Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Bordeaux?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Bordeaux or Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Bordeaux or Montreal? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Bordeaux or Montreal?
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the place to go for fine wines. It's a very mellow, cultural city where you can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a quaint cafe or restaurant without being rushed. The city is the capital of Gironde, and the entire metropolitan area has over one million residents. The city also has a rather large and vibrant university and the population is known to be very tolerant and liberal. There is a very strong artistic vibe in the city and, due to it's history of English rule, there is an English flair to the area. The large student population means that there is no shortage of opportunities to see shows, hear music, or visit a museum.
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 Paris, The Best 2-Week Tours from Paris, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBordeaux €118Montreal €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Bordeaux is €118, 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 Bordeaux and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBordeaux €63Montreal €123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBordeaux €126Montreal €246
Compare Hotels in Bordeaux and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Bordeaux 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: Bordeaux Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Bordeaux €15Montreal €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bordeaux
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bordeaux:
- Private Transfer from Airport to Bordeaux City: $166
- Bordeaux to Airport Private Transfer in Premium Class: $148
- Arrival Private Transfer Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Van: $116
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
- Departure Private Transfers : Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Luxury Van: $108
- Airport Transfer: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux by Luxury Van: $103
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
- Bordeaux Airport Transfers: Bordeaux to Bordeaux Airport BOD in Business Car: $103
- Arrival Private Transfers : Bordeaux Airport BOD to Bordeaux in Business Car: $103
- Private Transfer Bordeaux City to Bordeaux Airport BOD by Car: $97
- Transfer Airport, Hotel, Station and others places: $97
- Private Transfer from Bordeaux Airport to City of Bordeaux: $88
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
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury Van: $170
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
Is it cheaper to fly into Bordeaux or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Bordeaux 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 dayBordeaux €45Montreal €34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bordeaux
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bordeaux.
- No Diet Club : Bordeaux Food Tour in Les Chartrons !: $64
- Bordeaux - sweet food tour of the old city: $64
- NO DIET CLUB - Unique food tour in Bordeaux !: $65
- 2-Hour River Dinner Cruise: $74
- Sweet Specialties Tasting Bakeries Food Tour: $82
- Bordeaux Bakery Food Tour - Boulangeries and Pâtisseries : $84
- Bordeaux : Afternoon Food Tour by a local guide: $85
- Bordeaux Organic Food Tour - French Apéro Style: $93
- Bordeaux : unforgettable Food Tour by a local guide: $96
- Private Bakery, Chocolate & Patisserie Food Tour: $96
- Bordeaux Traditional Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $103
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $107
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
- Mile End Montreal Original Food Tour - by Local Montreal Tours: $89
- 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
- The 10 Tastings of Montreal Private Walking Food Tour : $298
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Bordeaux €7.89Montreal €20
Tours and Activities in Bordeaux
Here are a few actual costs in Bordeaux for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- "Bordeaux by bicycle: a 3-hour tour immersive experience": $39
- "Explore Saint-Émilion on e-Bikes: Small Group, Full-Day Tour": $197
- 1-Hour Bordeaux Electric Scooter Tour: $27
- 2 hours - Bordeaux Private tour with a native guide: $164
- 4 Hours Gastronomic Tour in Bordeaux the Sandwiches of the World: $65
- Aperitive guided cruise « Wine and Canelé »: $20
- Blind Tasting: 5 Bordeaux Natural Wine + Cheese experience: $54
- Bordeaux - Private Historic Walking Tour: $462
- Bordeaux : Discovery Stroll and Reading Walking Tour: $2.14
- Bordeaux : Must-See Attractions Walking Tour: $75
- Bordeaux : Private Walking Tour With A Guide ( Private Tour ): $51
- Bordeaux Bike Tour - Private: $218
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: $8.76
- 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 dayBordeaux €26Montreal €15
Sample the Local Flavors in Bordeaux
Also in Bordeaux, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wine and Trade Museum Entry Ticket & Wine Tasting: $11
- Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting: $11
- Distillery Tour in Bordeaux with Spirits Tasting: $16
- Wine Tasting Cruise: $23
- Cité du Vin Direct Ticket and Wine Tasting: $24
- Bordeaux Pub Crawl: $25
- Taillan-Médoc: Château Visit and Wine Tasting in Bordeaux: $27
- Wine Tour and Tasting: $30
- Unusual Wine Tasting Experience - Wood & Wine: $30
- Discover Bordeaux vineyard : special wine tasting with two cellar men brothers: $32
- Wine Country Vineyards Tour w/ Local Wine Tastings: $59
- Bordeaux Vineyards Wine Tasting Half-Day Trip: $62
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
- Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl: $22
- Guided Bar Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bordeaux and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Bordeaux much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bordeaux is in Europe 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 Bordeaux would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bordeaux Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Bordeaux or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bordeaux. When comparing the sizes of Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux 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 Bordeaux or Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal and Bordeaux during the summer are popular places to visit. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bordeaux this time of year.
In the summer, Bordeaux is around the same temperature as Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bordeaux in July average around 21°C (69°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 Bordeaux. In the summer, Bordeaux often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal. Bordeaux gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.
Bordeaux usually gets less rain in July than Montreal. Bordeaux gets 47 mm (1.9 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 JulyBordeaux 21°C (69°F)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Montreal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bordeaux and Montreal. Many travelers come to Bordeaux for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Bordeaux is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Bordeaux average around 14°C (58°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Bordeaux usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Bordeaux gets 165 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Bordeaux usually receives more rain than Montreal. Bordeaux gets 88 mm (3.5 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 OctoberBordeaux 14°C (58°F)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Bordeaux as well as Montreal. Many visitors come to Bordeaux in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montreal can be very cold during winter. Bordeaux is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Bordeaux averages around 6°C (43°F) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Bordeaux often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Bordeaux gets 86 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.
Bordeaux receives a lot of rain in the winter. Bordeaux usually gets more rain in January than Montreal. Bordeaux gets 100 mm (3.9 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 JanuaryBordeaux 6°C (43°F)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Bordeaux or Montreal in the Spring?
Both Montreal and Bordeaux are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bordeaux for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
In the spring, Bordeaux is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bordeaux in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Bordeaux usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal during spring. Bordeaux gets 190 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Bordeaux usually receives less rain than Montreal. Bordeaux gets 72 mm (2.8 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 AprilBordeaux 12°C (53°F)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Bordeaux
| Bordeaux | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (43°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 15°C (59°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 18°C (65°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (69°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (68°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 14°C (58°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 9°C (49°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 7°C (44°F) | 99 mm (3.9 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.