Which place is cheaper, Banff 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 Banff?
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 Banff 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 Banff?
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.
Banff
Nestled in the pristine and gorgeous mountains of the Alberta Rockies is the popular town of Banff. This town sits right in Canada's Banff National Park and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
While the surrounding nature may give the impression of a quiet, little town, Banff is typically crowded with tourists. The beauty of this area is irresistible for travelers from all over the world. This may not be the place for solitude or even an authentic, country experience, you'll still find an unforgettable vacation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesBanff Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $259Banff $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $259, while the average daily cost in Banff is $102. 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 Banff in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $102Banff $37
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $204Banff $74
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Banff
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Banff? 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 Banff Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Banff $5.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
- Airport transfer, Private Taxi Montego Bay: $10
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $14
- Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Hyatt zilara or ziva EXCLUSIVE private airport transfer services: $14
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers: $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- Banff to Calgary or YYC Airport | Private Transfer: $132
- From Hassle-free Private Transfer to Calgary YYC Airport: $139
- Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $158
- Calgary to Lake Louise (Private Transfer): $161
- Private Airport Transfer YYC to Banff Canmore or Lake Louise: $215
- Banff to Calgary Exclusive Private Transfer: $237
- Banff Canmore to Calgary Airport YYC Private Transfer: $237
- Calgary to Banff, Canmore, Lake Louise, Luxury YYC Transfer: $286
- All-Inclusive Private Banff Tour with Hotel Transfer: $338
- Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $823
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Banff?
Prices for flights to both Banff 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 $142Banff $48
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 with Pickup from Montego Bay: $45
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
- Glistening Bioluminescent Waters and Dinner at Jerk hut: $105
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- The Local Lime- Montego Bay Dinner and/or Nightlife Tour: $149
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
Typical Food Prices in Banff
Some typical examples of dining costs in Banff are as follows:
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Tea House Lunch for Two$32
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Hostel Breakfast$26
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McDonalds$4.48
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Banff
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Banff.
- Banff's Best Breakfast Food Tour: $93
- Banff's Canadian Rocky Mountain Food Tour: $104
- The Banff Food Tour and So Much More: $108
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Banff $12
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$2.68
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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:
- Carnival Cruise Ship in Montego Bay to Great River & Hip strip: $20
- Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Montego Bay Nightlife Tour with Private Transportation: $25
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Street Executive Tours And Chauffeur Service Jamaica: $35
- Bamboo Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banff
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Banff are as follows:
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Hot Springs$5.13
Tours and Activities in Banff
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Banff are as follows:
- City Highlights Walking Tour 2-Hour: $5.00
- Sights of Canmore Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $7.88
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $7.89
- Sights of Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $7.89
- Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour: $7.89
- Banff Basin and Town Self-Guided Walking Tour (No Ticket): $9.99
- Buffalo Nations Museum in Banff - Admission Ticket: $11
- Self-Guided Lake Louise & Yoho National Park Driving Audio Tour: $17
- Paranormal History Walking Ghost Tour: $29
- Round-Trip Shuttle Tour to Banff, Lake Louise & Moraine Lake: $32
- Best of Banff- Signature Express Tour (2.5 hours): $32
- Sightseeing Chairlift Ride High Above Banff: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Banff $9.03
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
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $250
Sample the Local Flavors in Banff
Also in Banff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Calgary to Banff Brewery Tour & Lunch: $140
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Banff, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Banff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Banff 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 Banff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banff 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 Banff.
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 Banff Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Banff?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Banff, 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.
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.