Which place is cheaper, Atlanta or Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay or Atlanta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Atlanta 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: Montego Bay or Atlanta?
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.
Atlanta
Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesAtlanta Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $258Atlanta $204
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Atlanta is $204. 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 Montego Bay and Atlanta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Atlanta $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Atlanta $180
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Atlanta
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Atlanta? 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Atlanta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Atlanta $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Mercedes Benz Sprinter Airport Transfer: $300
- Jet Car Adventure in Montego Bay Daytrip with Transfers: $300
- Chevy Suburban Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $300
- Private Airport OneWay Transfer to Hotel in Montego Bay: $300
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Ocho Rios Hotels / Resort - Airport Transfers: $267
- Blue Hole & Horseback Riding Tour with Transfers from Montego Bay: $265
- MBJ Airport to Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa Transfer: $243
- Private Roundtrip Transfer to/from Ohio Rios and Sangster Airport: $241
- Airport-Negril Hotels Transfers and Returns For 1- 4 persons: $230
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Negril (Round Trip): $225
- Private Transfer To/From Montego Bay & Airport MBJ Across Jamaica: $215
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
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MARTA Subway Ticket$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City: $38
- Round Trip Private Transfer from Atlanta Airport to your Hotel: $40
- Atlanta to Atlanta Airport (ATL) - Departure Private Transfer: $52
- Atlanta to Atlanta Airport (ATL) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
- Private Car Transfer From Atlanta Airport to Atlanta Metro Area: $67
- Atlanta Private Airport Transfers: $67
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport private transfer: $70
- Sno Roth Luxury Car Service and Airport Transfer: $75
- Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport PrivateTransfer: $75
- Private Arrival Transfer from Atlanta Airport (ATL): $80
- Private One-way Transfer from Atlanta Airport to Atlanta: $81
- Lithia Springs to Hartsfield Jackson Airport (ATL) - Departure Private Transfer: $90
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Atlanta?
Prices for flights to both Atlanta and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $142Atlanta $74
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
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
- Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
- 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
Typical Food Prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
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Fast Food Lunch (for 2)$15
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Lunch$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- City Lights Atlanta Night-Time Bus Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $69
- Atlanta City Lights Night Bus Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $69
- Historic Market Food Tour and Biscuit Cooking Class: $70
- Macaron Cooking Class at a Local Wine Bar in Atlanta: $75
- 2 Hour Historic Market Food Tour and Hands-On Biscuit Class: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Wine Bar in Atlanta: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Atlanta : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $94
- Atlanta : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $97
- Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour: $99
- Walking Food Tour: $104
- Midtown Atlanta Food Tour with 6 Tastings of Southern Flavors: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Atlanta $56
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$2.67
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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:
- “ATV Adventure & Rick’s Café Experience from Montego Bay: $123
- 1 Hour Efoil Experience in Montego Bay: $150
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 2 Days Private Jamaica Tour: $230
- 2 Hour Private Montego Bay City Tour with Souvenir’s Shopping: $80
- 27/27 Lounge, Pier 1 & Margaritaville Nightlife Tour In Jamaica: $72
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
- 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
- 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- 7 Mile Beach Party Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Ricks Cafe: $115
- 7 Mile Beach Private Tour: $122
Tours and Activities in Atlanta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
- Discover Civil Rights and Culture Self-Guided Tour: $1.14
- Atlanta Self-Guided City Walking Tour & Scavenger Hunt: $5.00
- Ultimate Atlanta Walking Tour and Activities: $5.00
- Atlanta Kids Quest: Family Walking Adventure: $7.64
- App-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- The Civil Rights Movement in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience in Decatur GA: $15
- Atlanta Braves Baseball Game Tickets at Truist Park: $15
- Atlanta Braves Baseball Game Ticket at Truist Park: $17
- Children's Museum of Atlanta General Entry Ticket: $22
- SkyView Ferris Wheel Ticket: $22
- World of Coca-Cola Entry Ticket: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Atlanta $17
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:
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
- Atlanta's Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Half-Day Wine Tastings in the North GA Mountains from Atlanta: $115
- Bartram Trail Hike plus Wine Tasting: $159
- Elijay Hike w/ Waterfall & Wine Tasting Private Tour from ATL: $230
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Atlanta, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Atlanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Atlanta is in North America, 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 Atlanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlanta 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 Atlanta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Atlanta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Atlanta?
Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Atlanta, 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 Montego Bay or Atlanta?
Atlanta 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 Montego Bay or Atlanta in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Atlanta. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Atlanta 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Atlanta in the Autumn?
Both Atlanta and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.
In October, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).
It's quite sunny in Atlanta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Atlanta 66°F (19°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Atlanta in the Winter?
Both Atlanta and Montego Bay during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun.
Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Atlanta 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Atlanta in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Atlanta. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atlanta in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.
Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Atlanta 65°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Atlanta and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Atlanta | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
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.