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

Should you visit Gothenburg or Montego Bay?

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

Should I visit Gothenburg or Montego Bay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Gothenburg or Montego Bay?

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Gothenburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Gothenburg Prices
    Sweden Prices
    Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Gothenburg $145
    Montego Bay $255

The average daily cost (per person) in Gothenburg is $145, 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 Gothenburg and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gothenburg $46
    Montego Bay $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gothenburg $92
    Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Gothenburg and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg


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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gothenburg $21
    Montego Bay $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $17
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $17
  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $71
  • Gothenburg Airport: Transfer to City center of Gothenburg: $74
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $80
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Arrival Private Transfer: $108
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $108
  • Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $115
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $128
  • Airport Transfer: Gothenburg to Airport GOT by Business Car: $132
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $162

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $61
  • Sangster Airport Montego Bay Transfer to Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
  • Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80
  • Royalton White Sands Private Airport Transfer: $40
  • Royalton Blue Waters & Hideaway by Blue Waters Private Transfer: $35
  • Roundtrip Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Hotel or Airbnb: $22
  • Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
  • Private airport transfer to negril resorts arrival/departure: $17
  • Private Transfer/Tours to/from Montego Bay: $60
  • Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
  • Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Gothenburg or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Gothenburg 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
    Gothenburg $76
    Montego Bay $139

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.
    Gothenburg $18
    Montego Bay $31

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Self Guided Tour in Gothenburg: $3.58
  • Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $8.59
  • Headless Horseman in Self-Guided Ghost Tour Game: $8.63
  • Alfie Atkins Cultural Centre Admission Ticket: $15
  • Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $16
  • Gothenburg Old Town Sightseeing Tour: $16
  • World of Volvo Exhibition Entry Ticket: $19
  • Universeum Entry Ticket: $24
  • Gothenburg Universeum Ticket - Aquarium, Science, Wildlife, Zoo: $25
  • City Canal Sightseeing Cruise: $28
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $36
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $36

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:

  • Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
  • Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
  • Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
  • Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
  • Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
  • Private Dolphin Cove Adventure : $250
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 3 Hours Private Highlights Tour & Shopping in Montego Bay Jamaica: $100
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
  • ATV Adventure and Rick's Cafe Tour with Transportation: $238
  • ATV Jungle Safari Tour from Montego Bay: $125

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gothenburg $24
    Montego Bay $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Gothenburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Gothenburg:

  • Guided Brewery Tour on Bicycle: $66

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 Gothenburg and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Gothenburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg.

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


Which is Bigger, Gothenburg or Montego Bay?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or Montego Bay?

Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Gothenburg as well as Montego Bay. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

In July, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 16°C (61°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In the summer, Gothenburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay. Gothenburg gets 243 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets more rain in July than Montego Bay. Gothenburg gets 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

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

Gothenburg is much colder than Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Gothenburg averages around 9°C (47°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Gothenburg gets 94 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In October, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Gothenburg gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Gothenburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

The weather in Gothenburg can be very cold. In the winter, Gothenburg is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Gothenburg in January average around -2°C (29°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Gothenburg often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Gothenburg gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.

Gothenburg usually gets less rain in January than Montego Bay. Gothenburg gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Gothenburg or Montego Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gothenburg and Montego Bay. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Gothenburg is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Gothenburg average around 5°C (41°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Gothenburg usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Gothenburg gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Gothenburg usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Gothenburg gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Gothenburg

Gothenburg Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)