Which place is cheaper, Columbus or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Columbus?
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 Columbus 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 Columbus?
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.
Columbus
The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. While not always famous for it's sights and attractions, visitors will be pleasantly surprised by what they find here.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Columbus $158
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Columbus is $158. 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 Columbus in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Columbus $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Columbus $144
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Columbus
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Columbus? 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 Columbus Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Columbus $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Zoëtry Resorts Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $20
- Tryall / Round Hill - Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $107
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay APT-HTL (MBJ): $37
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Transfer from/to Airport, Riu Reggae, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace: $17
- Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $55
- Tobys Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
- The Spa Retreat Boutique Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $50
- Sunset at the Palms Negril Airport Transfers: $53
- Sunset at the Palm Private Negril Airport Transfer : $52
- Sunscape Splash Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Sunscape Resorts Montego Bay Private Airport Transfers: $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus
Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
- Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $65
- Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- Columbus Ohio (CMH) Airport Arrival or Departure Private Transfer: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Columbus?
Prices for flights to both Columbus 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 $84Columbus $49
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Columbus $46
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 Columbus
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus by Crazy Dash: $10
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Columbus with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure : $21
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $28
- 1-Hour Themed Escape Room Adventure & Narrative: $41
- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Trolley Pub Holiday Lights Tour in Columbus: $45
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Columbus $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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Columbus, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Columbus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Columbus 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 Columbus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbus 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 Columbus.
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 Columbus Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Columbus?
Columbus has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Columbus, 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 Columbus?
Columbus 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 Columbus in the Summer?
Both Columbus and Montego Bay during the summer 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 visitors come to Columbus in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Columbus. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Columbus fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbus. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun.
Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Columbus. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Columbus 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Columbus in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Columbus. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Columbus for the shopping scene during these months.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Columbus in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Columbus fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Columbus. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Columbus 57°F (14°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Columbus in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Columbus. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Columbus because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Columbus can be very cold. In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Columbus averages at about 30°F (-1°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Columbus. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Columbus 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Columbus in the Spring?
Both Columbus and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
In April, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Columbus. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Columbus fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Columbus. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Columbus 54°F (12°C)
Typical Weather for Columbus and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Columbus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 69°F (20°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (72 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.