Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Amsterdam?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Amsterdam or Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Amsterdam or Montreal, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Amsterdam or Montreal?
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the capital, and most popular tourist destination in the Netherlands. There are over one million residents in the metro area. Amsterdam is most famous for its canals that criss cross across the city, but it also has a rich history, interesting culture, and liberal vibe that appeal to all types of travelers. The architecture, bridges, and cycling culture help this metropolitan area maintain its small town vibe, despite being the largest city in the country as well as the financial center.
Montreal
While Quebec City is the political capital of Quebec Province, Montreal is the economic and cultural capital. It's also the second largest city in Canada, with a population of about 1.9 million and 4 million in the metropolitan area. It's the second largest French speaking city in the world behind Paris.
Montreal is a very trendy and vibrant city with an active nightlife and countless activities to enjoy. It's located on an island in the St. Lawrence River and has a humid continental climate. There are four distinct seasons. Summers are warm or hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild and winters are cold and snowy. You can expect about 2 meters of snow every year, but there are also more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Amsterdam, The Best 2-Week Tours from Amsterdam, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAmsterdam €175Montreal €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Amsterdam is €175, while the average daily cost in Montreal is €195. 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 Amsterdam and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAmsterdam €102Montreal €123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAmsterdam €204Montreal €246
Compare Hotels in Amsterdam and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Amsterdam or Montreal? 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: Amsterdam Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Amsterdam €20Montreal €19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Amsterdam:
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Ride on Tram€3.20
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Renting a Bike€15
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One Hour Canal Cruise€10
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Single Day Transit Pass€2.60
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Transit Pass to Amsterdam Airport€3.40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amsterdam
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amsterdam:
- Private Transfer to/from Bruges: $829
- Kinderdijk & Delft Private Day Trip w/ Transfers: $807
- Private Transfer to/from Brussels: $743
- Private Transfer to/from Antwerp: $592
- Private Transfer to Bruges: $387
- Amsterdam Cruise Port: Private Transfer to The Hague hotels: $335
- Amsterdam and Rotterdam: 1-Way Private Transfer: $312
- Rotterdam: Private transfer to/from Schiphol Airport: $312
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Amsterdam Airport to Dordrecht: $288
- Private Direct Transfer from Amsterdam to Bruges: $274
- 1-15 persons Taxi or Bus Transfer Airport Amsterdam to Den Haag: $273
- Layover Sightseeing Tour with Airport Transfer: $268
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- 8 Passengers Transfer from or to Montreal Airport YUL to Montreal City Center : $223
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Departure Transfer Montreal to Montreal Airport by Limos or Bus: $153
- Downtown Direct: Montreal's Exclusive Airport Transfer: $79
- Le Terminal Cruise Port to Québec Airport YQB Departure Transfer: $57
- Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $82
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Private One-way Montreal Airport Transfer To/From Montreal: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Amsterdam or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Amsterdam 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 dayAmsterdam €43Montreal €34
Typical Food Prices in Amsterdam
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Amsterdam:
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Afternoon Tea€6.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amsterdam
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amsterdam.
- Food Tour Amsterdam (Tip Based): $5.46
- Amsterdam Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood : $8.19
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Jordaan Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour in De Pijp Neighbourhood: $13
- Self-Guided Food Tour of Amsterdam's De Jordaan District: $14
- Hard Rock Cafe Amsterdam with Set Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Exclusive Burger Dinner Cruise: $32
- Dinner Cruise with Fries Bitterballen and Drink from Amsterdam: $38
- Pizza Cruise with Drinks: $40
- Evening Canal Cruise with Pizza and Drinks: $43
- Amsterdam Nightlife Ticket with A GOLD MENU Hard Rock Dinner: $43
- Food Tour Jordaan District: $51
Typical Food Prices in Montreal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:
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Tim Hortons breakfast and coffee€8.39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Le Bateau-Mouche À La Carte Menu Dinner Cruise: $59
- No Diet Club: Walking food Tour with many tastings: $59
- Beyond the Market Food Tour by Spade & Palacio: $74
- Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $103
- Cooking Class and Tasting Menu with Michelin Chef: $130
- Montréal: 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Personalized Private Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $207
- Cooking Class in Montreal with a Michelin-Star Trained Chef: $224
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Amsterdam €37Montreal €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Amsterdam
Here are a few typical costs in Amsterdam for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Two tickets to the Houseboat Museum€6.00
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Entry for two to the Anne Frank House€17
Tours and Activities in Amsterdam
Here are a few actual costs in Amsterdam for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Amsterdam (Museum Quarter) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Anne Frank Story & Neighborhood Walk Tour in Amsterdam: $46
- Cheese, Wine with Unlimited Drinks in Amsterdam Luxury Cruise: $54
- 1 Hour Amsterdam Canal Cruise with Audio Guide: $20
- 1 Hour Canal Cruise in Amsterdam: $22
- 1,5 hours Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $164
- 1-Hour Canal Cruise in the Evening : $22
- 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Boat Cruise w/ Dutch snacks & Onboard Bar: $43
- 2 Hour Exclusive Canal Cruise: Including drinks & Dutch snacks: $63
- 2 Hours Private Amsterdam Rickshaw Tour: $213
- 2-Hour Private Historical Highlights Walking Tour: $131
- 2-hour Red Light District and Old Town Walking Tour in Amsterdam: $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Botanical Gardens (family of 4)€50
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- Montreal self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.31
- Montréal's Mile End to Outremont: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.54
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.61
- APP Self-Guided Tours Montreal with Audioguide: $8.74
- Montreal Art Center & Museum Audio Guided Tour: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- McCord Stewart Museum : Entry Ticket: $15
- Montreal Zipline Adventure: $15
- Self-Guided Old Town Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $15
- Montreal Old Port: Urban Zipline Ticket: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAmsterdam €24Montreal €15
Sample the Local Flavors in Amsterdam
Also in Amsterdam, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Bar Crawl with Shots and Beer Maid Guide: $25
- Red Light District Pub Crawl: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Central Pub Crawl and Nightlife Experience: $27
- Original Pub Crawl Party with VIP Entrance: $29
- Chateau Urban Wine Tasting and optional bites: $32
- Original Amsterdam Pub Crawl: $33
- Self-guided Red Light District Pub Crawl Mystery: $38
- Leidseplein and Red Light Pub Crawl: 2 Night Pass: $38
- Red Light District and Local Pub Tour: $39
- Dutch Cheese and Wine Tasting: $43
- Dutch Wine Tasting || Amsterdam City Centre: $48
Typical Alcohol Prices in Montreal
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:
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Vodka€17
Sample the Local Flavors in Montreal
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montreal:
- Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl: $22
- Guided Bar Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $42
When comparing the travel costs between Amsterdam and Montreal, we can see that Montreal 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 Amsterdam is in Europe and Montreal 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 Amsterdam Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Amsterdam or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Amsterdam. When comparing the sizes of Amsterdam and Montreal, 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 Amsterdam or Montreal?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Amsterdam or Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal and Amsterdam during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Amsterdam for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Amsterdam is cooler than Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Amsterdam in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).
In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Amsterdam. In the summer, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Amsterdam gets 204 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.
Amsterdam usually gets less rain in July than Montreal. Amsterdam gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAmsterdam 17°C (62°F)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Montreal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Amsterdam and Montreal. The autumn months attract visitors to Amsterdam because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Amsterdam is generally a little warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Amsterdam average around 11°C (51°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Amsterdam gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Montreal. Amsterdam gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAmsterdam 11°C (51°F)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Amsterdam as well as Montreal. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Amsterdam this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Montreal. It's quite cold in Amsterdam in the winter. Amsterdam is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Amsterdam averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Amsterdam often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Amsterdam gets 46 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.
Amsterdam usually gets less rain in January than Montreal. Amsterdam gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAmsterdam 2°C (36°F)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Amsterdam or Montreal in the Spring?
Both Montreal and Amsterdam are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Amsterdam for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Amsterdam is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Amsterdam in April average around 8°C (46°F), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Amsterdam usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during spring. Amsterdam gets 166 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Amsterdam usually receives less rain than Montreal. Amsterdam gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAmsterdam 8°C (46°F)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Amsterdam
| Amsterdam | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (37°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 8°C (46°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 11°C (51°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 6°C (43°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 3°C (38°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
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.