Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Williamsburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Williamsburg or Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Montreal. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Williamsburg or Montreal?
Williamsburg
In southeast Virginia, Williamsburg is a historic city that was the capital of Virginia during the 1700's. It's now a popular tourist destination in the state because it has managed to recreate its past in a theme park like setting. Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is "Colonial Williamsburg," an outdoor museum that recreates an 18th century town with working tradesmen and functioning jobs. You can purchase a one day pass to the area for $36 and multiple day passes at a slight discount. Exhibits in the area include observing a court proceeding, seeing the Governor's Palace, and witnessing the impact of the American Revolution on the area.
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 Photography Tours in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayWilliamsburg $112Montreal $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Williamsburg is $112, 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 Williamsburg and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personWilliamsburg $66Montreal $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomWilliamsburg $132Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in Williamsburg and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Williamsburg 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: Williamsburg Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Williamsburg $11Montreal $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
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Departure Transfer Montreal to Montreal Airport by Limos or Bus: $153
- Downtown Direct: Montreal's Exclusive Airport Transfer: $79
- Le Terminal Cruise Port to Québec Airport YQB Departure Transfer: $57
- Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $82
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury SUV: $163
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Private One-way Montreal Airport Transfer To/From Montreal: $58
Is it cheaper to fly into Williamsburg or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Williamsburg 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 dayWilliamsburg $31Montreal $36
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Williamsburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Williamsburg.
- Taste of Williamsburg Food Tour by Junket: $79
- Guided Food Tour with Tastings: $84
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$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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Williamsburg $34Montreal $21
Tours and Activities in Williamsburg
Here are a few actual costs in Williamsburg for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Colonial Williamsburg Ghost Stories and Walking Tour: $25
- 1 Hour Christmastide Walking Tour in Virginia Past and Present : $25
- 2-Hour Private Guided The best of Williamsburg Walking Tour: $175
- Busch Gardens Williamsburg Admission Ticket: $62
- Colonial Ghosts Tour By US Ghost Adventures: $30
- Colonial Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour: $35
- Colonial History Tour in Williamsburg Virginia: $25
- Colonial Williamsburg & Yorktown Self-Guided Audio Tour Bundle: $25
- Colonial Williamsburg Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $15
- Colonial Christmas Walking Tour: $20
- Colonial Colonial History Guided Walking Tour: $25
- Colonial Self-Guided Walking Tour: $15
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)$53
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Montreal self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.28
- Montréal's Mile End to Outremont: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.49
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- APP Self-Guided Tours Montreal with Audioguide: $8.74
- Montreal Art Center & Museum Audio Guided Tour: $10
- McCord Stewart Museum : Entry Ticket: $15
- Montreal Zipline Adventure: $15
- Self-Guided Old Town Scavenger Hunt Walking Tour: $15
- Montreal Old Port: Urban Zipline Ticket: $16
- Making Their Mark: Montreal Jewish History Walking Tour: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayWilliamsburg -Montreal $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Williamsburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Williamsburg:
- Colonial Ghosts Boos and Brews Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- The Murder Tour and Pub Crawl: $48
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$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 Williamsburg and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Williamsburg Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Montreal?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Williamsburg or Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal and Williamsburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences.
Williamsburg is a little warmer than Montreal in the summer. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal. Williamsburg gets 279 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Montreal. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyWilliamsburg 78°F (26°C)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Montreal in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Montreal. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Williamsburg is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Williamsburg in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Montreal averages at about 8°C (47°F).
In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Williamsburg usually receives less rain than Montreal. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberWilliamsburg 61°F (16°C)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Montreal. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Montreal can be very cold. Williamsburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Williamsburg is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 38°F (4°C), and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Williamsburg often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.
Williamsburg usually gets more rain in January than Montreal. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryWilliamsburg 38°F (4°C)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Williamsburg or Montreal in the Spring?
Both Montreal and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the natural beauty.
Williamsburg is much warmer than Montreal in the spring. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montreal. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilWilliamsburg 57°F (14°C)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Williamsburg
| Williamsburg | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 38°F (4°C) | 3.6 inches (93 mm) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 41°F (5°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 49°F (9°C) | 4.2 inches (106 mm) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 57°F (14°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 66°F (19°C) | 4 inches (102 mm) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 74°F (24°C) | 4.1 inches (105 mm) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 78°F (26°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 78°F (25°C) | 4.7 inches (120 mm) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 72°F (22°C) | 4.6 inches (118 mm) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 61°F (16°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 52°F (11°C) | 3.2 inches (81 mm) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) | -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.