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

Should you visit Zurich 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 Zurich 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: Zurich or Montego Bay?

Zurich

Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Zurich?

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 Zurich is $364, 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 Zurich and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $197
    Montego Bay $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $394
    Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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 Zurich


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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Montego Bay $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:


  • City Pass (2)
    $33

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:

  • Zurich Airport Stress-Free Private Transfer: $36
  • ZRH Airport to City Centre|Hotels Private Transfer: $42
  • Zurich Airport ZRH Private Transfer to Zurich/Lucerne/Interlaken: $48
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich to Zurich Airport: $72
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer from Zurich Airport to Zurich: $72
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich - Arrival Private Transfer: $81
  • Zurich to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Private Transfer : $81
  • Transfer from Zurich City Center to Zurich Airport (ZRH): $81
  • Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Titisee-Neustadt Thermal Arrival Transfer: $84
  • Transfer from Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Zurich City Center: $84
  • Private Transfer from Zurich Hotels to Zurich Airport: $87
  • Airport Transfer: Zurich Airport ZRH to Zurich by Business Car: $100

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 Zurich or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Zurich 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
    Zurich $124
    Montego Bay $139
Typical Food Prices in Zurich

Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:


  • Breakfast for 2
    $16

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zurich

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zurich.

  • Food Tour of 8+ Tastings with Cheeses & Chocolates: $154
  • Zurich Food Tour of 10+ Swiss Specialties w/ Cheeses & Chocolates: $156

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Montego Bay $31

Tours and Activities in Zurich

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

  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Reading Tour: $6.29
  • Zurich Self Guided Audio Experience: $9.00
  • Winterthur Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Schaffhausen Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $9.04
  • Zurich Highlights Self guided scavenger hunt and city tour: $12
  • Swiss Finance Museum Admission Ticket: $13
  • The Dark Side of Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $13
  • Zurich in the Mirror of the Past: Self-Guided Audio Tour: $13
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour to the Dark Side of Zurich: $13
  • Zurich Old Town Walking Tour: 2-Hours: $16
  • Swiss National Museum Entry Ticket: $16
  • City Walking Tour Made in Zurich: $19

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
    $2.63
  • Snorkeling Trip
    $18
  • One Tank Dive
    $37
  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $34
    Montego Bay $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich

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

  • Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $38
  • Pub Crawl Zurich: $39

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 Zurich and Montego Bay, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Montego Bay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe 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 Montego Bay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montego Bay 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Montego Bay.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Montego Bay Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Montego Bay?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich or Montego Bay?

Zurich 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 Zurich or Montego Bay in the Summer?

Both Montego Bay and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the music scene 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.

Zurich is cooler than Montego Bay in the summer. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 21°C (70°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 Zurich. Zurich usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during summer. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Zurich usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zurich 21°C (70°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

Both Montego Bay and Zurich during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Zurich because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

In the autumn, Zurich is much colder than Montego Bay. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Zurich in October average around 13°C (56°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, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Zurich gets 120 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. Zurich usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zurich 13°C (56°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Montego Bay in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Montego Bay. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

It's quite cold in Zurich in the winter. In January, Zurich is generally much colder than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 3°C (37°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. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Montego Bay during winter. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Zurich usually receives more rain than Montego Bay. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zurich 3°C (37°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Montego Bay in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Montego Bay. Many travelers come to Zurich for the natural beauty. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

Zurich is much colder than Montego Bay in the spring. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 12°C (53°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, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Montego Bay. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in April than Montego Bay. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zurich 12°C (53°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Zurich

Zurich Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)