Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Phuket?
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 Phuket or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Phuket 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: Phuket or Kingston?
Phuket
Phuket Island is the holiday gem of southern Thailand. Known for its beaches and resorts, the island brings in a massive amount of travelers from all over the world, year round. Although the beaches are beautiful, Phuket has also become more westernized and tourist-oriented in recent decades, leaving many travelers to venture elsewhere to find that amazing beach with a more authentic Thai vibe. However, Phuket Island is quite large, and hidden gems can still be found.
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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Thailand.
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Phuket Prices
Thailand PricesKingston Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPhuket $139Kingston $123
The average daily cost (per person) in Phuket is $139, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $123. 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 Phuket and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPhuket $64Kingston $62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPhuket $128Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Phuket and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Phuket 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: Phuket Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Phuket $12Kingston $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Phuket:
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Longtail Taxi (for Two)$9.42
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Taxi from Airport to Phuket Town$7.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Phuket
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Phuket:
- Hanuman World Phuket Round Trip Transfer Extra Zone: $95
- Lion Land Phuket Entry Ticket with Private Hotel Transfer: $69
- Ziplines 28 platforms with Free Transfer RoundTrips: $80
- (Privet)Phuket Transfer: $11
- ATV Bike 1 hr + ziplines 30 platforms with Roundtrip Transfer : $160
- ATV Bike 1 hr+ Skyline Adventure 28 platforms with free Transfer: $135
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Ticket Include Transfers: $84
- Andamanda Phuket Water Park Tickets with Transfers: $116
- Andamanda Water Park Phuket Entry Ticket with Hotel Transfers: $75
- Arrival Phuket Airport Private Transfer : Hotel in Phuket: $43
- Arrival Private Transfers from Phuket Airport HKT to Phuket City: $131
- Best ATV Bike and Ziplines Adventure with Transfer : $42
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Airport Group Transfers-Kingston: $180
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfer to Ocho Rios Airbnb Home, Resorts: $133
- Airport Transfers from Kingston.: $70
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Negril: $749
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $319
- From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Negril: $79
- From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
- Group Private Kingston Airport Transfers (10 - 15 Persons): $251
- Airport transfers One Way to all hotels - private: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Phuket or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Phuket 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 dayPhuket $43Kingston $44
Typical Food Prices in Phuket
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Phuket:
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Casual Dinner (for Two)$9.08
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Casual Lunch (for Two)$5.34
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Sit Down Dinner (for Two)$13
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Thai Noodles$2.83
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Bananas$0.79
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Pizza (for Two)$9.42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phuket
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Phuket.
- Phuket Coral Island and Sunset Dinner by Luxury Catamaran: $43
- Phuket Express Thai Cooking Course with Authentic Recipes : $44
- Phuket 10+ Tastings Food Tour & Charming Old Town: $52
- Express Thai Cooking Class in Phuket: $52
- Vegetarian Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $53
- Organic Thai Cooking Class and Market Tour in Phuket: $57
- Authentic Thai Cooking Class by Suuko Wellness Spa: $57
- Phuket Thai Cooking Class with Market Tour and Hotel Pickup: $58
- Carnival Entertainment and Dinner Experience in Phuket: $59
- Southern Flavors Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
- Flavours of the South Food Tour: $59
- Baba Tastes Phuket Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Phuket $49Kingston $12
Typical Entertainment Prices in Phuket
Here are a few typical costs in Phuket for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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One Day Boat Tour$28
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Scuba Diving (Two Dives)$79
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Thai Oil Massage$20
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Surfboard Rental$9.42
Tours and Activities in Phuket
Here are a few actual costs in Phuket for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Self Guided Scavenger Hunts and Gamified Tours: $4.75
- Oto Indoor Play Park Entrance Ticket in Phuket: $8.05
- Phuket Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Aquarium Phuket Admission Ticket: $14
- Phuket Rock Beach Swing Tickets: $17
- Aquaria Phuket Tickets and 4D Trickeye Museum Combo Deal: $17
- Aquaria Phuket and 4D Trickeye Museum Experience Ticket: $17
- Phuket to Koh Phi Phi by Phi Phi Cruiser: $19
- Phuket Highlights: Half Day City Tour with Landmark & Viewpoint: $21
- Phang Nga Bay Skywalk at Samet Nangshe Admission Ticket: $21
- Half Day Phuket City tour + Hotel Pick Up and Drop Off: $21
- Patong Beach Parasailing and Jet Skiing Experience Shared: $22
Tours and Activities in Kingston
Here are a few actual costs in Kingston for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Art Walk Sunday Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $9.78
- Walking Tour with Mural Exploration: $26
- Bob Marley Museum Entry Ticket: $30
- Kingston Creative: Mural Art Walking Tour: $31
- Club Kingston VIP Departure Lounge Experience: $38
- Mural Tours in the Downtown Kingston Art District, Jamaica: $40
- Reggae Legend - Bob Marley Museum Tour Tickets: $41
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $62
- Devon House Heritage Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $63
- Devon House Tour with Ice Cream from Kingston: $64
- Private Bob Marley Tour Experience: $65
- Kingston City Guided Tour - Classic: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPhuket $7.32Kingston $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Phuket
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Phuket from other travelers:
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Cocktails (for Two)$6.28
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Beer$2.67
Sample the Local Flavors in Phuket
Also in Phuket, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience: $41
- Chalong Bay Rum Distillery Experience and Lunch: $55
- Phuket Real City Tour with Rum Cocktail Distillery: $89
- Phuket Sightseeing Tour with Rum Distillery : $113
- Big Buddha & The Distillery Phuket: $138
- Phuket Rum Distillery Cocktail Workshop And Wat Chalong Temple : $172
When comparing the travel costs between Phuket and Kingston, we can see that Phuket is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Phuket is in Asia and Kingston is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Phuket Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Phuket or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Phuket. When comparing the sizes of Phuket 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 Phuket or Kingston?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Phuket or Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston and Phuket are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Phuket 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 Phuket. In July, Phuket usually receives more rain than Kingston. Phuket gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Kingston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during summer. Phuket gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Phuket is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Phuket in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPhuket 28°C (82°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Kingston in the Autumn?
Both Kingston and Phuket during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Phuket because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
December to March is the dry season in Phuket. June to October is the rainy season in Phuket. Kingston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Phuket. Phuket usually gets more rain in October than Kingston. Phuket gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Phuket often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Phuket gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.
In October, Phuket is generally around the same temperature as Kingston. Daily temperatures in Phuket average around 27°C (81°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPhuket 27°C (81°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Phuket and Kingston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Phuket year-round. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
December to March in Phuket is the dry season. In January, Phuket usually receives more rain than Kingston. Phuket gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Phuket, it's very sunny this time of the year. Phuket usually receives more sunshine than Kingston during winter. Phuket gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.
Phuket is around the same temperature as Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Phuket averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPhuket 28°C (82°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Phuket or Kingston in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Phuket as well as Kingston. Phuket attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
June to October in Phuket is the rainy season. Phuket receives a lot of rain in the spring. Phuket usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Phuket gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 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 Phuket this time of the year. In the spring, Phuket often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston. Phuket gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.
In the spring, Phuket is around the same temperature as Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Phuket in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPhuket 29°C (84°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Phuket
| Phuket | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 28°C (82°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 28°C (83°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (84°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 29°C (84°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 318 mm (12.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 279 mm (11 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 287 mm (11.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 262 mm (10.3 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 399 mm (15.7 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 304 mm (12 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (81°F) | 62 mm (2.4 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.