Which place is cheaper, Quebec City or Boston?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Boston or Quebec City?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Boston and Quebec City. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Boston or Quebec City?
Boston
Boston is one of the oldest and most historic cities in New England. It is also the capital of the state of Massachusetts and the largest city in the region. The city proper covers 48 square miles and has a population of more than 600,000. The Greater Boston area has 4.5 million people and is the tenth largest metropolitan area in the country.
Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital of the Quebec province. It has a dramatic location on the cliffs by St. Lawrence Seaway and the city's Old Town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quebec is a mid sized city with a population of about 700,000. Most of the economy is administrative and bureaucratic, but the city has a very impressive history as the fortress capital of New France. French is the official language of the entire province, but most people in the tourist areas of Quebec City speak English.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBoston $255Quebec City $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Boston is $255, while the average daily cost in Quebec City is $126. 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 Boston and Quebec City in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBoston $166Quebec City $73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBoston $332Quebec City $146
Compare Hotels in Boston and Quebec City
Looking for a hotel in Boston or Quebec City? 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: Boston Hotel Prices and Quebec City Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Boston $37Quebec City $16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Boston are as follows:
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Taxi$35
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Subway Daily Pass$9.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boston
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boston:
- Boston hotels to Flynn Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $116
- Arrival Private Transfer: Boston Airport BOS to Boston City in Luxury SUV: $130
- Boston Airport (BOS): Transfer to Flynn Cruise Port Boston: $168
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Arrival Private Transfer: $79
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS) to Boston - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $157
- Boston Logan Airport (BOS): Private Transfer to Boston city: $243
- Boston Logan Airport Transfer Limo & Shuttle Service: $140
- Boston Logan Intl Airport (BOS) to Flynn Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $38
- Boston’s Logan International Airport to Providence – Arrival Private Transfer : $170
- Luxor Limo Private Transfer and City Tour: $1,195
- Cruiseport Boston to Boston Airport (BOS) - Departure Transfer: $38
- Departure Private Transfer Boston to Boston Airport BOS Business-Luxury Vehicle: $84
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Quebec City
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Quebec City are as follows:
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Parking in Quebec City$3.63
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quebec City
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Quebec City:
- Private Transfer from Jean Lesage Airport to Québec City: $51
- Private Transfer from Québec City to Jean Lesage Airport: $51
- Le Terminal Quebec Port to Québec Airport (YQB) - Departure Private Transfer: $57
- Québec Airport (YQB) to Le Terminal Cruise Port -Arrival Transfer: $57
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from Quebec Airport (YQB) - Quebec City Center: $71
- Private Transfer from Quebec City Hotels to Saguenay Cruise Port: $93
- Private Transfer from Quebec City Airport (YQB) to Saguenay Port: $93
- YQB Airport Transfer: $97
- Le Terminal Quebec Cruise Port to Quebec - Arrival Private Transfer: $97
- Le Terminal Quebec Port to Quebec city - Arrival Private Transfer: $97
- Quebec to Le Terminal Quebec Port - Departure Private Transfer: $97
- Quebec city private transfer: $97
Is it cheaper to fly into Boston or Quebec City?
Prices for flights to both Quebec City and Boston 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 dayBoston $49Quebec City $37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Boston
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Boston.
- AM Coffee Walks with Salem Food Tours: $34
- Boston's North End Pizza & History Walking Food Tour: $49
- North End Pizza Tour with 3 Slices and Cannoli: $55
- North End Food Experience with Pizza, Meats & Cheese: $68
- Boston Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $70
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on Boston Harbor: $77
- Ultimate Food Tour of North End & Public Market: $79
- Boston's North End Small Group Food Tour : $81
- Ultimate Boston Food Tour: North End & Boston Public Market: $89
- Union Square, Somerville Neighborhood Food Tour: $90
- Boston Harbor: Gourmet Brunch or Dinner Cruise: $108
- Local Gems of the South End Neighborhood Food Tour: $110
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quebec City
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Quebec City.
- 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Old Quebec 5-Course Gourmet Food Tour: $189
- Combo Historical and Food Tour of the Old Quebec City: $192
- Evening Gourmet Tour 5 Course Dinner - History and Food in Old Quebec City: $192
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Boston $33Quebec City $24
Typical Entertainment Prices in Boston
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Boston are as follows:
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Two Tickets to Celtics Game$101
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Duck Tour$32
Tours and Activities in Boston
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Boston are as follows:
- Self Guided Audio Tour 'Hawthorne's Haunts' Haunted Walking Tour Salem: $5.00
- Underground Railroad Audio App Self-Guided Tour: $5.00
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Boston: $5.95
- Self-Guided Smartphone Ghost Walking Tour in Salem: $5.99
- Self-Guided Freedom Trail Walking Audio Tour w/ App: $5.99
- App Self-guided tours with Audioguide Boston: $6.42
- Boston History and Highlights: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Charlestown: Bunker Hill Monument Self-Guide Walking Tour: $7.99
- City History and Highlights Audio App Walking Tour: $7.99
- Harborwalk and Tea Party Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.49
- Civil War and Abolition: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Boston: $8.99
- Ghost-Themed Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
Tours and Activities in Quebec City
Here are a few actual costs in Quebec City for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Old Québec: First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $4.28
- Québec City: Artillery Park Tour: $6.58
- Walking Tour: Crimes, Revelations & Anecdotes in Quebec: $6.69
- APP Self-Guided Tours Quebec with Audioguide: $8.74
- Québec City: Saint-Louis Forts and Châteaux Guided Site Tour: $8.77
- Uncover History of In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Uncover History of In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Observatoire de la Capitale Entry Ticket: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- MNBAQ National Fine Arts Museum Entry Ticket: $12
For more ideas for your next trip, check out Free Things to Do in Boston, Must-See Monuments and Memorials In Boston, and The Best Things To Do in Boston with Kids.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayBoston $27Quebec City $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Boston
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Boston:
- Haunted Pub Crawl of Historic Pubs and Taverns: $30
- Boston Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
- Boston Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $34
- Salem Booze and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl by US Ghost Adventures: $35
- Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- History Pub Crawl Tour Along the Freedom Trail: $59
- Boston Small-Group Freedom Trail History Tour Pub Crawl: $60
- Guided Craft Brewery Tour with a Snack: $105
Sample the Local Flavors in Quebec City
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Quebec City:
- Honey and Distillery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Craft Brewery and Beer Tasting Tour: $50
- Island of Orleans Wine Tour: $91
- Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans: $92
- Quebec City : eTandem Rental on Ile d'Orleans-wine tasting: $116
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Boston and Quebec City, we can see that Boston is more expensive. And not only is Quebec City much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Quebec City would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Quebec City 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston than you might in Quebec City.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Boston Expensive? and Is Quebec City Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Boston or Quebec City?
Boston has a larger population, and is about 11% larger than the population of Quebec City. When comparing the sizes of Boston and Quebec City, 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.
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.