Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Negril?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Negril or Chicago?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Negril and Chicago. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Negril or Chicago?
Negril
Negril is a town in western Jamaica known for its miles of white sand beaches and cliffs. It is certainly one of the more laid back towns on the island yet still attracts a lot of tourists. The hotels are as close to the water as you can get, and the sand gets whiter and whiter the further away from populated areas you get. The water is unbelievably clear and warm in Negril!
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 Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayNegril $139Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Negril is $139, 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 Negril and Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personNegril $106Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomNegril $212Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Negril and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Negril 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.
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: Negril Hotel Prices and Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Negril $8.71Chicago $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Negril
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Negril:
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Taxi From Airport$14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Negril
Also for Negril, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Airport Round Trip Transfer from Montego Bay to Grand Palladium: $105
- Airport Round-Trip Transfers To Negril From Sangster’s International Airport : $90
- Airport transfers, private tours and excursions in Jamaica : $80
- Azul Negril Resort Airport Transfer : $53
- Club Kingston VIP Lounge & Fast Track with Private Roundtrip Airport Transfer: $112
- Comfortable Montego Bay Airport to Negril Resorts Transfer 1 way: $33
- From Montego Bay Airport (MBJ): Private Transfer to Negril: $105
- Grand Palladium Airport Transfer: $37
- Grand Palladium Private Airport Transfer: $48
- Grand Palladium Private Transfers from MBJ Airport: $40
- Grand palladium Private Airport Transfers : $70
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer To Negril Hotels Private: $46
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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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 Negril or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago and Negril 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 dayNegril $23Chicago $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Negril
For Negril, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Jungle Nightclub Experience with Optional Dinner in Negril: $85
- Zimbali Mountain Cooking Studio: $105
- Local food tour and local fields : $164
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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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
- Chicago : Hands-on Cooking Classes With Local Chef: $55
- 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 West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Negril $27Chicago $47
Typical Entertainment Prices in Negril
For Negril, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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2 Hr Horseback Ride$44
Tours and Activities in Negril
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Negril.
- From Negril/Palladium: Negril Beach and Ricks Cafe Tour: $49
- Private Glass Bottom Boat Sight Seeing Tour Jamaica: $58
- Buddle's Taxi and Tours : $60
- Blue Hole Mineral Springs, Rick's Café, and Shopping Combo Tour: $75
- Negril Beach and Catamaran Cruise: $79
- Negril guided day tour:7 mile beach and sunset at Ricks Cafe: $80
- Jamwest JamCulture Tour from Negril: $89
- Bob Marley Birth Place Nine Mile Day Tour: $94
- Private Dunn River Falls Tour From Negril: $100
- South Coast Jamaica YS Falls Tour: $100
- Floyd's Pelican Bar (Complimentary Rum Punch, Private Tour): $100
- Must Do-Accompong Town Maroon Village Tour & Celebration from Negril: $112
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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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: $9.63
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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayNegril $10Chicago $25
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 Negril and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Negril much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Negril is in Caribbean Islands 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 Negril would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Negril 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 Negril.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Negril Expensive? and Is Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Negril or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 950 times larger than the population of Negril. When comparing the sizes of Negril 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 Negril or Chicago?
Chicago has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Negril experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Negril or Chicago in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Negril as well as Chicago. Negril attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the summer for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Negril is around the same temperature as Chicago. Typically, the summer temperatures in Negril in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Chicago averages at about 77°F (25°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chicago. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Negril this time of the year. In the summer, Negril often gets less sunshine than Chicago. Negril gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 326 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Chicago. Negril receives a lot of rain in the summer. Negril usually gets more rain in July than Chicago. Negril gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyNegril 27°C (81°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Negril or Chicago in the Autumn?
Both Chicago and Negril are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Negril throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Negril is generally much warmer than Chicago. Daily temperatures in Negril average around 27°C (81°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Negril. Negril usually receives more sunshine than Chicago during autumn. Negril gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 195 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Negril. In October, Negril usually receives more rain than Chicago. Negril gets 222 mm (8.7 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberNegril 27°C (81°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Negril or Chicago in the Winter?
Both Chicago and Negril during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Negril because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Chicago because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Chicago can be very cold. Negril is much warmer than Chicago in the winter. The daily temperature in Negril averages around 25°C (77°F) in January, and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
It's quite sunny in Negril. In the winter, Negril often gets more sunshine than Chicago. Negril gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Chicago receives 134 hours of full sun.
Negril usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Chicago. Negril gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryNegril 25°C (77°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Negril or Chicago in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Negril and Chicago. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Negril year-round. Furthermore, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
In the spring, Negril is much warmer than Chicago. Typically, the spring temperatures in Negril in April average around 26°C (79°F), and Chicago averages at about 52°F (11°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chicago this time of the year. In Negril, it's very sunny this time of the year. Negril usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Chicago during spring. Negril gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Chicago receives 218 hours of full sun in the spring.
Chicago receives a lot of rain in the spring. Negril gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Negril usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chicago. Negril gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilNegril 26°C (79°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Negril
| Negril | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C (77°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 26°C (79°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 27°C (81°F) | 205 mm (8.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 181 mm (7.1 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 222 mm (8.7 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C (79°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 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.