Which place is cheaper, Banff 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 Banff?
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 Banff 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 Banff?
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.
Banff
Nestled in the pristine and gorgeous mountains of the Alberta Rockies is the popular town of Banff. This town sits right in Canada's Banff National Park and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
While the surrounding nature may give the impression of a quiet, little town, Banff is typically crowded with tourists. The beauty of this area is irresistible for travelers from all over the world. This may not be the place for solitude or even an authentic, country experience, you'll still find an unforgettable vacation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, and The Best Camping Tours in Canada.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesBanff Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Banff $105
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Banff is $105. 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 Banff in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Banff $38
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Banff $76
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Banff
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Banff? 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 Banff Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Banff $5.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Shared Transfer: From/to Montego Bay International Airport: $9.26
- Hyatt Zillara or Ziva Rose Hall private Transfers: $10
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Negril *Air Conditioning : $10
- Montego Bay Hotels Airport Private Transfers : $10
- Private Transfer from Montego Bay Airport : $10
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Sangster International Airport Private Transfer to Montego Bay: $12
- Grandiosa Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- El Greco Resort Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Tropical Court Hotel Private Airport Transfer : $13
- Private Transfer to Royal Decameron Cornwall Beach/Montego Beach : $13
- RIU Palace reggae and RIU Montego Bay private airport transfers : $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Banff
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Banff:
- Canmore/Banff to Calgary Airport (YYC) Private Transfer: $172
- Banff Canmore to Calgary YYC Airport Transfer: $216
- Banff to Calgary YYC Airport (Private Transfer with Tesla): $286
- All-Inclusive Private Banff Tour with Hotel Transfer: $796
- Calgary Airport to Banff - Private Transfer: $839
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Banff?
Prices for flights to both Banff 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 $139Banff $49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montego Bay
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montego Bay.
- Montego Bay Jerk Tour and Rum Punch Mixology/Food Tour : $40
- Lunch or Dinner Dining Experience in Montego Bay : $40
- Street Food Tour in Montego Bay: $59
- 3 to 5 Hour Private Herbal Tour Shopping and Dinner at Ricks Cafe: $120
- Bar Hopping and Local Food Tour in Jamaica : $130
- Dinner or lunch at pier one Montego bay Food Tour: $144
- Cooking Class in Montego Bay with Home Chef: $150
- 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
- PRIVATE Food Tour of Local Jamaican Cuisine Montego Bay & Negril: $190
Typical Food Prices in Banff
Some typical examples of dining costs in Banff are as follows:
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Tea House Lunch for Two$33
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Hostel Breakfast$27
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McDonalds$4.63
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Banff
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Banff.
- Morning Glory ~ Banff's 'Breakfast Bits' Food Tour: $66
- Sips & Sweets - Canadian Evening Food Tour: $69
- Bites and Sites of Canmore Walking Food Tour: $77
- Banff's Winter Wonderland Food Tour: $85
- A Taste of Banff Food Tour: $87
- Banff Food Tour: Eat the Castle: $151
- Winter Tour with Dinner & Nightrise at Banff Gondola: $166
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Banff $12
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:
- Montego Bay Beach Day Experience: $20
- The Ultimate Montego Bay Night Life Experience: $25
- Montego Bay Cruise Ship Port Transportation Service : $26
- Montego Bay Shopping Private Tour: $26
- Skip the Line: Rose Hall Great House and Garden Tour Ticket: $30
- Lethe Rafting And Margaritaville Tour from Montego Bay : $30
- Great River Bamboo Rafting and Limestone Foot Massage Tour From Montego Bay: $30
- Doctors Cave Beach Roundtrip Tour in Montego Bay: $30
- Adventure and Activity Based Music and Nightlife and Nature: $30
- Explore the Beauty of Montego Bay Nature Tour in Jamaica: $30
- Montego Bay Sightseeing Tour and Souvenir Shopping: $35
- Rose Hall Great House Haunted Night Tour with Admission: $35
Typical Entertainment Prices in Banff
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Banff are as follows:
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Hot Springs$5.31
Tours and Activities in Banff
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Banff are as follows:
- Town of Banff Highlights 2 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $4.00
- Tips-Based Walking Tour & Town Highlights: $4.02
- Tunnel Mountain Trail: a Smartphone Audio Nature Tour : $8.05
- Smartphone Audio Driving Tour between Banff and Calgary: $8.05
- The Sights of a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.05
- The Sights of Canmore: a Smartphone Audio Walking Tour: $8.07
- Banff Cave & Hot Springs Audio Walking Tour (Not a Ticket): $9.99
- Explore Banff National Park: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour: $14
- Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary Walk Ticket in Canada: $29
- From Calgary: Moraine, Lake Louise & Johnston Canyon- Shared Tour: $29
- Paranormal History Walking Ghost Tour: $29
- Sightseeing Chairlift Ride High Above Banff: $34
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Banff $9.33
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:
- Montego Bay Jamaica Rum Distillery Tour Private Driver: $231
- Montego Bay Pub Crawl To Negril and Rick's Cafe: $255
Sample the Local Flavors in Banff
Also in Banff, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Park Distillery Tour with Craft Spirits Tasting: $11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Banff, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Banff much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Banff 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 Banff would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Banff 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 Banff.
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 Banff Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Banff?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Banff. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Banff, 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.
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.