril. In April, Negril usually receives more rain than Charleston. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Charleston 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Charleston and Negril
| Negril | Charleston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 47°F (9°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 6.4 inches (163 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.9 inches (176 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 7.1 inches (181 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 4.8 inches (121 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.5 inches (63 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 51°F (10°C) | 3.1 inches (78 mm) |
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.