Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Reykjavik?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Reykjavik or Kingston?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Reykjavik 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: Reykjavik or Kingston?
Reykjavik
Reykjavik is the capital and largest city in the country of Iceland. The city is where the vast majority of the country's population resides and the urban area has about 200,000 residents. The city is sprawling, with a large area covered in suburbs. The the city center is quite compact, with many interesting and colorful houses. There are a lot of things that attract tourists to this city, including an interesting culture and history as well as plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.
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 Iceland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Iceland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayReykjavik $246Kingston $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Reykjavik is $246, while the average daily cost in Kingston is $107. 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 Reykjavik and Kingston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personReykjavik $139Kingston $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomReykjavik $278Kingston $126
Compare Hotels in Reykjavik and Kingston
Looking for a hotel in Reykjavik 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: Reykjavik Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Reykjavik $46Kingston $29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Reykjavik
Also for Reykjavik, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Hveragerdi to Keflavik Airport (KEF) - Deparure Private Transfer: $68
- Airport Transfer (One way) between Keflavik and Reykjavik: $200
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City With Hotel Drop Off: $36
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Keflavik Airport to Reykjavik City one way: $29
- Airport Transfer in Iceland from Reykjavik City to Keflavik Airport One Way: $28
- Blue Lagoon Admission Ticket Including Transfer: $268
- Blue Lagoon Entry Ticket with Optional Private or Shared Transfer: $163
- Blue Lagoon One Way Transfer: $185
- Blue Lagoon Return Bus Transfer from Reykjavik: $45
- Blue Lagoon with Private Roundtrip Transfer: $476
- Door to Door Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $308
- From Reykjavik Port: Private Blue Lagoon Transfer: $1,050
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:
- Private Transfer to/from Kingston Airport: $42
- Private Transfer from Kingston Airport (KIN) to Falmouth Port: $71
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport to Jewel Grande Montego Bay: $187
- Private Transfer Kingston Airport (KIN) To & From Sandals South Coast : $240
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
- Private Airport Transfer from Kingston Airport: $90
- Private Airport Transfer Sangster Airport to Kingston: $230
- Private Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Ocho Rios : $133
- Norman Manley Airport Private Round-trip Transfer to Kingston : $255
- NMIA & Kingston transfer to Negril: $225
- MBJ Airport Transfer to/ from Hotels : $25
- Tropical Off-Road ATV Tour with Lunch and Transfer: $280
Is it cheaper to fly into Reykjavik or Kingston?
Prices for flights to both Kingston and Reykjavik 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 dayReykjavik $30Kingston $26
Typical Food Prices in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner (Fish Market)$178
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Exclusive dinner with a local family - Visit a Reykjavík home: $98
- Icelandic Food Tour: $124
- The Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $128
- 3 Hour Shared Christmas Food Tour with Guide in Reykjavik: $129
- Reykjavik Market & Lunch Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $142
- Reykjavik Old Harbor Food Tour - BitesizedIceland.com: $145
- Private Reykjavik Christmas Food Tour: $209
- Icelandic Cooking Class in Downtown Reykjavik with Musical Hosts: $296
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Reykjavik $72Kingston $13
Typical Entertainment Prices in Reykjavik
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Reykjavik's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Museum$11
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Wine and Spa$29
Tours and Activities in Reykjavik
For Reykjavik, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Reykjavík: City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Reykjavik Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Reykjavik Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $8.07
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $9.99
- Explore Reykjavik's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Citywalk Tour - Audioguide in English & German: $11
- Skip the Line: Icelandic Museum of Rock 'n' Roll Admission Ticket: $11
- Geothermal Energy Exhibition Entry Ticket: $18
- Reykjavík: National Museum of Iceland Entry Ticket: $18
- Was James Bond Icelandic? Ticket with One Hour Lecture: $23
- Private audio guide of the island for self-exploration tour: $27
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
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure in Ocho Rios : $85
- Blue Hole and Sightseeing Tour from Ocho Rios: $99
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Kingston: $231
- Blue Mountain Bicycle Tour from Runaway Bay: $142
- Blue Mountains Coffee Private Tour from Kingston: $180
- Bob Marley Museum Tour Skip the Line Tickets: $45
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Kingston: $83
- Bob Marley Museum Tour from Runaway Bay: $258
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $368
- Bob Marley Museum and Devon House Kingston Day Tour: $318
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayReykjavik $28Kingston $11
Typical Alcohol Prices in Reykjavik
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Reykjavik are as follows:
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Beer$8.79
Sample the Local Flavors in Reykjavik
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Reykjavik:
- Gin Distillery tour and tasting: $25
- Eimverk Distillery Tour with Tasting: $32
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 Reykjavik and Kingston, we can see that Reykjavik is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Reykjavik or Kingston?
Kingston has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Reykjavik. When comparing the sizes of Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or Kingston?
Reykjavik 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 Reykjavik or Kingston in the Summer?
Both Kingston and Reykjavik during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Reykjavik because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.
In July, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 11°C (52°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Reykjavik gets 171 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun.
Reykjavik usually gets more rain in July than Kingston. Reykjavik gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyReykjavik 11°C (52°F)Kingston 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Kingston in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Reykjavik and Kingston. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Reykjavik this time of year. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Reykjavik in the autumn. Reykjavik is much colder than Kingston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Reykjavik averages around 5°C (41°F) in October, and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during autumn. Reykjavik gets 83 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Kingston receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Reykjavik usually receives less rain than Kingston. Reykjavik gets 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberReykjavik 5°C (41°F)Kingston 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Kingston in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Reykjavik as well as Kingston. Many travelers come to Reykjavik for the shopping scene and the cuisine. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Reykjavik. In the winter, Reykjavik is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Reykjavik in January average around -0°C (32°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (79°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the winter, Reykjavik often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Reykjavik gets 27 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun.
Reykjavik usually gets more rain in January than Kingston. Reykjavik gets 76 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryReykjavik -0°C (32°F)Kingston 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Reykjavik or Kingston in the Spring?
Both Kingston and Reykjavik are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Reykjavik in the spring for the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Reykjavik can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Reykjavik is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Reykjavik average around 3°C (38°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
It's quite sunny in Kingston. Reykjavik usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during spring. Reykjavik gets 140 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Reykjavik usually receives more rain than Kingston. Reykjavik gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilReykjavik 3°C (38°F)Kingston 26°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Kingston and Reykjavik
| Reykjavik | Kingston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -0°C (32°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 18 mm (0.7 in) |
| Feb | 1°C (33°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (34°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (38°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 27 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 7°C (44°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Jul | 11°C (52°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Aug | 11°C (52°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (41°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 79 mm (3.1 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.