Which place is cheaper, Atlanta or Montego Bay?
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 Montego Bay or Atlanta?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Montego Bay and Atlanta 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: Montego Bay or Atlanta?
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.
Atlanta
Atlanta is a city rich in history but modern in its development and industry. It has a population of just under 500,000 with more than five million people living in the metropolitan area. It is also the ninth largest metropolitan area in the United States The city is rich in culture and was at the center of the civil rights movement. It is the capital of the state of Georgia, and was home to the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. It has the world's busiest airport and arguably some of the country's worst traffic, but the residents are recognized for their friendly and welcoming nature and the city is lush with green trees and wonderful parks.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesAtlanta Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Atlanta $204
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Atlanta is $204. 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 Montego Bay and Atlanta in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Atlanta $90
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Atlanta $180
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Atlanta
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Atlanta? 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: Montego Bay Hotel Prices and Atlanta Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Atlanta $44
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Kingston: One Way Private Transfer to Montego Bay Airport: $319
- Private Airport Transfers To and From Kingston (KIN) Airport: $200
- Horseback Ride/Swim and Blue Hole Falls Daytrip with Transfers: $190
- Green Grato Caves and Dunns River Falls with Private Transfer : $180
- Riu Resorts Airport Transfers Montego Bay MBJ (Private Roundtrip): $169
- Private Martha Brae Bamboo Rafting Tour with Private Transfer: $135
- Club Mobay VIP Lounge Access and Round-Trip Airport Transfer: $113
- Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
- Private Transfer to Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
- Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
- Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
- Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Atlanta:
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MARTA Subway Ticket$4.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Atlanta
Also for Atlanta, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta City: $38
- Round Trip Private Transfer from Atlanta Airport to your Hotel : $40
- Atlanta to Atlanta Airport (ATL) - Departure Private Transfer: $57
- Atlanta International Airport: Transfer to Atlanta City: $70
- Private One-way Transfer from Atlanta Airport to Atlanta: $83
- Hartsfield Jackson Airport (ATL) to Lithia Springs - Arrival Private Transfer: $93
- Atlanta Airport (ATL) to Atlanta - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $108
- Private Transfer: H. J. Airport ATL to Atlanta by Business Car: $131
- Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL in Sedan Car: $131
- Arrival Transfer: Atlanta Airport ATL to Atlanta in Sedan Car: $131
- Departure Transfer: Atlanta to Atlanta Airport ATL by SUV: $139
- Land transfer limo suv sedan vans : $145
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Atlanta?
Prices for flights to both Atlanta and Montego Bay 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 dayMontego Bay $139Atlanta $74
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
Typical Food Prices in Atlanta
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Atlanta:
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Fast Food Lunch (for 2)$15
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Lunch$20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Atlanta
For Atlanta, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- 2 Hour Historic Market Food Tour and Hands-On Biscuit Class: $65
- City Lights Atlanta Night-Time Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $69
- City Lights Night Tour with Photos & Dinner Stop: $69
- Historic Market Food Tour and Biscuit Cooking Class: $70
- Macaron Cooking Class at a Local Wine Bar in Atlanta: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Wine Bar in Atlanta: $75
- Sushi Making Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
- Atlanta : 2-Hour Gnocchi Cooking Class With Local Chef: $75
- Ponce City Market 2.5-Hour Weekend Food Tour: $99
- Walking Food Tour: $106
- Private Atlanta Cooking Class with a Fun Local Chef Naina: $139
- Prohibition Themed Downtown Atlanta Progressive Dinner: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Atlanta $56
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:
- Black River Day Adventure Tour: $92
- Dunn’s River Secret falls with Horse-back&Bamboo Raft Experience: $125
- Falmouth Mystic from Montego Bay Luminous Lagoon Night Tour: $90
- Luminous Lagoon Glow in the Dark Boat Tour from Montego Bay: $65
- Luminous Lagoon Night Tour from Montego Bay: $118
- 1 Hour Horse Back Riding & Dunn's River Falls Tour Combo: $240
- 3 Hours Private Highlights Tour & Shopping in Montego Bay Jamaica: $100
- 3 Hours Private Tour in Montego Bay From Falmouth: $75
- 7 Mile Beach & Ricks Cafe with free Shopping experience: $50
- ATV Adventure and Rick's Cafe Tour with Transportation: $238
- ATV Jungle Safari Tour from Montego Bay: $125
- ATV Tour, Limestone Bamboo Rafting and Transportation: $160
Tours and Activities in Atlanta
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Atlanta.
- App-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- SkyView Ferris Wheel Ticket: $22
- Selma in Atlanta Tour: $25
- World of Coca-Cola General Admission Ticket: $25
- World of Coca-Cola General Admission Ticket: $25
- The Burning & the Bound: Grievous Ghost Tour of Atlanta: $27
- Axe Throwing Experience: $29
- Ponce City Market Guided Walking Tour: $30
- Midtown Walking Tour on Women's History: $30
- LEGO® Discovery Center Admission Ticket: $30
- The Burning & the Bound: Grievous Ghost Tour of Atlanta: $32
- Sloomoo Institute Admission Ticket: $32
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Atlanta $17
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Atlanta
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Atlanta:
- Atlanta's Spirits & Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Half-Day Wine Tastings in the North Georgia Mountains : $115
- Full-Day Wine Country Wine Tastings From Atlanta : $130
- North Georgia Mountains Three Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $144
- North Georgia Mountains TWO Vineyard Wine Tasting Tour: $155
- Elijay Hike w/ Waterfall & Wine Tasting Private Tour from ATL: $230
- Georgia Vineyards Wine Tour: $2,300
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Atlanta, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Atlanta much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Atlanta is in North America, 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 Atlanta would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Atlanta 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 Atlanta.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Montego Bay Expensive? and Is Atlanta Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Atlanta?
Atlanta has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Atlanta, 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 Montego Bay or Atlanta?
Atlanta 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 Montego Bay or Atlanta in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Atlanta. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Atlanta. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Atlanta 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Atlanta in the Autumn?
Both Atlanta and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.
In October, Montego Bay is generally a little warmer than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).
It's quite sunny in Atlanta. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Atlanta 66°F (19°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Atlanta in the Winter?
Both Atlanta and Montego Bay during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Montego Bay because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun.
Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Atlanta 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Atlanta in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Atlanta. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Atlanta in the spring for the activities around the city.
In the spring, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun in the spring.
Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Atlanta 65°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Atlanta and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Atlanta | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 45°F (7°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 4.8 inches (123 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (104 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 3.6 inches (91 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 5.2 inches (133 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 82°F (28°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 48°F (9°C) | 4.4 inches (111 mm) |
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.