Heading to Quebec soon? If you’re still planning your Canadian holidays, you might be wondering if you should go to Montreal or Quebec city. We get it – if your time in Canada is limited, you may not have enough time to see both. Since Canada is a huge country and since Quebec is also a pretty big province, Montreal and Quebec are quite far from eath other.
To give you a rough idea, it takes about three hours to drive from Montreal to Quebec city and vice versa.
So, which one is it going to be? Quebec or Montreal?
In this post, we will give you enough information about both cities to help you make your decision. We would be comparing different things such as activities, food, nightlife, travel costs, etc. Our goal is to help you make a smart decision so you can make the most of your holidays in French Canada.
Picking Both Montreal and Quebec City
Before we start, we’d like to suggest to visit both cities. To be honest, both cities have something charming and unique about them. It would be a pity not to see both cities.
Although, if you have to pick one out of the two… there’s a high chance Montreal would win for one main reason – it’s easier and cheaper to fly to Montreal than to fly to Quebec city.
Let’s dive right in and see the main differences between both cities.
Comparing Montreal and Quebec City
In this section, we will compare Montreal and Quebec city based on different things. At the end of each topic, you will find the major winner. This should help you understand which city is the best according to your needs and/or travel standards.
Let’s start with short descriptions of both cities.
Montreal
Montreal is the largest and most populous city in the province of Quebec. Most people around the world have heard of Montreal before – since we refer to Montreal and we speak about the French Canadian province. Think of Montreal as a cultural hub with plenty of festivals, popular events and amazing nightlife. The city has enough to offer to keep you entertained for days.
Quebec City
Quebec City is the capital of the province of Quebec – which is a bit confusing since both have the same name. Quebec City has a traditional and historical look which makes it prettier than Montreal. If you’re heading to Quebec city hoping to experience the best French Canadian hospitality, you’re going to love it there.
Activities
Depending on what you like, the activities found in Montreal and Quebec City can be a bit different. You can base your travel plans with your main interests to ensure a better travel experience.
Activities in Montreal
If you’re into festivals, epic events and cultural activities, Montreal got you covered. Summers in Montreal are so much fun. You get dozen of festivals to pick from and you can enjoy the beautiful terraces in the city centre. You can walk around the Old City, you can shop until you drop, you can watch a hockey game in one of the Cage aux Sports restaurants, name it. There’s so much to do in Montreal that you won’t get bored.
Activities in Quebec City
Quebec City has a lot to offer in terms of outdoor activities and winter festivals. You can spend most of your time outside, walking around the city. When it comes to festivals and events, you might not have as many options as in Montreal, but you can appreciate the architecture and the historical bits.
The winner depends on your general interests and on the season. During wintertime, Quebec City is a must. During summertime, you should definitely attend one of the popular festivals in Montreal.
Food & Restaurants
If you’re a food lover, perhaps you’ll be interested in trying the best restaurants. Why not try the famous poutine while you’re at it.
Food & Restaurants in Montreal
Montreal has so many options when it comes to food that you won’t have time to get hungry. Head to the Jean-Talon market to try some French Canadian delicacies, eat your first poutine or your first Montreal smoke meat. There are so many good restaurants in every Montreal neighborhood – the choice is going to be difficult.
Food & Restaurants in Quebec City
Since Quebec City is smaller than Montreal, the options when it comes to food and restaurants won’t be as big. You will still find good terraces and classy restaurants, but the options will be limited.
The winner is definitely Montreal.
Nightlife
If you’re planning on trying craft beers or party all night long, let’s compare the nightlife in Montreal and Quebec City.
Nightlife in Montreal
Montreal has a lot to offer when it comes to the nightlife. Think about pubs, breweries, terraces, bars and clubs. You even get festival options for the party animals such as Igloofest or the Mondial de la Bière (beer festival). You can party every night of the week – there’s always something going on in Montreal.
Nightlife in Quebec City
Quebec City might be quieter than Montreal, but it got a solid reputation thanks to the Dagobert nightclub. Apart from this, you will find small pubs and terraces, but the nightlife won’t be crazy.
The winner is definitely Montreal.
Getting Around the City
Getting around a city can sometimes be intimidating. Let’s compare Montreal and Quebec City when it comes to transportation. Read our tips so that you can easily drive in Canada.
Getting Around Montreal
Montreal has a lot to offer in terms of public transportation – bus, subway, etc. If you’re staying in the Old City or the City Centre, you could walk around, but it might take a while since the city is quite big.
Getting Around Quebec City
Getting around Quebec City is super easy as long as you stay around the Old Town. If that’s the case, you will be able to walk pretty much everywhere.
The winner is Quebec if you use your legs to get around.
Day Trips
If you’re thinking of visiting the surroundings, this section got you covered with the best day trips from Montreal and Quebec City.
Day Trips from Montreal
Montreal and its surroundings are very interesting. You can head to Tremblant or Bromont for hiking or for a skiing trip (which is about 1h30 drive from Montreal). This way you get to see the real Quebec and the mountains. They might not be as big as the Canadian Rockies, but still, it’s worth visiting. Since there’s a lot to do in Montreal, you could even stay in the city – you won’t need to leave.
Day Trips from Quebec City
If you’re planning on visiting places around Quebec City, you could go to the Ile d’Orelans or visit Montmorency Falls. Usually, people heading in direction of Quebec City might go even further to visit the Saguenay region, Rimouski or even Gaspésie. It’s a smart starting point for a fun road-trip in the French province. Also, you could also head to the mountains for a skiing trip – I’d recommend Stoneham.
The winner is Montreal if you don’t want to go too far – these day trips are doable and you won’t be stuck in a car for hours.
Although, if you’re planning on going to off the beaten path, Quebec City is a smart starting destination for an epic road-trip in the French Canadian countryside.
Travel Costs
Let’s talk about the money factor. When it comes to traveling, it’s easy to spend a lot of money. If you’re on a budget, you might have to think about budget-friendly options too.
Travel Costs in Montreal
Usually, it’s pretty easy to find a flight to Montreal. That said, it’s pretty straight forward when it comes to getting there. Since Montreal is a big city, you’ll find a wide variety of accommodation as well as restaurants. You can either walk around or take public transportation. There are many things to do in Montreal for free, so if you’re on a budget, it can be a smart option.
Travel Costs in Quebec City
It’s pretty rare to find a direct flight to Quebec City. Usually, travelers arrive in Montreal first. To reach Quebec City, they can take the bus, the train, a car or fly. That said, you will have to think about the transportation cost to get to Quebec City. Since the city is smaller than Montreal, you won’t have as many options for accommodation and restaurants, but you might save on hotels since it’s not as touristy as Montreal.
The winner is Montreal – it’s the most travel budget-friendly option since you won’t have to find a way to reach Quebec City.
Final Thoughts on Montreal vs Quebec City
Whether you pick Quebec City or Montreal, you should have a great time! We hope we managed to convince you to visit both cities. If it’s your first time in the province of Quebec, I’d suggest you start with Montreal. You can keep Quebec city for your next trip. If your time is limited, it also makes more sense in terms of travel ease – flying to Montreal is simpler and cheaper.
