Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Vientiane?
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 Vientiane or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Vientiane or Montego Bay, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Vientiane or Montego Bay?
Vientiane
You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.
While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.
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 Bicycle Tours in Laos, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Laos.
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Vientiane Prices
Laos PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVientiane $23Montego Bay $259
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $23, 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 Vientiane and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVientiane $8.17Montego Bay $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $16Montego Bay $204
Compare Hotels in Vientiane and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Vientiane 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: Vientiane Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vientiane $1.94Montego Bay $15
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.02
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vientiane
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vientiane:
- Vientiane Private Transfer: Wattay Airport -Hotel-Railway Station: $9.90
- Vientian Private Airport Transfer - Wattay Airport: $15
- Wattay Airport (VTE): Private Transfer to/from Vientiane: $20
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
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Private Transfers: MBJ Airport ↔ RIU Montego Bay, Palace & Reggae: $13
- Sandals Royal Caribbean Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $13
- Private Airport Transfer to Sandals Montego: $13
- Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach: $13
- RIU Reggae Palace and RIU Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $14
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers: $14
- Dreams Rose Hall Resort and Spa Private Airport Transfer: $14
- Hyatt zilara or ziva EXCLUSIVE private airport transfer services: $14
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport to Montego Bay Hotels: $14
Is it cheaper to fly into Vientiane or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Vientiane 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 dayVientiane $12Montego Bay $142
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $70
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Small-Group Street Food Tour with Tastings: $91
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour: $122
- Cooking Class Garden House: $335
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.68Montego Bay $31
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- The Avenue of a Million Elephants: A Vientiane Self-Guided Tour: $7.99
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $8.50
- Vientiane Lao Art Museum Admission Ticket: $10
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $12
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Explore Vientiane with Lao Art Museum Tour: $61
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $75
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:
- 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
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.05Montego Bay $13
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:
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $250
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vientiane and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Vientiane 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 Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vientiane Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vientiane or Montego Bay?
Vientiane has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Vientiane 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 Vientiane or Montego Bay?
Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.
Should I visit Vientiane or Montego Bay in the Summer?
Both Montego Bay and Vientiane are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
It's quite rainy in Vientiane. In July, Vientiane usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Vientiane gets 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Vientiane usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Vientiane gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.
In the summer, Vientiane is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vientiane in July average around 30°C (85°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F).
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVientiane 30°C (85°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Vientiane during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
Montego Bay gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Vientiane usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Vientiane gets 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Vientiane. In the autumn, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay. Vientiane gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.
In October, Vientiane is generally around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Vientiane average around 28°C (83°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVientiane 28°C (83°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Montego Bay in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vientiane and Montego Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In January, Vientiane usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Vientiane gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vientiane usually receives more sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Vientiane gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.
Vientiane is around the same temperature as Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Vientiane averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVientiane 24°C (75°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Vientiane or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vientiane as well as Montego Bay. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Vientiane usually gets more rain in April than Montego Bay. Vientiane gets 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. In the spring, Vientiane often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay. Vientiane gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.
The heat can be very extreme in Vientiane. In the spring, Vientiane is a little warmer than Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vientiane in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F).
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVientiane 31°C (88°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Vientiane
| Vientiane | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (79°F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 29°C (85°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 31°C (88°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 30°C (87°F) | 255 mm (10 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 30°C (86°F) | 273 mm (10.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 30°C (85°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (85°F) | 323 mm (12.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 29°C (84°F) | 295 mm (11.6 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (83°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 24°C (74°F) | 3 mm (0.1 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.