A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Virginia Beach vs. Montreal for Nightlife, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Virginia Beach or Montreal?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach is a fun-filled, relaxing, and bustling coastal city. Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the nightlife and beaches. See Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Virginia Beach or Montreal?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Montreal than Virginia Beach, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Montreal is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, shopping, and big city activities, while Virginia Beach is known for its resorts, beaches, and impressive beauty. Montreal is more touristy than Virginia Beach and is known for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also home to Notre-Dame Basilica. Virginia Beach is popular for its fun boardwalk, many seafood restaurants, and classic beach town vibe.

How is Virginia Beach different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Virginia Beach or Montreal?

Montreal is terrific for its historical sights. However, Virginia Beach does not have 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.

Virginia Beach does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Montreal is great for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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.

Virginia Beach may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Seafood is plentiful around town and there are all-you-can-eat buffets as well as high end, waterfront seafood restaurants. Make sure you try the She Crab Soup, soft shell crabs, and oysters.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for its evening party scene.

Montreal is a must-see party destination. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Virginia Beach. While it's a family-friendly beach, there's still a great nightlife scene with many bars and clubs in the area. Popular places to hang out at night include Omega Bar, Peabody's Nightclub, and Sky Bar.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for Music?

Montreal is terrific for its live music scene. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach is not a live music destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for Resorts?

Virginia Beach is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Montreal is not a resort destination.

Virginia Beach has a few great resort options. Some of the best resorts in the area include the Historic Cavalier Hotel and Beach Club, the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, and The Founders Inn and Spa.

Montreal is not a resort destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for Beaches?

Virginia Beach is very good for the beach. However, Montreal is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Virginia Beach to enjoy the beach. The beaches are long and sandy, but they can get crowded during the summer months. The waves are just the right size for playing in the surf and the water temperature is usually warm enough to swim well into the fall months.

Montreal is not a beach destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Montreal is great for its old town. However, Virginia Beach 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.

Virginia Beach does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Virginia Beach or Montreal?

Montreal is terrific for its shopping opportunities. However, Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Virginia Beach is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal More Beautiful?

Virginia Beach is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.

Virginia Beach offers plenty of beauty for visitors. As a developed beach town, the city has its share of hotels along the beach, but it is still a beautiful setting to explore.

Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for Families?

Virginia Beach and Montreal are both excellent destinations for the whole family.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Virginia Beach is very family-friendly. This is a popular family-friendly beach with a nice boardwalk, a fun waterpark, aquarium, and nice beaches. It attracts families in the area for its long beaches and fun atmosphere. Most restaurants have kid's menus and there are ice cream shops and minigolf around.

Montreal is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for Couples?

Montreal is great for its romantic activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for couples.

Montreal is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy a nice escape to the beaches and boardwalk. There are many great seafood restaurants, some with waterfront settings. There's also a variety of activities ranging from many golf to dance clubs.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal is a nice place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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.

Virginia Beach is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal Better for Students?

Montreal is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Virginia Beach is not as popular, but is still a nice coastal city for 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.

Virginia Beach is a good coastal city to visit for students. It's not as popular as more southern beach towns, but you'll still find students heading here for the spring break holidays.

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

Montreal is great for times when you don't have a car. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination 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 limited or non-existant in Virginia Beach. There is very limited public transit in the area so you'll need to have a car to get around.

Is Virginia Beach or Montreal a more walkable city?

Montreal is great for its high level of walkability. However, Virginia Beach is not a good destination 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.

Virginia Beach is generally not very walkable. Most people prefer to have a car but do note that parking can be a nightmare, particularly during the summer season.

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

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Virginia Beach?

How long in Virginia Beach or Montreal?

In either Virginia Beach or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Virginia Beach than Montreal because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Virginia Beach, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

Families should spend more time in Montreal than Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach. 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach or Montreal?

The coastal city of Virginia Beach offers nightlife. 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 Virginia Beach or Montreal?

Virginia Beach is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. 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 Virginia Beach or Montreal?

Virginia Beach is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Virginia Beach, five days is sufficent for most. 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 Virginia Beach or Montreal?

Virginia Beach is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Virginia Beach has to offer. This coastal 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, The Best One Week (7-Day) 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 Virginia Beach and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Virginia Beach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Virginia Beach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Virginia Beach 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 Montreal would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Montreal than you might in Virginia Beach.

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

Which is Bigger, Virginia Beach or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Virginia Beach. When comparing the sizes of Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach or Montreal in the Summer?

Both Montreal and Virginia Beach are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and 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, Virginia Beach is a little warmer than Montreal. Typically, the summer temperatures in Virginia Beach in July average around 79°F (26°C), and Montreal averages at about 21°C (69°F).

It's quite sunny in Montreal. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Virginia Beach. Virginia Beach usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal during summer. Virginia Beach gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 276 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Virginia Beach. In July, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Montreal. Virginia Beach gets 5.7 inches (145 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Montreal in the Autumn?

Both Montreal and Virginia Beach during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Virginia Beach because of the natural beauty of the area. 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, Virginia Beach is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Virginia Beach average around 62°F (16°C), and Montreal fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

It's quite sunny in Virginia Beach. In the autumn, Virginia Beach often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Virginia Beach gets 211 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Montreal. Virginia Beach gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Montreal in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Virginia Beach and Montreal. The cuisine are the main draw to Virginia Beach 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. It's quite cold in Virginia Beach in the winter. Virginia Beach is much warmer than Montreal in the winter. The daily temperature in Virginia Beach averages around 39°F (4°C) in January, and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

Virginia Beach usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during winter. Virginia Beach gets 168 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Virginia Beach usually receives more rain than Montreal. Virginia Beach gets 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Virginia Beach or Montreal in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Virginia Beach as well as Montreal. Many travelers come to Virginia Beach for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Montreal in the spring for the activities around the city.

In the spring, Virginia Beach is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the spring temperatures in Virginia Beach in April average around 58°F (14°C), and Montreal averages at about 6°C (43°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Virginia Beach this time of the year. In the spring, Virginia Beach often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Virginia Beach gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun.

Virginia Beach usually gets less rain in April than Montreal. Virginia Beach gets 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Virginia Beach