A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers California vs. Quebec for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit California or Quebec?

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 California and Quebec. 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: California or Quebec?

California

California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is known for a variety of attractions such as Hollywood, warm beaches, the San Francisco bay area, Redwood trees, national parks, and stunning mountain vistas. With a variety of locations and activities to offer, California has become one of the premier travel destinations in the world.

Quebec

The culture and history of Europe is alive and well in North America. The largest province in Canada, Quebec, was a French colony from the time of Jacques Cartier in 1534 until 1760. Today, it is the only province in Canada where French is the official language. With the second largest population in the country, approximately 6.4 million, or 80% of the people speak French as their native language.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best G Adventures Tours to Canada, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Vancouver.


Which place is cheaper, Quebec or California?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • California Prices
    USA Prices
    Quebec Prices
    Canada Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    California $286
    Quebec $34,943

The average daily cost (per person) in California is $286, while the average daily cost in Quebec is $34,943. 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 California and Quebec in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    California $116
    Quebec $16,700
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    California $232
    Quebec $
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Compare Hotels in California and Quebec

Looking for a hotel in California or Quebec? 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.

Hotels in California


Hotels in Quebec


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    California $42
    Quebec $3,358

Hired Cars and Shuttles in California

Also for California, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private SUV Transfer from SAN to Legoland: $300
  • Los Angeles Airport Transfer and Transportation: $300
  • Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $293
  • 【Japanese Driver Commitment】 Los Angeles International Airport⇒Down Hotel We provide Japanese hospitality and security with a transfer service.: $290
  • Departure Private Transfer: Los Angeles to Ontario Airport ONT in Luxury Van: $285
  • Sacramento Airport (SMF) to Napa, CA - Arrival Private Transfer: $283
  • Private Round-trip Airport Transfer: Long Beach Airport to & from Anaheim Hotels: $280
  • Convenient Long Beach Cruise Terminal Transfers to/from LAX: $275
  • Private Transfer from Palm Springs Municipal Airport to Ontario: $275
  • Private Airport Transfer in California: $269
  • Private Transfer from Santa Barbara Cruise Port to Los Angeles: $268
  • Private Transfer - Los Angeles Airport(LAX) to Santa Barbara Port: $268

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Quebec

Also for Quebec, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • YQB Quebec City Airport Cruise Terminal Train Station Transfer: $108
  • YQB Airport Transfer: $126
  • Quebec city private transfer: $103
  • Quebec Airport (YQB) to Downtown private transfer: $116
  • Québec Jean Lesage International Airport transfer to Club Med: $287
  • Québec Jean Lesage Airport (YQB) to Québec city - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $201
  • Québec Jean Lesage Airport (YQB) to Québec city - Arrival Private Transfer: $101
  • Private transfer from YQB (QUEBEC) Airport to downtown: $126
  • Private Transfer from Montreal City to Montreal (YUL) Airport: $105
  • Private Transfer from Montreal Airport (YUL) to Montreal Port: $68
  • Private Transfer from Jean Lesage Airport (YQB) to Québec City: $92
  • Private Transfer To Montreal YUL Airport From Mont-Tremblant: $251

Is it cheaper to fly into California or Quebec?

Prices for flights to both Quebec and California 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    California $79
    Quebec $11,853

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in California

For California, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Santa Monica Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Churros, and More: $70
  • Fun Pad Thai Cooking Class With a Local Chef in San Diego: $75
  • Sushi Making Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in San Diego: $75
  • Japanese Gyoza Cooking Class at a Local Brewery in LA: $75
  • Sacramento: Chicken Curry Cooking Class With a Local Chef: $75
  • San Diego Sweet Treats Food Tour: Donuts, Pastries, & More: $79
  • Carlsbad Taco Tuesday Walking Food Tour with Margarita or Beer: $84
  • Silverlake Food Tour with Comedian Guide: $85
  • San Francisco Chinatown History Culture And Food Tour: $85
  • San Diego Holiday Sweet Treats, Donuts & Pastries Food Tour: $85
  • San Francisco: The Mission District Food Tour with 5 Local Dishes: $85
  • San Francisco: Chinatown & Litte Italy Food Tour with 5 Dishes: $85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Quebec

For Quebec, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Jean Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour with 8 Local Tastings: $69
  • Montreal Mile End Food Tour with Bagel, Poutine and 7 Tastings: $78
  • Montreal Mile End Guided Food Tour by Local Montreal Tours: $78
  • Montreal Elite Mile End Food Tour: $82
  • Old Montreal Guided Food Tour with 6+ Local Delicacies Tastings: $91
  • The Only Locally Owned Non-Touristy Food Tour by Spade & Palacio: $93
  • Quebec : Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $108
  • Food Tour in Quebec With A Local Guide: $109
  • Montreal Home Dining & Dim Sum Cooking Class: $115
  • Old Quebec City Food Tour with 10+ Local Tastings: $122
  • Québec City: 3 or 5-Course Dinner Cruise with DJ & Dancing: $123
  • Old Quebec City Food Tour with 10+ Authentic Local Tastings: $124

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    California $69
    Quebec $9,789

Tours and Activities in California

For California, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • "Lake Tahoe 101" : See The Whole Lake! 6 HR Shared Tour by Van.: $207
  • 1 Hour Shared Parasailing Adventure in Oceanside: $99
  • 1.5 Hour Walking Tour from La Jolla in San Diego: $59
  • 17 Mile Drive eBike Tour in Monterey: $59
  • 17-Mile Drive Electric Bike Guided Tour: $75
  • 17-Mile Drive, Monterey Peninsula&Carmel Premium Small Group Tour: $118
  • 2 Hour Sailing Cruise on Lake Tahoe: $149
  • 2 Hours Lake Tahoe Emerald Bay Sunset Shared Boat Tour: $209
  • 2 Hours Santa Monica Private Surfing Experience: $145
  • 2- Hour Pottery Workshop and Studio Tour in Ojai: $65
  • 2-Day Alcatraz Visit + Golden Gate Bridge Bike Tour: $145
  • 2-Day Alcatraz Visit + San Francisco E-Bike Tour: $180

Tours and Activities in Quebec

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Quebec.

  • 1H-Guided Montreal Jet Ski Sunset Adventure: $148
  • 2-hour private tour of Montmorency Falls with transportation by 7-seater SUV: $211
  • 4-hour private tour of Ile d'Orleans. Discover local flavors. Live guide: $423
  • 5 Course Gourmet Food and History Walking Tour of Old Quebec: $215
  • 5 Course Gourmet and Historical Tour of Old Quebec: $211
  • AURA experience at Notre-Dame Basilica and guided cruise: $78
  • All about Montréal's Murals - Saturday Walking Tour: $25
  • Animated Crime Walking Tour in Old Quebec: $21
  • Best Old Montreal Private Walking Tour | Certified Guide: $129
  • Best of Quebec City: Panoramic Bus Tour with Local Guide: $40
  • Best of Quebec City: Panoramic Bus Tour with Local Guide: $40
  • Beyond the Bagel: Montreal Jewish Food Walking Tour: $106

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    California $21
    Quebec $2,459

Sample the Local Flavors in California

Also in California, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • An Epic Bar Hunt: Sacramento Sprint Bar Crawl: $12
  • An Epic Scavenger Hunt: Slammin' San Diego Bar Crawl: $13
  • Awesome Bar Crawl in Lake Tahoe: $15
  • Amazing Bar Crawl in Palm Springs: $15
  • Myka Estates Wine Tasting Reservation: $15
  • Temecula Valley Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Guide: $20
  • Gaslamp Bar Crawl: $20
  • Santa Barbara Wine Tour - Self-Guided GPS Audio Tour: $25
  • San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • LA Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $29
  • Sonoma County Wine Tour: Self-Guided GPS Audio Driving Guide: $30
  • Paso Robles Sonata(Red Blend) Flight Wine Tasting: $30

Sample the Local Flavors in Quebec

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Quebec:

  • Guided visits and tasting at a Quebec distillery: $16
  • Quebec City: Honey and Distillery Tour with Tasting: $20
  • Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl: $25
  • Quebec City: Island of Orleans Wine Tour: $93
  • Wine Tasting on Ile d'Orleans: $94
  • Quebec City: Montmorency Falls and Microbrewery eBike Tour: $133
  • Quebec City: Montmorency Falls and Microbrewery eBike Tour: $145
  • Experience Flavors of the Richelieu Valley on a Guided Wine Tour: $233


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between California and Quebec, we can see that Quebec is more expensive. And not only is California much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to California would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in California 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 Quebec would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Quebec than you might in California.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is California Expensive? and Is Quebec Expensive?.


Which has a larger population, California or Quebec?

California has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Quebec. When comparing the sizes of California and Quebec, 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.