Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Edinburgh?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Edinburgh or Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Montreal can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Edinburgh or Montreal?
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the moderately sized capital of Scotland. It is a medieval city that has managed to perfect the combination of Georgian architecture and medieval relics with a cosmopolitan population and avant-garde atmosphere. The city's population is quite young, in large part because of the University of Edinburgh. This youthful vibe gives this city a lot of vitality. There's a thriving nightlife, many restaurants, theatres, galleries and museums.
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 Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEdinburgh £142Montreal £168
The average daily cost (per person) in Edinburgh is £142, while the average daily cost in Montreal is £168. 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 Edinburgh and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEdinburgh £74Montreal £106
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEdinburgh £148Montreal £212
Compare Hotels in Edinburgh and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Edinburgh 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: Edinburgh Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Edinburgh £17Montreal £16
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Edinburgh:
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Local Bus£3.60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Edinburgh
Also for Edinburgh, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Edinburgh to Inverness Direct transfer: $784
- From Loch Ness Private Day Tour with Transfers: $753
- Private Tour with transfer from Newhaven Cruise Port to Glasgow.: $298
- Edinburgh To The Gleneagles Hotel | Executive Transfer: $291
- Private Transfer from Edinburgh to Gleneagles Hotel : $280
- Private Luxury Transfer Edinburgh (One Way - 7 Passengers): $257
- Central Edinburgh Hotels to Edinburgh Airport Transfers 1-3: $256
- Edinburgh to Stirling | Executive Transfer: $254
- Edinburgh Train Station to Edinburgh Hotel Transfers 1-3 Pax: $251
- Edinburgh to Gleneagles Luxury Taxi Transfer: $242
- Edinburgh to Glasgow Luxury Car Transfer: $242
- Glasgow to Edinburgh Luxury Car Transfer: $232
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
- Transfer in private minivan from Montreal City Center to Pierre Elliott Airport: $73
- 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: $38
- One Way Private transfer from Montreal Airport to/ from Montreal: $84
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury Van: $170
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
Is it cheaper to fly into Edinburgh or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Edinburgh 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 dayEdinburgh £39Montreal £29
Typical Food Prices in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Breakfast£8.50
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Dinner at Filling Station£10
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Lunch for Two£15
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Sandwich£1.85
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Cheese & bread£7.23
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Thai Restaurant Dinner (for 2)£25
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2 Coffees and Scones£5.80
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Turkish Delight£1.40
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Soup at the Pub£5.90
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $31
- Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $33
- Scottish Dinner and Folk Music Experience: $88
- Edinburgh Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh Holiday Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $90
- Edinburgh Food Tour: $100
- 'Scotland meets Sardinia' - 8-course Dinner in Leith, Edinburgh: $110
- 3-Hour Guided Secret Food Tour: $116
- Edinburgh Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $121
- The 10 Tastings of Edinburgh With Locals: Private Food Tour: $162
- Edinburgh Food Tour with a Local Foodie Custom & Private: $188
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£7.22
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
- Mile End Montreal Original Food Tour - by Local Montreal Tours: $89
- 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
- The 10 Tastings of Montreal Private Walking Food Tour : $298
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Edinburgh £20Montreal £17
Typical Entertainment Prices in Edinburgh
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Edinburgh's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Show Tickets£32
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Movie Tickets for Two£12
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Donation for Storytellers£6.00
Tours and Activities in Edinburgh
For Edinburgh, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Edinburgh's Landscapes Tours with a Local Guide: Private & Personalized: $153
- 1-Day Castles, West Highlands and Loch Lomond Tour from Edinburgh: $79
- 1.5 hour Firth of Forth Sightseeing cruise: $23
- 2-Day Highlands and Loch Ness Tour from Edinburgh: $261
- 2-Day Loch Lomond, West Highlands, Glencoe & Oban Tour: $183
- 3 Hours Edinburgh City Highlights Private Walking Tour: $273
- 3-Day Isle of Skye Inverness Highlands and Glenfinnan Viaduct Tour from Edinburgh: $234
- 3-Hour Private Edinburgh Castle Tour: $275
- Afternoon Old Town and Underground Ghost Tour 1:15, 3:15, 5:15: $19
- Alnwick Castle and Scottish Borders Tour from Edinburgh: $72
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland & Scottish Borders 1-Day Tour: $74
- Alnwick Castle, Northumberland and Borders Tour with Admission: $103
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)£43
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- 1 Hour Downtown Montreal Tour: $29
- 1 Hour Tour of Old-Montreal in Vintage Convertible Cadillac: $220
- 2 hour Tour of The Montreal Bagel: $44
- 3 Days 2 Nights Tour in New York: $300
- 3 Hour Montreal City Bike Tour with Wine or Beer (AM & PM): $64
- 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: $8.76
- AURA experience at Notre-Dame Basilica and guided cruise: $73
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEdinburgh £15Montreal £13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Edinburgh
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Edinburgh from other travelers:
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Beer & Wine£14
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Half Pint at Tollbooth Tavern£1.65
Sample the Local Flavors in Edinburgh
Also in Edinburgh, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl with Free Shots & Discounts: $11
- Edinburgh Bar Crawl: 5+ Venues, Free Shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Pub Crawl in Edinburgh: $19
- Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour with "Real-Actors": $25
- East Lothian: Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery Tour & Tasting: $26
- Guided Gin Tasting at 56 North Distillery: $28
- Pub Crawl 7 Bars with 6 Shots: $31
- Whisky Tasting and Tales at Summerhall Distillery: $31
- Lind & Lime Gin Distillery Tour & Tasting: $31
- Pickering's Gin Jolly Distillery Tasting Tour: $31
- Visit a Working South Loch Gin Distillery: $32
- The Original Edinburgh Pub Crawl: $32
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£15
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
- 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 Edinburgh and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Edinburgh much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Edinburgh. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh or Montreal in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Montreal. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Edinburgh is cooler than Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montreal this time of the year. Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during summer. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Montreal. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyEdinburgh 14°C (58°F)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Montreal in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Montreal. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Edinburgh is generally a little warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the autumn, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets less rain in October than Montreal. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberEdinburgh 10°C (49°F)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Montreal in the Winter?
Both Montreal and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Montreal in the winter. The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. Edinburgh is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during winter. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Montreal. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryEdinburgh 3°C (38°F)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Edinburgh or Montreal in the Spring?
Both Montreal and Edinburgh during the spring are popular places to visit. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year.
In the spring, Edinburgh is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In the spring, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.
Edinburgh usually gets less rain in April than Montreal. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilEdinburgh 7°C (45°F)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Edinburgh
| Edinburgh | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (38°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 3°C (38°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 5°C (41°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 10°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 14°C (58°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 14°C (58°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 5°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.