Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Brussels?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Brussels or Montreal?
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 Brussels and Montreal. 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: Brussels or Montreal?
Brussels
Brussels is the capital of Belgium and also the sight of the headquarters of the European Union. Generally speaking, it's an expensive city that sees a good amount of travelers. It is also a highly political city that has an air of importance and power. It's an incredibly international city, with people from all over the world flocking to it due to its political, economical, and cultural significance.
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 Cultural Tours in Belgium, The Best Luxury Tours to Belgium, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayBrussels €137Montreal €195
The average daily cost (per person) in Brussels is €137, 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 Brussels and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personBrussels €73Montreal €123
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomBrussels €146Montreal €246
Compare Hotels in Brussels and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Brussels 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: Brussels Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Brussels €17Montreal €19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Brussels are as follows:
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Subway Pass€4.50
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Atomium train ticket (2)€8.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Brussels
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Brussels:
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam: $505
- Brussels Airport (BRU) To Amsterdam: VIP Transfer: $495
- Private Arrival Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam by Luxury car: $295
- Private Transfer From Brussels To Amsterdam, Stop in Utrecht: $282
- Brussels Shuttle Transfer <-> Disneyland Paris (1 to 8 SEATS): $280
- Private Direct Transfer from Brussels to Amsterdam: $257
- VIP Transfer between Brussels Airport (BRU) and Antwerp: $248
- Private VIP Transfer to/from Bruges: $246
- Private Transfer from Brussels to Luxembourg with Luxury car: $234
- Private Transfer From Brussels To Circuit SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS Belgium Luxury car : $191
- Transfer Shuttle Leuven <-> Amsterdam (1 to 8 Places): $175
- Private Transfert from Bruges to Brussels Airport By Business car: $164
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 Brussels or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Brussels 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 dayBrussels €38Montreal €34
Typical Food Prices in Brussels
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Brussels:
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Ice Cream & Macaroons€4.60
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Dessert (Turkish Delights)€4.75
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Cheese€5.60
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Olives and Snacks€6.98
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Waffle€3.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Brussels
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Brussels.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $28
- Chocolate and Beer Food Tour of Brussels: $43
- City Center Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $61
- Food Tour in Brussels - Do Eat Better Experience: $106
- Brussels Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $130
- Secret Food Tours Brussels: $138
- Market Tour and Cooking Lesson with a Belgian Gourmet Meal in a Brussels Home: $160
- Private Food Tour – 10 Tastings with Locals: $164
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.Brussels €23Montreal €20
Tours and Activities in Brussels
Here are a few actual costs in Brussels for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Beer Tasting Tour in Brussels: $24
- Brussels Walking Tour with Waffle Tasting: History and Delights: $23
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $7.27
- Christmas Gems of Brussels - Walking Tour: $261
- 2-Hour Brussels Guided Walking Tour: $15
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in the templar village of Lissewege: $75
- 4 Hour Private Tour in Brussels : $273
- 600 Years of History and Heritage: A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Leuven: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Brussels' Secret Places and Untold Stories: $5.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of From Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- A Self-Guided Tour of Medieval to Modern Times: $7.99
- A day in the life of Brussels - Private tour with a local: $148
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 dayBrussels €13Montreal €15
Typical Alcohol Prices in Brussels
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Brussels are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine€10
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Beer€6.00
Sample the Local Flavors in Brussels
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Brussels:
- Brussels Pub Crawl - Nightlife & Party Experience: $17
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Party Experience: $18
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 we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Brussels and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Brussels much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Brussels 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 Brussels would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Brussels 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 Brussels.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Brussels Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Brussels or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Brussels. When comparing the sizes of Brussels 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 Brussels 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 Brussels or Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal and Brussels during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Brussels for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Brussels is generally cooler than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 18°C (65°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Brussels gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets less rain in July than Montreal. Brussels 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 JulyBrussels 18°C (65°F)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Montreal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Brussels and Montreal. Many visitors come to Brussels in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Brussels is a little warmer than Montreal in the autumn. The daily temperature in Brussels averages around 12°C (54°F) in October, and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Brussels gets 114 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Brussels usually receives less rain than Montreal. Brussels gets 70 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 OctoberBrussels 12°C (54°F)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Brussels as well as Montreal. Most visitors come to Brussels for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Montreal can be very cold. Brussels can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Brussels is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Brussels in January average around 3°C (38°F), and Montreal averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Brussels often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Brussels gets 49 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.
Brussels usually gets less rain in January than Montreal. Brussels gets 67 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 JanuaryBrussels 3°C (38°F)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Brussels or Montreal in the Spring?
Both Montreal and Brussels are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Brussels because of the activities around the city.
In April, Brussels is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Brussels average around 10°C (49°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
Brussels usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during spring. Brussels gets 147 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Brussels usually receives less rain than Montreal. Brussels gets 57 mm (2.2 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 AprilBrussels 10°C (49°F)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Brussels
| Brussels | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 4°C (39°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 6°C (43°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (49°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 12°C (54°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (40°F) | 76 mm (3 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.