Which place is cheaper, Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?
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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville?
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.
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesCharlottesville Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Charlottesville $185
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Charlottesville is $185. 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 Charlottesville in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Charlottesville $80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Charlottesville $160
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Charlottesville
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Charlottesville? 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 Charlottesville Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Charlottesville $53
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 Dunns River Blue Hole Tubing from Montego Bay: $110
- Private Transfer to Dunn's River Falls and Blue Hole: $110
- Experience Jamaica Private Tour with Airport Transfer: $100
- Airport Transfer Service In Montego bay: $95
- Sandals South Coast Airport Transfer: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Charlottesville?
Prices for flights to both Charlottesville 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 $139Charlottesville $73
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The Dairy Market Food Tour: $75
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Charlottesville $18
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
- Private Dolphin Cove Adventure : $250
- 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
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Charlottesville Scavenger Hunt Experience: $15
- Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $24
- Chains, Coffins, & Curses: Charlottesville Ghost Tours: $32
- Small Group Washington DC to Thomas Jefferson Monticello Day Tour: $180
- Wine and Culinary Delight Private Tour: $248
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Charlottesville $53
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 Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Family Wine Tour: $85
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $95
- 5 Hour Historic Thomas Jefferson Wine Tour: $248
- Private Charlottesville Area Wine Tour: $248
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Charlottesville, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.
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 Charlottesville Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Charlottesville?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Charlottesville, 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 Charlottesville?
Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Charlottesville. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Charlottesville in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the summer, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Charlottesville. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Charlottesville 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Charlottesville in the Autumn?
Both Charlottesville 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, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Charlottesville averages at about 59°F (15°C).
It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. 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 Charlottesville during autumn. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Charlottesville 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Charlottesville in the Winter?
Both Charlottesville 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, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine during these months.
Charlottesville can be very cold during winter. In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the winter, Montego Bay often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in January than Charlottesville. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Charlottesville 36°F (2°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Charlottesville in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Charlottesville. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Montego Bay is much warmer than Charlottesville in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during spring. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Charlottesville 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Charlottesville | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 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.