Comparison · Montreal vs Quebec City · Canada
Montreal vs Quebec City
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 Quebec City for Château Frontenac and City walls. Day-to-day costs are similar, and the two are about 233 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 233 km
- Less expensive
- About the same
- Best time for Montreal
- June–October
- Best time for Quebec City
- June–October
Side by side
| Montreal | Quebec City | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Canada | Canada |
| Known for | Bagels and smoked meat, Old Montreal and French language | Château Frontenac, City walls and Winter Carnival |
| Best time to visit | June–October | June–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 3 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $170–$300 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Moderately priced |
| Warmest month | July, 26°C (79°F) | July, 25°C (77°F) |
| Coldest month | January, -5°C (23°F) | January, -8°C (18°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 4 | 6 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | YUL | YQB |
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 Quebec City for…
Château Frontenac and City walls. Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec and the only city north of Mexico that still has its fortified walls. Old Québec splits into the Upper Town on Cap Diamant, crowned by the Château Frontenac and the Citadelle, and the Lower Town around…
Top sights compared
| # | Montreal | Quebec City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Montreal | Château Frontenac |
| 2 | Notre-Dame Basilica | Dufferin Terrace and Governors' Promenade |
| 3 | Mount Royal Park | Quartier Petit-Champlain |
| 4 | Saint Joseph's Oratory | Place Royale and Notre-Dame-des-Victoires |
| 5 | Old Port | La Citadelle de Québec |
Food compared
| Montreal | Quebec City |
|---|---|
| Montreal-style bagel | Poutine |
| Smoked meat | Tourtière |
| Poutine | Pea soup |
| Maple taffy | Maple taffy on snow |
Which is cheaper?
Montreal and Quebec City cost about the same: a mid-range day is roughly $170–$300 in Montreal and $180–$320 in Quebec City (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Montreal on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Montreal and Quebec City are about 233 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Montreal and 3 in Quebec City.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Montreal or Quebec City cheaper?
Neither is clearly cheaper: a mid-range day costs about $170–$300 in Montreal and $180–$320 in Quebec City (estimates).
+Is Montreal or Quebec City better for a first trip?
Pick Montreal for Bagels and smoked meat and Old Montreal, or Quebec City for Château Frontenac and City walls.
+How far is Montreal from Quebec City?
About 233 km in a straight line.