Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Zurich?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Zurich 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 Zurich 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: Zurich or Montreal?
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayZurich $271Montreal $210
The average daily cost (per person) in Zurich is $271, while the average daily cost in Montreal is $210. 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 Zurich and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personZurich $171Montreal $132
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomZurich $342Montreal $264
Compare Hotels in Zurich and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Zurich 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: Zurich Hotel Prices and Montreal Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Zurich $36Montreal $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- ST. Moritz Luxury Private Transfer to Zurich Airport: $1,425
- SUV LUXURY TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT ZURIGO to MILANO MALPENSA: $1,094
- TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT MILANO MALPENSA TO ZURIGO: $1,094
- Switzerland: Private Transfer to Interlaken & Grindelwald: $994
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Scuol: $866
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Gstaad Saanen: $657
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Adelboden: $648
- TRANSFER VAN LUXURY DA AIRPORT ZURIGO A BASEL: $646
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Disentis: $643
- Privat Transfer Zurich Airport to Interlaken: $641
- Private Transfer Interlaken to Zurich Airport: $641
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Thun: $620
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Montreal Cruise Port to Montreal City: $36
- Private Transfer: Montreal City Center to Pierre E.T. Airport-YUL: $48
- Le Terminal Cruise Port to Québec Airport YQB Departure Transfer: $57
- Private One-way Montreal Airport Transfer To/From Montreal: $58
- Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $65
- Transfer in private vehicle from Montreal CityCenter- to Montreal Airport (YUL): $67
- Downtown Direct: Montreal's Exclusive Airport Transfer: $79
- Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $82
- Private Transfer: Montreal to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL): $87
- Private Departure Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $116
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
- Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Zurich or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Zurich 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 dayZurich $62Montreal $36
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$13
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$9.04
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 À La Carte Menu Dinner Cruise: $59
- 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
- Cooking Class and Tasting Menu with Michelin Chef: $130
- Montréal: 5-Course Dinner Cruise with Music & VIP Option: $160
- Personalized Private Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $207
- Cooking Class in Montreal with a Michelin-Star Trained Chef: $224
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Zurich $36Montreal $21
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- (STTZ01) - Zurich Open Top Bus Sightseeing Tour : $24
- 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $633
- 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $222
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $100
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Zürich: $656
- Alpine Majesty:Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $808
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $128
- Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $155
- Best of Zürich & Surroundings: Walking Tour, Cable Car and Ferry: $89
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.95
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $115
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)$54
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: $3.23
- Montreal self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $4.31
- Montréal's Mile End to Outremont: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $7.54
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.61
- APP Self-Guided Tours Montreal with Audioguide: $8.74
- Montreal Art Center & Museum Audio Guided Tour: $10
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayZurich $30Montreal $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $33
- Informative wine tasting with Italian appetizers in the secure wine cellar: $155
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 Zurich and Montreal, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Montreal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Zurich is in Europe and Montreal is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Montreal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montreal 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Montreal.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Zurich Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Zurich or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Zurich 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 Zurich 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 Zurich or Montreal in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Zurich as well as Montreal. Many travelers come to Zurich for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Zurich is around the same temperature as Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Zurich in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Montreal. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zurich this time of the year. In the summer, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Zurich gets 241 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Montreal. Zurich gets 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyZurich 21°C (70°F)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Montreal in the Autumn?
Both Montreal and Zurich are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Zurich in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Zurich is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Zurich average around 13°C (56°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Zurich gets 120 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Zurich usually receives less rain than Montreal. Zurich gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberZurich 13°C (56°F)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Montreal in the Winter?
Both Montreal and Zurich during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Montreal can be very cold. Zurich can be very cold during winter. Zurich is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Zurich averages around 3°C (37°F) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).
In the winter, Zurich often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Zurich gets 55 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.
Zurich usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Montreal. Zurich gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryZurich 3°C (37°F)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Zurich or Montreal in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Zurich and Montreal. The spring months attract visitors to Zurich because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Zurich is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Zurich in April average around 12°C (53°F), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Zurich usually receives less sunshine than Montreal during spring. Zurich gets 150 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Zurich usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montreal. Zurich gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilZurich 12°C (53°F)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Zurich
| Zurich | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | -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.