Which place is cheaper, Montreal or Saint Thomas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Saint Thomas or Montreal?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Thomas 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 Thomas or Montreal?
Saint Thomas
Saint Thomas is a beautiful island in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Together with St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, it forms the unincorporated territory of the United States. The island is also home to the territorial capital and port of Charlotte Amalie. The island's population is just over 50,000, which is slightly less than half of the territory's total population.
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.
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Saint Thomas Prices
USVI PricesMontreal Prices
Canada Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Thomas $258Montreal $235
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Thomas is $258, 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 Thomas and Montreal in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Thomas $131Montreal $131
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Thomas $262Montreal $262
Compare Hotels in Saint Thomas and Montreal
Looking for a hotel in Saint Thomas 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.
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
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Thomas $37Montreal $20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Thomas
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Saint Thomas are as follows:
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Scooter Rental$65
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Taxi Ride$5.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Thomas
Also for Saint Thomas, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Cyril E. King Airport STT to Charlotte Amalie RoundTrip Transfer: $204
- Prince Taxi & Tours St.Thomas Airport transfer to Redhook Ferry: $200
- Prince Taxi USVI ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Westin : $180
- Prince Taxi USVI-ST.Thomas Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton : $180
- ST.Thomas Private Airport One-Way Transfers: $180
- Private Airport Transfer in Luxury Vehicle- St. Thomas, USVI: $179
- Private Arrival Transfer from Cyril E King Airport to Redhook Bay: $175
- Prince Taxi ST.Thomas Airport transfer to Yacht Haven/Bluebeards: $175
- Private Hotel and Resorts Transfers: $173
- PARADISE TAXI & TOURS USVI-St. Thomas- Airport Transfer to Ritz Carlton Elysian : $170
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI- St. Thomas - Airport Transfer to Red Hook Ferry: $160
- Paradise Taxi & Tours USVI-St Thomas- Airport Transfer Sapphire / Crystal Cove : $160
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Montreal
Also for Montreal, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Montreal International Airport to Quebec City: $995
- Private Transfer Montreal International Airport to Ottawa: $703
- Private Transfer To Quebec From Montreal YUL Airport: $394
- Private Transfer To Montreal YUL Airport From Mont-Tremblant: $232
- Private Transfer To Ottawa From YUL Airport: $229
- 8 Passengers Transfer from or to Montreal Airport YUL to Montreal City Center : $222
- Private Transfer To Mont-Tremblant From Montreal YUL Airport: $215
- Private Transfer from Montreal Airport to Ottawa: $212
- Transfer Montreal International Airport to Downtown Montreal: $187
- Montreal Private Transfer to Montreal Airport YUL in Luxury Van: $186
- Montréal Airport (YUL) to Montreal hotel or port - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $139
- Private Transfer from Montreal City to Montreal (YUL) Airport: $111
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Thomas or Montreal?
Prices for flights to both Montreal and Saint Thomas 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
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Food Meals for one daySaint Thomas $94Montreal $62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Thomas
For Saint Thomas, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Flavors: Cultural Cooking Class, St Thomas, USVI, USA : $81
- St. John Sail with Bar and Hors d'Oeuvres to Lovango Dinner: $119
- Sunset & Harbor Lights Dinner Sail from the Marriott's Frenchman's Cove: $119
- Afternoon Snorkel, Pizza & Sunset Tour departing from St. Thomas & St. John: $120
- Local Experience, St. John U.S. Virgin Islands Food Tour: $125
- Pizza Pi Shuttle (Official) - Jet Ski Trip St Thomas: $148
- St. John PiZZA Pi Snorkel Sail with Beach Stop, Lunch & Open Bar - Westin: $149
- Christmas Cove and Pizza Pi Happy Hour Sail Tour: $185
- Turtles, Pizza Pi & Sunset trip: $295
Typical Food Prices in Montreal
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Montreal:
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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
- Jean-Talon Market & Little Italy Food Tour with 8 Tastings: $89
- Montreal Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
- Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours: $115
- Cooking Class & Lunch with Michelin-Trained Chef: $128
- Jewish Neighborhood Food Tour: $129
- Montreal Gourmet Dinner Cruise with DJ & Dancing: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Thomas $60Montreal $21
Tours and Activities in Saint Thomas
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Thomas.
- Island Icons & Treasures Tour - St. Thomas USVI : $199
- Magens Bay Trail Hiking Tour: $60
- Two-Hour Sightseeing Excursion : $58
- Vi Top Taxi &Tours USVI-Coki Beach Snorkeling Tour : $68
- 1 Hour Jet Ski Tour in the Virgin Islands from Westin St. John: $169
- 1-Hour Guided Jet Ski Tour in St. Thomas from Frenchman's Reef: $159
- 1.5 Hour Private Mini Jeep Tour on St. Thomas: $220
- 3 Hour Kayak and Snorkel Tour: $139
- Admission Ticket to Coral World & Coki Point Beach with Snorkeling: $40
- Best of Mangrove Lagoon Kayak, Hike and Snorkel Adventure with Picnic Lunch: $159
- Book Your Private Two and a Half Hour Island Tour today!: $150
- Children's Treasure Hunt Walking Tour: $25
Typical Entertainment Prices in Montreal
For Montreal, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Botanical Gardens (family of 4)$53
Tours and Activities in Montreal
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Montreal.
- Experience Montréal Axe Throwing Adventure: $29
- The Ultimate Montreal Boat Tour – Fall Colors Apéro Edition : $23
- 1 Hour Downtown Montreal Tour: $24
- 1h-Relaxing day or sunset cruise in Montreal: $127
- 1hr Sunset Boat tour on the St Lawrence River Old Port Montreal: $23
- A Walking Tour of Old Montreal: $25
- AURA experience at Notre-Dame Basilica and guided cruise: $76
- All about Montreal's Murals - Saturday Walking Tour: $24
- Awesome Curling Experience : $96
- Bell Centre: Montreal Canadiens Ice Hockey Game Ticket: $103
- Best of Montréal: Private Walking Tour with a Local: $107
- Best of Montreal Small Group Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame: $126
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Thomas $27Montreal $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Montreal
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Montreal:
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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 Thomas and Montreal, we can see that Saint Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Thomas or Montreal?
Montreal has a larger population, and is about 160 times larger than the population of Saint Thomas. When comparing the sizes of Saint Thomas 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 Thomas or Montreal?
Montreal has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint Thomas experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Montreal in the Summer?
Both Montreal and Saint Thomas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint Thomas throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Montreal for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Thomas is generally a little warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 29°C (83°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
It's quite sunny in Montreal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal during summer. Saint Thomas gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Montreal. Saint Thomas gets 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Thomas 29°C (83°F)Montreal 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Montreal in the Autumn?
Both Montreal and Saint Thomas during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Saint Thomas because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Montreal in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Saint Thomas is much warmer than Montreal in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Thomas averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
It's quite sunny in Saint Thomas. In the autumn, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Saint Thomas gets 235 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Thomas. Saint Thomas usually gets more rain in October than Montreal. Saint Thomas gets 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Thomas 28°C (82°F)Montreal 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Montreal in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Thomas and Montreal. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint Thomas year-round. Also, most visitors come to Montreal for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Montreal can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Thomas is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Thomas in January average around 26°C (78°F), and Montreal averages at about -10°C (14°F).
In Saint Thomas, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Thomas usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during winter. Saint Thomas gets 240 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Thomas usually receives less rain than Montreal. Saint Thomas gets 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Thomas 26°C (78°F)Montreal -10°C (14°F)
Should I visit Saint Thomas or Montreal in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Thomas as well as Montreal. Saint Thomas attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Montreal because of the activities around the city.
In April, Saint Thomas is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Saint Thomas average around 27°C (80°F), and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Thomas this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Thomas often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Saint Thomas gets 272 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.
Saint Thomas usually gets less rain in April than Montreal. Saint Thomas gets 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Thomas 27°C (80°F)Montreal 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Montreal and Saint Thomas
| Saint Thomas | Montreal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (78°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | -10°C (14°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Feb | 26°C (78°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -9°C (16°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 26°C (79°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Apr | 27°C (80°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 28°C (82°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (83°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jul | 29°C (83°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 29°C (84°F) | 101 mm (4 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 28°C (83°F) | 127 mm (5 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 146 mm (5.7 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 126 mm (4.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Dec | 26°C (80°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.