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

Should you visit Split 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 Split 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: Split or Montego Bay?

Split

Split is a historic city in Central Dalmatia with many opportunities to glimpse its fascinating past in its historic city center. Centuries ago the city grew up around a Diocletian palace that was used as refuge by the locals.

Today, as you wander around the historic center, you can see the remains of the Roman walls, temples, and squares. Despite it's appeal to tourists, Split is much more than just a tourist destination. It is larger than you might initially realize and it spreads well beyond the historic center. There is a population of about 300,000 in the larger area and it is an economic center for the region.

Split has a beautiful climate with mild winters, countless sunny days, and a generally pleasant temperature. As such, there are many opportunities to enjoy yourself outdoors, whether by participating in sports or walking around the city's quaint streets. Winters in Split are also quite mild, but there may be one snowy day, on average, every year. This rare snowfall can cause a significant disruption in the flow of traffic.

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 Walking Tours in Croatia, and The Best Luxury Tours to Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Split?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Split is €196, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is €225. 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 Split and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Split 84
    Montego Bay 88
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Split 168
    Montego Bay 176
Compare Hotels in Split and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Split 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 Split


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: Split Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Split 23
    Montego Bay 13

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Split

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

  • Split ↔Žnjan Beach: Comfortable and Scenic Boat Transfer: $18
  • Private Taxi Transfer from Split airport to Split City: $33
  • Private Transfer from Split Airport (SPU) to Slatine (Island Ciovo): $39
  • Private Split Airport Transfer to Split, Kaštela or Podstrana: $39
  • Split Hotels to Cruise Port of Split - Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Cruise Port of Split to Split Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
  • Split Airport (SPU) to Cruise Port of Split - Arrival Private Transfer: $41
  • Split Cruise Port to Split Airport SPU-Departure Private Transfer: $41
  • Private Transfer from Cruise Port of Split to Split hotels: $41
  • Private Transfer from Cruise Port of Split to Split Airport (SPU): $41
  • Private Transfer from Split City to Split Airport (SPU): $42
  • Private Transfer from Split Ferry Port to Split Airport (SPU): $42

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • luxury VIP Airport Transfer to RIU Palace, Reggae,Montego bay: $140
  • VIP Runaway Bay Transfer: $160
  • VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $74
  • VIP Luxury Airport Transfer Mobay, Ocho Rios, Negril, Lucea,: $150
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Montego Bay HTL-APT (MBJ): $37
  • Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Negril: $53
  • Transfer from/to Airport, Riu Reggae, Riu Montego Bay, Riu Palace: $28
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Runaway Bay: $172
  • Transfer Service, Sangster MBJ Airport From/To Iberostar zone: $64
  • Sunset at the Palm Private Negril Airport Transfer: $52
  • Sunscape Resorts Montego Bay Private Airport Transfers: $25
  • Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.75

Is it cheaper to fly into Split or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Split 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
    Split 93
    Montego Bay 123

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Split

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

  • Omiš: Sunset Boat Trip to Pučišća Brač island with Dinner: $59
  • Split’s Ultimate Walking Food Tour with Full Meal & Drinks: $67
  • Small Group Food Tour with Private Option: $104
  • Split Food Tour Local Dishes and City Stories: $117
  • Split Old Town Authentic Food Tour with 9 Dishes & Local Wines: $128
  • Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite at a Time: $140
  • Split Food Tour: Discover Split One Bite At A Time: $141
  • Split Cooking Class: $206
  • Split Cooking Class - Afternoon Edition Shared Activity: $206
  • Vegan Cooking Class with Local Market Tour in Split: $206
  • From farm to table : Cooking class on island Brac: $259

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 Dining Experience in Montego Bay: $40
  • Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour: $50
  • Dinner or Lunch with Pickup from Montego Bay: $50
  • Mystic Lagoon Sunset Cruise with Dinner and Lagoon Swim: $85
  • 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
  • Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $150
  • Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
  • Authentic Jamaican Cooking Experience in the Mountain from mobay: $210
  • PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210
  • Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $231

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Split 11
    Montego Bay 27

Tours and Activities in Split

For Split, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Split Quest Experience: Discover the City: $5.01
  • Split self guided walking tour through history: $5.90
  • Split Audio Guided Walking Tour 1h and 17 audio reviews: $6.96
  • Discover Split Guided Walking Tour: $12
  • TOP Split : Private Guided Tour with your mobile: $12
  • Split Walking Tour with Super or just Mario: $12
  • Split's Old Town and Marjan Hill: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Entry Ticket to Selfie Experience Museum: $13
  • Klis Fortress Sunset Tour & Game of Thrones Views: $13
  • Walking Tour of UNESCO Diocletian Palace & Old Town: $14
  • Hajduk Poljud Stadium Tour with Trophy Room Entry: $14
  • Klis Fortress & Olive Museum Tour with GOT Sites: $14

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
    2.32
  • Snorkeling Trip
    16
  • One Tank Dive
    33
  • 1.5 Hr Horseback Ride
    37

Tours and Activities in Montego Bay

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

  • 1 Hour Efoil Experience in Montego Bay: $150
  • 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
  • 2 Days Of Blue Hole, Dunns River Falls & Hidden Beauty Adventure: $180
  • 2 Days Private Jamaica Tour: $230
  • 2 Hour Private Montego Bay City Tour with Souvenir’s Shopping: $80
  • 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
  • 4 Hour ATV & Horse Back Riding Private Tour (Transportation Only): $105
  • 4 Hours Party Boat Catamaran Cruise in Negril: $190
  • 4 Hours Private Night Life Experience in Montego Bay: $66
  • 4-Hour Catamaran Party Cruise with Open Bar from Montego Bay: $200
  • 5 Hour Private Tour at Doctor's Cave Beach and Margaritaville: $108
  • 5 Hour Private Tour at Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Split 18
    Montego Bay 11

Sample the Local Flavors in Split

Also in Split, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Split Pub Crawl: Nightlife, Shots & Club Entry: $14
  • Tower Pub Crawl in Split: $32
  • From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $45
  • Ziggy Star's Nightlife Pub Crawl Experience in Split: $47
  • Wine Tasting at Seafront Tasting Room in Kastela: $50
  • From Krka Waterfalls, Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $53
  • Dalmatian wine tasting by Bottiglia wine & deli: $53
  • Split/Trogir: Krka National Park Day Trip with Wine Tasting: $55
  • From Krka Waterfalls day tour & wine tasting: $55
  • Krka National Park Tour with tour Guide & Wine tasting from Split & Trogir: $55
  • Olive Oil and Wine Tasting with Snacks: $57
  • Split&Sip: Educational wine tasting: $64

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 comparing the travel costs between Split 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 Split 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 Split Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Split or Montego Bay?

Split has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Split 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 Split or Montego Bay?

Split 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 Split or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Split as well as Montego Bay. Most visitors come to Split for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Split is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Split averages around 26°C (80°F) in July, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Split this time of the year. In the summer, Split often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Split gets 345 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.

Split usually gets less rain in July than Montego Bay. Split gets 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Split 26°C (80°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Split or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

Both Montego Bay and Split are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Split because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In the autumn, Split is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Split in October average around 18°C (64°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Split. Split usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Split gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. In October, Split usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Split gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Split 18°C (64°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Split or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Split during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Split this time of year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In January, Split is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Split average around 8°C (47°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Split often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Split gets 128 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.

Split usually gets more rain in January than Montego Bay. Split gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Split or Montego Bay in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Split and Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Split for the beaches and the activities around the city. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Split is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Split averages around 15°C (59°F) in April, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Split, it's very sunny this time of the year. Split usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during spring. Split gets 212 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Split usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Split gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Split 15°C (59°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Split

Split Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (47°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 11°C (52°F) 75 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 15°C (59°F) 66 mm (2.6 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 20°C (67°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 26°C (80°F) 28 mm (1.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 50 mm (2 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 13°C (56°F) 108 mm (4.3 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)