Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Charlottesville?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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: Charlottesville or Montreal?
Charlottesville
Located in central Virginia, Charlottesville is a little university town steeped in history and culture. Home to Thomas Jefferson, much of the town's architecture is heavily influenced by his hand, while the people scene is full of activities, dining, and entertainment. Many visitors are drawn to the area for the University of Virginia, the Historic Downtown Mall, plus many quaint vineyards and farms in the surrounding countryside.
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 Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCharlottesville $154Montreal $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Charlottesville is $154, while the average daily cost in Montreal is $209. 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 Charlottesville and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCharlottesville $80Montreal $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCharlottesville $160Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in Charlottesville and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Charlottesville 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: Charlottesville Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Charlottesville $53Montreal $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charlottesville
Also for Charlottesville, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Charlotteville Airport (CHO): $50
- Private Departure Transfer to Charlottesville Airport (CHO): $50
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
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Departure Transfer Montreal to Montreal Airport by Limos or Bus: $153
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Private Transfer: Montreal to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL): $87
- Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $82
- Downtown Direct: Montreal's Exclusive Airport Transfer: $79
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montreal CityCenter- to Montreal Airport (YUL): $67
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
Is it cheaper to fly into Charlottesville or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Charlottesville 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 dayCharlottesville $42Montreal $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charlottesville
For Charlottesville, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- The UVA Corner Food Tour: Private Walking Food Tour in Charlottesville: $139
- The Downtown Mall Food Tour: $149
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$8.97
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Cooking Class and Tasting Menu with Michelin Chef: $50
- Le Bateau-Mouche À La Carte Menu Dinner Cruise: $58
- 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
- Montréal: 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Personalized Private Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $206
- Cooking Class in Montreal with a Michelin-Star Trained Chef: $224
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Charlottesville $18Montreal $21
Tours and Activities in Charlottesville
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Charlottesville.
- Charlottesville Dark History Ghost Tour : $30
- Charlottesville Historic Downtown APP/GPS Smartphone Walking Tour: $7.75
- Ghosts of Court Square Walking Tour: $26
- Shenandoah National Park Self-Driving Audio Tour: $17
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)$53
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- 1 Hour Downtown Montreal Tour: $29
- 2 hour Tour of The Montreal Bagel: $44
- 3 Days 2 Nights Tour in New York: $300
- 3-Hour Scooter Sightseeing in Montreal: $79
- 3Hr Montreal Architecture Bike Tour with regular or E-bikes Beer & wine included: $64
- APP Self-Guided Tours Montreal with Audioguide: $8.74
- All about Montreal's Murals - Saturday Walking Tour: $24
- Awesome Curling Experience : $82
- Best of Montreal Small Group Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame: $211
- Beyond the Basilica Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio: $54
- Christmas Walking Tour in Old Montreal: $24
- City tour; afternoon in Montreal: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCharlottesville $53Montreal $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Charlottesville
Also in Charlottesville, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Private Wine Tours (Minimum 3 & Maximum 6 ) Pickup Maximum 30 Mi : $85
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$18
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 Charlottesville and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Charlottesville much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charlottesville would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Charlottesville Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Charlottesville or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville or Montreal?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Charlottesville or Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal and Charlottesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Charlottesville is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Charlottesville in July average around 78°F (26°C), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Montreal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during summer. Charlottesville gets 305 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. In July, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Montreal. Charlottesville gets 5 inches (128 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyCharlottesville 78°F (26°C)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Montreal in the Autumn?
Both Montreal and Charlottesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Charlottesville in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Charlottesville is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Charlottesville average around 59°F (15°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. In the autumn, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Charlottesville gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun.
Charlottesville usually gets more rain in October than Montreal. Charlottesville gets 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberCharlottesville 59°F (15°C)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Charlottesville and Montreal. Most visitors come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Montreal can be very cold. Charlottesville can be very cold during winter. Charlottesville is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Charlottesville averages around 36°F (2°C) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Charlottesville usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during winter. Charlottesville gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Charlottesville usually receives more rain than Montreal. Charlottesville gets 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryCharlottesville 36°F (2°C)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Charlottesville or Montreal in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Charlottesville as well as Montreal. The spring months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Charlottesville is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Charlottesville in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In the spring, Charlottesville often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Charlottesville gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.
Charlottesville usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Montreal. Charlottesville gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilCharlottesville 58°F (14°C)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Charlottesville
| Charlottesville | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 36°F (2°C) | 3.2 inches (83 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 39°F (4°C) | 3.2 inches (80 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 58°F (14°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 inches (98 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 3.6 inches (92 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 5 inches (128 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (113 mm) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 inches (85 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 41°F (5°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | -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.