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

Should you visit Helsinki 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 Helsinki 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: Helsinki or Montego Bay?

Helsinki

Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.

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 10-Day Tours in Finland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Helsinki?

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

  • Helsinki Prices
    Finland Prices
    Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Helsinki 164
    Montego Bay 225

The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €164, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €225. 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 Helsinki and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Helsinki 73
    Montego Bay 88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Helsinki 146
    Montego Bay 176
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Helsinki 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 Helsinki


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: Helsinki Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Helsinki 22
    Montego Bay 13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki

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

  • Private Transfer from Helsinki Hotels to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $68
  • Helsinki West Harbour Terminal to Helsinki hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
  • Private Transfer from Helsinki Port to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $68
  • Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
  • Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer: $68
  • Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $68
  • Private Transfer from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki Port: $68
  • Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal Private Transfer: $68
  • Minivan Departure Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL: $83
  • Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki city centre to Helsinki airport: $83
  • Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki (HEL) Airport to City centre: $83
  • Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $88

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • luxury VIP Airport Transfer to RIU Palace, Reggae,Montego bay: $140
  • VIP Runaway Bay Transfer: $160
  • VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $74
  • VIP Luxury Airport Transfer Mobay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Lucea,: $150
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay HTL-APT (MBJ): $37
  • Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Negril: $53
  • Transfer from/to Airport, Riu Reggae, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace: $28
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Runaway Bay: $172
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $64
  • Sunset at the Palm Private Negril Airport Transfer: $52
  • Sunscape Resorts Montego Bay Private Airport Transfers: $25
  • Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75

Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Helsinki 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
    Helsinki 59
    Montego Bay 123

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki

For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Helsinki Authentic Walking Food Tour with 8 Local Tastings: $121
  • From Moose & Wildlife Safari with Campfire Dinner: $170
  • FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $187
  • Authentic Lake Sauna, Swim and Dinner with Locals near Helsinki: $288

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay

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

  • Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay: $40
  • Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
  • Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
  • 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
  • Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
  • Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $231

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Helsinki 27
    Montego Bay 27

Tours and Activities in Helsinki

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

  • Porvoo Self Guided Audio Walking Tour Painted Stories and Quiz: $8.23
  • A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $12
  • A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $24
  • Discover Helsinki City Walk - Multiple Tours Daily: $24
  • Suomenlinna Ferry and Guided Walking Tour in the Fortress: $30
  • Sightseeing Cruise in Archipelago of Helsinki: $33
  • Helsinki Canal Cruise: $34
  • Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour: $42
  • City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $42
  • Helsinki Private Walking Tour with a Local: $49
  • Sauna and Sightseeing Helsinki cruise: $53
  • Helsinki Walking Tour - Small Group: $58

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
    2.32
  • Snorkeling Trip
    16
  • One Tank Dive
    33
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    37

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

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

  • 1 Hour Efoil Experience in Montego Bay: $150
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
  • 2 Days Private Jamaica Tour: $230
  • 2 Hour Private Montego Bay City Tour with Souvenir’s Shopping: $80
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 4 Hour ATV & Horse Back Riding Private Tour (Transportation Only): $105
  • 4 Hours Party Boat Catamaran Cruise in Negril: $190
  • 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
  • 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
  • 5 Hour Private Tour at Doctor's Cave Beach and Margaritaville: $108
  • 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Helsinki 16
    Montego 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 Helsinki and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Helsinki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki 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 Helsinki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Helsinki 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 Helsinki.

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


Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Montego Bay?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Montego Bay?

Helsinki 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 Helsinki or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Montego Bay. The summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Helsinki is much colder than Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, 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 Helsinki this time of the year. In the summer, Helsinki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Montego Bay. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Helsinki 17°C (62°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

Both Montego Bay and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 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, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Helsinki 6°C (42°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Montego Bay. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Helsinki -6°C (21°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Montego Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Montego Bay. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. Helsinki is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, 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. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Helsinki 3°C (37°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Helsinki

Helsinki Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (21°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 34 mm (1.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec -4°C (26°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)