Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Seoul?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Seoul or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Seoul and Montego Bay can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Seoul or Montego Bay?
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Seoul Prices
South Korea PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySeoul $118Montego Bay $260
The average daily cost (per person) in Seoul is $118, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $260. 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 Seoul and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSeoul $50Montego Bay $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSeoul $100Montego Bay $204
Compare Hotels in Seoul and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Seoul 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.
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: Seoul Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Seoul $14Montego Bay $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.32
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Short Taxi Ride$4.64
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Metro Ride$0.90
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Seoul City Pass Plus$6.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Seoul Private Transfer Airport Gangneung Jeonju Gyeongju Busan: $13
- Private One-Way Transfers to/from Incheon Airport(ICN): $39
- Night Views Tour with Guide and Transfers: $41
- From Round-Trip Transfer to Dae Jang Geum Park: $50
- Private Airport Transfer: Hotel in Seoul → Gimpo Airport: $57
- Seoul Gimpo Airport (GMP) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $60
- Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) to Seoul - Arrival Private Transfer: $64
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) Departure Private Transfer: $64
- Private Airport Transfer:Seoul City Incheon ⇄Airport: $67
- Incheon Airport (ICN) Transfer to Seoul/Suwon/Seongnam/Yongin: $68
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport → Hotel in the City: $75
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $89
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75
- Mbj Airport Transfers to any Montego Bay Hotels: $10
- Breathless Resort Exclusive Private Airport Transfer: $10
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning: $10
- Sangster International Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- S Hotel Montego Bay Airport Transfers: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $14
- A "Private" Airport Transfer to any Resort in Montego Bay: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Seoul or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Seoul 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 daySeoul $47Montego Bay $142
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$3.98
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Waffle$0.66
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Dippin' Dots$1.33
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.65
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Chicken Stick$1.33
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.26
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Lunch Buffet$3.98
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Donut$0.66
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Mushroom Burger$3.45
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.19
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Udon & Sushi$4.64
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Fresh Burger$3.18
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Soba Noodles Lunch$2.98
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.32
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Fried Rice$3.65
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.30
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.30
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Donut$1.66
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Guided Street Food Tour at Namdaemun Market: $45
- Seoul Night Run for Local-Favorite Korean BBQ Dinner: $50
- [Wine & K-BBQ] A Perfect Pairing Dinner in Sinchon: $51
- Korean Grandma Cooking Class l Gimbap & Kimchi Pancake l Seoul: $52
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $57
- Sunset Walking Tour in Naksan Park with Dinner: $58
- Wine & K-BBQ: A Perfect Pairing Dinner: $59
- Dinner at a Local's Hanok & Seoul's Night Life: $60
- Kimchi Dishes Cooking Class with Wine Pairing: $61
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $64
- Incheon Full-Day Sunset and Sea Food Tour: $65
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $67
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
- Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $95
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $175
- Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Seoul $24Montego Bay $32
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.30
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Movie Ticket$5.30
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Kimchi Museum$1.99
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- K-Culture Adventure in Seoul Self-Guided Walking Tour: $3.53
- Seoul Walking Tour 3h30 and 19 audio reviews: $6.72
- Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience in Seoul: $7.00
- Gyeongbokgung Palace Hanbok Rental Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.00
- Seoul Changdeokgung Palace Hanbok Experience Hanboknam (내국인불가): $7.10
- Gwanghwamun Tour l 120 Minutes to Understand South Korea: $10
- Street Hustle Adventure in Seoul: $10
- Rabbithole Drag Show Entry Ticket: $10
- Bukchon Hanok Village Seoul Walking Tour with Audioguide: $12
- Seoul : Essential History Walking Tour for Visitor: $13
- K-Beauty Scalp Spa Experience in Hongdae: $13
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$2.69
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$38
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$43
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- Margaritaville Hip-Strip and Great River Rafting Private Tour: $20
- Montego Bay Bamboo Rafting and Hip Strip Private Tour: $22
- Doctor Cave Beach and Hip Strip Shopping from Cruise Ship: $30
- Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Private Shopping Tour in Montego Bay with Hotel Pickup: $35
- Ricks Cafe and Negril Seven Miles Beach Irie Tour: $35
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySeoul $11Montego Bay $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute: $20
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $26
- LGBTQ+ Pub Crawl and Drag Show with Local Drag Queen: $28
- Rice Wine Tasting with Sommelier - Finest Makgeolli (& Soju): $46
- Soju Tasting at Distillery: $51
- Premium Pub Crawl with Open Bottles: $57
- Craft Makgeolli Brewery Tour & Tasting Experience: $67
- Learn and Craft Makgeolli in a Traditional Brewery: $78
- Gangnam Premium Pub Crawl with VIP Bottle Service: $81
- From Yeongdong Day Trip with Wine Tasting and Janggu: $91
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: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Seoul and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Seoul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Seoul is in Asia and Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands, 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 Seoul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Seoul 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 Seoul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Seoul Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Seoul or Montego Bay?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Seoul 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 Seoul or Montego Bay?
Seoul 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 Seoul or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Seoul are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Seoul is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 26°C (78°F) in July, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Seoul usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Seoul gets 121 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Seoul. In July, Seoul usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Seoul gets 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySeoul 26°C (78°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Seoul during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Seoul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In the autumn, Seoul is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Seoul in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Seoul. In the autumn, Seoul often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Seoul gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Seoul usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Seoul gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSeoul 15°C (59°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Seoul and Montego Bay. Most visitors come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Seoul can be very cold during winter. In January, Seoul is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Seoul average around -3°C (27°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Seoul usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Seoul gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Seoul usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Seoul gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySeoul -3°C (27°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Seoul or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Seoul as well as Montego Bay. The spring months attract visitors to Seoul because of the activities around the city. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Seoul is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Seoul averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. In the spring, Seoul often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Seoul gets 205 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.
Seoul usually gets more rain in April than Montego Bay. Seoul gets 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSeoul 13°C (55°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Seoul
| Seoul | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.