A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Zurich vs. Kingston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Zurich 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 Zurich 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: Zurich or Kingston?

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Kingston or Zurich?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $364, 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 Zurich and Kingston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $197
    Kingston $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $394
    Kingston $124
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Kingston

Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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.

Hotels in Zurich


Hotels in Kingston


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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Kingston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Kingston $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $100
  • Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Luxury Van: $107
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich City by Luxury Van: $117
  • Departure Private Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport ZRH by Luxury Van: $117
  • From Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $361
  • From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $308
  • Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $450
  • Private Arrival Transfer: from Zurich Airport to Winterthur: $285
  • Private Executive Transfers in Zurich Airport and Zurich City: $217
  • Private Luxury Transfers ZRH Airport to Zurich City in V Class: $168
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $72
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $72

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kingston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kingston:

  • From Kingston Airport: One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston: $19
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Kingston Airport: $19
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport (KIN) Across Jamaica: $24
  • Private Transfer from Kingston's Airport: $32
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Kingston International Airport (KIN): $34
  • Kingston Airport Transfers Private Taxi Service***: $37
  • Private Transfer To & From New Kingston to Norman Manley Airport: $40
  • Kingston Norman Manley Airport (KIN) to Kingston - Arrival Private Transfer: $42
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Port Antonio: $47
  • Private Transfers To/From Kingston & Airport Across Jamaica: $49
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Kingston International Airport to Hotel: $53
  • From One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Kingston?

Prices for flights to both Kingston and Zurich 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Zurich $124
    Kingston $44
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.

  • Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
  • Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Kingston $12

Tours and Activities in Zurich

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:

  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $6.29
  • Zurich Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Winterthur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Schaffhausen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Zurich Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and city tour: $12
  • Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $13
  • The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Dark Side of Zurich: $13
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $16
  • Swiss National Museum Entry Ticket: $16
  • City Walking Tour Made in Zurich: $19

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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $34
    Kingston $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
  • Pub Crawl Zurich: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Kingston, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Kingston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive? and Is Kingston Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Kingston?

Kingston has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or Kingston?

Zurich 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 Zurich or Kingston in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Kingston. Many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. Kingston attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Zurich is cooler than Kingston. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Kingston averages at about 29°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kingston this time of the year. In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kingston during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zurich usually receives more rain than Kingston. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zurich 21°C (70°F) 
    Kingston 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Kingston in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Kingston. Most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kingston throughout the year.

In October, Zurich is generally much colder than Kingston. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Kingston fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kingston. In the autumn, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 229 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kingston. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Kingston. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zurich 13°C (56°F) 
    Kingston 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Kingston in the Winter?

Both Kingston and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Kingston because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Zurich is much colder than Kingston in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Kingston fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

It's quite sunny in Kingston. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Kingston during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Kingston receives 257 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Kingston. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zurich 3°C (37°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Kingston in the Spring?

Both Kingston and Zurich during the spring are popular places to visit. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kingston year-round.

In the spring, Zurich is much colder than Kingston. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Kingston averages at about 26°C (80°F).

In Kingston, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Kingston. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kingston receives 251 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Kingston. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kingston receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zurich 12°C (53°F) 
    Kingston 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Kingston and Zurich

Zurich Kingston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)