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 $24Montego Bay $255
The average daily cost (per person) in Vientiane is $24, while the average daily cost in Montego Bay is $255. 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 $8.45Montego Bay $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVientiane $17Montego Bay $200
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 $2.01Montego Bay $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Vientiane
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Vientiane are as follows:
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Tuk Tuk Ride$4.15
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
- Vientiane - Hanoi Sleeping Bus Transfer : $63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay and Falmouth Hotels : $16
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport/ Port Transfers to Montego Bay Hotels: $16
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Private Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotel: $16
- Sangster Airport Montego Bay Transfer to Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $16
- Private airport transfer to negril resorts arrival/departure: $17
- Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $20
- Private Montego Bay Airport transfer to Falmouth Trelawny : $20
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 $139
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vientiane
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vientiane.
- Vientiane classic Food tour ( Included Food ): $78
- Night Market, Dinner, and Nightclub: $90
- Vientiane Private Lao Cooking Class with Market Tour and Lunch: $95
- 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.
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $10
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations : $158
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vientiane $3.80Montego Bay $31
Tours and Activities in Vientiane
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vientiane are as follows:
- Laos Railway Tickets Easily: Avoid Long Queues & Wasted Time: $30
- Laos Railway Tickets Online: Skip Long Queues, Avoid Missing: $30
- Art, Culture, & Inspiration Guided Half-Day Tour: $52
- Half-Day City Tour with Patuxai and Buddha Park: $52
- Vientiane Sky Luge and Roller Zipline Experience: $55
- Vientiane Landmarks and Cultural Immersion Tour: $56
- Cultural Tour with Buddha Park and Patuxay: $58
- Vientiane IG tour & Patuxay monument: $59
- Half-Day City Tour - Morning or Afternoon: $65
- Vientiane Half Day City Tour: $80
- Vientiane : Private Custom Tour with a Local Guide: $88
- Vientiane Half-Day City Tour: $89
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$2.63
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Snorkeling Trip$18
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One Tank Dive$37
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1.5 Hr Horseback Ride$42
Tours and Activities in Montego Bay
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Montego Bay are as follows:
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Luminous Lagoon Admission Tickets: $40
- Jet Car Experience/ clear kayak photo shoot in Montego Bay: $40
- Jamaica Bamboo Rafting Experience with Lime Stone Massage: $50
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- Montego Bay Sight Seeing with Tour Guide : $50
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $54
- Bamboo Rafting Adventure with Limestone Massage from Montego Bay: $55
- Montego Bay & Falmouth Hotels, Souvenir Shopping and sightseeing: $60
- Private Tour in Dunns River Falls: $60
- Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
- Private Montego Bay Customized Tour with Pickup and Guide: $65
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVientiane $2.12Montego 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:
- Appleton Estate Admission Ticket & Distillery Tour with Tastings: $39
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.