Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Wellington?
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 Wellington or Montego Bay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Wellington or Montego Bay? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Wellington or Montego Bay?
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
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 Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Wellington Prices
New Zealand PricesMontego Bay Prices
Jamaica Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWellington $125Montego Bay $260
The average daily cost (per person) in Wellington is $125, 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 Wellington and Montego Bay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWellington $61Montego Bay $102
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWellington $122Montego Bay $204
Compare Hotels in Wellington and Montego Bay
Looking for a hotel in Wellington 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: Wellington Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Wellington $12Montego Bay $15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $22
- Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
- Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57
- Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $63
- Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $69
- Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $75
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $77
- Wellington to Wellington Airport(WLG)-Departure Private Transfer: $77
- Private Large SUV Airport Transfers Wellington - Executive Travel: $86
- WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $104
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- VIP Luxury Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay/ Falmouth: $74
- Tryall / Round Hill Private Transfer: $40
- Transfers from Montego Bay Airport to Negril: $53
- 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 Splash Montego Bay Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Sports bar Day or Nightlife Experience with Private Transfer: $70
- Silver Sands Hotel Private Airport Transfer: $53
- SeaGarden Beach Resort Private Airport Transfer: $20
- Sangsters Airport Hotels Private Transfers: $20
- Sangster's International Airport Transfer to RIU Montego Bay, Reggae, Palace: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Wellington or Montego Bay?
Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Wellington 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 dayWellington $51Montego Bay $142
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $125
- Capital Bites, A food tour of Wellington: $135
- Wine and Food Tour to Martinbough: $174
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
- Club2727 Nightlife Experience With Optional Dinner In Montego Bay: $60
- Jamaican Seafood Street Food Tour from Montego Bay, Falmouth: $130
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica: $130
- Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios Dinner and Nightlife Experience: $150
- Sunset Boat Cruise and Luminous Lagoon with Dinner and Transfer: $150
- Private Beach Day and Street Food Tour from Montego Bay: $170
- Dinner Experience and Celebration on the Beach with Decorations: $175
- Restaurant Transportation for Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner Montego Bay: $180
- Authentic Jamaican Food Cooking Experience in the Countryside: $195
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $210
- Private Martha Brae Raft and Luminous Lagoon Tour with Dinner: $270
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Wellington $16Montego Bay $32
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Return Cable Car Ticket: $6.95
- Private Self-Guided Tour to Wellington: $8.27
- Wellington City Self Guided Walking Tour with App: $9.99
- Self Guided Tour of Stonehenge Aotearoa: $11
- Wellington Coastal Self Drive Tour with an APP: $15
- Wellington Zoo General Entry Tickets: $15
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Spaceship: $27
- Private Group Puzzle-Solving Adventure Game: Atlantis: $27
- Wētā Workshop Creative Classes Experience Ticket: $32
- Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket: $32
- Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
- Wētā Workshop Experiences Tour - Wellington: $35
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:
- 1 Hour Efoil Experience in Montego Bay: $150
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 3-Hour Private Tour in the Highlights of Montego Bay: $58
- 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 Negril Beach and Rick's Cafe: $150
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- 7 Mile Beach Party Catamaran Cruise with Snorkeling & Ricks Cafe: $115
- 7 Mile Beach Private Tour: $122
- ATV & Bamboo Rafting Guided Tour In Jamaica: $295
- ATV & Horseback Ride Guided Tour in Jamaica: $66
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWellington $12Montego Bay $13
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
- From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391
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 Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Wellington and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Wellington is in Pacific 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Wellington Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Wellington or Montego Bay?
Wellington has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Wellington 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 Wellington or Montego Bay?
Wellington 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 Wellington or Montego Bay in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Wellington as well as Montego Bay. Many visitors come to Wellington in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.
Wellington is much colder than Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 18°C (64°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 28°C (82°F)in July.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In the summer, Wellington often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bayin July. Wellington gets 242 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun.
Wellington usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Montego Bayin July. Wellington gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures January and JulyWellington 18°C (64°F)Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Montego Bay in the Autumn?
Both Montego Bay and Wellington are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Wellington is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Wellington in April average around 15°C (58°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 27°C (81°F)in October.
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during autumn. Wellington gets 163 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 April, Wellington usually receives less rain than Montego Bayin October. Wellington gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures April and OctoberWellington 15°C (58°F)Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Montego Bay in the Winter?
Both Montego Bay and Wellington during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Wellington because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.
In July, Wellington is generally much colder than Montego Bayin January. Daily temperatures in Wellington average around 10°C (49°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, Wellington often gets less sunshine than Montego Bayin January. Wellington gets 122 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. Wellington usually gets more rain in July than Montego Bayin January. Wellington gets 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures July and JanuaryWellington 10°C (49°F)Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Wellington or Montego Bay in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Wellington and Montego Bay. The beaches are the main draw to Wellington this time of year. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
Wellington is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Wellington averages around 13°C (55°F) in October, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 25°C (77°F)in April.
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. Wellington usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during spring. Wellington gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.
In October, Wellington usually receives more rain than Montego Bayin April. Wellington gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures October and AprilWellington 13°C (55°F)Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)
Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Wellington
| Wellington | Montego Bay | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jun | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) |
| Nov | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.