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.
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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.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesCalgary Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $257Calgary $177
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $257, while the average daily cost in Calgary is $177. 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
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $101Calgary $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $202Calgary $146
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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Calgary $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 RIU PALACE AQUARELLE: $50
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer: $97
- Airport - Ocho Rios Hotels Transfers and Returns: $260
- Airport MBJ Round Trip Transfers, to Montego Bay Airbnb & Resorts: $53
- Airport Round Trip Transfer To Hotels in Montego Bay: $19
- Airport Round transfer Excellence,Coral Springs,Paladium, Royaltan Blue Waters: $110
- Airport Transfer: $80
- Airport Transfer MBJ Montego Bay to Kingston: $150
- Airport Transfer Montego Bay Hotels: $120
- Airport Transfer To Dreams Rose Hall: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Calgary
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Calgary:
- Calgary Airport Transfer to/from Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise: $56
- Calgary/Banff/Canmore: Rockies Shuttle & Transfer Packages: $70
- Experience Private Airport Transfer in Calgary: $73
- Minivan Private Transfer: Calgary to Banff & Banff to Calgary: $73
- Alberta Transfer: Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, Calgary: $76
- Calgary Downtown Transfers: $85
- Limousine Sedan Airport Transfer Service in YYC Calgary Airport: $92
- Round Trip transfer between Calgary Airport and Banff.: $95
- Private Transfer to Banff: $97
- Calgary hotel or address to Calgary Airport (YYC) - Departure Private Transfer: $100
- Calgary YYC Airport to Banff (Private Transfer): $101
- Departure Private Transfer: Calgary to Calgary Airport YYC in Business Car: $112
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
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Food Meals for one dayMontego Bay $141Calgary $54
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
- 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
- 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
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
Typical Food Prices in Calgary
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Calgary:
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Bread, Chips, Cheese$8.10
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
- Iconic Eats of Calgary Food Tour: $130
- Asian Cooking Class (Includes 6-Course Meal): $135
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Calgary $15
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$2.66
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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:
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $20
- Montego Bay City highlight And Souvenir Shopping Group Tour: $20
- Blue Hole Adventure and Shopping Experience with Transportation: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Bamboo Rafting & Jamaican Village Experience: $25
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
- Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From 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:
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Stampede Admission (for 2)$22
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: $6.63
- Sam Centre Calgary Stampede Museum Ticket: $11
- David Garneau Dark Chapters Reading the Ruins Exhibition Ticket: $13
- Discover Calgary with 3 Smartphone Audio Walking Tours: $15
- 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
- Calgary Downtown: 2-Hour Introductory Walking Tour: $24
- Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo Entry Ticket: $28
- Best of the City Walking Tour: $28
- Wilder Institute's Calgary Zoo: Entry Ticket: $29
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Calgary $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
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
Sample the Local Flavors in Calgary
Also in Calgary, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewery Tours at Award Winning Venues: $80
- Brewery Tour: $85
- Calgary Brewery Tour: $96
- Calgary to Banff Brewery Tour and Lunch: $147
- Cask Blending Class at Burwood Distillery: $147
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.
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.