A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint John's vs. Montreal for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint John's or Montreal?

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

Should I visit Saint John's or Montreal? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Saint John's or Montreal?

Saint John's

If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.

St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.

Montreal

While Quebec City is the political capital of Quebec Province, Montreal is the economic and cultural capital. It's also the second largest city in Canada, with a population of about 1.9 million and 4 million in the metropolitan area. It's the second largest French speaking city in the world behind Paris.

Montreal is a very trendy and vibrant city with an active nightlife and countless activities to enjoy. It's located on an island in the St. Lawrence River and has a humid continental climate. There are four distinct seasons. Summers are warm or hot and humid. Spring and fall are mild and winters are cold and snowy. You can expect about 2 meters of snow every year, but there are also more than 2,000 hours of sunshine annually.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.


Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Saint John's?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint John's is $272, while the average daily cost in Montreal is $235. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint John's and Montreal in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint John's $120
    Montreal $131
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint John's $240
    Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in Saint John's and Montreal

Looking for a hotel in Saint John's or Montreal? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Saint Johns


Hotels in Montreal


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Montreal Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint John's $17
    Montreal $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint John's

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:


  • Local Bus
    $1.52
  • Taxi From Airport
    $6.99

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint John's

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Saint John's:

  • Private Roundtrip Airport Transfers & Tour in Antigua & Barbuda: $200
  • Biggvee Premium Airport One Way Transfer: $200
  • JTAT Private Transfers & Tours, Saint John's, Antigua and Barbuda: $160
  • 3-Hours Eye-Opening Stingray City Antigua - Transfer R/T included: $133
  • Private Transfer from Antigua & Barbuda V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to island: $123
  • Antigua - VIP Fast Track On Arrival ONLY And Round Trip Transfer : $109
  • Crystal Kayak & Snorkel Eco Tour (with transfer): $99
  • Antigua V.C. Bird Airport (ANU) to Island - Round-Trip Transfer : $93
  • Private Antigua Airport Roundtrip Transfer to Hammock Cove: $90
  • Private Round Trip Transfer From Antigua Airport To NonSuch Bay: $84
  • VIP Meet and Greet Fast Track on Arrival at Antigua Airport - without Transfers : $77
  • Biggvee Airport Roundtrip Transfer: $70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal

Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • 8 Passengers Transfer from or to Montreal Airport YUL to Montreal City Center : $222
  • Departure Private Transfer: Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $128
  • Departure transfer Montreal to Montreal Airport YUL by Car or SUV: $60
  • Montréal Airport (YUL) to Montreal hotel or port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $139
  • Montreal Best Private Transfer services : $73
  • Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Business Car: $128
  • Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury Van: $186
  • Arrival Transfer from International Airport: $78
  • Private Transfer To Ottawa From YUL Airport: $229
  • Private Transfer from Montreal Airport to Ottawa: $212
  • Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL: $71
  • YUL Airport Private Transfer to Downtown|Hotels: $29

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint John's or Montreal?

Prices for flights to both Montreal and Saint John's change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint John's $117
    Montreal $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint John's

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Saint John's.

  • City Lime Food Tour: Taste our culture on Antigua's only food tour in the city!: $105
  • Discover the Flavors of St. Johns Food Tour: $125
  • Private Art Tour or Food Tour: $150
  • Nicole's Table - Cooking with Rum: $165

Typical Food Prices in Montreal

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:


  • Tim Hortons breakfast and coffee
    $8.96

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montreal

For Montreal, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Bateau-Mouche Cruise with A La Carte Dinner Option: $61
  • Jean-Talon & Little Italy Food Tour with 8 Tasting: $77
  • Jean-Talon Market Hidden Gems Guided Food Tour: $78
  • Beyond the Market Non-Touristy Food Tour by Spade & Palacio: $81
  • Mile End District Food Tour with 8+ Tastings: $81
  • Montreal Cooking Class - Learn to make Dim Sums: $84
  • Guided Happy Hour Brew Tour in Montreal with Dinner: $84
  • Jean-Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour with 8 Tastings: $88
  • Montreal Mile End or Jean Talon Market Food Tour with 8 Tastings: $88
  • Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $114
  • Cooking Class & Lunch with Michelin-Trained Chef: $128
  • Jewish Neighborhood Food Tour: $129

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint John's $103
    Montreal $21
Typical Entertainment Prices in Saint John's

Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Entrance to the Museum of Antigua & Barbu
    $3.00

Tours and Activities in Saint John's

Here are a few actual costs in Saint John's for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Island Flava Discovery Tour: $150
  • 6-Hours Tour East Coast of Antigua: Stingray City, Lunch & Beach: $195
  • Adventure Antigua - Eli's Original Eco Tour: $143
  • Adventure Antigua - The Xtreme Circumnavigation: $221
  • Antigua Eco Island Tour (City, Country, Beach, & Heritage Sites): $199
  • Antigua Historical Sites Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua Reef Riders Self-Drive Boat and Snorkeling Tour: $180
  • Antigua Round Island Tour: $85
  • Antigua Seafood Lunch Cruise From St. John's: $172
  • Antigua Shore Excursion: Round Island Tour: $110
  • Antigua VIP Tours - Private Platinum Tour: $170
  • Antigua VIP Tours - Semi-Private Gold Tour: $135

Typical Entertainment Prices in Montreal

For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Botanical Gardens (family of 4)
    $53

Tours and Activities in Montreal

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.

  • Montreal City Highlights 3 Hour Walking Tour | Gratuity-Based : $5.00
  • Montreal Prohibition Mystery: Self-Guided Walking Adventure: $7.16
  • Montréal Scavenger Hunt and City Highlights Walking Tour: $7.74
  • Old Montreal Historical Downtown Self Guided Walking Tour: $9.75
  • Montreal's Golden Square Mile: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Old Self-Guided Tour from Place D‘Armes to Old Port: $12
  • Art Center and Museum Audio Guided Tour: $12
  • Montreal Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • Irish Famine in Montreal Walking Tour: $20
  • Montreal Old Port: Urban Zipline Ticket: $21
  • Musée des Hospitalières Entry & Digital City Tour: $21
  • Old Montreal in 90 Minutes Walking Tour: $22

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint John's $18
    Montreal $16

Typical Alcohol Prices in Montreal

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:


  • Vodka
    $18

Sample the Local Flavors in Montreal

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montreal:

  • Haunted Pub Crawl: $24
  • Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl: $24
  • Guided Bar Crawl with Free Shots and Club Entry: $41
  • Guided Pub Crawl of the City's Skyline Bars: $85


When comparing the travel costs between Saint John's and Montreal, we can see that Saint John's 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. Even though Saint John's is in Caribbean Islands and Montreal is in North America, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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


Which is Bigger, Saint John's or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 130 times larger than the population of Saint John's. When comparing the sizes of Saint John's 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 Saint John's or Montreal?

Montreal has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John's experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint John's or Montreal in the Summer?

Both Montreal and Saint John's during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John's because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint John's is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint John's in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).

In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint John's. In the summer, Saint John's often gets less sunshine than Montreal. Saint John's gets 245 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually gets more rain in July than Montreal. Saint John's gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint John's 27°C (81°F) 
    Montreal 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Montreal in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint John's and Montreal. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John's year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montreal in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In October, Saint John's is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Saint John's average around 27°C (80°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In Saint John's, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Saint John's gets 217 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Saint John's gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Montreal. Saint John's gets 228 mm (9 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint John's 27°C (80°F) 
    Montreal 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Montreal in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint John's as well as Montreal. Saint John's attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Montreal for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Montreal can be very cold during winter. Saint John's is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint John's averages around 24°C (76°F) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint John's this time of the year. In the winter, Saint John's often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Saint John's gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.

Saint John's usually gets more rain in January than Montreal. Saint John's gets 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint John's 24°C (76°F) 
    Montreal -10°C (14°F)

Should I visit Saint John's or Montreal in the Spring?

Both Montreal and Saint John's are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John's throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Montreal because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Saint John's is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint John's in April average around 26°C (78°F), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint John's. Saint John's usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during spring. Saint John's gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Saint John's. In April, Saint John's usually receives more rain than Montreal. Saint John's gets 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint John's 26°C (78°F) 
    Montreal 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Montreal and Saint John's

Saint John's Montreal
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 24°C (76°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) -10°C (14°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Feb 24°C (76°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) -9°C (16°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Mar 25°C (76°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) -2°C (28°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Apr 26°C (78°F) 123 mm (4.8 in) 6°C (43°F) 78 mm (3.1 in)
May 27°C (80°F) 148 mm (5.8 in) 13°C (55°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Jun 28°C (82°F) 118 mm (4.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 87 mm (3.4 in)
Jul 27°C (81°F) 150 mm (5.9 in) 21°C (69°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Aug 27°C (81°F) 198 mm (7.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 104 mm (4.1 in)
Sep 27°C (81°F) 236 mm (9.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 27°C (80°F) 228 mm (9 in) 8°C (47°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 26°C (79°F) 220 mm (8.7 in) 2°C (35°F) 101 mm (4 in)
Dec 25°C (77°F) 137 mm (5.4 in) -7°C (20°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)