A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Montreal vs. Ottawa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

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.

Where Should I go: Montreal or Ottawa?

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.

Ottawa

Ottawa is the capital city of Canada, located on the Ontario side of the Ottawa River. A city of many ethnic populations, Ottawa is uniquely bilingual with English as the first language of the population's majority and French as a close second.  It is best known as the nation's capital, which is centered on Parliament Hill, an architectural landmark as well as the seat of government.

Which place is cheaper, Ottawa or Montreal?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Montreal is $210, while the average daily cost in Ottawa is $123. 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 Montreal and Ottawa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montreal $132
    Ottawa $18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montreal $264
    Ottawa $36
Compare Hotels in Montreal and Ottawa

Looking for a hotel in Montreal or Ottawa? 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 Montreal


Hotels in Ottawa


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: Montreal Hotel Prices and Ottawa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montreal $20
    Ottawa $7.24

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): $89
  • Private Transfer: Montreal City Center to Pierre E.T. Airport-YUL: $43
  • Private Transfer from Montreal hotels to Montréal Airport (YUL): $58
  • Private Transfer from Montreal city to Montreal Cruise Port: $37
  • Private Transfer from Montreal Port to Montreal Airport (YUL): $37
  • Private Transfer from Montreal Cruise Port to Montreal City: $37
  • Private Transfer from Montreal City to Montreal (YUL) Airport: $92
  • Private One-way Montreal Airport Transfer To/From Montreal: $59
  • Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $38
  • Private Departure Transfer Montreal Downtown or Nun's Island to Montreal YUL Apt: $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Ottawa

Also for Ottawa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $133
  • Private Airport Transfer: Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to/from Ottawa: $85
  • Private Transfer from Ottawa Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City: $66
  • Ottawa to Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
  • Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier Airport (YOW) to Ottawa City - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Private Transfer from Ottawa City hotels to Ottawa Airport YOW: $66
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $55
  • Private Departure Transfer to Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW: $55
  • Private Arrival Transfer in Ottawa Airport : $52
  • Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier Airport YOW Private Arrival/Departure Shuttle Transfer : $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Montreal or Ottawa?

Prices for flights to both Ottawa and Montreal 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
    Montreal $36
    Ottawa $17
Typical Food prices in Montreal

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


  • Tim Hortons breakfast and coffee
    $9.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montreal

For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Mile End Montreal Original Food Tour - by Local Montreal Tours: $64
  • Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $66
  • Beyond the Market Food Tour in Montreal: $74
  • Guided Happy Hour Brew Tour in Montreal with Dinner: $82
  • Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $89
  • Cooking Class and Tasting Menu with Michelin Chef: $123
  • Jewish Neighborhood Food Tour: $126
  • Montreal Private Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $141
  • Caribbean Food Tour in Montréal: $142
  • Christmas River Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $143
  • Montréal: Gourmet 5-Course Dinner Cruise: $154
  • Montreal Gourmet Dinner Cruise with music: $157

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Oh Canada Eh!? Dinner Musical : $72
  • Taste of the ByWard Market Food Tour: $86

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montreal $21
    Ottawa $40
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.

  • Angrignon-Lasalle 4 Hours Cycling Tour: $70
  • Montreal ZOO, private half day tour: $208
  • 1 Hour Tour of Old-Montreal in Vintage Convertible Cadillac: $218
  • 1-Hour Private Professional Photo Session Tour in Montreal: $411
  • 2 Day Guided Tour in the Fairmont Frontenac Getaway- Quebec City: $744
  • 2 Hour tour of Montréal in vintage Convertible Cadillac + Murals in Le Plateau: $366
  • 2-Hour Private Guided Walking Tour in Montreal’s Little Italy : $34
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Tour in New York: $260
  • 3 Hour Montreal City Bike Tour with Wine or Beer (AM & PM): $64
  • 3 hour tour of Montréal in convertible Cadillac + Murals + Mount-Royal Summit: $470
  • 3-Hour Scooter Sightseeing in Montreal: $79
  • 3Hr Montreal Architecture Bike Tour with regular or E-bikes Beer & wine included: $60

Tours and Activities in Ottawa

For Ottawa, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour: $59
  • 4-Hour Private Tour of Ottawa: $574
  • Best of Ottawa Neighbourhoods & Nature Bike Tour: $82
  • Best of Ottawa Small Group Tour with River Cruise: $104
  • Best of Ottawa Small Group Walking Tour with Boat Cruise: $89
  • City Beers: Bus Tour of Ottawa Breweries: $76
  • Explore Canada Through Ottawa's Eyes with Walking Tours Through The City: $6.72
  • Floating Tiki Bar (Boat Tour) on the Ottawa River: $60
  • Gems and Surprises – Ottawa Walking Tour: $188
  • Haunted Ottawa Jail Tour: $25
  • Helicopter Private Tour Over Ottawa 70KM in 20 min : $146
  • Ottawa Boat Cruise - Paul's Boat Line: $35

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montreal $16
    Ottawa $18
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: $18
  • Montreal Pub Crawl - Tour of the Best Bars and Nightclubs: $43
  • 5-Course Global Flavor Menu with Wine Tastings: $64

Sample the Local Flavors in Ottawa

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Ottawa:

  • Epic Ottawa Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12

How are these travel costs calculated?

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.

Which is Bigger, Montreal or Ottawa?

Montreal is bigger, and its population is about 4 times larger than the population of Ottawa. When comparing the population of Montreal vs. 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 and the activities 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.

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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montreal 21°C (69°F) 
    Ottawa 21°C (71°F)

Should I visit Montreal or Ottawa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Montreal as well as Ottawa.

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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montreal 8°C (47°F) 
    Ottawa 9°C (48°F)

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.

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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montreal -10°C (14°F) 
    Ottawa -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Montreal or Ottawa in the Spring?

Both Ottawa and Montreal during the spring are popular places to visit.

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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montreal 6°C (43°F) 
    Ottawa 6°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Ottawa and Montreal

Montreal Ottawa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -10°C (14°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) -10°C (14°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Feb -9°C (16°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) -9°C (16°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) -2°C (28°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 6°C (43°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 6°C (44°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 75 mm (3 in) 13°C (56°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 19°C (65°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 21°C (71°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 20°C (68°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 14°C (58°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 9°C (48°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Nov 2°C (35°F) 101 mm (4 in) 2°C (36°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) -7°C (20°F) 73 mm (2.9 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.
About BudgetYourTrip.com
More City Comparisons
Banff vs. Montreal
Banff vs. Ottawa
Calgary vs. Montreal
Calgary vs. Ottawa
Montreal vs. Toronto
Montreal vs. Vancouver
Montreal vs. Victoria
Montreal vs. Halifax
Montreal vs. Quebec City
Montreal vs. Jasper National Park
Ottawa vs. Toronto
Ottawa vs. Vancouver
Ottawa vs. Victoria
Ottawa vs. Halifax
Ottawa vs. Quebec City
Ottawa vs. Jasper National Park
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Montreal vs. Ottawa Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.