Which place is cheaper, Richmond 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 Richmond?
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 Richmond 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 Richmond?
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.
Richmond
One of the oldest American cities, Richmond was established in 1607 by English settlers led by Captain Christopher Newport and Captain John Smith. During the Civil War it existed as the capital of the Confederacy, and today it remains the capital of the U.S. state of Virginia. There are many historic sights to see and museums to explore, as well as plenty of shopping, dining, and entertainment.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.
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Montego Bay Prices
Jamaica PricesRichmond Prices
USA Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMontego Bay $255Richmond $176
The average daily cost (per person) in Montego Bay is $255, while the average daily cost in Richmond is $176. 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 Richmond in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMontego Bay $100Richmond $101
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMontego Bay $200Richmond $202
Compare Hotels in Montego Bay and Richmond
Looking for a hotel in Montego Bay or Richmond? 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 Richmond Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Montego Bay $14Richmond $72
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montego Bay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montego Bay:
- Private Airport transfer Montego Bay: $12
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay and Falmouth Hotels : $16
- Montego Bay Jamaica Airport/ Port Transfers to Montego Bay Hotels: $16
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Private Montego Bay Jamaica Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotel: $16
- Sangster Airport Montego Bay Transfer to Montego Bay or Falmouth: $16
- Private Montego Bay Airport Transfer to Montego Bay Hotels: $16
- Private airport transfer to negril resorts arrival/departure: $17
- Private Airport Transfer Montego Bay: $20
- Private Airport Transfer to Hotels in Montego Bay: $20
- Montego Bay Airport Transfer: $20
- Private Montego Bay Airport transfer to Falmouth Trelawny : $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Richmond
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Richmond:
- Richmond City to Richmond Airport (RIC) - Departure Private Transfer: $175
- Richmond Airport (RIC) to Richmond city - Arrival Private Transfer: $175
Is it cheaper to fly into Montego Bay or Richmond?
Prices for flights to both Richmond 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 $139Richmond $36
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 Richmond
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Richmond.
- Church Hill Food Tour: $89
- Trendy Carytown Food Tour: $89
- The Carytown Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Church Hill Food Tour with Discover Richmond Tours: $90
- Arts District Food Tour in Richmond with Discover Richmond: $90
- Delicious Pizza & Ice Cream Tour of Richmond: $94
- Arts District Walking Food Tour: $99
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Montego Bay $31Richmond $13
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:
- 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
Tours and Activities in Richmond
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Richmond are as follows:
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Wacky Walks: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by Crazy Dash: $10
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure in Richmond by 3Quest Challenge: $10
- The Haunted History of Richmond tour: $25
- Uncivil Wards History Tour: $25
- The Church Hill tour with Historian Jane: $25
- Shadows of Shockoe Ghost Tour: $26
- Haunted Capitol Hill Ghost Tour: $27
- Church Hill Chillers Ghost Tour: $27
- Phantoms of Franklin Ghost Tour: $27
- Creepy Tales on Campus Ghost Tour: $27
- Specters & Shades of Court End Ghost Tour: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMontego Bay $13Richmond -
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 Richmond
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Richmond:
- Richmond Virginia Bar Crawl: $15
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Richmond Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $37
- Richmond Craft Brewery Crawl By Junket: $86
- Brewery Tour of Richmond, VA: $90
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montego Bay and Richmond, we can see that Montego Bay is more expensive. And not only is Richmond much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Montego Bay is in Caribbean Islands and Richmond 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 Richmond would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Richmond 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 Richmond.
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 Richmond Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Montego Bay or Richmond?
Richmond has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Montego Bay. When comparing the sizes of Montego Bay and Richmond, 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 Richmond?
Richmond 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 Richmond in the Summer?
Both Richmond and Montego Bay are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Montego Bay throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Richmond for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Montego Bay is around the same temperature as Richmond. Typically, the summer temperatures in Montego Bay in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Richmond averages at about 78°F (26°C).
It's quite sunny in Richmond. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually receives less sunshine than Richmond during summer. Montego Bay gets 257 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Richmond. In July, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Richmond. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMontego Bay 28°C (82°F)Richmond 78°F (26°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Richmond in the Autumn?
Both Richmond and Montego Bay during the autumn 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 autumn months attract visitors to Richmond because of the shopping scene.
In October, Montego Bay is generally much warmer than Richmond. Daily temperatures in Montego Bay average around 27°C (81°F), and Richmond fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).
In Richmond, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Montego Bay. In the autumn, Montego Bay often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Richmond. Montego Bay gets 233 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 221 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Montego Bay. Montego Bay usually gets more rain in October than Richmond. Montego Bay gets 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMontego Bay 27°C (81°F)Richmond 59°F (15°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Richmond in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Montego Bay and Richmond. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Montego Bay year-round. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Richmond this time of year.
It's quite cold in Richmond in the winter. Montego Bay is much warmer than Richmond in the winter. The daily temperature in Montego Bay averages around 24°C (75°F) in January, and Richmond fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).
In Montego Bay, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montego Bay usually receives more sunshine than Richmond during winter. Montego Bay gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Richmond receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Montego Bay usually receives less rain than Richmond. Montego Bay gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMontego Bay 24°C (75°F)Richmond 36°F (2°C)
Should I visit Montego Bay or Richmond in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Montego Bay as well as Richmond. Montego Bay attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In the spring, Montego Bay is much warmer than Richmond. Typically, the spring temperatures in Montego Bay in April average around 25°C (77°F), and Richmond averages at about 58°F (14°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Richmond. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montego Bay this time of the year. In the spring, Montego Bay often gets less sunshine than Richmond. Montego Bay gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Richmond receives 265 hours of full sun.
Montego Bay usually gets less rain in April than Richmond. Montego Bay gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Richmond receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMontego Bay 25°C (77°F)Richmond 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for Richmond and Montego Bay
| Montego Bay | Richmond | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.