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

Should you visit Durham or Montreal?

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 Montreal 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.

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 shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Montreal travel costs.

Durham and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Durham or Montreal?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Montreal than Durham. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Montreal is more touristy than Durham and is popular for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also well known for Notre-Dame Basilica. Durham is famous for its college town vibe as well as being the home of the famous Blue Devil basketball team.

How is Durham different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Montreal 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 Montreal?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for its sights and museums. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Durham can be an interesting and educational experience. 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.

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

Montreal is a well-known place for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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 Durham. 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.

Is Durham or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for nightlife.

Montreal has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Durham. 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.

Is Durham or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for its music scene. However, Durham 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.

Durham is not a live music destination.

Is Durham or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is a well-known place for its historic old town charm. However, Durham does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of 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.

Durham does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Durham or Montreal?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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 Durham. The Streets of Southpoint is the best mall in the area. Other shopping areas include Brightleaf Square and Nineth Street.

Is Durham or Montreal Better for Families?

Montreal is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit 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.

Durham is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Durham or Montreal Better for Couples?

Montreal is a well-known place for couples. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Montreal is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Durham is a nice destination for couples. 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.

Is Durham or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal is very good for backpackers. However, Durham is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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

Durham is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. The student population means there are a number of parties and bars around town, but most backpackers overlook this city.

Is Durham or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is an amazing city to visit for students. Also, Durham is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Students come from all over the world to visit 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.

Durham is a great city to visit as a student. 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.

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

Montreal is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Durham is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

The public transit in Montreal can get you to most places easily. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

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

Is Durham or Montreal a more walkable city?

Montreal is a well-known place for its ease of walking around. However, Durham is not a good city for its walkability.

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

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 Montreal Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Durham?

How long in Durham or Montreal?

In either Durham or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal than Durham because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Durham, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

Families should spend more time in Montreal than Durham. 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 Durham. 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 Durham 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 Durham or Montreal?

The city of Durham offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Montreal is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Durham or Montreal?

Durham 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Durham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Montreal is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Durham or Montreal?

Durham 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montreal. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Durham or Montreal?

Durham is a great place to explore. 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.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the vibrant big city of Montreal. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. 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 Sightseeing Tours in United States of America, The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Durham and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Durham much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Durham would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Durham 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 Durham.

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

Which is Bigger, Durham or Montreal?

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

The summer brings many poeple to Durham as well as Montreal. The summer months attract visitors to Durham because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Montreal this time of year.

Durham is a little warmer than Montreal in the summer. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 79°F (26°C) in July, and Montreal fluctuates around 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 Durham this time of the year. In the summer, Durham often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal. Durham gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.

Durham receives a lot of rain in the summer. Durham usually gets more rain in July than Montreal. Durham gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Montreal in the Autumn?

Both Montreal and Durham are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene are the main draw to Durham this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montreal for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Durham is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Durham in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Montreal averages at about 8°C (47°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Durham. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Durham gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Durham usually receives less rain than Montreal. Durham gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Durham or Montreal in the Winter?

Both Montreal and Durham during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Durham for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montreal in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Montreal can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Durham. In January, Durham is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Durham average around 40°F (5°C), and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Durham often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Durham gets 162 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.

Durham usually gets more rain in January than Montreal. Durham gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Durham or Montreal in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Durham and Montreal. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montreal for the activities around the city during these months.

Durham is much warmer than Montreal in the spring. The daily temperature in Durham averages around 60°F (16°C) in April, and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In Durham, it's very sunny this time of the year. Durham usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during spring. Durham gets 251 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Durham usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montreal. Durham gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Durham