Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Beijing?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Beijing and Montreal 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.
Beijing is a cultural, fascinating, and historic city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Beijing travel costs.
Montreal is a colorful, cultural, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. Other popular activities here include nightlife, live music, and food. See Montreal travel costs.
Tourists will generally find more to do in Beijing than Montreal. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Beijing is very popular for its food and impressive beauty, while Montreal attracts visitors for its nightlife, music, historical sights, and shopping. Beijing is more touristy than Montreal and is popular for its rich culture, many historical landmarks, its long running history, and its world class cuisine. It is also well known for The Forbidden City. Montreal is famous for its music, fashion, and cultural activities.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Montreal and Beijing. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Beijing or Montreal.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Beijing on the map. The city is filled with iconic landmarks including the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, and The Temple of Heaven. It's also essential that you plan a trip outside of town to the world renowned Great Wall of China. The trip takes about an hour and you can organize a tour through almost any hotel or tour company.
Travelers visit Montreal from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city is filled with world-class museums and historic sites such as Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, the Biosphere, and the Fine Arts Museum.
Beijing is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Montreal is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.
Beijing has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city has a number of iconic dishes that have put it on the culinary map. The most notable dish is Peking Duck, which is a delectable crispy roast duck that is usually served with cucumber, scallions, sweet bean sauce and pancakes or other steamed buns. Hot pots are another must-try experience in the city, and, of course, you have to experience the dumplings. A huge part of a visit to Beijing is experiencing its long running culinary history.
With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Montreal makes for a great culinary experience. There are both local and international restaurants that serve up excellent dishes. Some of the local recipes that you should try include tourtiere (a meat pie), a smoked meat sandwich, and, of course, poutine.
Montreal is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.
The nightlife in Montreal is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The city's nightlife scene is centered around its live music scene, which is excellent. There are also many bars and clubs, as well as a young population that keep evenings lively.
The nightlife in Beijing has something for everybody. Live performances are popular in the city, and range from concerts to magic shows and acrobatics. There is also an active bar scene around town. Some of the most popular nightlife areas include Sanlitun and Houhai.
Montreal is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Beijing is not a live music destination.
In Montreal you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The music scene is thriving and world class. One of the most unique aspects of the city's music scene is its impromptu nature. You'll find many talented street performers and you'll likely stumble into many high quality performers. There's also a great indie scene as well as hip hop, classical, jazz, and heavy metal at the many live music venues.
Beijing is not a live music destination.
Montreal is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Beijing does not have a historic old town.
Montreal is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Vieux-Montreal is the historic part of the city, and it's filled with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. This is also where you'll find the Old Port, which has a waterfront promenade.
Beijing does not have a historic old town.
Montreal is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.
Montreal is a world class destination for shoppers. It's known for its fashion scene and there are many independent and local vendors around town. Bonsecours Market is both historic and fascinating, but also make sure you check out Mont-Royal Avenue, which is the main shopping and dining street in town.
Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Beijing. There are many unique handicrafts that you can purchase around town. Popular souvenirs include silk, pearls, and snuff bottles with pictures inside. The city has many shopping streets as well as markets and shopping malls that are worth visiting.
Beijing is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.
Beijing offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The parks, gardens, palaces, and temples all offer a glimpse into the past, while also letting you enjoy the city and culture that exists today.
Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.
Montreal is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.
Montreal is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids and teens will love the many science museums, parks and gardens, and the nearby La Ronde Amusement Park. If your kids are music lovers, there are many talented street performers in the city that will entertain the young and old alike.
Beijing offers lots of family activities. The city offers a unique cultural immersion that kids and adults can enjoy. Wander through the Forbidden City or watch your kids be mesmerized by a Chinese acrobatics show. It's also fun to get lost in the Hutongs or test their culinary palates by visiting a snack street.
Montreal is a great destination for couples. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.
Couples visit Montreal frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city is filled with romance, from the world class music scene to the romantic restaurants and sunset river cruises. If you're in town during the fall months, check out the Botanical Gardens, which come to life with the annual Gardens of Light.
Beijing is a nice destination for couples. The culture, history, and food all make this a stunning place to visit. While romance doesn't immediately spring to mind when you think of Beijing, there are shows and fine dining restaurants that couples will enjoy. There are also many luxury hotels with spas and other amenities.
Beijing is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Montreal is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.
Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Beijing. The city has many hostels and budget-friendly options. There isn't the backpacker community vibe that you may get in other Asian cities, but if you organize an excursion through your hostel, you're sure to make a few friends along the way.
It's common for backpackers to visit Montreal. There's a decent number of hostels as well as a great nightlife scene and plenty of younger visitors looking to meet other travelers.
Montreal is an unbeatable place for students. Also, Beijing is still popular, but not quite as popular for its student-friendly activities.
Montreal is a very popular city for students. It's regularly ranked as one of the top cities in North America for students. There are many students around town, a great nightlife scene, and plenty of opportunities to receive a world-class education.
Many students visit Beijing. Students will enjoy the culture, food, and academic opportunities that the universities offer. There is also a decent nightlife scene and affordable places where students can live.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Beijing and Montreal.
Beijing offers a very effecient public transportation network. The system can be crowded and confusing at first, but it's one of the most convenient and affordable ways to get around town. There's a subway system as well as buses, trolleybuses, and suburban rail.
Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Montreal. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.
Montreal is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Beijing is a city with minimal options for its walkability.
Montreal is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable, particularly in the areas that are popular with tourists.
Beijing is generally not a very walkable city. While parts of the city are fun to explore on foot, the city itself is very large with long blocks that aren't pedestrian-friendly.
For even more information, also check out Is Beijing Worth Visiting? and Is Montreal Worth Visiting?.
In either Beijing or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Beijing than Montreal because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Beijing, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.
Families should spend more time in Montreal than Beijing. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Montreal, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.
Couples should spend more time in Montreal than Beijing. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Montreal that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montreal than Beijing if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Montreal.
Beijing is a big city with plenty to do. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
In Montreal, you'll find shopping and museums. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
Beijing is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.
In Montreal, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Visiting the old town is also a must. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Beijing is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Beijing, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.
Montreal is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Montreal has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
Beijing is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Beijing has to offer. This city offers something for everyone.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montreal. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Montreal. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Beijing, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to China, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Beijing is $89, while the average daily cost in Montreal is $223. 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 Beijing and Montreal in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Beijing 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Beijing:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Beijing:
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Beijing 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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Beijing:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Beijing.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:
For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Beijing for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Beijing for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Beijing:
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montreal:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Beijing and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Beijing much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Beijing is in Asia and Montreal 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 Beijing would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Beijing 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 Montreal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montreal than you might in Beijing.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Beijing Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Beijing has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Montreal. When comparing the sizes of Beijing 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.
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.
Both Montreal and Beijing during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Beijing in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Beijing is a little warmer than Montreal in the summer. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 27°C (80°F) in July, and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Beijing. In the summer, Beijing often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Beijing gets 224 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually gets more rain in July than Montreal. Beijing gets 176 mm (6.9 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Beijing and Montreal. Most visitors come to Beijing for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Montreal because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Beijing is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Beijing in October average around 14°C (56°F), and Montreal averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In Beijing, it's very sunny this time of the year. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Beijing gets 227 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Beijing usually receives less rain than Montreal. Beijing gets 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Beijing as well as Montreal. The winter months attract visitors to Beijing because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Montreal this time of year.
It's quite cold in Montreal in the winter. The weather in Beijing can be very cold. In January, Beijing is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Beijing average around -4°C (26°F), and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Beijing this time of the year. In the winter, Beijing often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Beijing gets 201 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.
Beijing usually gets less rain in January than Montreal. Beijing gets 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Montreal and Beijing are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Beijing this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montreal for the activities around the city.
Beijing is much warmer than Montreal in the spring. The daily temperature in Beijing averages around 14°C (57°F) in April, and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Beijing. Beijing usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during spring. Beijing gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Beijing usually receives less rain than Montreal. Beijing gets 26 mm (1 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Beijing | Montreal | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -4°C (26°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Feb | -1°C (30°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
Mar | 6°C (42°F) | 9 mm (0.4 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Apr | 14°C (57°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 20°C (68°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Jun | 25°C (76°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
Jul | 27°C (80°F) | 176 mm (6.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
Aug | 25°C (78°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
Sep | 20°C (69°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
Oct | 14°C (56°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
Nov | 5°C (41°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
Dec | -1°C (29°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |