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

Should you visit Cairo or Montego Bay?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Cairo and Montego Bay can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Cairo or Montego Bay?

Cairo

Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.

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 Family-Friendly Tours to Egypt, and The Best Historical Tours in Egypt.


Which place is cheaper, Montego Bay or Cairo?

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 Cairo is $33, 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 Cairo and Montego Bay in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Cairo $11
    Montego Bay $100
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Cairo $22
    Montego Bay $200
Compare Hotels in Cairo and Montego Bay

Looking for a hotel in Cairo 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 Cairo


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: Cairo Hotel Prices and Montego Bay Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Cairo $3.80
    Montego Bay $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cairo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:


  • Metro Ride
    $0.08
  • Taxi Ride
    $0.32

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:

  • Private Transfer: Cairo Airport Arrival to any hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
  • Private transfer from Cairo Airport to the hotel in Cairo or Giza: $9.00
  • Private Arrival or Departure Cairo Airport Transfer: $9.50
  • Private Transfer: Cairo Airport (CAI) to Hotel in Cairo/Giza: $10
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Your Hotel: $10
  • Cairo airport or Sphinx airport transfer : $10
  • Private Transfer from Cairo Airport to Hotels within Cairo and Giza: $10
  • Private Transfer from Cairo International Airport to Cairo &Giza : $10
  • Private Transfer: From/To Cairo International Airport Cairo Giza: $11
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Cairo Airport: $11
  • Private Departure Transfer from Cairo City to Cairo Airport: $12
  • Departure Airport Transfer from Cairo or Giza to Cairo Airport: $12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:

  • Montego Bay Private Transfer with Airport Pickup and Dropoff : $20
  • Shared Airport Transfer To Montego Bay Hotels: $55
  • Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
  • Brown Boss Private Airport Transfers: $20
  • Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
  • Eden Bay Private Airport Transfer: $50
  • Excellence Oyster Bay Private Transfer: $40
  • Excellence Resort Private Airport Transfer: $40
  • Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
  • Experience private Airport Transfer to Falmouth: $50
  • From Kingston One Way Shared Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $44
  • Grand Palladium Resort Private Transfer: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Montego Bay?

Prices for flights to both Montego Bay and Cairo 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
    Cairo $18
    Montego Bay $139
Typical Food Prices in Cairo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:


  • Juice
    $0.04

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo

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

  • Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer show on Nile river: $5.00
  • Great tour toThe Grand Museum of Giza and Nile River DinnerCruise: $5.00
  • Quad Bike ATV ,Camel Ride ,Nile Dinner Cruise Belly dancer show: $7.00
  • Cairo Food Tour with Nile Felucca Ride : $7.00
  • Private Nile Cruise with Dinner and Folk Show from Cairo: $7.50
  • Night Dinner Nile cruise with belly dancer and folklore show: $8.00
  • night-tour Nile dinner cruise with open buffet and belly dancer: $8.00
  • Local Oriental Food Tour from Cairo or Giza hotels: $9.00
  • Cairo Dinner Cruise show with belly dancer show on Nile river: $9.00
  • Cairo Food Tour in local places & Egyptian Mint Tea: $9.00
  • food tour private tour from cairo or giza hotel: $9.00
  • Giza pyramids,Sphinx,ATV bike,Camel ride,Dinner cruise& shopping: $9.00

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.
    Cairo $9.09
    Montego Bay $31
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cairo

Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entry to Camel Market for Two
    $0.84
  • Egyptian Museum Entry for Two
    $6.47

Tours and Activities in Cairo

Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Private Tour in Pyramids of Giza with Lunch and Camel Ride: $1.00
  • Egyptian Museum Tour Cave Church Old Cairo Saladin Citadel: $1.00
  • Best Day TourTo Giza Pyramids,Sphinx,Egyptian Museum, Bazar,Lunch: $1.75
  • Cheap Day tour to Giza Pyramids Sphinx With Camel Rid : $2.00
  • Best Egypt Tour Giza Pyramids Sphinx lunch fees camel 9rd pyramid: $3.50
  • VIP privatr tour Giza pyramids sphins &Saqqara and Memphis : $3.50
  • Explore Giza Pyramids on a Private ATV or Camel Tour: $4.00
  • Chep Day Tour Pyramids Giza, Memphis, Saqqara and Camel: $4.00
  • Private Half Day Pyramids Tour with Felucca: $4.50
  • All inclusive Tour To Giza Pyramids, Sphinx, Camel Ride, Lunch: $4.50
  • Private Tour in Iconic Giza Pyramids From Cairo: $5.00
  • Cairo Highlights Tours Visit Giza Pyramids and Sphinx: $5.00

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
    Cairo $1.48
    Montego Bay $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Cairo

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cairo:

  • Pub Crawl and Speakeasy Bar Tour with 2 Free Drinks: $70

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 Cairo and Montego Bay, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa 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 Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.

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


Which is Bigger, Cairo or Montego Bay?

Cairo has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Cairo 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 Cairo 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 Cairo or Montego Bay in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cairo and Montego Bay. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cairo year-round. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In July, Cairo usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Cairo gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In Cairo, it's very sunny this time of the year. Cairo usually receives more sunshine than Montego Bay during summer. Cairo gets 350 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 257 hours of full sun in the summer.

In the summer, Cairo is around the same temperature as Montego Bay. Typically, the summer temperatures in Cairo in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 28°C (82°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Cairo 28°C (82°F) 
    Montego Bay 28°C (82°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Montego Bay in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cairo as well as Montego Bay. Cairo attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. Cairo usually gets less rain in October than Montego Bay. Cairo gets 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 130 mm (5.1 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 Cairo this time of the year. In the autumn, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Cairo gets 290 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 233 hours of full sun.

In October, Cairo is generally cooler than Montego Bay. Daily temperatures in Cairo average around 23°C (73°F), and Montego Bay fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Cairo 23°C (73°F) 
    Montego Bay 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Montego Bay in the Winter?

Both Montego Bay and Cairo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cairo throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In January, Cairo usually receives less rain than Montego Bay. Cairo gets 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cairo. Cairo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montego Bay during winter. Cairo gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Montego Bay receives 226 hours of full sun in the winter.

Cairo is much colder than Montego Bay in the winter. The daily temperature in Cairo averages around 14°C (57°F) in January, and Montego Bay fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Cairo 14°C (57°F) 
    Montego Bay 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Cairo or Montego Bay in the Spring?

Both Montego Bay and Cairo during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Cairo because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round.

Cairo usually gets less rain in April than Montego Bay. Cairo gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Montego Bay receives 60 mm (2.4 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 Cairo. In the spring, Cairo often gets more sunshine than Montego Bay. Cairo gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montego Bay receives 225 hours of full sun.

In the spring, Cairo is cooler than Montego Bay. Typically, the spring temperatures in Cairo in April average around 21°C (70°F), and Montego Bay averages at about 25°C (77°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Cairo 21°C (70°F) 
    Montego Bay 25°C (77°F)

Typical Weather for Montego Bay and Cairo

Cairo Montego Bay
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 15 mm (0.6 in) 24°C (75°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb 14°C (57°F) 4 mm (0.2 in) 24°C (75°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 17°C (63°F) 8 mm (0.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Apr 21°C (70°F) 7 mm (0.3 in) 25°C (77°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
May 25°C (77°F) 0 mm (0 in) 26°C (79°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 27°C (81°F) 0 mm (0 in) 27°C (81°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 28°C (82°F) 1 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 28°C (82°F) 0 mm (0 in) 28°C (82°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 26°C (79°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 23°C (73°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 27°C (81°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Nov 19°C (66°F) 1 mm (0 in) 26°C (79°F) 120 mm (4.7 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 3 mm (0.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)