Comparison · Montreal vs Ottawa · Canada
Montreal vs Ottawa
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Montreal for Bagels and smoked meat and Old Montreal; choose Ottawa for Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal Skateway and day trips. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 166 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 166 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Montreal
- June–October
- Best time for Ottawa
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Montreal | Ottawa | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Canada | Canada |
| Known for | Bagels and smoked meat, Old Montreal and French language | Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal Skateway and National museums |
| Best time to visit | June–October | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $170–$300 | $170–$280 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 26°C (79°F) | July, 27°C (81°F) |
| Coldest month | January, -5°C (23°F) | January, -6°C (21°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 9 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | YUL | YOW |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Montreal for…
Bagels and smoked meat and Old Montreal. Montreal sits on an island in the St. Lawrence River around Mount Royal, the hill that gave the city its name. North America's largest French-speaking city combines a 17th-century old town, a modern downtown linked by underground passages and walkable…
Choose Ottawa for…
Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal Skateway and day trips. Canada's capital sits on the south bank of the Ottawa River, facing Gatineau, Quebec, across the water. Its compact core holds Parliament Hill, the ByWard Market and the start of the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site whose downtown stretch freezes…
Top sights compared
| # | Montreal | Ottawa |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Montreal | Parliament Hill |
| 2 | Notre-Dame Basilica | Rideau Canal and the Ottawa Locks |
| 3 | Mount Royal Park | Rideau Canal Skateway |
| 4 | Saint Joseph's Oratory | ByWard Market |
| 5 | Old Port | National Gallery of Canada |
Food compared
| Montreal | Ottawa |
|---|---|
| Montreal-style bagel | BeaverTails |
| Smoked meat | Shawarma |
| Poutine | Poutine |
| Maple taffy | Maple taffy |
Which is cheaper?
Montreal and Ottawa cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $170–$300 in Montreal and $170–$280 in Ottawa (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Ottawa on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Montreal and Ottawa are about 166 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Montreal and 3 in Ottawa.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Montreal or Ottawa cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 in Montreal and $170–$280 in Ottawa (estimates).
+Is Montreal or Ottawa better for a first trip?
Pick Montreal for Bagels and smoked meat and Old Montreal, or Ottawa for Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal Skateway and day trips.
+How far is Montreal from Ottawa?
About 166 km in a straight line.