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

Should you visit Montego Bay or Calgary?

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 Calgary 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 Calgary?

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.

Calgary

Calgary is the largest city in Alberta and, located at the edge of the prairie and foothills, it is a gateway to the Rocky Mountains. If you're headed to Banff or Jasper, this is likely to be your first stop. It's also Canada's fourth largest city and worth a few days visit. Calgary's economy is diverse, but includes energy, financial services, film and television, transportation, technology, manufacturing, and much more.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Calgary 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.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $258, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $172. 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 Calgary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montego Bay $102
    Calgary $71
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montego Bay $204
    Calgary $142
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Calgary

Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Calgary? 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 Montego Bay


Hotels in Calgary


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 Calgary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montego Bay $15
    Calgary $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • 2727lounge/Magarativille/Pier1 & taboo nightlife private transfer: $45
  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to Grand Palladium Resort: $45
  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
  • Airport (MBJ) Round Trip Transfer in Montego Bay: $60
  • Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
  • Airport Private Round Trip Transfer: $30
  • Airport Transfer: $80
  • Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
  • Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
  • Airport Transfer Riu Montego / Reggae / Palace: $40
  • Airport Transfer Negril Hotels: $130
  • Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:

  • Calgary Best Private Transfer Between Local Airport and Hotels: $53
  • Calgary Airport Transfer to/from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise: $56
  • Calgary/Banff/Canmore: Rockies Shuttle & Transfer Packages: $70
  • Minivan Private Transfer: Calgary to Banff & Banff to Calgary: $72
  • Calgary Downtown Hotels to YYC Airport Private Transfer: $72
  • Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $75
  • Private Shuttle from Calgary/ YYCAirport/Canmore/Banff Transfers: $79
  • Calgary Downtown Transfers: $85
  • Round Trip transfer between Calgary Airport and Banff.: $95
  • Private Transfer from Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary Hotels: $97
  • Private Transfer to Banff: $97
  • Calgary Airport (YYC) to Calgary hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer: $98

Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Calgary?

Prices for flights to both Calgary 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montego Bay $142
    Calgary $52

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
  • 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
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195

Typical Food Prices in Calgary

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:


  • Bread, Chips, Cheese
    $7.87

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Calgary

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

  • Light Brunch & Food Tour at Calgary Farmers' Market WEST: $78
  • Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $124
  • Asian Cooking Class (Includes 6-Course Meal): $135

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montego Bay $31
    Calgary $15
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
    $2.67
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $19
  • One Tank Dive
    $37
  • 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:

  • Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
  • Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay: $20
  • Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
  • Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
  • Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
  • Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
  • Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $25
  • Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port to Doctor's Cave Beach and City Tour: $29
  • Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
  • Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
  • Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
  • Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30

Typical Entertainment Prices in Calgary

Here are a few typical costs in Calgary for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Stampede Admission (for 2)
    $21

Tours and Activities in Calgary

Here are a few actual costs in Calgary for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • City Highlights Walking Tour | 3-Hour: $5.00
  • Calgary's Beltline District: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.49
  • Downtown Calgary a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $6.55
  • Sam Centre Calgary Stampede Museum Ticket: $11
  • David Garneau Dark Chapters Reading the Ruins Exhibition Ticket: $13
  • A Spectacular Audio Tour : Calgary Adventure: $15
  • Fun Selfie Experience in Calgary: $18
  • Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Calgary with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
  • Trans Canada Bundle 4 Audio Driving Tours Calgary to Vancouver: $22
  • Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $24
  • Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo Entry Ticket: $28
  • Best of the City Walking Tour: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montego Bay $13
    Calgary $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:

  • Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231

Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary

Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • An Epic Bar Crawl: Cruisin' Calgary: $12
  • Brewery Tours at Award Winning Venues: $80
  • Brewery Tour: $85
  • Calgary Brewery Tour: $95
  • Calgary to Banff Brewery Tour and Lunch: $144


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Calgary, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Calgary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Calgary 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 Calgary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Calgary 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 Calgary.

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 Calgary Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Calgary?

Calgary has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Calgary, 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.