Which place is cheaper, New Orleans 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 New Orleans?
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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?
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.
New Orleans
New Orleans is the largest city in the state of Louisiana, and it is a cultural city that is the home of jazz, unique cuisine, and Mardi Gras in the U.S. It was established in 1718 and is one of the oldest cities in the country. The culture of the city has a mix of French, Creole, African American, Caribbean, Irish, Haitian, German and Vietnamese. There's an energy and atmosphere that is unlike any place else.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in United States of America, and The Best Photography Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesNew Orleans Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255New Orleans $271
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in New Orleans is $271. 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 New Orleans in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100New Orleans $125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200New Orleans $250
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and New Orleans
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or New Orleans? 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 New Orleans Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14New Orleans $51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $70
- Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $61
- Sangster Airport Montego Bay Transfer to Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80
- Royalton White Sands Private Airport Transfer: $40
- Royalton Blue Waters & Hideaway by Blue Waters Private Transfer: $35
- Roundtrip Montego Bay Airport Private Transfer to Hotel or Airbnb: $22
- Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
- Private airport transfer to negril resorts arrival/departure: $17
- Private Transfer/Tours to/from Montego Bay: $60
- Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
- Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
Typical Local Transportation Prices in New Orleans
Some typical examples of transportation costs in New Orleans are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$10
Hired Cars and Shuttles in New Orleans
Also for New Orleans, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 1-Way Private Airport Transfer: $30
- New Orleans Private Airport Transfer to Cruise Port Nola: $30
- MSY Airport Private Transfer to New Orleans: $33
- Cruise Port Transfer New Orleans and Louis Armstrong Intl MSY: $40
- Private Transfer to/from Louis Armstrong Intl Airport and NOLA: $40
- Private Transfer from New Orleans Port to New Orleans city: $48
- New Orleans Port to New Orleans Airport (MSY)- Departure Transfer: $48
- New Orleans Airport(MSY) to Port of New Orleans- Private Transfer: $48
- New Orleans to New Orleans L.Armstrong Airport(MSY) - Departure Private Transfer: $52
- Private Hotel & Airport Transfers in New Orleans Area One Way: $58
- Private Airport Transfer From New Orleans: $60
- New Orleans Airport (MSY) to New Orleans Port Private Transfer: $64
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or New Orleans?
Prices for flights to both New Orleans 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 $139New Orleans $78
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
- 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
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cajun and Creole Cooking Class: $38
- New Orleans Demonstration Cooking Class with Meal: $42
- Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner: $58
- Steamboat Natchez Evening Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option: $58
- Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner: $60
- Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Jazz Dinner Cruise in New Orleans: $60
- French Quarter Food Tour: Signature Tastes of New Orleans: $75
- Beloved Bites & Famous Dishes Food Tour: $76
- The Premier Food Tour — Your Must-Do Activity: $81
- New Orleans Sunset Food Tour Experience: $85
- Private New Orleans Food Tour of the French Quarter : $85
- Lower Garden District Food Tour: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31New Orleans $55
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$2.63
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Snorkeling Trip$18
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$42
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 3 Hours Private Highlights Tour & Shopping in Montego Bay Jamaica: $100
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- ATV Adventure and Rick's Cafe Tour with Transportation: $238
- ATV Jungle Safari Tour from Montego Bay: $125
- ATV Tour, Limestone Bamboo Rafting and Transportation: $160
Typical Entertainment Prices in New Orleans
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for New Orleans's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Zoo & Aquarium Tickets (2)$75
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Riverboat Cruise$70
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French Quarter City Tour$100
Tours and Activities in New Orleans
For New Orleans, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Ghosts of Self-Guided Haunted Audio Walking Tour: $6.75
- Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 Languages: $7.00
- Ghost Hunt in Quest Experience: $7.13
- City Park Exploration Game and Tour: $7.13
- New Orleans French Quarter Audio Tour: Iconic Sites & Hidden Gems: $7.99
- New Orleans Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
- New Orleans Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $9.51
- Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New Orleans: $9.75
- Self-Guided Tour of New Orleans’ Historic French Quarter: $9.99
- Self Guided Walking Tour of New Orleans' Historic Garden District: $9.99
- Walking the Tremé: A Self-guided Audio Tour of New Orleans: $9.99
- A Walk in the Park: City Park New Orleans Audio Tour: $9.99
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13New Orleans $60
Sample the Local Flavors in New Orleans
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in New Orleans:
- Guided Rum Distillery Tour and Tasting: $15
- Ghost and Haunted Pub Crawl Tour with Free Shot: $18
- Ghost Tour and Haunted Pub Crawl Party with Free Shot!: $24
- New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish Channel: $25
- Treme Bar Crawl & Seafood Experience: $25
- New Orleans Spooky Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- New Orleans Original True Crime Pub Crawl: $30
- NOLA Distillery Tour: $30
- New Orleans Spooky Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Vixens and Villains Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Haunted Pub Crawl: $32
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or New Orleans?
New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?
New Orleans 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 New Orleans in the Summer?
Both New Orleans 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. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).
In New Orleans, 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 New Orleans. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.
New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)New Orleans 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or New Orleans in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 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 New Orleans. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)New Orleans 69°F (21°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or New Orleans in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as New Orleans. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to New Orleans in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
In the winter, Montego Bay is much warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°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 New Orleans. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)New Orleans 51°F (11°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or New Orleans in the Spring?
Both New Orleans 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, most visitors come to New Orleans for the activities around the city during these months.
In April, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).
It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)New Orleans 68°F (20°C)
Typical Weather for New Orleans and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | New Orleans | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 5.2 inches (131 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (16°C) | 5 inches (126 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 4.5 inches (114 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 75°F (24°C) | 4.3 inches (110 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.9 inches (151 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.9 inches (149 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 6.2 inches (157 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5.5 inches (140 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 69°F (21°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 4.8 inches (122 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 5.7 inches (146 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.