Which place is cheaper, Saint Thomas or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Saint Thomas?
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 Saint Thomas 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 Saint Thomas?
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.
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Saint Thomas $218
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Saint Thomas is $218. 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 Saint Thomas in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Saint Thomas $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Saint Thomas $262
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Saint Thomas
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Saint Thomas? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Saint Thomas $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- MBJ Airport to Strawberry Hill Hotel & Spa Transfer: $243
- Private Transfer to Island Gully Falls: $240
- Black River and YS Falls Adventure with Transfer: $235
- Airport-Negril Hotels Transfers and Returns For 1- 4 persons: $230
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Area or Airport MBJ to Kingston: $215
- Private Transfer to Kingston: $215
- Kingston Airport Transfer (Montego bay,Negril,Ocho rio): $214
- Iberostar Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $200
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Kingston Hotels: $195
- Negril Hotel Private Transfer Service: $190
- Sangster Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Ocho Rios: $186
- Zoetry Montego Bay Airport Transfers MBJ (Private Roundtrip Exclusive): $180
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Charlotte Amalie Port to Cyril E. King Airport(STT): $28
- Charlotte Amalie to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $49
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie Arrival Transfer: $49
- St Thomas to St Thomas Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
- St Thomas Airport to St Thomas Arrival Private Transfer: $109
- Cyril E.King Airport (STT) to St.Thomas-Arrival Private Transfer : $109
- St.Thomas island to Cyril E. King Airport(STT)-Departure Transfer: $109
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours -Airport Transfer to Bolongo Bay/ Limetree: $110
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours -Airport Transfer Bluebeard's/Yacht Haven : $110
- Vi Top Taxi -St.Thomas Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove : $110
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St.Thomas-Airport Transfer to Marriott Frenchman Cove: $110
- Private Ground Transfers: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Saint Thomas?
Prices for flights to both Saint Thomas 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 $84Saint Thomas $54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $40
- Private Transportation to DINNER or NIGHT CLUBS: $55
- Lunch or Dinner with Pickup from Montego Bay : $81
- Night cruise and swim the Falmouth Mystic Lagoon, Dinner and Rum Punch Inclusive: $85
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $130
- Rick’s Cafe Cliff Diving, Sunset & Dinner Tour with Transportation : $130
- Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Montego Bay: $147
- Sunset Boat Ride in the Falmouth Luminous Lagoon swim and Dinner : $165
- Houseboat Restaurant and Grill for Dinner Private Transportation : $180
- Private Sea-Food Tour & Floyds Pelican Bar from Montego Bay or ..: $185
- [PRIVATE] Premium Jamaican Food Tour of Local Cuisine: $190
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- St. James Snorkel & Pizza Pi Lunch: $85
- Pizza Pi Shuttle™ (Official) - St Thomas : $95
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $109
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $110
- Flavors of St Thomas Walking Food Tour : $111
- St. John Dinner Sail to Lovango with Open Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres - Westin: $119
- Cruz Bay - PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail: $159
- PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail from Frenchman's Reef: $169
- St Thomas Legends Luxury Dinner Sail from the Ritz Carlton: $209
- Swim w/Turtles at St. John, Pizza Pi & Snorkel a shipwreck. : $250
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Saint Thomas $60
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 Adventure to Seven Mile Beach and Ricks Cafe: $220
- ATV, Bamboo Rafting, and Horseback Ride Tour From Montego Bay: $173
- Appleton Estate Rum Tour and Pelican Bar Customize Tour: $120
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Blue Hole Adventure Tour : $120
- Catamaran Party Cruise and Snorkeling from Montego Bay: $220
- Dirt Adventure ATV from Montego Bay: $160
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Floyds Pelican Bar Private Tour : $155
- Green Grotto Cave Private Tour: $115
- Horseback Riding and Tour from Montego Bay : $230
- Jetski Experience: $245
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Drinks & Diamonds Shopping Experience in St. Thomas: $5.00
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $10
- Unforgettable Charlotte Amalie: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $15
- Nature and Sightseeing Tour at Phantasea Tropical Botanical Garden: $16
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in the US Virgin Islands: $27
- Coral World Ocean Park General Admission Ticket: $29
- Admission Ticket to Coral World Ocean Park & Coki Beach: $35
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Cruise Ship Suttle to Ferry going to St. John: $45
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI - St. Thomas, Virgin Islands- Island Scenic Tour: $49
- Vi Top Taxi & Tours USVI-Scenic Island Tour ,St. Thomas: $50
- St Thomas Shore Excursion: Shopping, Sightseeing and Beach Tour: $55
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Saint Thomas $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
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $215
Sample the Local Flavors in Saint Thomas
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Saint Thomas:
- Wine Tasting with Fine Art Downtown Experience: $60
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Saint Thomas, we can see that Saint Thomas 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. Since both cities are in Caribbean Islands, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Saint Thomas Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Saint Thomas?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Saint Thomas, 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 Saint Thomas?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint Thomas in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Saint Thomas. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Saint Thomas. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. 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 Saint Thomas. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 287 hours of full sun.
In July, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 28°C (82°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Saint Thomas 29°C (83°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint Thomas in the Autumn?
Both Saint Thomas 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. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. 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 Saint Thomas during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 235 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas in the autumn. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Saint Thomas 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint Thomas in the Winter?
Both Saint Thomas 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. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round.
Montego Bay usually gets more rain in January than Saint Thomas. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Thomas. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Thomas receives 240 hours of full sun.
In the winter, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Typically, the winter temperatures in Montego Bay in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Saint Thomas averages at about 26°C (78°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Saint Thomas 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Saint Thomas in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Saint Thomas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Saint Thomas. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Saint Thomas receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Saint Thomas during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Thomas receives 272 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay is generally around the same temperature as Saint Thomas. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 25°C (77°F), and Saint Thomas fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Saint Thomas 27°C (80°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Thomas and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Saint Thomas | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
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.