Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Beijing 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 Beijing 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: Beijing or Montego Bay?
Beijing
Beijing is the capital of China and, with 21.5 million people, it is the second most populated city in the world after Shanghai. It is a city that keeps pockets of its history hidden in old neighborhoods or back alleys, despite the constant change and modernization that goes on around it. As the capital city of China, there is plenty of history and culture. You can still get yourself lost in one of the last remaining hutongs, which are old neighborhoods that remain untouched by the city's modernization. The alleys that weave between the old homes are lined with drying clothes, corner markets, and people going about their daily lives the way they have for centuries. Surrounding these hutongs you'll find modern buildings and a booming economy, all threatening to destroying these last bits of Beijing's history. Beijing offers a glimpse into a microcosm that represents the entire country of China. Make sure you give yourself enough time in China to truly experience Beijing. You can pass a lot of time soaking up life in the city, which remains as diverse as the country it resides within.
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Beijing Prices
China PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBeijing $96Montego Bay $259
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $96, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $259. 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 Beijing and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBeijing $42Montego Bay $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBeijing $84Montego Bay $204
Compare Hotels in Beijing and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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.
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: Beijing Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Beijing $8.22Montego Bay $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Beijing
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
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Taxi$5.02
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Train from Airport for Two$7.35
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Taxi to Hotel$8.83
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2 Metro Passes$2.35
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Metro$0.59
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Beijing
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
- Private Transfers for City, Suburbs & Airport/Train: $1.46
- Ming Tombs Entrance Ticket with Optional Guided &Transfer Service: $7.79
- Badaling Great Wall Entrance Ticket with Guide/Transfer Service: $9.50
- Private Mutianyu Great Wall Day Tour w/ Optional Guide/Transfer: $15
- From Mutianyu Great Wall Transfer with Pick-Up: $19
- Beijing Private Railway Station Arrival/Departure Transfers: $20
- BusDa: Group/Private Round-trip Transfer to Great Wall of China: $20
- BusDa:Mutianyu Great Wall Sightseeing Full-day Bus Transfer: $20
- Beijing:Private One-Way Airport Transfer from Beijing City Center: $20
- Afternoon Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
- Mutianyu Great Wall Round-Trip Transfer with Driver & Ticket: $20
- Morning Bus Transfer to Mutianyu Great Wall + Entry Ticket: $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer: $97
- Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Private Transfers from Montego Bay to Hilton Rose Hall: $21
- Airport Round Trip Transfer To Hotels in Montego Bay: $19
- Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Montego Bay Hotels: $120
- Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60
Is it cheaper to fly into Beijing or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Beijing 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 dayBeijing $36Montego Bay $142
Typical Food Prices in Beijing
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
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Popcorn$0.88
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Hot Pot Dinner$7.35
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Dumpling Breakfast for Two$2.94
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Watermelon$2.06
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Peking Duck Dinner for 2$18
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Two Popsicles$0.88
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Beijing
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
- Online Cooking Class Orange Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Handmade Noodles by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Kungpao Chicken: $25
- Beijing Dumpling Cooking Class Private Courtyard Cafe: $40
- Beijing Food Tour: $40
- Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Hutong Breakfast Food Tour: $45
- Beijing Acrobatic Show Tickets w/ Optional Dinner or Transfer: $48
- 3.5-Hour Walking Food Tour: A Bite of History at Beijing Niujie Street: $49
- Temple of Heaven Private Tour w/Option Show &Dinner: $54
- China's Favourite Street Food Cooking Workshop: $55
- Experience Beijing Walking Food Tour Private: $55
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Beijing $26Montego Bay $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Beijing
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Entry to Summer Palace for Two$8.83
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Two Opera Tickets$63
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Temple of Heaven Park Entrance (for 2)$10
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Forbidden City (for 2)$18
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Forbidden City Tickets$18
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Audio Guides at Forbidden City$12
Tours and Activities in Beijing
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Entrance Tickets: Coal Hill Park, Beihai Park & Drum-Bell Towers: $2.50
- Capital Museum tour includes Ticket: $2.78
- Forbidden City Ticket Booking: $2.90
- Tian’anmenSquare or Forbidden City Online Ticket Booking: $2.92
- Forbidden City & Tiananmen Square Ticket Booking Service: $3.00
- Beijing:Tiananmen Square tickets with guide(optional): $3.19
- Forbidden City Walking Guided Tour w/ Entry Tickets: $3.60
- Tiananmen Square Registration Service(Ticket): $3.79
- Tiananmen Square - Registration Ticket: $3.99
- Beijing Jingshan Park Entry Ticket: $4.00
- Beijing Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square Admission Tickets: $4.00
- Tiananmen Square Ticket Booking: $4.00
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:
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Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach$2.68
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $16
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay with complimentary section: $25
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port to Doctor's Cave Beach and City Tour: $29
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBeijing $12Montego Bay $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Beijing
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
- Tipsy Travel: Beijing Local Food and Bar Crawl night in Hutong: $138
- 5-Hour Private Changyu Chateau Wine Tasting Tour from Beijing: $178
- Beijing Brewery Bike Tour: $199
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 Beijing and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Beijing or Montego Bay?
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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 Beijing or Montego Bay?
Beijing has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Montego Bay experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Beijing or Montego Bay in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Montego Bay. The summer months attract visitors to Beijing because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In July, Beijing is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 27°C (80°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
Beijing gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Beijing usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyBeijing 27°C (80°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Montego Bay. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Beijing is much colder than Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (56°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the autumn, Beijing often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. Beijing usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberBeijing 14°C (56°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Montego Bay in the Winter?
Both Montego Bay and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Beijing for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Beijing. In the winter, Beijing is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Beijing in January average around -4°C (26°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Beijing usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryBeijing -4°C (26°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Beijing or Montego Bay in the Spring?
Both Montego Bay and Beijing during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Beijing in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In April, Beijing is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around 14°C (57°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the spring, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in April than Montego Bay. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilBeijing 14°C (57°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Beijing
| Beijing | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.