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

Should you visit Zurich or Ocho Rios?

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 Ocho Rios. 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 Ocho Rios?

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.

Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios, or "Ochi" is a town located on the northeastern shore of Jamaica and is a popular hub for cruise ships. It is a great destination for tourists as it has many resorts and beautiful beaches.

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, Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios is $85. 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 Ocho Rios in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Zurich $197
    Ocho Rios $51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Zurich $394
    Ocho Rios $102
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Ocho Rios

Looking for a hotel in Zurich or Ocho Rios? 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 Ocho Rios


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 Ocho Rios Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Ocho Rios $7.32
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:

  • WEF DAVOS 2025 | TRANSFER TO/FROM ZURICH AIRPORT TO DAVOS: $754
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Moritz: $693
  • Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Grindelwald: $656
  • Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Lauterbrunnen: $599
  • Private transfer between Zurich Airport to/from Interlaken.: $566
  • Transfer Zurich Airport to Basel: $539
  • Private Transfer between Zurich and Interlaken: $478
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lucerne: $478
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to St Anton am Arlberg: $467
  • Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Lech am Arlberg: $467
  • Privat Transfer Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $450
  • Zurich Airport: Private Lucerne Transfer by Mercedes: $450

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ocho Rios

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

  • Private Ian Fleming Airport Transfer to Ocho Rios and Runaway Bay: $15
  • Montego Bay Airport (MBJ) Transfer One-Way or Round-Trip to Hotel: $16
  • Private Transfer from Ian Fleming Airport to Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer to Mystic Mountain from Ocho Rios: $20
  • Private Transfer To And From Ian Fleming Ocho Rios. : $20
  • Private Round Trip Transfer to YAAMAN Adventure Park Ocho Rios: $27
  • Private Transfer to Konoko Falls Botanical Gardens: $27
  • ATV Tour Ocho Rios - Private Transfer Only (Activity Fee Excluded): $27
  • Private Transfer to ATV dirt road Adventures.: $32
  • Private Round Trip Transfer for Jamaican Jerk at Scotchie's Ocho Rios: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Private Transfer to Beach Horse Back Ride and Swim: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Ocho Rios?

Prices for flights to both Ocho Rios 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
    Ocho Rios $28
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 Ocho Rios

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

  • Flavors of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $128
  • Taste of Jamaica Food Tour from Ocho Rios: $150

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Zurich $41
    Ocho Rios $15

Tours and Activities in Zurich

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

  • 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $115
  • Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $161
  • Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $85
  • Best of Private Walking Tour with a Local: $108
  • Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $163
  • Chocolate Walking Tour in Zurich: $97
  • Chocolate, Art, and History walking tour of Zurich: $94
  • Cinematic Zurich – Photo and Video Shoot Tour: $566
  • City e-bike tour: $50
  • City tour historic old town Zurich: $48
  • Crash Landing on You: Switzerland Filming Locations Day Tour: $317
  • Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $224

Typical Entertainment Prices in Ocho Rios

For Ocho Rios, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Tour of Brimmer Hall Estate
    $11
  • Admission to Coyaba Gardens
    $5.27
  • Tour of Prospect Plantation
    $17

Tours and Activities in Ocho Rios

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Ocho Rios.

  • Ocho Rios Shopping Tour : $21
  • Original Blue Hole St. Ann Ocho Rios Jamaica Admission Fee Ticket: $25
  • Private Dunn's River Falls, Ocho Rios Sightseeing and shopping : $30
  • Luminous Lagoon Boat Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Ocho Rios City Bus Tour (Beach, Sightseeing & Shopping): $40
  • Blue Hole and Dunn's River Tour (Entrance Fees Not Included): $40
  • Skip-The-Line: Dunn's River Falls Adventure Tour from Ocho Rios: $40
  • Transportation to Horse Back Ride & Swim Adventure from Ocho Rios: $45
  • Luminous lagoon Private & Group tour from Runaway Bay: $45
  • Ocho Rios City Tour and Sightseeing: $49
  • Shopping and Sightseeing Tour in Ocho Rios: $50
  • Dunn's River Falls and Ocho Rios Sightseeing with Shopping: $50

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Zurich $34
    Ocho Rios $7.43

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 Ocho Rios

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ocho Rios:

  • Bar Hopping, Pub Crawl, Shopping and Sightseeing Tour Ocho Rios: $113


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Zurich and Ocho Rios, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Ocho Rios much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ocho Rios 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 Ocho Rios.

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


Which is Bigger, Zurich or Ocho Rios?

Zurich has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Ocho Rios. When comparing the sizes of Zurich and Ocho Rios, 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 Ocho Rios?

Zurich has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Ocho Rios experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Zurich or Ocho Rios in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Ocho Rios. Many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences. The warm climate attracts visitors to Ocho Rios throughout the year.

In the summer, Zurich is cooler than Ocho Rios. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 29°C (83°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ocho Rios. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 254 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in July than Ocho Rios. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Zurich 21°C (70°F) 
    Ocho Rios 29°C (83°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Ocho Rios in the Autumn?

Both Ocho Rios and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Plenty of visitors come to Ocho Rios because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In October, Zurich is generally much colder than Ocho Rios. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It's quite sunny in Ocho Rios. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 229 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Ocho Rios. In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Ocho Rios. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Zurich 13°C (56°F) 
    Ocho Rios 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Ocho Rios in the Winter?

Both Ocho Rios and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Ocho Rios year-round.

The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Zurich is much colder than Ocho Rios in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Ocho Rios fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In Ocho Rios, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Ocho Rios. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ocho Rios receives 257 hours of full sun.

Zurich usually gets more rain in January than Ocho Rios. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Zurich 3°C (37°F) 
    Ocho Rios 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Zurich or Ocho Rios in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Ocho Rios. The natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year. Ocho Rios attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Zurich is much colder than Ocho Rios. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Ocho Rios averages at about 26°C (80°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ocho Rios this time of the year. Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Ocho Rios during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Ocho Rios receives 251 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Zurich usually receives more rain than Ocho Rios. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ocho Rios receives 27 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Zurich 12°C (53°F) 
    Ocho Rios 26°C (80°F)

Typical Weather for Ocho Rios and Zurich

Zurich Ocho Rios
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 3°C (37°F) 77 mm (3 in) 26°C (79°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Feb 5°C (40°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (79°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Mar 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 26°C (80°F) 14 mm (0.6 in)
Apr 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (80°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 101 mm (4 in) 28°C (82°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)
Jun 19°C (66°F) 100 mm (3.9 in) 28°C (83°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 29°C (83°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Aug 21°C (69°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 29°C (83°F) 107 mm (4.2 in)
Oct 13°C (56°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 28°C (82°F) 167 mm (6.6 in)
Nov 7°C (45°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 28°C (82°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Dec 4°C (39°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 27°C (80°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)