A Travel Price Comparison for Canada Moncton vs. Halifax for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Moncton or Halifax?

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 Moncton and Halifax. 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.

Moncton

Moncton is a quaint, compact, and cultural city. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums. See Moncton travel costs.

Halifax

Halifax is a friendly, cultural, and historical city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Halifax travel costs.

Moncton and Halifax: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Moncton or Halifax?

You'll generally find more things to do in Halifax than Moncton. Halifax is bigger than Moncton, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Halifax is more touristy than Moncton and is known for its maritime past. Also, Halifax is famous for the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site. Moncton is well known for its unique sense of place and its cultural activities.

How is Moncton different from Halifax?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of notable museums and attractions in both Halifax and Moncton.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Moncton. The city has a zoo at Magnetic Hill as well as several great museums and historic sites like Fort Beauséjour and the Acadian Museum.

Halifax is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You should head to Pier 21, where you'll find the Canadian Museum of Immigration. The Discovery Center is a great spot for kids, as is the Natural History Museum. Finally, check out the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

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

Foodies will find both Moncton and Halifax both to be notable destinations.

Moncton is becoming an appealing option for foodies. 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.

Halifax offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. You'll find lobster rolls and other seafood around town, but also make sure you try the Halifax donair, which is a shaved beef sandwich wrap that can be found a many pizza restaurants.

Is Moncton or Halifax Better for Nightlife?

Halifax 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 Halifax has a few options to choose from. There's a laid back atmosphere to the nightlife scene. There are casual bars and pubs where you can meet the locals and a few nightclubs where there's a relaxed but fun 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 Moncton or Halifax?

If you're looking to go shopping, Moncton and Halifax both offer plenty of notable spots.

Moncton has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. 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.

Halifax is a great destination for shopping. You'll find a mix of boutiques, artisan shops, large malls, and shopping centers.

Is Moncton or Halifax Better for Families?

Both Moncton and Halifax are notable family-friendly destinations.

Moncton offers lots of family activities. 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.

Halifax is a family-friendly place to visit. There are a handful of kid-friendly museums like the Museum of Natural History. Kids will also appreciate a visit to the Discovery Center or stretching their legs at Point Pleasant Park. History lovers should go see the Halifax Citadel National Historic Site.

Is Moncton or Halifax Better for Couples?

Moncton and Halifax both notable destinations for a couple.

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

Halifax is a nice destination for couples. Couples can wander down the waterfront or take a stroll through Point Pleasant Park. The city also has number of romantic restaurants and hotels.

Is Moncton or Halifax Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Halifax is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Moncton is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Halifax. There's actually a decent number of hostels around town for backpackers and budget travelers.

Moncton is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there is a hostel in town, this is little more than a stopover for most backpackers.

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

Halifax is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Moncton is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Halifax offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses around town as well as a ferry to Dartmouth.

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

Is Moncton or Halifax a more walkable city?

Moncton and Halifax are notable when it comes to walkability.

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

Halifax is somewhat walkable. It's a compact town that's relatively easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Halifax or Moncton?

How long in Moncton or Halifax?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Moncton and Halifax. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Halifax than in Moncton. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Moncton, and 2-3 days is enough time in Halifax.

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

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

One day in Moncton or Halifax?

In Moncton, you'll find museums 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.

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

A weekend in Moncton or Halifax?

In Moncton, 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 Moncton has to offer.

In Halifax, 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 Halifax has to offer.

Five days in Moncton or Halifax?

Moncton 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.

Halifax 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.

A week in Moncton or Halifax?

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

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

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Camping Tours in Canada, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Canada, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.

When comparing the travel costs between Moncton and Halifax, we can see that Moncton 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 Moncton Expensive? and Is Halifax Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Moncton or Halifax?

Halifax has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Moncton. When comparing the sizes of Moncton and Halifax, 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 Moncton or Halifax?

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 Moncton or Halifax in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Moncton and Halifax. Many visitors come to Moncton in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to Halifax for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Moncton is around the same temperature as Halifax. Typically, the summer temperatures in Moncton in July average around 19°C (66°F), and Halifax averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Moncton gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Moncton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Halifax. Moncton gets 103 mm (4 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Moncton or Halifax in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Moncton as well as Halifax. Most visitors come to Moncton for the shopping scene during these months. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Halifax because of the shopping scene.

In October, Moncton is generally cooler than Halifax. Daily temperatures in Moncton average around 8°C (46°F), and Halifax fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Halifax. Moncton receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Moncton usually gets less rain in October than Halifax. Moncton gets 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 121 mm (4.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Moncton or Halifax in the Winter?

Both Halifax and Moncton are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The winter months attract visitors to Moncton because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Halifax this time of year.

It's quite cold in Halifax in the winter. The weather in Moncton can be very cold. Moncton is much colder than Halifax in the winter. The daily temperature in Moncton averages around -8°C (17°F) in January, and Halifax fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Halifax. It's quite rainy in Moncton. In January, Moncton usually receives around the same amount of rain as Halifax. Moncton gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 129 mm (5.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Moncton or Halifax in the Spring?

Both Halifax and Moncton during the spring are popular places to visit.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Halifax. It's quite cold in Moncton in the spring. In the spring, Moncton is cooler than Halifax. Typically, the spring temperatures in Moncton in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Halifax averages at about 4°C (39°F).

Halifax gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Moncton. Moncton usually gets less rain in April than Halifax. Moncton gets 101 mm (4 in) of rain, while Halifax receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Halifax and Moncton