Which place is cheaper, Charlotte or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Charlotte?
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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte?
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.
Charlotte
With a population of almost 800,000, Charlotte is the largest city in the state of North Carolina. The city has grown rapidly in recent years and the thriving economy has led to major revitalization efforts in the city's central district. The city is a center for finance, industry, technology, and entertainment within the state. It is the location of the corporate headquarters of Bank of America as well as the east coast operations of Wells Fargo, making it the second largest banking center in the United States. Although Charlotte has never been considered a significant tourist destination, recent efforts to enhance the urban core and develop entertainment venues have begun to appeal to outside visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, and The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Charlotte $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Charlotte is $191. 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 Charlotte in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Charlotte $118
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Charlotte $236
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Charlotte
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Charlotte? 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 Charlotte Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Charlotte $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport To Ocho Rios: $267
- Blue Hole and Horseback Riding from Montego Bay with Transfers: $265
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $245
- Private Transfer to Island Gully Falls: $240
- Black River and YS Falls Adventure with Transfer: $235
- Chevy Suburban Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $225
- Private Transfer to Kingston: $215
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Area or Airport MBJ to Kingston: $215
- Kingston Airport Transfer (Montego bay,Negril,Ocho rio): $214
- Airport Transfer From Kingston : $200
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $195
- Negril Hotel Private Transfer Service: $190
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlotte
Also for Charlotte, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): $54
- Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT): 1-Way Transfer to Charlotte: $99
- Arrival Transfer: Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT to Charlotte in Business Car: $133
- Departure Transfer: Charlotte to Charlotte Douglas Airport CLT in Business Car: $133
- Charlotte Douglas Airport (CLT) to Charlotte City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $135
- Charlotte Round Trip Chauffeur Driven Airport Transfer by Sedan: $150
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Charlotte?
Prices for flights to both Charlotte 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 $84Charlotte $46
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 : $81
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Sunset Boat Cruise in Falmouth Luminous Lagoon, Swim and Dinner : $170
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
- Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting & Luminous Lagoon Sunset, Swim& Dinner: $280
Typical Food Prices in Charlotte
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Charlotte:
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Pizza at Airport$4.03
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Cracker Barrel Lunch (family of 4)$29
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Charlotte $43
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$2.74
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Bioluminescence Lagoon tour from Montego Bay with Pick Up: $105
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Catamaran Party Cruise and Snorkeling from Montego Bay: $220
- Dunns River & BlueHole Tour Includes Entry Fees: $289
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage River Tour: $110
- Montego Bay Jamaica Private Jet Ski And ATV experience: $120
Tours and Activities in Charlotte
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlotte.
- Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour: Smartphone Audio & GPS Tour: $6.50
- Charlotte Ghost Walking Tour - Smartphone guided audio/gps Tour at your own pace: $6.75
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Charlotte by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $12
- Uptown A Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Heart of Queen City: $12
- Uptown Funk: 1 Hour Guided Walking Tour of Charlotte: $15
- UPTOWN FUNK: 1 Hour Guided Historical Walking Tour in Charlotte: $15
- UPTOWN AT SUNDOWN: 1 Hour Guided Arts Walking Tour in Charlotte: $15
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Charlotte by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Charlotte Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour and Game: $25
- Sea Life Charlotte Concord Aquarium Admission Ticket: $25
- Charlottesville: Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Charlotte $20
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: $103
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlotte
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charlotte:
- 3-Hour Brewery Crawl on 7 passenger Cart: $48
- Charlotte Brewery Crawl Tour: $48
- Bar Crawl on a Rollin Disco Ball Golf Cart in Charlotte: $240
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Charlotte, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Charlotte is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Charlotte Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Charlotte?
Charlotte has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Charlotte, 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 Charlotte?
Charlotte 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 Charlotte in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Charlotte. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Charlotte for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Charlotte. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Charlotte averages at about 81°F (27°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlotte. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Charlotte. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 289 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Charlotte. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Charlotte. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Charlotte 81°F (27°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Charlotte in the Autumn?
Both Charlotte 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 autumn months attract visitors to Charlotte because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Charlotte. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Charlotte fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
It's quite sunny in Charlotte. 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 Charlotte during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Charlotte. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Charlotte 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Charlotte in the Winter?
Both Charlotte 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. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charlotte this time of year.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Charlotte in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Charlotte fluctuates around 42°F (6°C).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Charlotte. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlotte receives 173 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Charlotte. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Charlotte 42°F (6°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Charlotte in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Charlotte. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to Charlotte for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Charlotte. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Charlotte averages at about 63°F (17°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlotte this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Charlotte during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Charlotte receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Charlotte. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Charlotte receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Charlotte 63°F (17°C)
Typical Weather for Charlotte and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Charlotte | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.8 inches (97 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 4.5 inches (115 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.4 inches (86 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 3.7 inches (94 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 4 inches (101 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.4 inches (87 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.