A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rome vs. Montego Bay for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rome or Montego Bay?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Rome and Montego Bay 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: Rome or Montego Bay?

Rome

Rome is the kind of city that refuses to stay in the past, even though history is everywhere you look. Ancient ruins rise beside buzzing cafes, scooters zip past Renaissance palaces, and quiet cobblestone lanes suddenly open onto grand piazzas filled with fountains, churches, and street performers. It is a city of layers: the Colosseum and Roman Forum, the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica, neighborhood trattorias, stylish boutiques, and late-night gelato walks all woven together into one unforgettable experience. Whether you come for the art, the food, the history, or the simple pleasure of wandering without a plan, Rome has a way of making every day feel like a discovery.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Rome?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Rome Prices
    Italy Prices
    Montego Bay Prices
    Jamaica Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Rome €207
    Montego Bay €230

The average daily cost (per person) in Rome is €207, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €230. 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 Rome and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rome €90
    Montego Bay €90
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rome €180
    Montego Bay €180
Compare Hotels in Rome and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Rome or Montego Bay? 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 Rome


Hotels in Montego Bay


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: Rome Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rome €21
    Montego Bay €13
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Rome

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


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    €2.00
  • Train to the Airport
    €15
  • Taxi to Airport
    €45
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    €10

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Bus Transfer from Fiumicino Airport to Vatican City: $6.87
  • Transfer Rome center - Fiumicino airport: $8.02
  • Transfer Fiumicino Airport - Rome City Centre: $8.02
  • Transfer Fiumicino Airport from/to Vaticano shuttle bus: $9.16
  • Transfer Rome center - Ciampino Airport: $9.16
  • Bus Transfer from Rome to Milan or Vice Versa: $9.42
  • Transfer from Rome to Castel Romano Designer Outlet: $23
  • FCO Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown/Civitavecchia: $30
  • Transfer from Civitavecchia by train with Rome HopOnHopOff Option: $31
  • Rome’s Bone Chapel with Audioguide App and Panoramic Bus Transfer: $44
  • Bus transfer from Civitavecchia to Rome and vice versa,: $45
  • Private transfers in the city of Rome (one way): $46

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to Grand & Luxury Bahia Principe: $80
  • A "Private" Airport Transfer to RIU PALACE AQUARELLE: $50
  • ATV and Bamboo Rafting with Limestone Foot Massage and Transfers: $120
  • Airport Round transfer Excellence,Coral Springs,Paladium, Royaltan Blue Waters: $110
  • Airport Transfer: $80
  • Airport Transfer From Kingston: $200
  • Airport Transfer Montego Bay Hotels: $120
  • Airport Transfer Montego Bay and Grand Palladium(Private): $18
  • Airport Transfer To Hotel in Montego Bay: $34
  • Airport Transfer To Iberostar Hotel: $70
  • Airport Transfer To Iberoster star Hotel: $61
  • Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Rome or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Rome 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
    Rome €84
    Montego Bay €126
Typical Food Prices in Rome

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


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    €14
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    €2.99
  • Cafe e doce
    €4.00
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    €2.65
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    €32
  • Cheese and bread
    €10
  • Espresso
    €2.00
  • Dinner
    €58

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

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

  • Rome Pasta & Tiramisu Making Class & Fine Wine by Cooking Italy: $40
  • Rome Pizza & Gelato Class with Wine by Cooking Italy: $40
  • Rome Food Tour for Breakfast Lovers: $40
  • Rome Early Morning Breakfast and Sightseeing Food Tour: $45
  • Rome Ultimate Food Tour Trastevere Tiber Island & Campo de' Fiori: $45
  • Rome in the Evening Bike / E-Bike Tour with optional Dinner: $45
  • Rome Pizza Making Class for Families in Trastevere: $45
  • Milan Street Food Tour and City Guided Sightseeing: $45
  • Authentic Gnocchi Cooking Class in Rome - Piazza Navona: $46
  • Fettuccine Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $46
  • Pesto and Pasta Cooking Class in Rome City Center: $48
  • Rome Street Food Tour: Eat Like a Local: $49

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: $45
  • Montego Bay City and Food Tour All Inclusive Experience: $48
  • Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
  • Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
  • Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
  • Sunset Dinner at Bamboo Beach Club: $99
  • 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
  • Bar Hopping & Local Food Tour-From Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios: $130
  • Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
  • Dinner and Nightlife -From Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios: $150
  • Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rome €36
    Montego Bay €28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rome

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


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    €69
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    €33
  • Roma Pass
    €30
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    €20
  • Segway Tour
    €75

Tours and Activities in Rome

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

  • Rome Best Kept Secrets: Self-Guided City Tour: $2.26
  • Rome Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.42
  • Walking tour with Archaeologist: $3.42
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $4.57
  • Highlights of Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Walking Tour: $4.58
  • Audio guided tour of the historic center of Rome: $4.58
  • Experience Rome Trevi Fountain with Ticket: $4.58
  • Tour of Rome to Visit the Most Iconic Monuments: $5.00
  • Rome:Pantheon Entry Ticket with Hosted Experience and Audio Guide: $5.38
  • Pantheon Rome Timed Entry Ticket and optional Minerva: $5.73
  • Audio Guided Archaeological Colosseum Tour in Rome: $5.99
  • St. Peter's Basilica Rome Audio Tour Experience: $5.99

Typical Entertainment Prices in Montego Bay

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Montego Bay are as follows:


  • Admission to Doctor's Cave Beach
    €2.38
  • Snorkeling Trip
    €17
  • One Tank Dive
    €33
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    €38

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:

  • Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
  • Shopping Tour for Whitter Village Mall Private / Charted Air Conditioned Taxi: $20
  • Montego Bay City highlight And Souvenir Shopping Group Tour: $20
  • Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
  • Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
  • Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
  • Montego Bay Private Shopping Tour with Hotel Pickup: $30
  • Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
  • Pruvate Transter to Ocho Rios + Catamaran Cruise: $30
  • VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
  • Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
  • Bamboo Rafting Experience in Jamaica: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rome €18
    Montego Bay €12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    €6.50
  • Pint of Beer
    €6.34
  • Beer
    €10

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

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

  • Rome Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $22
  • Discover Frascati Wine Tasting with a Sommelier and Snacks: $27
  • Rome [4in1] Pasta Making_Tiramisù_Wine Tasting_Secret Cellar: $33
  • Cabaret and Burlesque Show at Rome: $34
  • Frascati Wine Tasting Experience with Food Pairing: $46
  • Wine Tasting in Trastevere with Food and Gelato: $48
  • Experience Rome Exclusive Wine Tasting in City Center: $55
  • Rome Wine Tasting in Monte dei Cocci | Authentic Lazio Wines: $56
  • Guided Wine Tasting Experience in a Roman Vineyard: $56
  • Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $63
  • Rome Nightlife Party Tour Monti Bar Crawl and Local Drinks: $65
  • Rome Night Tipsy Tour & Bar Crawl with Forbidden History: $68

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 Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $250


When comparing the travel costs between Rome and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay 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 Rome is in Europe and Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Rome Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rome or Montego Bay?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Rome and Montego Bay, 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 Rome or Montego Bay?

Rome 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 Rome or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rome and Montego Bay. The summer months attract visitors to Rome because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Rome is generally cooler than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 25°C (77°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Rome, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rome usually receives more sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Rome gets 338 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rome usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Rome gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rome 25°C (77°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Rome or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rome as well as Montego Bay. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rome this time of year. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Rome is much colder than Montego Bay in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rome averages around 17°C (63°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Rome often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Rome gets 198 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. Rome usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Rome gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rome 17°C (63°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Rome or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Rome are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Rome for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the winter, Rome is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rome in January average around 8°C (47°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Rome usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Rome gets 127 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rome usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Rome gets 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rome 8°C (47°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Rome or Montego Bay in the Spring?

Both Montego Bay and Rome during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Rome in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In April, Rome is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Rome average around 14°C (57°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rome. In the spring, Rome often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Rome gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.

Rome usually gets less rain in April than Montego Bay. Rome gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rome 14°C (57°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Rome

Rome Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)