A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Montevideo vs. Chicago for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Montevideo or Chicago?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montevideo and Chicago 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: Montevideo or Chicago?

Montevideo

As the morning sun tinges the calm waters of the Rio de la Plata with a golden hue, the Rambla and its city awakens to life with new adventures for those near and far. From tanning on the luxurious beaches to peering into Uruguayan history at local museums, one can be far from bored while staying in Montevideo. Combining the quaintness of the countryside with the excitement of urban life, this city holds a unique trait that cannot easily be replicated.

Chicago

Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Uruguay, The Best Adventure Tours to Uruguay, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Montevideo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Montevideo is $64, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 Montevideo and Chicago in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montevideo $40
    Chicago $198
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montevideo $80
    Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Montevideo and Chicago

Looking for a hotel in Montevideo or Chicago? 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.

Hotels in Montevideo


Hotels in Chicago


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: Montevideo Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montevideo $7.38
    Chicago $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montevideo

Also for Montevideo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 1 - way - Transfer from Carrasco Interational Airport to Montevideo: $51
  • Airport-Hotel or Hotel-Airport Transfers: $36
  • Carrasco Airport Transfer: $20
  • Carrasco International Airport (MVD) to Montevideo hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $98
  • Private 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $45
  • Shared 1-Way or Round Trip MVD Airport Transfer: $35
  • Private Transfer from Carrasco Airport (MVD) to Montevideo Port: $30
  • Private Transfer from Montevideo Port to Carrasco Airport (MVD): $26
  • Private Transfer from Punta Del Este Port to Carrasco Airport MVD: $72
  • Private Transfer from or to Carrasco Airport in Montevideo: $120
  • TRANSFER FROM OR TO THE AIRPORT (4 to 12 paxs): $80
  • Transfer from Montevideo to Carrasco Airport: $45

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:


  • Parking
    $19
  • Taxi Ride
    $10
  • Taxi from Airport
    $45

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:

  • Meet and Greet Private SUV Transfer from MDW to Downtown Chicago: $300
  • Meet and Greet Private SUV Transfer from ORD to Downtown Chicago: $300
  • RoundTrip transfer in private car from-to Chicago Airport (ORD)- Chicago City: $276
  • Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $240
  • Meet and Greet Private Sedan Transfer from MDW to Downtown Chicago: $240
  • Private SUV Transfer from Chicago Downtown to Midway airport: $240
  • Meet and Greet Private Sedan Transfer from ORD to Downtown Chicago: $240
  • Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury Car: $234
  • Private Sedan Transfer from Chicago Downtown to O'Hare airport: $220
  • Arrival Private Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $203
  • Chicago Airport Transfer: O'Hare Airport ORD to Chicago in Luxury SUV: $203
  • Chicago Airport Transfer: Chicago to O'Hare Airport ORD in Luxury SUV: $203

Is it cheaper to fly into Montevideo or Chicago?

Prices for flights to both Chicago and Montevideo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Montevideo $14
    Chicago $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montevideo

For Montevideo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • The best Montevideo Dinner Show. Tango and Candombe. El Milongon.: $85
  • El Milongon Dinner & Show: Candombe, Tango and Folklore: $98

Typical Food Prices in Chicago

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:


  • Dinner for 1
    $24
  • Dinner for 3
    $118

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.

  • Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class : $40
  • Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
  • Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $63
  • Chicago Small Group Food Tour: $69
  • Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
  • Chicago Pizza Tour: $75
  • Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Self-Guided Tour: $75
  • Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
  • Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
  • Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
  • Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
  • Lake Michigan Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montevideo $21
    Chicago $47

Tours and Activities in Montevideo

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montevideo.

  • Montevideo's Culture and History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
  • Museo Andes 1972 / Crash Memorial Admission Ticket: $8.00
  • Palacio Salvo Official Ticket with Guided Tour: $13
  • Tourist Bus "Discover Montevideo": $25
  • Half-day Regular City Tour at Montevideo : $25
  • Audio Guided Tour in Montevideo City for Cruisers: $26
  • Montevideo City Tour for Cruisers - AudioGuided: $26
  • City tour Montevideo: $27
  • Half-Day Sightseeing Tour: $28
  • Shared Montevideo Tour for Cruisers: $30
  • Old City Walking Tour with Private Photographer: $30
  • Walking Tour with Photographer and Audioguide: $31

Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago

Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Sears Tower (family of 4)
    $102
  • Aquarium for 4
    $118
  • Water Taxi (family of 4)
    $22
  • IMAX Movie for Two
    $35
  • Shakespeare Play (2)
    $116
  • Art Institute (2)
    $36
  • U-Boat Tour (2)
    $8.00

Tours and Activities in Chicago

Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Chicagoland Sightseeing in Style Luxury Private Sedan: $190
  • Field Museum of Natural History Early Access Ticket : $73
  • Windy City Ghosts: Hauntings of Chicago Walking Tour: $28
  • 2 Hour Pier Fireworks and Evening Segway Tour in Chicago: $78
  • 2-Hour Chicago Fireworks Segway Tour: $80
  • 2-Hour Chicago Lakefront and Museum Campus Segway Tour: $72
  • 2-Hour Guided Segway Tour of Chicago: $65
  • 2-Hour Haunted Segway Tour of Chicago: $78
  • 3 Hours Chicago Architecture Tour - Skyscrapers and Photo Ops: $135
  • Adults Party Art Experience: $66
  • Amazing Lakefront Segway Tour of Chicago: $79
  • App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.69

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montevideo -
    Chicago $25

Sample the Local Flavors in Montevideo

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montevideo:

  • Half Day Tour at Pizzorno Winery with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $120
  • The best wine tour: $140
  • Wine tour - Lunch & Tasting with Wine Explorers: $198
  • Wine Tasting & Countryside Lunch Experience: $210

Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:

  • Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $30
  • Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
  • Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
  • Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montevideo and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Montevideo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montevideo is in South America and Chicago 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 Montevideo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montevideo 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in Montevideo.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montevideo Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Montevideo or Chicago?

Chicago has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Montevideo. When comparing the sizes of Montevideo and Chicago, 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 Montevideo or Chicago?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Montevideo is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Chicago has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Montevideo or Chicago in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Montevideo as well as Chicago. Additionally, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Montevideo is around the same temperature as Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C)in July.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montevideo this time of the year. In the summer, Montevideo often gets less sunshine than Chicagoin July. Montevideo gets 296 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Chicago. Montevideo usually gets less rain in January than Chicagoin July. Montevideo gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures January and July
    Montevideo 24°C (75°F) 
    Chicago 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Montevideo or Chicago in the Autumn?

Both Chicago and Montevideo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Chicago because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Montevideo is a little warmer than Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montevideo in April average around 17°C (63°F), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C)in October.

Montevideo usually receives less sunshine than Chicago during autumn. Montevideo gets 171 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Montevideo. In April, Montevideo usually receives more rain than Chicagoin October. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures April and October
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Chicago 56°F (14°C)

Should I visit Montevideo or Chicago in the Winter?

Both Chicago and Montevideo during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.

It's quite cold in Chicago in the winter. In July, Montevideo is generally much warmer than Chicagoin January. Daily temperatures in Montevideo average around 11°C (52°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).

In the winter, Montevideo often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Chicagoin January. Montevideo gets 135 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun.

Montevideo usually gets more rain in July than Chicagoin January. Montevideo gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures July and January
    Montevideo 11°C (52°F) 
    Chicago 25°F (-4°C)

Should I visit Montevideo or Chicago in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montevideo and Chicago. Also, many travelers come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Montevideo is much warmer than Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Montevideo averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C)in April.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Montevideo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montevideo usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during spring. Montevideo gets 248 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.

Chicago receives a lot of rain in the spring. Montevideo gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Montevideo usually receives less rain than Chicagoin April. Montevideo gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures October and April
    Montevideo 17°C (63°F) 
    Chicago 52°F (11°C)

Typical Weather for Chicago and Montevideo

Montevideo Chicago
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (75°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 25°F (-4°C) 1.9 inches (47 mm)
Feb 23°C (73°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 29°F (-2°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 41°F (5°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Apr 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 52°F (11°C) 4.3 inches (108 mm)
May 14°C (57°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 63°F (17°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Jun 11°C (52°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 73°F (23°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Jul 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 77°F (25°C) 3.9 inches (100 mm)
Aug 12°C (54°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 76°F (24°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm)
Sep 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 68°F (20°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 56°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 44°F (7°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Dec 22°C (72°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 31°F (-1°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)