A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Montreal vs. Ottawa for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Montreal or Ottawa?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Montreal and Ottawa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Montreal

Montreal is a colorful, cultural, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Ottawa

Ottawa is a welcoming, cultural, and friendly city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping.

Montreal and Ottawa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Montreal or Ottawa?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Montreal than Ottawa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Montreal is more touristy than Ottawa and is known for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also well known for Notre-Dame Basilica. Ottawa is famous for its history, politics, and green space.

How is Montreal different from Ottawa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Ottawa and Montreal. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Montreal or Ottawa?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Montreal has many famous sights for visitors. The city is filled with world-class museums and historic sites such as Notre-Dame Basilica, St. Joseph's Oratory, the Biosphere, and the Fine Arts Museum.

Many visitors head to Ottawa specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. As the country's capital, there are a large number of museums to explore. There are summer national museums in town which include the National Gallery of Canada, the Museum of History, the Science and Technology Museum, the Aviation and Space Museum, the Agriculture and Food Museum, the Museum of Nature, and the War Museum.

Is the Food Better in Montreal or Ottawa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Montreal is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Montreal has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There are both local and international restaurants that serve up excellent dishes. Some of the local recipes that you should try include tourtiere (a meat pie), a smoked meat sandwich, and, of course, poutine.

Ottawa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. The culinary scene highlights many Canadian classics like poutine and maple donuts (and, of course, the classic Tim Horton's), but you'll also find plenty of international options like shawarma.

Is Montreal or Ottawa Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Ottawa is lacking in good options for nightlife.

People head to Montreal just to party. The city's nightlife scene is centered around its live music scene, which is excellent. There are also many bars and clubs, as well as a young population that keep evenings lively.

Ottawa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. It's not the first place that comes to mind when you think about partying, but there are live music venues and a some great bars around town.

Is Montreal or Ottawa Better for Music?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Montreal has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The music scene is thriving and world class. One of the most unique aspects of the city's music scene is its impromptu nature. You'll find many talented street performers and you'll likely stumble into many high quality performers. There's also a great indie scene as well as hip hop, classical, jazz, and heavy metal at the many live music venues.

Ottawa is not a live music destination.

Is Montreal or Ottawa Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Montreal. Vieux-Montreal is the historic part of the city, and it's filled with cobblestone streets and historic buildings. This is also where you'll find the Old Port, which has a waterfront promenade.

Ottawa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Montreal or Ottawa?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Montreal specifically to go shopping. It's known for its fashion scene and there are many independent and local vendors around town. Bonsecours Market is both historic and fascinating, but also make sure you check out Mont-Royal Avenue, which is the main shopping and dining street in town.

Ottawa is a great destination for shopping. You'll find large malls, outlets, and shopping streets that are fun to browse. Some of the favorite shopping areas include ByWard Market, Sparks Street, and CF Rideau Centre.

Is Montreal or Ottawa Better for Families?

Montreal is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Montreal. Kids and teens will love the many science museums, parks and gardens, and the nearby La Ronde Amusement Park. If your kids are music lovers, there are many talented street performers in the city that will entertain the young and old alike.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Ottawa. As the country's capital, you'll find a number of museums that will keep a kid's attention. In particular, check out the aviation, science, and nature museums. If you have a car, you can head out to Calypso Water Park, which is fun as well.

Is Montreal or Ottawa Better for Couples?

Montreal is a very popular place for couples. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Montreal makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city is filled with romance, from the world class music scene to the romantic restaurants and sunset river cruises. If you're in town during the fall months, check out the Botanical Gardens, which come to life with the annual Gardens of Light.

Ottawa is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with parks and green spaces where you can enjoy flowers or peaceful walks. Commissioners Park is particularly nice and known for its tulips during the spring season. Dow's Lake is a nice place for ice skating in the winter or kayaking in the summer. The city also offers a number of romantic restaurants and charming hotels.

Is Montreal or Ottawa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Montreal and Ottawa are nice places to visit.

Montreal is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a decent number of hostels as well as a great nightlife scene and plenty of younger visitors looking to meet other travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Ottawa. Although the city is often overlooked by tourists, there are a surprising number of hostels around town.

Is Montreal or Ottawa Better for Students?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Many students frequent Montreal. It's regularly ranked as one of the top cities in North America for students. There are many students around town, a great nightlife scene, and plenty of opportunities to receive a world-class education.

Ottawa is popular with students. It appeals to international and Canadian students alike. It's known for its livability and diverse cultural scene.

Is Montreal or Ottawa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Montreal is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

The public transit in Montreal can get you to most places easily. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

You'll find some public transit in Ottawa, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is both a public bus and light rail system.

Is Montreal or Ottawa a more walkable city?

Montreal is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Ottawa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

Montreal is a very walkable destination. The city is very walkable, particularly in the areas that are popular with tourists.

Ottawa is somewhat walkable. Many of the urban neighborhoods are very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Montreal Worth Visiting? and Is Ottawa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Ottawa or Montreal?

How long in Montreal or Ottawa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Montreal and Ottawa. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal than in Ottawa. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Montreal, and 2-3 days is enough time in Ottawa.

Families should spend more time in Montreal than Ottawa. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Montreal, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Montreal than Ottawa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Montreal that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montreal than Ottawa if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Montreal.

One day in Montreal or Ottawa?

Montreal is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Ottawa offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Montreal or Ottawa?

Montreal is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Ottawa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Ottawa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Montreal or Ottawa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montreal. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Ottawa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Montreal or Ottawa?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the cultural big city of Montreal. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Ottawa is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Montreal and Ottawa, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Ottawa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Ottawa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Ottawa 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 Ottawa.

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

Which is Bigger, Montreal or Ottawa?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the sizes of Montreal and Ottawa, 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 Montreal or Ottawa?

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 Montreal or Ottawa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montreal and Ottawa. Most visitors come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Ottawa because of the family-friendly experiences.

Montreal is around the same temperature as Ottawa in the summer. The daily temperature in Montreal averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Ottawa fluctuates around 21°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Ottawa this time of the year. In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. Montreal usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa during summer. Montreal gets 276 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Montreal usually receives around the same amount of rain as Ottawa. Montreal gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Montreal or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Montreal as well as Ottawa. The autumn months attract visitors to Montreal because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene. Additionally, the shopping scene are the main draw to Ottawa this time of year.

In the autumn, Montreal is around the same temperature as Ottawa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montreal in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Ottawa averages at about 9°C (48°F).

In the autumn, Montreal often gets more sunshine than Ottawa. Montreal gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 116 hours of full sun.

Montreal usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Ottawa. Montreal gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Montreal or Ottawa in the Winter?

Both Ottawa and Montreal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Montreal this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Ottawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ottawa. It's quite cold in Montreal in the winter. In January, Montreal is generally around the same temperature as Ottawa. Daily temperatures in Montreal average around -10°C (14°F), and Ottawa fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Montreal usually receives more sunshine than Ottawa during winter. Montreal gets 103 hours of sunny skies, while Ottawa receives 93 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Montreal usually receives more rain than Ottawa. Montreal gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Montreal or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Montreal during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Montreal for the activities around the city.

Montreal is around the same temperature as Ottawa in the spring. The daily temperature in Montreal averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Ottawa fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

In the spring, Montreal often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Ottawa. Montreal gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ottawa receives 180 hours of full sun.

Montreal usually gets more rain in April than Ottawa. Montreal gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Ottawa receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Montreal