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

Should you visit Lancaster or Moncton?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Lancaster or Moncton, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Lancaster

Lancaster is a picturesque, scenic, and traditional town. With stunning beauty, Lancaster attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Lancaster travel costs.

Moncton

Moncton is a cultural, quaint, and compact city. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Moncton travel costs.

Lancaster and Moncton: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lancaster or Moncton?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Lancaster than Moncton. While Moncton is larger than Lancaster, Lancaster has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Lancaster is more touristy than Moncton and is known for its history and long running Amish community. It is also well known for Bird-in-Hand Village. Moncton is famous for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Lancaster different from Moncton?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Lancaster 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 Lancaster. Filled with history and local culture, there are many educational opportunities in the area where you can learn about Amish traditions. The Amish Village has tours and unique experiences. The town also has James Buchanan's Wheatland, the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, the National Toy Train Museum, the Ephrata Cloister, and the National Watch & Clock Museum, among many others.

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 Lancaster or Moncton? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Lancaster is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Lancaster has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. You can sample authentic Pennsylvania Dutch dishes at one of the Amish restaurants in the area. Many places serve food family-style and dishes include chicken pot pie, ham balls, and pork and sauerkraut. Whoopie pies also originated in the area.

Moncton offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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 Lancaster or Moncton Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find reasonable options in both Lancaster and Moncton.

Lancaster doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. It's a small town, but you'll still find local pubs and cozy bars where you can enjoy a drink in a laid back atmosphere.

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 Lancaster or Moncton?

Lancaster is great for its shopping areas. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lancaster. Many visitors pick up hand-crafted Amish items while they're in town. Furniture and Amish quilts are particularly popular. Farmers markets and antique shopping are both unique in the area and there are also art galleries and several outlet stores that you can visit.

Moncton is a great destination for shopping. 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 Lancaster or Moncton More Beautiful?

Lancaster is great for its scenery and beauty. However, Moncton is not a destination known for its beauty.

With stunning beauty, Lancaster attracts visitors from all around. The countryside is beautiful, with preserved farmland, covered bridges, and beautiful gardens.

Moncton is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lancaster or Moncton Better for Families?

Lancaster is great for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Lancaster. In you area you'll find farms and petting zoos, amusement parks, and train rides. They can learn about a unique lifestyle at the Amish Experience or soak up the local beauty and farmland in the surrounding countryside.

Moncton is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Lancaster or Moncton Better for Couples?

Lancaster is great for couples. Also, Moncton is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Lancaster is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. This region is known for it's local beauty and serene farmland, making it a relaxing and peaceful destination for couples. There are walking trails, outdoor activities, buggy rides, and a variety of dining experiences. You can also stay at a bed and breakfast or local inn.

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

Lancaster and Moncton both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Lancaster. The city has buses and several transportation options, but once you're outside of the urban core, your options are limited.

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

Is Lancaster or Moncton a more walkable city?

Moncton is a nice place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Lancaster is not known for its walkability.

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

Lancaster is generally not very walkable. While the city itself has walkable areas, most visitors want to get out and explore the countryside, which requires a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Moncton or Lancaster?

How long in Lancaster or Moncton?

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

Families should spend more time in Lancaster than Moncton. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Lancaster, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lancaster 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 Lancaster.

One day in Lancaster or Moncton?

In Lancaster, you'll find museums and food. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Moncton. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Moncton has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Lancaster or Moncton?

In Lancaster, 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 Lancaster has to offer.

You'll find museums and food around the compact destination of Moncton. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Lancaster or Moncton?

Lancaster 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.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the compact city of Moncton. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Lancaster or Moncton?

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

Moncton is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to 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 Lancaster and Moncton, we can see that Lancaster 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 Lancaster would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lancaster 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 Lancaster Expensive? and Is Moncton Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Lancaster or Moncton?

Moncton has a larger population, and is about 60% larger than the population of Lancaster. When comparing the sizes of Lancaster 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 Lancaster or Moncton?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Lancaster or Moncton in the Summer?

Both Moncton and Lancaster are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Lancaster for the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Moncton in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Lancaster is a little warmer than Moncton in the summer. The daily temperature in Lancaster averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and Moncton fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. In July, Lancaster usually receives less rain than Moncton. Lancaster gets 3.6 inches (91 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 103 mm (4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Lancaster or Moncton in the Autumn?

Both Moncton and Lancaster during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Lancaster in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Moncton for the shopping scene during these months.

In the autumn, Lancaster is much warmer than Moncton. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lancaster in October average around 56°F (13°C), and Moncton averages at about 8°C (46°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Lancaster usually gets less rain in October than Moncton. Lancaster gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lancaster or Moncton in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Lancaster and Moncton. Most visitors come to Lancaster for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Moncton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Moncton can be very cold. Lancaster can be very cold during winter. In January, Lancaster is generally much warmer than Moncton. Daily temperatures in Lancaster average around 30°F (-1°C), and Moncton fluctuates around -8°C (17°F).

Moncton receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Lancaster usually receives less rain than Moncton. Lancaster gets 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lancaster or Moncton in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Lancaster as well as Moncton. The spring months attract visitors to Lancaster because of the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Moncton in the spring. Lancaster is much warmer than Moncton in the spring. The daily temperature in Lancaster averages around 53°F (12°C) in April, and Moncton fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

It's quite rainy in Moncton. Lancaster usually gets less rain in April than Moncton. Lancaster gets 3.2 inches (82 mm) of rain, while Moncton receives 101 mm (4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Moncton and Lancaster