Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Fairbanks?
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 Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks?
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.
Fairbanks
Fairbanks is the only 'city' in the interior region of Alaska, and the largest settlement for hundreds of miles, but it has many characteristics of a small town where everyone seems to know everyone. Because the city sits at the nexus of some truly epic routes - north to the Arctic, east to Canada and south to Denali - you'll almost inevitably end up spending time here, and that time is rarely boring. The residential streets of compact downtown are pretty as a picture, and during winter, this is ground zero for viewing the aurora borealis.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Fairbanks $272
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $272. 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 Fairbanks in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Fairbanks $154
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Fairbanks $308
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Fairbanks
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Fairbanks? 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 Fairbanks Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Fairbanks $66
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Fairbanks
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
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Full Tank of Gas$90
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Fairbanks?
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks 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 $84Fairbanks $63
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 Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two at Pike's Landing$63
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Totem Inn Breakfast for Two$46
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- "Aurora Ice" - Ice Fishing & Salmon Dinner Tour: $210
- Best Northern Lights Aurora Adventure FREE Portraits & Hot Pizza : $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Fairbanks $65
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Fairbanks
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
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The Riverboat Discovery Trip$55
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1 Day Mountain Bike Rental$27
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Canoe Rental with Pickup$56
Tours and Activities in Fairbanks
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fairbanks, AK: Murder Mystery Detective Experience: $15
- Murder Mystery Detective Experience Fairbanks, AK: $15
- Gold Dredge 8 Historic Train Tour: $58
- Extreme Cold Clothing Pkg - (Parka Snowpant Bibs Boots) No Tour: $65
- Riverboat Cruise and Local Village Tour: $95
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience in North Pole: $99
- Summer Mushing Cart Ride & Kennel Tour: $100
- Dog Sledding and Mushing Experience: $105
- 3-Hour Small Group 9-Hole Self-Guided Fairbanks Golf Experience: $110
- From Northern Lights & Murphy Dome Tour: $120
- Aurora Chaser Tour: $125
- Budget Aurora Borealis tour, Fairbanks, Alaska : $125
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Fairbanks $27
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 Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Montego Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Fairbanks 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 Montego Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montego Bay 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Montego Bay.
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 Fairbanks Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Fairbanks?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Fairbanks, 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 Fairbanks?
Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks in the Summer?
Both Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 64°F (18°C).
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in July than Fairbanks. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Fairbanks 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Fairbanks in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Fairbanks. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Fairbanks for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Fairbanks can be very cold during autumn. In October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Fairbanks 27°F (-3°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Fairbanks in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Fairbanks. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Fairbanks can be very cold. Montego Bay is much warmer than Fairbanks in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Fairbanks fluctuates around -9°F (-23°C).
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Fairbanks. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Fairbanks -9°F (-23°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Fairbanks in the Spring?
Both Fairbanks 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. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
It's quite cold in Fairbanks in the spring. In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Fairbanks averages at about 32°F (0°C).
In April, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Fairbanks 32°F (0°C)
Typical Weather for Fairbanks and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Fairbanks | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.9 inches (23 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.