Kingston, OntarioKingston

The questions people ask first about Kingston, Ontario, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

• Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
• SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
• Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
• TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
• Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
• SafetyKingston is a low-crime small city; the real issues are winter ice, late-night bar streets near the university…

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

• CoffeeC$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4)
• Sit-down mealDinner main, mid restaurantC$25–40 (≈ US$19–30)
• BeerDraught beer in a barC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
• SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15–35 (≈ US$11–30)
• Museum or sight ticketMuseum or historic-site entrycheckC$10–20 (≈ US$8–15)
• Budget bedHostel or dorm bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
• Mid-range bedDouble room, mid hotel or B&B, a night, per roomC$190 (≈ US$140)
• High-end bedDouble room, mid hotel or B&B, a night, per roomC$340 (≈ US$250)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Airports

YGK Kingston Norman Rogers Airport (No scheduled airline service; taxi to downtown about $30 (check). Air Canada sells YGK tickets with a bus link from Toronto Pearson.) · YOW Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International (Closest big airport, about 175 km (109 mi) / 2 h by road.) · YYZ Toronto Pearson International (About 275 km (171 mi); direct coach to Kingston, or train via Toronto Union.) · YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 275 km (171 mi); shuttle bus to the VIA rail line that stops at Kingston.)YGK Kingston Norman Rogers Airport (No scheduled airline service; taxi to downtown about $30 (check). Air Canada sells YGK tickets with a bus link from Toronto Pearson.) · YOW Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International (Closest big airport, about 109 mi (175 km) / 2 h by road.) · YYZ Toronto Pearson International (About 171 mi (275 km); direct coach to Kingston, or train via Toronto Union.) · YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 171 mi (275 km); shuttle bus to the VIA rail line that stops at Kingston.)

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Budget

C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed

Mid

C$150–240 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed

High

C$260 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed

• Fort Henry is seasonal, roughly May–September, and charges extra for parking and the sunset ceremony: check dates before you build a day around it.
• Kingston Penitentiary tours are guided and sell out; book ahead or you may not get in.
• The train station is about 7 km (4.3 mi) from downtown with a poor walking route: take the #18 bus or a taxi.The train station is about 4.3 mi (7 km) from downtown with a poor walking route: take the #18 bus or a taxi.
• Winter brings snow and ice on the sidewalks; many seasonal sights close from October.