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

Should you visit Hofn or Montego Bay?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Hofn or Montego Bay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Hofn or Montego Bay?

Hofn

Hofn is a very small fishing town on the southeast of Iceland, measuring just over half a mile across. It is best known for being located in the beautiful Vatnajokull Region, where the largest glacier in Europe is located. Hofn, and the surrounding area, is full of breathtaking natural scenery including lagoons, icefalls, and mountains.

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 Northern Lights Tours in Iceland, and The Best Luxury Tours to Iceland.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Hofn?

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 Hofn is $207, 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 Hofn and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Hofn $113
    Montego Bay $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Hofn $226
    Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Hofn and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Hofn 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 Hofn


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: Hofn Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Hofn $31
    Montego Bay $14

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Kingston: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $319
  • Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
  • Horseback Ride/Swim and Blue Hole Falls Daytrip with Transfers: $190
  • Green Grato Caves and Dunns River Falls with Private Transfer : $180
  • Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
  • Private Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting Tour with Private Transfer: $135
  • Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
  • Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
  • Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
  • Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
  • Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
  • Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Hofn or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Hofn 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
    Hofn $73
    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.
    Hofn $20
    Montego Bay $31

Tours and Activities in Hofn

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Hofn.

  • Ice Cave Tour in the National Park of Vatnajökull: $157
  • The Orignal Ice Cave Tour in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: $164
  • Sapphire Ice Cave Tour from Jökulsárlón - Extra Small Group: $170
  • Crystal Ice Cave Tour from Jokulsarlon Glacier Lagoon: $182
  • Frozen Wonders : Small Group Ice Cave Tour: $200
  • Crystal Ice Cave Adventure : $203
  • 3 Hours Blue Ice Experience in Vatnajokull : $214
  • Sindri’s Ice Cave Photography Tour: A Local’s Perspective: $215

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
    Hofn $13
    Montego Bay $13

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

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


Which is Bigger, Hofn or Montego Bay?

Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Hofn. When comparing the sizes of Hofn 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 Hofn or Montego Bay?

Hofn 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 Hofn or Montego Bay in the Summer?

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

Hofn is much colder than Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Hofn usually gets more rain in July than Montego Bay. Hofn gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Hofn 9°C (48°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Hofn. In the autumn, Hofn is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Hofn in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Hofn gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Hofn usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Hofn gets 153 mm (6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Hofn 4°C (40°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Montego Bay in the Winter?

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

Hofn can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Hofn is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Hofn average around -0°C (31°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Hofn receives a lot of rain in the winter. Hofn usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bay. Hofn gets 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Hofn -0°C (31°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Hofn or Montego Bay in the Spring?

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

Hofn can be very cold during spring. Hofn is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Hofn averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In April, Hofn usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Hofn gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Hofn 2°C (36°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Hofn

Hofn Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -0°C (31°F) 138 mm (5.4 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 0°C (32°F) 122 mm (4.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 0°C (32°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 5°C (40°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 8°C (46°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 9°C (48°F) 77 mm (3 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 9°C (48°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 153 mm (6 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 101 mm (4 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec -0°C (32°F) 124 mm (4.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)