A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bangkok vs. Montego Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bangkok or Montego Bay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Bangkok and Montego Bay can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Bangkok or Montego Bay?

Bangkok

Bangkok: a name synonymous with all things exotic. The vibrant and exciting capital of Thailand is not just a hub for Southeast Asia, but also a destination into itself. Known for an active nightlife and party scene, as well as great food, historic temples, and busy markets, Bangkok offers a diversity to entertain even the most experienced travelers.

Montego Bay

As with most places around the tropical oasis of Jamaica, Montego Bay (or "MoBay") is an ideal place to visit for a Caribbean getaway. It is Jamaica's second largest city and the capital of St. James parish on the northern coast. Montego Bay is considered to be the tourist capital of the country and is where the largest airport is located, bringing in many international travelers.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Thailand, and The Best Wildlife Tours to Thailand.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Bangkok?

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 Bangkok is $105, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $255. 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 Bangkok and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bangkok $50
    Montego Bay $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bangkok $100
    Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Bangkok and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Bangkok or Montego Bay? 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 Bangkok


Hotels in Montego Bay


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: Bangkok Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bangkok $6.57
    Montego Bay $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Tuk Tuk to bus station
    $2.51
  • Skytrain Ticket
    $5.02
  • Chao Phraya River Express Ticket
    $1.00
  • Ferry Ride
    $0.82
  • Taxi From Airport
    $7.85
  • Short Taxi Ride
    $2.83
  • Boat Taxi
    $1.57
  • Trains to airport
    $5.02

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bangkok

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bangkok:

  • Erawan Museum Admision Ticket with Transfer: $12
  • Private Transfer from/to Suvarnabhumi Airport(BKK) : $12
  • Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) Departure Transfer (Shared or Private): $12
  • Sedan Arrival Transfer Bangkok Airport BKK to Bangkok or Pattaya: $15
  • Private Departure Transfer : Bangkok Hotel to BKK/DMK airport: $15
  • Arrival Transfer from BKK Airport to Bangkok Hotel: $15
  • Private transfer from Hotel in Bangkok to BKK Airport : $18
  • Private Bangkok Airport Transfer by Comfortable SUV: $19
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Pattaya APT-HTL (DMK): $20
  • Bangkok City Tour with Guided Temple Visits and Shared Transfers: $21
  • Affordable Bangkok Airport Transfer: $22
  • Budget-Friendly Shared Transfer to Suvarnabhumi Airport: $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Montego Bay Private Transfer with Airport Pickup and Dropoff : $20
  • Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
  • Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
  • Brown Boss Private Airport Transfers: $20
  • Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
  • Eden Bay Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Excellence Oyster Bay Private Transfer: $40
  • Excellence Resort Private Airport Transfer: $40
  • Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
  • Experience private Airport Transfer to Falmouth: $50
  • From Kingston One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $44
  • Grand Palladium Resort Private Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Bangkok or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Bangkok 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
    Bangkok $36
    Montego Bay $139
Typical Food Prices in Bangkok

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Bangkok:


  • Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe (for Two)
    $28
  • Casual Lunch of Prawns (for Two)
    $6.28
  • 2 Rotis (Bread)
    $1.41
  • Mango & Sticky Rice
    $0.94
  • Lunch at KFC (for Two)
    $6.28
  • Pad Thai
    $2.20
  • Airport Lunch for 2
    $17
  • Lunch for 2
    $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bangkok

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

  • Baiyoke Sky Hotel Observation Deck Ticket with Lunch or Dinner : $22
  • Meridian Dinner and Sunset Cruise in Bangkok: $23
  • Royal Princess Dinner Cruise in Bangkok: $25
  • Chao Phraya Princess Sunset and Dinner Cruise: $27
  • Twilight Dinner Cruise Along Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: $29
  • Calypso Cabaret Show with Thai Set Dinner: $29
  • Baiyoke Sky Dinner Experience with Observation Deck Access: $29
  • Baiyoke Sky Observation Deck With Buffet Dinner or Lunch: $29
  • Bangkok Amazing Chaophraya River Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $32
  • Nopparat’s Traditional Thai Dinner & Dance: $32
  • Chao Phraya River Serenade: VIVA Alangka Dinner Cruise, Bangkok: $32
  • Riverside Bangkok Dinner Cruise with Buffet and City Views: $32

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

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

  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
  • Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bangkok $18
    Montego Bay $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bangkok

Here are a few typical costs in Bangkok for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Movie Ticket
    $5.02
  • Grand Palace Entrance Ticket
    $11
  • Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha) Ticket
    $1.57
  • Dusit Zoo Entrance Fee (for Two)
    $6.28
  • Club Cover Charge
    $12
  • Thai Boxing Tickets (for Two)
    $75
  • Fish Pedicure
    $4.71
  • Wat Pho entrance ticket
    $3.14
  • Siriraj Museum (2)
    $13

Tours and Activities in Bangkok

Here are a few actual costs in Bangkok for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Road to Democracy: A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Thailand's Modern Politics: $5.00
  • Bangkok Noi Canal: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Bangkok's Old Town: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
  • Bangkok City Session Walking Tour: $8.18
  • Grand Palace Self-Guided Walking Tour (entry not incl.): $9.00
  • Space and Time Cube Tickets in Bangkok: $9.66
  • Ancient City Bangkok and Erawan Museum Tickets: $10
  • Erawan Museum Ticket (NON THAI): $10
  • Half Day Coral Island Tour from Pattaya With Lunch: $11
  • Erawan Museum at Bangkok Admission Ticket: $13
  • Explore Brilliant Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
  • Bangkok Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha Tour: $14

Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:


  • Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach
    $2.63
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $18
  • One Tank Dive
    $37
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    $42

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

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

  • Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
  • Luminous Lagoon Admission Tickets: $40
  • Jet Car Experience/ clear kayak photo shoot in Montego Bay: $40
  • Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $50
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • Montego Bay Sight Seeing with Tour Guide : $50
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $54
  • Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $55
  • Montego Bay & Falmouth Hotels, Souvenir Shopping and sightseeing: $60
  • Private Tour in Dunns River Falls: $60
  • Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
  • Private Montego Bay Customized Tour with Pickup and Guide: $65

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bangkok $5.65
    Montego Bay $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Bangkok

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Bangkok are as follows:


  • Beer
    $1.26

Sample the Local Flavors in Bangkok

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bangkok:

  • Bangkok Pub Crawl: $17
  • The Original Bangkok Pub Crawl: $32

Sample the Local Flavors in Montego Bay

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

  • Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bangkok and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Bangkok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bangkok is in Asia and Montego Bay 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 Bangkok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bangkok 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 Montego Bay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montego Bay than you might in Bangkok.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bangkok Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bangkok or Montego Bay?

Bangkok has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Bangkok and Montego Bay, 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 Bangkok or Montego Bay?

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 Bangkok or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bangkok and Montego Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bangkok year-round. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Bangkok gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Bangkok usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Bangkok gets 155 mm (6.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Bangkok usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Bangkok gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Bangkok is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bangkok in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bangkok 29°C (84°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Bangkok or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bangkok as well as Montego Bay. Bangkok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Also, November to February in Bangkok is the dry season. May to October in Bangkok is the rainy season. It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. Bangkok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Bangkok usually gets more rain in October than Montego Bay. Bangkok gets 242 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bangkok this time of the year. In the autumn, Bangkok often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Bangkok gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.

In October, Bangkok is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Bangkok average around 28°C (83°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bangkok 28°C (83°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Bangkok or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Bangkok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bangkok throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Bangkok is November to February. In January, Bangkok usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Bangkok gets 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bangkok. Bangkok usually receives more sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Bangkok gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

Bangkok is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Bangkok averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bangkok 27°C (80°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Bangkok or Montego Bay in the Spring?

Both Montego Bay and Bangkok during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bangkok because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

May to October is the rainy season in Bangkok. Bangkok usually gets more rain in April than Montego Bay. Bangkok gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bangkok. In the spring, Bangkok often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Bangkok gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Bangkok is a little warmer than Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bangkok in April average around 31°C (87°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bangkok 31°C (87°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Bangkok

Bangkok Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 27°C (80°F) 9 mm (0.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 28°C (82°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 29°C (85°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 31°C (87°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 30°C (86°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 29°C (85°F) 149 mm (5.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 29°C (84°F) 155 mm (6.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 29°C (84°F) 197 mm (7.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 28°C (83°F) 344 mm (13.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 28°C (83°F) 242 mm (9.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 27°C (81°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 26°C (79°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)