Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Ocho Rios?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Ocho Rios or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Ocho Rios or Kingston, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Ocho Rios or Kingston?
Ocho Rios
Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is a town located on the northeastern shore of Jamaica and is a popular hub for cruise ships. It is a great destination for tourists as it has many resorts and beautiful beaches.
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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayOcho Rios $77Kingston $109
The average daily cost (per person) in Ocho Rios is $77, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $109. 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 Ocho Rios and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personOcho Rios $52Kingston $64
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomOcho Rios $104Kingston $128
Compare Hotels in Ocho Rios and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Ocho Rios 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: Ocho Rios Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ocho Rios $7.60Kingston $30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios
Also for Ocho Rios, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $110
- Airport Transfer to Runaway Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $99
- Ocho Rios Private Airport Transfer [VIP LUXURY Vehicles]: $158
- Private Airport Transfer to Bahia Principe Grand Hotel : $100
- Runaway Bay Hotels Private Transfer: $80
- 11. Ocho Rios Hotels&Resorts Airport Private Fun-Transfer to/from Sangster Intl : $60
- AirBnB Roundtrip Shuttle / One Way MBJ Airport Transfers: $25
- Airport Transfer Roundtrip Jamaica MBJ: $29
- Airport Transfer To Ochi Rios Hotels (Round-Trip): $200
- Airport transfers to Hotel, Guest houses or Villas in St.Ann, Ochi Rios Jamaica: $110
- Bahia Principe Grand Jamaica Private Airport transfer : $61
- Convenient Airport Transfer To Riu Hotel Ocho Rios : $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Kingston: $388
- Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Norman Manley Airport to Montego Bay: $284
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $253
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $228
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- Kingston Airport to & From Sandals Ocho Rios Transfer: $200
- Kingston Airport Private Transfer to Riu Ocho Rios: $200
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Kingston : Private Airport Transfer to Montego Bay: $169
- Kingston Private Airport Transfer : $161
Is it cheaper to fly into Ocho Rios or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Ocho Rios 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 dayOcho Rios $17Kingston $27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ocho Rios
For Ocho Rios, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Flavors of Jamaica Guided Food Tour: $89
- Taste of Jamaica Farm & Food Tour: $98
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $130
- Ocho Ros: Hillside Cooking Class, Jamaican Style: $130
- Taste of Jamaica Food Tour: $140
- The Jamaica School of Cooking and Ocho Rios Highlights Tour: $141
- Ocho Rios Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Dinner: $218
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ocho Rios $15Kingston $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios
For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate$11
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Admission to Coyaba Gardens$5.47
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Tour of Prospect Plantation$18
Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ocho Rios.
- Private Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios : $30
- Private Guided Tour To Yaaman Adventures Safari jungle park: $40
- Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios with Pickup: $40
- Private Blue hole Tour from Ocho Rios : $40
- Ocho Rios Sightseeing and Taxi from Runaway Bay & Ocho Rios: $40
- Blue Hole And Konoko Falls Combo Tour From Ocho Rios & Runaway Bay!: $43
- Private Konoko Falls and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios : $45
- Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole Private Tour from Ocho Rios: $50
- Ocho Rios For A Day / Private Customizable Tours / Jamaica Dream Vacation: $50
- Private Tour From Ocho Rios To Blue Hole Secret Falls and Shopping: $50
- Private Tour From Ocho Rios To Blue Hole & Konoko Falls: $50
- Blue hole waterfalls tour from Ocho Rios : $51
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Dunn's River Falls Party Cruise, Blue Hole with Snorkeling, free beverages: $174
- 4x4 Jeep Safari & Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $158
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Tasting from Ocho Rios: $232
- Authentic Jamaican Food Experience: $140
- Blue Hole and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $99
- Blue Lagoon and Canoeing Ride Experience Portland Jamaica : $210
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Hike & Bike Tour from Runaway Bay: $178
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Bob Marley Museum Express Tour from Port Royal Cruise Port: $141
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayOcho Rios $7.71Kingston $11
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 Ocho Rios and Kingston, we can see that Kingston is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ocho Rios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ocho Rios Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ocho Rios or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios or Kingston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Ocho Rios as well as Kingston. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Ocho Rios usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kingston. Ocho Rios gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 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 Ocho Rios this time of the year. In the summer, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Ocho Rios gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Kingston in the summer. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 29°C (83°F) in July, and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyOcho Rios 29°C (83°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston and Ocho Rios are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kingston. It's quite rainy in Ocho Rios. In October, Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kingston. Ocho Rios gets 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston during autumn. Ocho Rios gets 229 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In the autumn, Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Ocho Rios in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberOcho Rios 28°C (82°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Kingston in the Winter?
Both Kingston and Ocho Rios during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
Ocho Rios usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kingston. Ocho Rios gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. In the winter, Ocho Rios often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Ocho Rios gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
In January, Ocho Rios is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Ocho Rios average around 26°C (79°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryOcho Rios 26°C (79°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Ocho Rios or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Ocho Rios and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kingston. Ocho Rios gets 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. Ocho Rios usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston during spring. Ocho Rios gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
Ocho Rios is around the same temperature as Kingston in the spring. The daily temperature in Ocho Rios averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilOcho Rios 26°C (80°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Ocho Rios
| Ocho Rios | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 31 mm (1.2 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.