Which place is cheaper, Williamsburg or Montego Bay?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Montego Bay or Williamsburg?
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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?
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.
Williamsburg
In southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is a historic city that was the capital of Virginia during the 1700's. It's now a popular tourist destination in the state because it has managed to recreate its past in a theme park like setting. Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is "Colonial Williamsburg," an outdoor museum that recreates an 18th century town with working tradesmen and functioning jobs. You can purchase a one day pass to the area for $36 and multiple day passes at a slight discount. Exhibits in the area include observing a court proceeding, seeing the Governor's Palace, and witnessing the impact of the American Revolution on the area.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Photography Tours in United States of America, and The Best Camping Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $203Williamsburg $112
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $203, while the average daily cost in Williamsburg is $112. 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 Williamsburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $104Williamsburg $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $208Williamsburg $132
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Williamsburg
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Williamsburg? 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 Williamsburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $15Williamsburg $11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Airport Round transfer Excellence,Coral Springs,Paladium, Royaltan Blue Waters: $80
- Airport Transfer To Iberoster star Hotel : $61
- Airport Transfer To S Hotel (Round-trip): $35
- Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels (Round-Trip): $52
- Airport Transfer to Sunscape Splash Resort (Round-Trip) : $34
- Airport Transfers to Iberostar Hotel (Round-trip): $53
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Areas Private Luxury Transfer: $179
- Riu Reggae , Riu Palace & Riu Mobay Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $13
- Round-Trip Transfer Airport transfer to Grand Palladium Resort & Spa: $87
- Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
- 12. Runaway Bay Hotels&Accommodations Airport Private Transfer to/from Sangster : $70
- Ahhh Ras Natango Gallery and Garden Private Transfer : $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Williamsburg?
Prices for flights to both Williamsburg 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 $84Williamsburg $31
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 Williamsburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Williamsburg.
- Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket: $79
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $84
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $32Williamsburg $34
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 Williamsburg
Here are a few actual costs in Williamsburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
- Colonial Self-Guided Walking Tour: $15
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Williamsburg East Ghost Tour: $16
- Yorktown Battlefield Self-Guided Driving Tour: $17
- The Original Ghosts of Williamsburg Tour: $20
- The Original Ghost of Williamsburg Candlelight Walking Tour: $20
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Williamsburg by Zombie Scavengers: $20
- Colonial Christmas Walking Tour: $20
- Yorktown Hallowed Ground Candlelight Walking Tour: $20
- Colonial Williamsburg & Yorktown Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Williamsburg -
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 Williamsburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Williamsburg:
- Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Williamsburg, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.
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 Williamsburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Williamsburg?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?
Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Williamsburg. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Williamsburg averages at about 78°F (26°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Williamsburg during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.
Williamsburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Williamsburg 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Williamsburg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Williamsburg. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Williamsburg. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Williamsburg. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Williamsburg 61°F (16°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Williamsburg in the Winter?
Both Williamsburg and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Williamsburg can be very cold during winter. Montego Bay is much warmer than Williamsburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 38°F (4°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Williamsburg during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Williamsburg 38°F (4°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Williamsburg in the Spring?
Both Williamsburg and Montego Bay during the spring 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, the spring months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Williamsburg averages at about 57°F (14°C).
In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Williamsburg. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Williamsburg. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Williamsburg 57°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Williamsburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 38°F (4°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 78°F (25°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (90 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.