A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chattanooga vs. Montreal for Attractions, Nightlife, Food, and Families

Should you visit Chattanooga or Montreal?

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

Should I visit Chattanooga or Montreal? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a bustling, outdoorsy, and thriving city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Chattanooga travel costs.

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. Other popular activities here include food, shopping, and museums. See Montreal travel costs.

Chattanooga and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chattanooga or Montreal?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Montreal than Chattanooga. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Montreal is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Chattanooga attracts visitors for its hiking. Montreal is more touristy than Chattanooga and is popular for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also well known for Notre-Dame Basilica. Chattanooga is famous for it's hikes, railways, and nearby natural areas.

How is Chattanooga different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Montreal is an unbeatable place for its museums and landmarks. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Montreal on the map. 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.

Chattanooga is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It's a thriving city and there are a number of museums to explore. The Hunter Museum of American Art is great for art enthusiasts. There's also the Creative Discovery Museum, the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, and the 6th Cavalry Museum, as well as several smaller museums that you can visit.

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

Montreal is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Dining out in Montreal is an experience not to be missed. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Chattanooga. There are a growing number of restaurants that range from local dives to fine dining. Fried food is common, but you'll also find Mexican and classic hamburgers. Popular dishes that are local to the area include catfish, southern barbecue, and hush puppies.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife.

The nightlife in Montreal is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Chattanooga has a few options to choose from. You'll find plenty of bars and clubs around town. There are also a number of comedy and improv clubs that are fun to check out.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

In Montreal you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Chattanooga is not a live music destination.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is a great destination for its historic old town charm. However, Chattanooga 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.

Chattanooga does not have a historic old town.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal Better for Hiking?

Chattanooga is great for hiking. However, Montreal is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Chattanooga for the hiking trails. It's proximity to the mountains means that you don't have to go far to find good hiking. Within a half hour of town there are more than 50 trailheads. Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain are both hiking destinations. Several trails have swimming spots and many pass through nice forests or head to impressive viewpoints.

Montreal is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Chattanooga or Montreal?

Montreal is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Montreal is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Chattanooga. Head downtown for local shops or to the larger malls if you want mainstream stores. Many visitors enjoy antiquing while they're in town, but there are also farmer's markets and thrift stores.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal Better for Families?

Montreal is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Montreal is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Chattanooga offers lots of family activities. Many people enjoy a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium, which has a touch tank and a butterfly exhibit, among other things. Near downtown, Coolidge Park is a great place for kids to get their energy out. There's also the popular Lookout Mountain Incline Railway as well as many hiking trails in the area.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal Better for Couples?

Montreal is a great destination for couples. Also, Chattanooga is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Couples visit Montreal frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. 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.

Chattanooga is a nice destination for couples. Many couples enjoy staying at a local inn and then dining in a nice restaurant or visiting a winery. There's an eclectic art district to explore as well as horse drawn carriages and plenty of nearby hiking trails.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal is a popular place for backpackers. However, Chattanooga is a city with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Chattanooga is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's proximity to the mountains and diverse outdoor activities make this an under-rated destination for many backpackers.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is an unbeatable place for students. However, Chattanooga is not popular with 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.

Chattanooga is not popular with students.

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

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Chattanooga and Montreal.

Chattanooga offers a very effecient public transportation network. The city has a convenient and free electric shuttle service. It travels through the downtown and has stops at many points of interest such as the Chattanooga Choo Choo and the Tennessee Aquarium.

Many visitors rely on the effecient and affordable public transportation in Montreal. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

Is Chattanooga or Montreal a more walkable city?

Chattanooga and Montreal both are great when exploring on foot.

Chattanooga is a very walkable destination. The city has put a lot of effort into improving its walkability. In particular, the downtown is nice to explore on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Chattanooga?

How long in Chattanooga or Montreal?

In either Chattanooga or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal than Chattanooga because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Chattanooga, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Montreal than Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga or Montreal?

The city of Chattanooga offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.

Montreal is a colorful city where you can fill many days. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Chattanooga or Montreal?

Chattanooga 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. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Chattanooga, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Montreal is a cultural big city where you can fill many days. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Five days in Chattanooga or Montreal?

Chattanooga 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.

Montreal is a vibrant city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Chattanooga or Montreal?

Chattanooga is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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.

Many people enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting Montreal. Anyone can find something fun to do here. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Chattanooga and Montreal, 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 Chattanooga Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chattanooga or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Chattanooga. When comparing the sizes of Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga or Montreal in the Summer?

Both Montreal and Chattanooga during the summer are popular places to visit. The hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chattanooga this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Chattanooga is a little warmer than Montreal in the summer. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 81°F (27°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 Chattanooga. In the summer, Chattanooga often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal. Chattanooga gets 265 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 Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in July than Montreal. Chattanooga gets 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Montreal in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chattanooga and Montreal. Many travelers come to Chattanooga for the hiking trails and the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montreal in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Chattanooga is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chattanooga in October average around 63°F (17°C), and Montreal averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In Chattanooga, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chattanooga usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Chattanooga gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chattanooga usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montreal. Chattanooga gets 3 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Montreal in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chattanooga as well as Montreal. Many visitors come to Chattanooga in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Montreal for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Montreal can be very cold during winter. Chattanooga can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Chattanooga is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Chattanooga average around 40°F (5°C), and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Chattanooga often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Chattanooga gets 145 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.

Chattanooga receives a lot of rain in the winter. Chattanooga usually gets more rain in January than Montreal. Chattanooga gets 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Chattanooga or Montreal in the Spring?

Both Montreal and Chattanooga are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Montreal because of the activities around the city.

Chattanooga is much warmer than Montreal in the spring. The daily temperature in Chattanooga averages around 62°F (17°C) in April, and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chattanooga. Chattanooga usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during spring. Chattanooga gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Chattanooga. In April, Chattanooga usually receives more rain than Montreal. Chattanooga gets 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Chattanooga