Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Shanghai?
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 Shanghai or Montego Bay?
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 Shanghai and Montego Bay. 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: Shanghai or Montego Bay?
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest and most modern city in China. With a population of over 23 million, it is the economic and financial hub of the country. It also continues to be one of the fastest growing cities in China with regular changes to the city's layout and skyline. It is not uncommon for buildings to be torn down, rebuilt and then torn down and rebuilt again. The city also has skyscrapers that rank among the tallest in the world. It has an ever changing downtown and street scape. In Shanghai, the general mantra remains "out with the old, in with the new".
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 2-Week Tours from Beijing, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China.
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Shanghai Prices
China PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayShanghai $139Montego Bay $259
The average daily cost (per person) in Shanghai is $139, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $259. 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 Shanghai and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personShanghai $86Montego Bay $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomShanghai $172Montego Bay $204
Compare Hotels in Shanghai and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Shanghai 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: Shanghai Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Shanghai $4.12Montego Bay $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Shanghai
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Shanghai:
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Taxi Ride$3.82
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Two Subway Tickets$0.88
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Shanghai
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Shanghai:
- Shanghai Yu Garden Ticket with Optional Private Transfer: $9.96
- Private Transfers to/from Shanghai Pudong Airport(PVG): $16
- Pudong PVG/Hongqiao SHA Private Transfer ⇄ City Center: $16
- Yiwu Railway Station Private Arrival Transfer to City Area: $18
- Private Transfer to/from Shanghai Disneyland Park: $19
- Private Transfer: Hotel to Shanghai Stadium (Football Match, League of Legends): $20
- Private Transfer to Shanghai Railway Station from City Hotels or Outskirts: $22
- Shanghai City to Shanghai Hongqiao Airport (SHA) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Shanghai Airport One Way Arrival and Departure Transfer: $24
- Shanghai Airport Transfer: $25
- Shanghai Maglev Train Station Private Transfer from City Area: $25
- Private Transfer between Qibao Ancient Water Town and Shanghai City Area: $25
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
- Sangster International Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $10
- Airport Transfer to Montego Bay area Hotels & Airbnb-Private: $10
- Breathless Resort Exclusive Private Airport Transfer: $10
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- Tropical Court Hotel 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
- Private Airport Transfer To Riu Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $14
- Private Transfer From Montego Bay Airport to Hotel in Montego Bay: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Shanghai or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Shanghai 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 dayShanghai $39Montego Bay $142
Typical Food Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of dining costs in Shanghai are as follows:
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Dumpling Breakfast$1.47
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Desserts in Jinmao Building Observatory$21
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Ajisen Lunch for Two$7.65
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Cantelope$1.77
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Dumplings and Soup$2.21
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Duck Dinner$4.41
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Pastries$3.09
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Barbeque Dinner$9.41
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Shanghai
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Shanghai.
- SMALL GROUP-City CenterAuthentic Local Food Tour-Tip Based: $3.49
- Online Cooking Class Fried Rice by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class Sesame Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Online Cooking Class General Tso's Chicken by Sunflower Li: $20
- Authentic Shanghai Food Tour with Chi Gua Va: $35
- Shanghai Jade Buddha Temple and Local Food Tour: $49
- Private Home Cooking Class with local Auntie: $61
- Huangpu River Evening Cruise Ticket with Dinner: $68
- Shanghai Food Tour and Alleyways to Skyline with 8 Local Eats: $71
- Shanghai Breakfast Omakase A Home Cook Food Tour: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour Near the Bund: $71
- Authentic Local Food Tour in Central Shanghai: $79
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- 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
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $117
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $135
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Shanghai $8.98Montego Bay $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Shanghai
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Shanghai are as follows:
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30 Minute River Cruise for Two$29
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Zoo for Two$15
Tours and Activities in Shanghai
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Shanghai are as follows:
- Customized Private Tour in Shanghai The Bund Yu Garden Zhujiajiao: $5.00
- French Concession Multicultural Walking Tour: $5.00
- French Concession Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st & Best Rated: $5.00
- Shanghai Evolution Free Walking Tour: $5.00
- Shanghai City Guided Walking Tour | China's 1st and Best Rated: $5.00
- Shanghai Audio Guided Walking Tour 3h and 22 audio reviews: $6.88
- Shanghai Yu Garden Admission Ticket: $9.67
- The History of the French Concession: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Shanghai Day Tour with English Guide – Explore Yu Garden & More: $10
- Private Shanghai Full Day Tour Yu Garden, Bund and Oriental Pearl: $10
- Yuyuan Garden Entrance Ticket: $10
- Yu Garden Ticket: $11
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$2.68
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Snorkeling Trip$19
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One Tank Dive$37
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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:
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $16
- Souvenirs and Gift shopping Tour in Montego Bay: $20
- Cinnamon Hill Great House Tour: Home of Johnny Cash: $23
- Night Life Tour in Montego Bay with complimentary section: $25
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port to Doctor's Cave Beach and City Tour: $29
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Private Tour Souvenir Shopping in Montego Bay: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- VR Experience in Montego Bay: $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Half-Day Private Guided Ricks Café & Negril Seven Mile Beach Tour: $35
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayShanghai $7.83Montego Bay $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Shanghai
Also in Shanghai, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Shanghai Pub Crawl (Guided Bar Hopping) with Shots Included: $26
- Shanghai Bar Crawl Craft Beers and TCM Cocktails: $89
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
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shanghai and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Shanghai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Shanghai 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 Shanghai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Shanghai 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 Shanghai.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shanghai Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Shanghai or Montego Bay?
Shanghai has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Shanghai 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 Shanghai or Montego Bay?
Shanghai 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 Shanghai or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Shanghai are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Shanghai for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
Shanghai is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 28°C (83°F) in July, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Shanghai. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Shanghai gets 232 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Shanghai. In July, Shanghai usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Shanghai gets 128 mm (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 JulyShanghai 28°C (83°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Shanghai during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Shanghai because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In the autumn, Shanghai is cooler than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Shanghai in October average around 19°C (65°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Shanghai gets 162 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. Shanghai usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Shanghai gets 61 mm (2.4 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 OctoberShanghai 19°C (65°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Shanghai and Montego Bay. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Shanghai this time of year. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
It's quite cold in Shanghai in the winter. In January, Shanghai is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Shanghai average around 4°C (39°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. Shanghai usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Shanghai gets 135 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Shanghai usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Shanghai gets 39 mm (1.5 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 JanuaryShanghai 4°C (39°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Shanghai or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Shanghai as well as Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Shanghai for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Shanghai is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Shanghai averages around 15°C (58°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. In the spring, Shanghai often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Shanghai gets 153 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.
Shanghai receives a lot of rain in the spring. Shanghai usually gets more rain in April than Montego Bay. Shanghai gets 102 mm (4 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 AprilShanghai 15°C (58°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Shanghai
| Shanghai | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 4°C (39°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (41°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 102 mm (4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 20°C (67°F) | 113 mm (4.5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (75°F) | 152 mm (6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 28°C (83°F) | 128 mm (5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (75°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (65°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 13°C (55°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 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.