A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Durham vs. Moncton for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Durham or Moncton?

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 Durham and Moncton can help you decide which place is right for you.

Durham

Durham is a diverse, student-filled, and sports oriented city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Durham travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a cultural, quaint, and compact city. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping. See Moncton travel costs.

Durham and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Moncton?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Durham than Moncton. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team. It is also well known for the Duke University Chapel. Moncton is famous for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Durham different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Durham or Moncton?

Durham is great for its historical sights. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Durham. Duke University is one of the most popular destinations in town. There are several museums on campus as well as the famous Duke Chapel. Elsewhere in Durham there's the Durham Museum of Life and Science.

Moncton is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

Is the Food Better in Durham or Moncton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Durham and Moncton can be difficult as they are each nice in their own way.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Durham area. Barbecue is a favorite around town. You'll also find plenty of restaurants that cater to the student population, particularly along Nineth Street near Duke's campus.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Moncton. You'll find a range of casual eateries around town as well as wine tasting and a few upscales places. Poutine is the local favorite, but you can also try fried seafood or a local stew.

Is Durham or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

Durham is a good destination for its evening party scene. However, Moncton is not a good destination for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Durham has a few options to choose from. The younger population tends to hang out near campus and along Nineth Street. If you're looking for something less student oriented, head to downtown Durham.

Most people don't head to Moncton specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. Many of the local bars and clubs are geared toward a slightly younger crowd.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Moncton?

Both Durham and Moncton are nice shopping destinations.

Many visitors go to Durham to go shopping. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Moncton. There's a mix of independent shops and larger big box stores. Some of the largest shopping areas include Mapleton Plaza and Wheeler Park Power Centre.

Is Durham or Moncton Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Durham or Moncton.

Durham is a family-friendly place to visit. A highlight for kids is a visit to the Durham Museum of Life and Science. It has both an indoor and an outdoor section and brings science to life for families. There's also an impressive playground and climbing area. Other activities in town include the Notasium and Eno River State Park. If you plan ahead you could also organize a trip to the Duke Lemur Center.

Moncton is a family-friendly city. It's a family-friendly town with indoor play spaces and outdoor parks. Highlights for families include a visit to Magnetic Hill Zoo and a stop at Butterfly World and the Boardwalk.

Is Durham or Moncton Better for Couples?

Both Durham and Moncton are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Durham is a good city for couples to visit. Have a picnic at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens or spend the day hiking at Eno River State Park. In the evening there's a wonderful selection of restaurants around town. Then you can check out a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center or see a Durham Bulls game.

Moncton is a nice destination for couples. There are some great date night ideas like wine tasting at Magnetic Hill Winery or seeing a show at the theater.

Is Durham or Moncton Better for Students?

Durham is great for its student-friendly activities. However, Moncton is not popular with students.

Many students visit Durham. Duke University has a stunning campus with a world class garden. There's also nearby Nineth Street, which has shops, restaurants, and bars that are geared toward the student population.

Moncton is not popular with students.

Is Durham or Moncton Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Durham and Moncton offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally limited in Durham. There are buses around town, but you really need a car to explore the area.

Public transit is mostly limited in Moncton. There is a bus system but it's better not to rely on it.

Is Durham or Moncton a more walkable city?

Moncton is very good for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

Moncton is a somewhat walkable city. It's relatively compact and dense enough to get around on foot in many parts.

Durham is generally not a very walkable city. Downtown Durham and a few areas near Duke University are the most walkable areas.

For even more information, also check out Is Durham Worth Visiting? and Is Moncton Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Durham?

How long in Durham or Moncton?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Durham or Moncton to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Durham than Moncton because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 1-2 days is enough time in Moncton.

Couples should spend more time in Durham than Moncton. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Durham that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Durham than Moncton 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 Durham.

One day in Durham or Moncton?

In Durham, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Moncton. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Durham or Moncton?

In Durham, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Durham has to offer.

Moncton is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Moncton?

Durham is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Moncton. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Moncton?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Durham. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Durham. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Moncton. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Camping Tours in Canada, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Moncton, we can see that Durham is more expensive. And not only is Moncton much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moncton would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moncton 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 Durham would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Durham than you might in Moncton.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Moncton?

Durham has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Moncton. When comparing the sizes of Durham and Moncton, 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 Durham or Moncton?

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 Durham or Moncton in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Durham as well as Moncton. Many visitors come to Durham in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Moncton for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Durham is a little warmer than Moncton in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Moncton. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Durham for the shopping scene during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Moncton because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Durham is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Moncton averages at about 8°C (46°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In October, Durham usually receives less rain than Moncton. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Moncton in the Winter?

Both Moncton and Durham during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Durham because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Moncton this time of year.

It's quite cold in Moncton in the winter. The weather in Durham can be very cold. In January, Durham is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Moncton fluctuates around -8°C (17°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Durham usually gets less rain in January than Moncton. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Moncton.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Moncton. Durham is much warmer than Moncton in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Durham usually receives less rain than Moncton. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Durham