Which place is cheaper, Key West or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Key West?
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 Key West 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 Key West?
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.
Key West
Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Key West $551
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Key West is $551. 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 Key West in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Key West $132
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Key West $264
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Key West
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Key West? 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 Key West Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Key West $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $8.33
- Montego Bay Hotels Private Transfer : $10
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Shuttle Transfer From Montego Bay Airport - Montego Bay: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach : $13
- MBJ Airport: Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $14
- Airport Transfer to RIU Montego Bay/Palace/Reggae: $14
- Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Riu Montego Bay, Reggae, Palace: $14
- Private Airport Transfer to Half Moon - Holiday Inn - Zoetry: $14
- MBJ Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Key West
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:
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Rental Car for One Day$38
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:
- Private Transfer from Key West Int Airport to Key West Port: $38
- Private Transfer from Key West Cruise Port to Key West hotels: $38
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Key West to Key West Airport (EYW) - Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Key West hotels to Key West Int Airport (EYW) Departure Transfer: $64
- Marathon/ Key Largo to Fort Lauderdale Airport(FLL) - Departure Private Transfer: $109
- Key West Airport (EYW) to Key West - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $129
- Key West Int Airport (EYW) to Key West hotels Round-Trip Transfer: $129
- Private Arrival Transfer from Key West Airport EYW: $144
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Key West?
Prices for flights to both Key West 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 $84Key West $385
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Key West.
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with Open Bar & Live Music: $81
- Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner and Drinks Included: $93
- Southernmost Food & Cultural Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Historic Seaport Food & Walking Tour by Key West Food Tours: $93
- Old Town Secret Food Tour: $107
- Sunset Sail Full Bar, Live Music & Dinner & Early Morning Snorkeling: $160
- Snorkeling, Sunset Dinner Cruise & Open Bar: $200
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Key West $33
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:
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House & Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour: $35
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay : $40
- Private Montego Bay Shopping Tour with Transportation: $45
- City Highlights and Souvenir Shopping Tour: $45
- Rose Hall Great House 2-Hour Night Tour: $45
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $45
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $45
- Bamboo Rafting and Margaritaville Hip Strip Private Tour: $45
- Tranfers and Tours: $48
- 4 Hours Custom Adventure and Water Activities in Montego Bay: $50
Tours and Activities in Key West
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Key West are as follows:
- Self-guided old town treasures walking tour: $6.99
- Key West's Self Guided Ghost Walking Tours Smartphone Navigated on WalknTours: $7.75
- Florida Keys: Self-Guided Walking Tour: $8.49
- Audio Tours to Walk, Bike, or Drive in Key West: $9.99
- Cruise Through Key West's Black History Audio Tour: $11
- Easy Stroll (or Bike) Through Downtown Key West Audio Tour: $11
- Key West’s Old Town Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Florida: Key West Overseas Highway Self-Driving Tour: $15
- Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Admission Ticket: $18
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Tickets: $19
- Key West Shipwreck Treasure Museum Admission Ticket: $19
- Key West Aquarium Admission Ticket: $23
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Key West $16
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 Key West
Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $30
- Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour with Free T-Shirt: $32
- Bone Island Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
- 2.5-Hour Duval Street Pub Crawl: $43
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Key West, we can see that Key West 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 Key West 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 Key West would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Key West 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 Key West Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Key West?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Key West. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Key West, 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 Key West?
Key West 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 Key West in the Summer?
Both Key West and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Key West in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Key West in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Key West fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
It's quite sunny in Key West. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Key West during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 328 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Key West. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Key West receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Key West 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Key West in the Autumn?
Both Key West and Montego Bay during the autumn 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, most visitors come to Key West for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Key West. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Key West averages at about 80°F (27°C).
In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Key West. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 258 hours of full sun.
Key West gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Key West. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Key West receives 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Key West is June to November.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Key West 80°F (27°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Key West in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Key West. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Key West because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In January, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Key West. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Key West fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Key West during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Key West receives 252 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Key West. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Key West receives 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Key West 70°F (21°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Key West in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Key West. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Key West this time of year.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Key West in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Key West fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Key West. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Key West receives 326 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in April than Key West. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Key West receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Key West.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Key West 77°F (25°C)
Typical Weather for Key West and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Key West | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 1.7 inches (43 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 inches (42 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (98 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 5.7 inches (144 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.1 inches (129 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 1.4 inches (35 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.