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

Should you visit Sacramento or Montreal?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sacramento or Montreal, 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.

Sacramento

Sacramento is a undiscovered, laid back, and relaxed city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Sacramento travel costs.

Montreal

Montreal is a vibrant, colorful, and cultural city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and live music. See Montreal travel costs.

Sacramento and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sacramento or Montreal?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Montreal than Sacramento, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Montreal is more touristy than Sacramento and is known for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also home to Notre-Dame Basilica. Sacramento is popular for its history and state capital.

How is Sacramento different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Montreal is very popular for its museums and history. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Montreal are world-renowned. 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.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Sacramento. As the state capital, you'll find a number of historical and informational museums around town. You should check out the State Capital, as well as the California State Railroad Museum, the Crocker Museum of Art, Sutter's Fort State Historic Park, and the California Automobile Museum.

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

Montreal is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Montreal has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Sacramento area. Casual restaurants with laid back atmospheres are what's most common around town. You'll also find a variety of international cuisines that include Korean and Vietnamese.

Is Sacramento or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is very popular for nightlife and partying. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Montreal is a party destination, and you'll find plenty of activity all night long. 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.

Sacramento has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. There highest concentration of activities are found in Downtown Sacramento. You'll find bars, clubs and live music in the area. You can also head to midtown, which has performing arts and comedy shows.

Is Sacramento or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is very popular for its live music scene. However, Sacramento is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Montreal. 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.

Sacramento is not a live music destination.

Is Sacramento or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is a very popular place for its old town. However, Sacramento does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Montreal to see the historical old town. 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.

Sacramento does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sacramento or Montreal?

Montreal is very popular for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Montreal draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Many visitors go to Sacramento to go shopping. You'll find down-to-earth vendors who have reasonable prices and a great selection. Some of the most interesting shopping is found at the Old Sacramento Waterfront or along Folsom Boulevard.

Is Sacramento or Montreal Better for Families?

Montreal is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Sacramento is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Montreal is very family-friendly. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Sacramento. With the large number of families that live in the area, you'll a variety of kid-friendly activities. Options include smaller amusement parks like Funderland Amusement Park, museums like the Sacramento Children's Museum, and indoor trampoline parks. There's also Fairytale Town, which is an imagination filled playground.

Is Sacramento or Montreal Better for Couples?

Montreal is a very popular place for its romantic activities. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for couples.

Montreal makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

Sacramento is not always the best place to visit for a couple. Picnics, nice restaurants, and shows make for enjoyable date activities while you're in town.

Is Sacramento or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for backpackers.

It's common for backpackers to 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.

Sacramento is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Although most backpackers skip this town for more popular destinations, there are a couple of hostels in town.

Is Sacramento or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is very popular for its student-friendly activities. However, Sacramento is not popular with students.

Montreal is a great destination for students. 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.

Sacramento is not popular with students.

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

Montreal is a very popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Sacramento. There's both light rail and buses around town.

Is Sacramento or Montreal a more walkable city?

Montreal is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Sacramento is lacking in good options for its ease of walking around.

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

Sacramento is generally not very walkable. You'll really want a car to get around town, but Midtown is one of the more walkable areas.

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

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Sacramento?

How long in Sacramento or Montreal?

In either Sacramento or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal than Sacramento because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Sacramento, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

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

The city of Sacramento 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.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Sacramento or Montreal?

Sacramento 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 Sacramento, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

When visiting Montreal, people usually allow for lots of time. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Sacramento or Montreal?

Sacramento 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, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Visiting the old town is also a must. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this city. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Sacramento or Montreal?

Sacramento 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.

Montreal is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in United States of America, The Best Cultural Tours 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 Sacramento and Montreal, we can see that Sacramento is more expensive. And not only is Montreal much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Montreal would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Montreal 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 Sacramento would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sacramento than you might in Montreal.

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

Which is Bigger, Sacramento or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sacramento. When comparing the sizes of Sacramento 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 Sacramento or Montreal?

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 Sacramento or Montreal in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sacramento and Montreal. Most visitors come to Sacramento for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Montreal because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sacramento is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sacramento in July average around 76°F (24°C), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Montreal this time of the year. In Sacramento, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during summer. Sacramento gets 439 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Sacramento usually receives less rain than Montreal. Sacramento gets 0 inches (1 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sacramento or Montreal in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sacramento as well as Montreal. The autumn months attract visitors to Sacramento because of the shopping scene. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene are the main draw to Montreal this time of year.

In October, Sacramento is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Sacramento average around 64°F (18°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sacramento this time of the year. In the autumn, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Sacramento gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun.

Sacramento usually gets less rain in October than Montreal. Sacramento gets 1.1 inches (27 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sacramento or Montreal in the Winter?

Both Montreal and Sacramento are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Sacramento this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Montreal for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Montreal. Sacramento is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Sacramento averages around 45°F (7°C) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Sacramento usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during winter. Sacramento gets 149 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Sacramento usually receives more rain than Montreal. Sacramento gets 3.8 inches (97 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sacramento or Montreal in the Spring?

Both Montreal and Sacramento during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montreal in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Sacramento is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sacramento in April average around 58°F (15°C), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).

It's quite sunny in Sacramento. In the spring, Sacramento often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Sacramento gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.

Sacramento usually gets less rain in April than Montreal. Sacramento gets 1.3 inches (32 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Sacramento