Is Kingston Expensive?

Is Kingston expensive to visit?

Kingston is a moderately priced destination with an average daily cost of $110. Compared to the rest of the Caribbean Islands, which is known to be an expensive region, it is a reasonably affordable place to visit. It's ranked in the top 25% of cities in the Caribbean Islands for its affordability, comparable to places like Ocho Rios and Nassau.



Kingston, Jamaica

How expensive is Kingston?

The average cost of traveling to Kingston can vary widely based on many factors, but our calculations based on previous travlers show that the average daily cost is $110 (U.S. Dollars). Your travel style, accommodation preferences, dining choices, and trip duration can alter your individual budget, as you can find a wide array of accommodation, food, and entertainment options available for your visit. Sticking to mid-range hotels, affordable restaurants, and public transit when available can keep your costs close to this calculated average. See more travel costs for Kingston here.

How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Kingston?

Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a weekend trip to Kingston will cost around $329 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a weekend trip would cost $658.

How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Kingston?

On average, a one week trip to Kingston costs about $768 per person. This is based on the previous expenses of actual travelers, and includes accommodation, food, activities, local transportation, and more. For two people, a one week trip costs $1,536.

Is it expensive to backpack in Kingston?

Kingston is a fairly common backpacker destination with more than 7 hostels in the area. Dorm beds in hostels average about $23 per night. (See hostel prices in Kingston here.) Keep in mind that you'll find a wide range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $26 and the cheapest around $20 per night.

Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Kingston.

  • $23 for a dorm bed at Ragamuffin Hostel
  • $23 for a dorm bed at Dancehall Hostel
  • $20 for a dorm bed at Belleh 23

Are hotels expensive in Kingston?

From our analysis of hotel prices in Kingston, we can see that they are fairly affordable and lower in price in comparison to the rest of the world. On average, a night in a hotel room costs approximately $128. The area hosts around 3 five-star hotels, averaging $84 per night. For those with an eye on both comfort and economy, three-star hotels present a reasonable choice at an average of $148 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical option at $61 per night.


Hotels by star rating in Kingston
Rating Number of Hotels Average Hotel Price
5 stars 3 $84
4 stars 4 $228
3 stars 51 $148
2 stars 6 $61

1 St Lucia Avenue, Kingston
Overall Rating 8.8
17 Waterloo Road, Kingston
Overall Rating 8.7

How expensive are sightseeing activities in Kingston?

Activities and things to do in Kingston can vary in price depending on the type of activity, length, and location. Below are a number of popular activities to give you an idea of what to expect when visiting. Generally, previous travelers have spent $13 per day on sightseeing activities and things to do when visiting, which is more than the country's average of $0.

    • Kingston City Tour (starting in Kingston): $72
    • Private Tour - Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Experience from Ocho Rios: $110
    • Half day Horse Back Riding and Bamboo Rafting Experience from Ocho Rios: $135
    • Dunns River Falls Scenic Tour: $300
    • Zipline, River Tubing and Blue Hole Adventure from Ocho Rios: $166
    • Dunn's River Falls, Zipline Adventure from Kingston: $255
    • Kingston Half Day Community and Art Tour: $70
    • Luminous Lagoon and Rose Hall Haunted Night Tour from Ocho Rios: $205

    Is food expensive in Kingston?

    Food in Kingston can vary in price depending on the restaurant and food options available. Generally, other travelers have spent $27 on food per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $0. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible.

    Is transportation expensive in Kingston?

    Exploring local transportation in Kingston shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $30 per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $0. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.

    More for Kingston

    If you're planning a trip to Kingston, Jamaica, check out these other informative travel guides.



    We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



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