A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Williamsburg vs. Montreal for Attractions, Nightlife, Old Town, and Families

Should you visit Williamsburg or Montreal?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Williamsburg and Montreal. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a well-preserved, historic, and charming town. Williamsburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the museums, food, and shopping. See Williamsburg 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. Other popular activities here include live music, food, and shopping. See Montreal travel costs.

Williamsburg and Montreal: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Williamsburg or Montreal?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Montreal. Although Williamsburg and Montreal are popular destinations, Montreal has more sights and attractions for tourists. Montreal is very popular for its museums and attractions, nightlife, music, shopping, and big city activities, while Williamsburg attracts visitors for its historical sights and impressive beauty. Williamsburg is famous for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Montreal is famous for its music, fashion, and cultural activities. It is also well known for Notre-Dame Basilica.

How is Williamsburg different from Montreal?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Montreal is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. Also, Williamsburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Montreal on the map. 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.

Williamsburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

Foodies will find both Williamsburg and Montreal both to be high quality destinations.

Dining out in Williamsburg is an experience not to be missed. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Montreal. 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.

Is Williamsburg or Montreal Better for Nightlife?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Williamsburg or Montreal Better for Music?

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

In Montreal you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. 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.

Williamsburg is not a live music destination.

Is Williamsburg or Montreal Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is terrific for its historic old town charm. Also, Montreal is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its historic old town.

Williamsburg has a unique history which comes to life in its historic area. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Williamsburg or Montreal?

Montreal is a world-class destination for its shopping areas. Also, Williamsburg is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

Montreal is a world class destination for shoppers. 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.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Williamsburg. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Is Williamsburg or Montreal More Beautiful?

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

Williamsburg offers plenty of beauty for visitors. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Montreal is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Williamsburg or Montreal Better for Families?

Williamsburg is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Montreal is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Williamsburg is one of the most popular family destinations. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

Montreal is 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 Williamsburg or Montreal Better for Couples?

Williamsburg and Montreal both high quality destinations for a couple.

Couples visit Williamsburg frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Montreal is a great town 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.

Is Williamsburg or Montreal Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Montreal is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Williamsburg or Montreal Better for Students?

Williamsburg and Montreal are first-rate places to visit for students.

Williamsburg is a very popular place to visit for students. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

Many students frequent 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.

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

Montreal is a great destination for its public transit. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Williamsburg or Montreal a more walkable city?

Montreal is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for its walkability.

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

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable town. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Montreal or Williamsburg?

How long in Williamsburg or Montreal?

In either Williamsburg or Montreal, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Montreal than Williamsburg because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Williamsburg, and 3-5 days is enough time in Montreal.

Families should spend more time in Williamsburg than Montreal. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Williamsburg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Montreal than Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Montreal?

The town of Williamsburg offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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.

Each neighborhood in Montreal has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Williamsburg or Montreal?

Williamsburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Williamsburg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Montreal is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Five days in Williamsburg or Montreal?

Williamsburg 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.

Each neighborhood in Montreal has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

A week in Williamsburg or Montreal?

Williamsburg is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Montreal is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, The Best Hiking & Trekking 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 Williamsburg and Montreal, we can see that Montreal is more expensive. And not only is Williamsburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Williamsburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg.

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

Which is Bigger, Williamsburg or Montreal?

Montreal has a larger population, and is about 290 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg or Montreal?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Montreal in the Summer?

Both Montreal and Williamsburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Williamsburg for the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, many visitors come to Montreal in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Williamsburg is a little warmer than Montreal in the summer. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 78°F (26°C) in July, and Montreal fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

In Montreal, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Williamsburg. In the summer, Williamsburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Montreal. Williamsburg gets 279 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 Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually gets more rain in July than Montreal. Williamsburg gets 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Montreal in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Williamsburg and Montreal. Many visitors come to Williamsburg in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, most visitors come to Montreal for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

In the autumn, Williamsburg is much warmer than Montreal. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Williamsburg in October average around 61°F (16°C), and Montreal averages at about 8°C (47°F).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during autumn. Williamsburg gets 211 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 141 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Williamsburg usually receives less rain than Montreal. Williamsburg gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Montreal in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Williamsburg as well as Montreal. Most visitors come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Montreal because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Montreal can be very cold. Williamsburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Williamsburg is generally much warmer than Montreal. Daily temperatures in Williamsburg average around 38°F (4°C), and Montreal fluctuates around -10°C (14°F).

In the winter, Williamsburg often gets more sunshine than Montreal. Williamsburg gets 168 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montreal receives 103 hours of full sun.

Williamsburg usually gets more rain in January than Montreal. Williamsburg gets 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Williamsburg or Montreal in the Spring?

Both Montreal and Williamsburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the natural beauty. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Montreal this time of year.

Williamsburg is much warmer than Montreal in the spring. The daily temperature in Williamsburg averages around 57°F (14°C) in April, and Montreal fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. Williamsburg usually receives more sunshine than Montreal during spring. Williamsburg gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Montreal receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Williamsburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Montreal. Williamsburg gets 3 inches (76 mm) of rain, while Montreal receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Montreal and Williamsburg