Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Ghent?
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 Ghent or Montego Bay?
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 Ghent and Montego Bay. 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: Ghent or Montego Bay?
Ghent
Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.
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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Budget Tours to Belgium.
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Ghent Prices
Belgium PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayGhent €144Montego Bay €217
The average daily cost (per person) in Ghent is €144, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €217. 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 Ghent and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personGhent €72Montego Bay €85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomGhent €144Montego Bay €170
Compare Hotels in Ghent and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Ghent 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: Ghent Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Ghent €19Montego Bay €12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay and Falmouth Hotels : $16
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport/ Port Transfers to Montego Bay Hotels: $16
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Private Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotel: $16
- Sangster Airport Montego Bay Transfer to Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $16
- Private airport transfer to negril resorts arrival/departure: $17
- Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $20
- Private Montego Bay Airport transfer to Falmouth Trelawny : $20
Is it cheaper to fly into Ghent or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Ghent 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 dayGhent €60Montego Bay €119
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ghent
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Ghent.
- Walking Food Tour in Ghent: $93
- Walking food tour: Introduction to Ghent through food: $109
- Small-Group Food Tour in Ghent by Bike: $178
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Ghent €8.64Montego Bay €26
Tours and Activities in Ghent
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Ghent are as follows:
- Gastronomic Walking Tour of Gent - Tasters included: $3.57
- Historical Walking Tour: Legends of Gent: $3.57
- Evening Tour of the Dark Side of Gent: $3.57
- Ghent Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $7.75
- Ghent Walking Tour with Audioguide on Your Smartphone: $8.34
- Pub Trail an adventure full of surprises: $13
- Hidden A Self-Guided Audio Tour Of The Flemish City: $15
- Escape Tour Gent -selfguided citygame- and find the secret exit!: $24
- Discover Ghent with a self-guided Outside Escape city game tour!: $30
- TV like Ultimate Quiz Experience in Ghent: $30
- Ghent Beer Guided Walking Tour: $54
- Bicycle tour in historic Ghent: $54
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€2.24
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Snorkeling Trip€16
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One Tank Dive€31
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride€36
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayGhent €18Montego Bay €11
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 Ghent and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Ghent much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Ghent is in Europe 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 Ghent would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ghent 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 Ghent.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Ghent Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Ghent or Montego Bay?
Ghent has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Ghent 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 Ghent or Montego Bay?
Ghent 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 Ghent or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Ghent are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Ghent for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the summer, Ghent is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Ghent in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Ghent gets 202 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Ghent usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Ghent gets 66 mm (2.6 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 JulyGhent 17°C (63°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Ghent during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Ghent because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In October, Ghent is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Ghent average around 12°C (54°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Ghent gets 105 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Ghent usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Ghent gets 78 mm (3.1 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 OctoberGhent 12°C (54°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Ghent and Montego Bay. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Ghent this time of year. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Ghent in the winter. Ghent is much colder than Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Ghent averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Ghent usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Ghent gets 47 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Ghent usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Ghent gets 59 mm (2.3 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 JanuaryGhent 3°C (38°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Ghent or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Ghent as well as Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Ghent for the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
In the spring, Ghent is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Ghent in April average around 8°C (47°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the spring, Ghent often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Ghent gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.
Ghent usually gets less rain in April than Montego Bay. Ghent gets 45 mm (1.8 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 AprilGhent 8°C (47°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Ghent
| Ghent | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (47°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 75 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.