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

Should you visit Salt Lake City or Montreal?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Salt Lake City and Montreal can help you decide which place is right for you.

Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a notable, religious, and architectural city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and food. See Salt Lake City travel costs.

Montreal

Montreal is a colorful, cultural, and vibrant city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Montreal travel costs.

Salt Lake City and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Salt Lake City or Montreal?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Montreal than Salt Lake City. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Montreal is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Salt Lake City attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling and hiking. Salt Lake City is famous for its religious landmarks and its large Mormon population. Montreal is famous for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also well known for Notre-Dame Basilica.

How is Salt Lake City different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Salt Lake City or Montreal?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

With plenty of landmarks, attractions, and museums, Montreal has many famous sights for visitors. 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.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Salt Lake City can be an interesting and educational experience. Many of the fascinating sights around town are influenced by the city's Mormon culture. Temple Square is a highlight for most visitors. It spans 35 acres and is beautifully landscaped with several fountains. There are also four main churches - The Temple, the Tabernacle, the Temple Annex, and Assembly Hall. The city also has several museums such as the Natural History Museum and the historic Liberty Park.

Is the Food Better in Salt Lake City or Montreal? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

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

Montreal has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.

Salt Lake City offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. In recent years the food scene has really improved and you'll find a variety of restaurants that serve everything from upscale dishes to more casual fare.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for nightlife.

People head to Montreal just to party. 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.

Salt Lake City is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. Known for its large Mormon population, nightlife isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Salt Lake City. While it will likely never be a party city, there are a growing number of entertainment options around town.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Salt Lake City is not a live music destination.

Montreal has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. 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.

Salt Lake City is not a live music destination.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Salt Lake City is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Montreal is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Salt Lake City. There are a number of good ski resorts nearby, making this a good base or starting point for a ski vacation.

Montreal is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Salt Lake City does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Montreal. 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.

Salt Lake City does not have a historic old town.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for Hiking?

Salt Lake City is very good for hiking. However, Montreal is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Salt Lake City. The city offers easy access to many diverse trails, so if you're a nature enthusiasts, you'll appreciate this destination.

Montreal is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Salt Lake City or Montreal?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many people travel to Montreal specifically to go shopping. 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.

Salt Lake City is a great destination for shopping. The city has sprawling outlet malls as well as local stores and craft shops. City Creek Center is a favorite shopping destination, but there are also several large shopping malls that are worth visiting.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for Families?

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

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Montreal. 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 Salt Lake City. There are museums that kids will enjoy like the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Leonardo Museum. There are also fun-filled activities like a visit to Lagoon Amusement Park. You can learn about history at This Is the Place Heritage Park or learn about the undersea world at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for Couples?

Montreal is a very popular place for couples. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

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.

Salt Lake City is a nice destination for couples. The city is filled with beautiful gardens like Red Butte Garden. There are also nice restaurants and romantic hotels that will make this a nice place for a couple's getaway.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal is very good for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for backpackers.

Montreal is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a decent number of hostels as well as a great nightlife scene and plenty of younger visitors looking to meet other travelers.

Salt Lake City is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a couple of hostels in town, but most backpackers overlook this destination or breeze through town quickly.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Salt Lake City is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Montreal. 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.

Salt Lake City is not popular with students.

Is Salt Lake City 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. Also, Salt Lake City is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Montreal. There's an efficient and reliable metro and bus system.

You'll find some public transit in Salt Lake City, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There's a surprisingly good public transit system that includes light rail, buses, and commuter trains, but if you want to get out of town you'll need to have a car.

Is Salt Lake City or Montreal a more walkable city?

Montreal is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Salt Lake City is lacking in good options for its walkability.

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

Salt Lake City is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are walkable, like Temple Square, most visitors prefer to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Salt Lake City Worth Visiting? and Is Montreal Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Salt Lake City?

How long in Salt Lake City or Montreal?

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

Families should spend more time in Montreal than Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City. 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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City or Montreal?

The city of Salt Lake City offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Because Montreal is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. Visiting the old town is also a must. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Salt Lake City or Montreal?

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

Montreal is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Anyone can find something fun to do here. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Salt Lake City or Montreal?

Salt Lake City 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Montreal. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. It offers something for everyone. Because of this, five days is usually enough time for a trip here.

A week in Salt Lake City or Montreal?

Salt Lake City 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the city of Montreal. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Your budget might influence how long you stay. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers 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 Salt Lake City and Montreal, we can see that Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City Expensive? and Is Montreal Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Salt Lake City or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Salt Lake City. When comparing the sizes of Salt Lake City 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.