Which place is cheaper, Galveston 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 Galveston?
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 Galveston 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 Galveston?
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.
Galveston
Located on Galveston Island off the Texas Gulf Coast, Galveston is a popular destination for Texans and a departure point for cruise ships. It also makes a great beach destination for anyone looking to enjoy a week or weekend.
Galveston is a popular destination during the summer months, but the warm climate makes it comfortable year round. Even during the winter months you can enjoy mild temperatures, although on occasion it can have a cold spell.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesGalveston Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Galveston $221
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Galveston is $221. 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 Galveston in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Galveston $81
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Galveston $162
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Galveston
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Galveston? 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 Galveston Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Galveston $35
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Galveston?
Prices for flights to both Galveston 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 $139Galveston $90
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Galveston $15
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 Galveston
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Galveston.
- Galveston Luggage Storage Close to Cruise Terminal: $9.54
- Beer Tasting Experience with 4 Beer Flight: $10
- Tour Galveston's 1895 Moody Mansion: $18
- Al's Ghost tour : a small group experience : $19
- Tour of haunted locations with ghost hunting gear.: $20
- Galveston Mansions and Murder Walking Tour : $23
- Galveston's Secrets of the Strand Walking Tour : $23
- The Grimoire Ghouls and Graves: Galveston Ghost Tour: $24
- The Grimoire Ghouls and Graves: Galveston Ghost Tour: $25
- Dolphin-Watching Cruise: $25
- Galveston Shadows Ghost Tour Adventure: $25
- Galveston Sweets and Treats Tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Galveston $37
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 Galveston
Also in Galveston, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Haunted Pub Crawl & Scandalous Red Light Tour: $20
- Galveston's Best Pub Crawl: $20
- Haunted Pub Crawl & Scandalous Red Light Tour in Galveston: $29
- Galveston's Best Pub Crawl and Historical Tour near The Strand: $29
- Galveston Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
- Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $35
When comparing the travel costs between Montego Bay and Galveston, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Galveston is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
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 Galveston Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Galveston?
Montego Bay has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Galveston. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Galveston, 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 Galveston?
Galveston 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 Galveston in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Galveston. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Galveston for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Galveston in the summer. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Galveston fluctuates around 84°F (29°C).
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in July than Galveston. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Galveston 84°F (29°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Galveston in the Autumn?
Both Galveston 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 autumn months attract visitors to Galveston because of the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Montego Bay is a little warmer than Galveston. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montego Bay in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Galveston averages at about 71°F (22°C).
It's quite rainy in Montego Bay. In October, Montego Bay usually receives more rain than Galveston. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Galveston 71°F (22°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Galveston in the Winter?
Both Galveston 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. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Galveston this time of year.
In January, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Galveston. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 24°C (75°F), and Galveston fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Montego Bay usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Galveston. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.7 inches (68 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Galveston 52°F (11°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Galveston in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Galveston. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, many travelers come to Galveston for the beaches and the small town charm.
Montego Bay is a little warmer than Galveston in the spring. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 25°C (77°F) in April, and Galveston fluctuates around 70°F (21°C).
In April, Montego Bay usually receives around the same amount of rain as Galveston. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Galveston receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Galveston 70°F (21°C)
Typical Weather for Galveston and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Galveston | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 24°C (75°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Feb | 24°C (75°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 2 inches (50 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C (77°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C (77°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 70°F (21°C) | 2.4 inches (60 mm) |
| May | 26°C (79°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (25°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C (81°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 81°F (27°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C (82°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 84°F (29°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 83°F (29°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 80°F (27°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | 71°F (22°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) |
| Nov | 26°C (79°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) |
| Dec | 25°C (77°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 inches (84 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.