Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Columbus?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Columbus or Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Columbus 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: Columbus or Montreal?
Columbus
The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. While not always famous for it's sights and attractions, visitors will be pleasantly surprised by what they find here.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayColumbus $158Montreal $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Columbus is $158, 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 Columbus and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personColumbus $72Montreal $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomColumbus $144Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in Columbus and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Columbus 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: Columbus Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Columbus $50Montreal $20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus
Also for Columbus, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Columbus Ohio (CMH) Airport Arrival or Departure Private Transfer: $180
- Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
- Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montreal CityCenter- to Montreal Airport (YUL): $67
- Private Transfer: Montreal to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL): $87
- Private Transfer: Montreal City Center to Pierre E.T. Airport-YUL: $48
- Private Transfer from Montreal Cruise Port to Montreal City: $36
- Private One-way Montreal Airport Transfer To/From Montreal: $58
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $82
- Le Terminal Cruise Port to Québec Airport YQB Departure Transfer: $57
- Downtown Direct: Montreal's Exclusive Airport Transfer: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Columbus or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Columbus 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 dayColumbus $49Montreal $36
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.Columbus $46Montreal $21
Tours and Activities in Columbus
For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure : $21
- 1-Hour Themed Escape Room Adventure & Narrative: $41
- Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Experience the season with a scavenger hunt in Columbus with Holly Jolly Hunt: $20
- LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $28
- Trolley Pub Holiday Lights Tour in Columbus: $45
- Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus by Crazy Dash: $10
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 dayColumbus $20Montreal $16
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 Columbus and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Columbus much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbus would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbus 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 Columbus.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Columbus Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Columbus or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Columbus. When comparing the sizes of Columbus 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 Columbus 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 Columbus or Montreal in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Columbus and Montreal. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Columbus this time of year.
In July, Columbus is generally a little warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 77°F (25°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montreal this time of the year. In Columbus, it's very sunny this time of the year. Columbus usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during summer. Columbus gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
Columbus gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Columbus usually receives more rain than Montreal. Columbus gets 4.4 inches (112 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 JulyColumbus 77°F (25°C)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Columbus or Montreal in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Columbus as well as Montreal. Many travelers come to Columbus for the shopping scene.
Columbus is much warmer than Montreal in the autumn. The daily temperature in Columbus averages around 57°F (14°C) in October, and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the autumn, Columbus often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Columbus gets 179 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun.
Columbus usually gets less rain in October than Montreal. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (55 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 OctoberColumbus 57°F (14°C)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Columbus or Montreal in the Winter?
Both Montreal and Columbus are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Columbus in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Montreal can be very cold during winter. Columbus can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Columbus is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Columbus in January average around 30°F (-1°C), and Montreal averages at about -10°C (14°F).
Columbus usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal during winter. Columbus gets 105 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Columbus usually receives less rain than Montreal. Columbus gets 2.2 inches (56 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 JanuaryColumbus 30°F (-1°C)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Columbus or Montreal in the Spring?
Both Montreal and Columbus during the spring are popular places to visit.
In April, Columbus is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Columbus average around 54°F (12°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In the spring, Columbus often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Columbus gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.
Columbus usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Montreal. Columbus gets 3.2 inches (81 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 AprilColumbus 54°F (12°C)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Columbus
| Columbus | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 33°F (1°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 45°F (7°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 54°F (12°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 65°F (18°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 73°F (23°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 77°F (25°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 75°F (24°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 69°F (20°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (55 mm) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 47°F (8°C) | 3.2 inches (82 mm) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 35°F (2°C) | 2.8 inches (72 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.