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

Should you visit Montreal or Victoria?

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 Victoria can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Montreal or Victoria?

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.

Victoria

The capital city of British Columbia, Canada, Victoria is positioned near the southern edge of Vancouver Island. It's a wonderfully pleasant city and has been nicknamed the Garden City because of its vast green space and public gardens. There is a population of just over 80,000 in the city proper and almost 350,000 in the greater metropolitan area. Dating back to 1843, it's also one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest. As such, it has many historic buildings and beautiful architecture. It also has the second oldest Chinatown in North America, following San Francisco's.

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.


Which place is cheaper, Victoria or Montreal?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Montreal is $211, while the average daily cost in Victoria is $184. 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 Victoria in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Montreal $133
    Victoria $114
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Montreal $266
    Victoria $228
Compare Hotels in Montreal and Victoria

Looking for a hotel in Montreal or Victoria? 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 Victoria


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 Victoria Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Montreal $21
    Victoria $37

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal

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

  • Private Transfer: Montreal to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL): $88
  • Private Transfer: Montreal City Center to Pierre E.T. Airport-YUL: $49
  • Private Transfer from Montreal Port to Montreal Airport (YUL): $36
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Montreal Airport YUL: $44
  • Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
  • Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
  • Montreal hotel or port to Montréal Airport (YUL) - Departure Private Transfer: $57
  • Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $165
  • Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $118
  • Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $83
  • Le Terminal Cruise Port to Québec Airport YQB Departure Transfer: $57
  • Departure Transfer Montreal to Montreal Airport by Limos or Bus: $153

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Victoria

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

  • Floatplane Transfer between Victoria and Whistler: $219
  • Vancouver: Floatplane Transfer between Vancouver & Victoria: $207
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Cruise Terminal Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $89
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Vancouver Airport (YVR) Drop Off - Coach Bus Transfer: $88
  • Victoria to Vancouver - Coach Bus Transfer: $74
  • Victoria to Vancouver Ferry with Bus Transfer: $72

Is it cheaper to fly into Montreal or Victoria?

Prices for flights to both Victoria 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
    Victoria $27
Typical Food Prices in Montreal

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


  • Tim Hortons breakfast and coffee
    $9.06

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 3 & 4-course Dinner Cruise: $66
  • Beyond the Market Food Tour by Spade & Palacio: $75
  • Guided Happy Hour Brew Tour in Montreal with Dinner: $87
  • Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $99
  • Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $105
  • Cooking Class and Tasting Menu with Michelin Chef: $116
  • Jewish Neighborhood Food Tour: $132
  • Montréal: 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
  • Personalized Private Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $208
  • Cooking Class in Montreal with a Michelin-Star Trained Chef: $210

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Victoria

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

  • Chocolate Lovers Food Tour: $40
  • Chinatown and Old Town Food Tour with Tastings: $59
  • Victoria Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $60
  • Hip & Hidden Chinatown + Old Town Food Tour Victoria: $61
  • Sip, Savor, Stroll Evening Food Tour: $132

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Montreal $21
    Victoria $46
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)
    $54

Tours and Activities in Montreal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.

  • 1 Hour Tour of Old-Montreal in Vintage Convertible Cadillac: $223
  • 2 Hours Guided Walking Tour to Montreal Downtown: $30
  • 3 Days 2 Nights Tour in New York: $300
  • 3 Hour Montreal City Bike Tour with Wine or Beer (AM & PM): $65
  • 3-Hour Scooter Sightseeing in Montreal: $79
  • 3Hr Montreal Architecture Bike Tour with regular or E-bikes Beer & wine included: $65
  • APP Self-Guided Tours Montreal with Audioguide: $8.84
  • All about Montreal's Murals - Saturday Walking Tour: $24
  • Awesome Curling Experience : $83
  • Bell Centre: Montreal Canadiens Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $61
  • Best of Montreal Small Group Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame: $181
  • Beyond the Bagel: Montreal Jewish Food Walking Tour: $83

Tours and Activities in Victoria

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

  • 2.5-Hour Tips-Based Walking Tour of Victoria : $5.57
  • 3-Hour Bike Tour of Victoria City & the Coastal Shoreside: $79
  • 4 Hour Afternoon Whale Watching Tour: $170
  • 45-Minute By The Park Tour: $151
  • 60-Minute Beacon Hill Park Tour: $193
  • 75-Minute The Royal Tour: $227
  • 90-Minute The Capital Tour: $261
  • Beacon Hill Park Horse-Drawn Carriage Tour of Victoria: $208
  • Bike 3-hour City Highlights Tour & coastal ride: $95
  • COMBO Victoria City Tour & Butchart Gardens & Entry Tix: $99
  • Castles, Hoods & Legends - Bike Tour: $52
  • Cultural & Historical Victoria Walking Tour: $16

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Montreal $17
    Victoria $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: $43

Sample the Local Flavors in Victoria

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

  • Pickle Pub Crawl: $48
  • 3-Hour Street Art & Craft Beer Tour of Victoria, Brewery Tour & Tasting included: $103
  • From Private Cowichan Wine Tour with Lunch: $440


When comparing the travel costs between Montreal and Victoria, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Montreal or Victoria?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Victoria. When comparing the sizes of Montreal and Victoria, 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 Victoria?

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 Victoria in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Montreal and Victoria.

Montreal is a little warmer than Victoria in the summer. The daily temperature in Montreal averages around 21°C (69°F) in July, and Victoria fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

In July, Montreal usually receives more rain than Victoria. Montreal gets 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Montreal 21°C (69°F) 
    Victoria 16°C (60°F)

Should I visit Montreal or Victoria in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Montreal is cooler than Victoria. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Montreal in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Victoria averages at about 11°C (52°F).

Montreal usually gets more rain in October than Victoria. Montreal gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Montreal 8°C (47°F) 
    Victoria 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Montreal or Victoria in the Winter?

Both Victoria and Montreal are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Victoria in the winter. The weather in Montreal can be very cold. In January, Montreal is generally much colder than Victoria. Daily temperatures in Montreal average around -10°C (14°F), and Victoria fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Victoria. In January, Montreal usually receives less rain than Victoria. Montreal gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 138 mm (5.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Montreal -10°C (14°F) 
    Victoria 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Montreal or Victoria in the Spring?

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

Montreal is much colder than Victoria in the spring. The daily temperature in Montreal averages around 6°C (43°F) in April, and Victoria fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Montreal usually gets more rain in April than Victoria. Montreal gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Victoria receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Montreal 6°C (43°F) 
    Victoria 10°C (49°F)

Typical Weather for Victoria and Montreal

Montreal Victoria
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -10°C (14°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 5°C (41°F) 138 mm (5.4 in)
Feb -9°C (16°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 67 mm (2.7 in)
Apr 6°C (43°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 10°C (49°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 13°C (55°F) 75 mm (3 in) 12°C (54°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Jun 18°C (64°F) 87 mm (3.4 in) 14°C (58°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 21°C (69°F) 91 mm (3.6 in) 16°C (60°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Aug 19°C (67°F) 104 mm (4.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 19 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 14°C (58°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Oct 8°C (47°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 2°C (35°F) 101 mm (4 in) 8°C (46°F) 140 mm (5.5 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 5°C (42°F) 153 mm (6 in)