A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marathon vs. Montreal for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Marathon or Montreal?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marathon or Montreal, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Marathon or Montreal?

Marathon

You step outside your deluxe suite onto the balcony and are greeted with nothing less than tropical perfection. The hum of the ocean, the whispers of the palm trees, the songs of the seagulls - you bask in this paradise otherwise known as Marathon, Florida. A 10-mile-long island, the chain contains Vaca Key, Fat Deer Key and Grassy Key, along with Duck Key just another few minutes up the road.

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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Marathon?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Marathon 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 Marathon and Montreal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Marathon $76
    Montreal $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Marathon $152
    Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in Marathon and Montreal

Looking for a hotel in Marathon 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.

Hotels in Marathon


Hotels in Montreal


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: Marathon Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Marathon $47
    Montreal $20

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 Marathon or Montreal?

Prices for flights to both Montreal and Marathon 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
    Marathon $51
    Montreal $36

Typical Food Prices in Montreal

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:


  • 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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Marathon $27
    Montreal $21

Typical Entertainment Prices in Montreal

For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • 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
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Marathon $24
    Montreal $16

Typical Alcohol Prices in Montreal

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:


  • 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 Marathon and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Marathon much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marathon would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marathon 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 Marathon.

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


Which is Bigger, Marathon or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 320 times larger than the population of Marathon. When comparing the sizes of Marathon 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 Marathon 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 Marathon or Montreal in the Summer?

Both Montreal and Marathon are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Marathon for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Marathon is generally a little warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 84°F (29°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Montreal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during summer. Marathon gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Marathon usually receives less rain than Montreal. Marathon gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Marathon 84°F (29°C) 
    Montreal 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Marathon or Montreal in the Autumn?

Both Montreal and Marathon during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Marathon because of the natural beauty of the area.

Marathon is much warmer than Montreal in the autumn. The daily temperature in Marathon averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Marathon. In the autumn, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Marathon gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Marathon. Marathon usually gets more rain in October than Montreal. Marathon gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Marathon 80°F (27°C) 
    Montreal 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Marathon or Montreal in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Marathon and Montreal. The cuisine are the main draw to Marathon this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Montreal. In the winter, Marathon is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Marathon in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Montreal averages at about -10°C (14°F).

In Marathon, it's very sunny this time of the year. Marathon usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during winter. Marathon gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Marathon usually receives less rain than Montreal. Marathon gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Marathon 70°F (21°C) 
    Montreal -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Marathon or Montreal in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Marathon as well as Montreal. Many travelers come to Marathon for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Marathon is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Marathon average around 77°F (25°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Marathon this time of the year. In the spring, Marathon often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Marathon gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.

Marathon usually gets less rain in April than Montreal. Marathon gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Marathon 77°F (25°C) 
    Montreal 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Montreal and Marathon

Marathon Montreal
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) -10°C (14°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) -9°C (16°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) -2°C (28°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 6°C (43°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 13°C (55°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 18°C (64°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 21°C (69°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 19°C (67°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 14°C (58°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 8°C (47°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 2°C (35°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) -7°C (20°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)