Montreal on a budget: how to do it well
Short answer
Montreal is good on a budget for North America. Plan on about C$120 per person per day (bed C$60, food C$40, sights C$15, transport C$5).
A realistic daily budget
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | C$60 | C$140 | C$300 |
| Food & drink | C$40 | C$80 | C$160 |
| Sights & tickets | C$15 | C$45 | C$100 |
| Local transport | C$5 | C$12 | C$40 |
| Per person, per day | C$120 | C$277 | C$600 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Montreal day-cost table.
Free things to do
- Hike up Mount Royal to the Kondiaronk Belvedere
- Wander Old Montreal and the Old Port
- Browse Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy
- Walk the Plateau's outdoor staircases and Mile End's streets
- See free outdoor festival shows in the Quartier des Spectacles in summer
- Join the Tam-Tams drum gathering at the foot of Mount Royal (Sundays in summer)
Cheap eats
- Montreal bagels: about C$1.50–2 each
- Steamed hot dogs: about C$3–4 each
- Poutine: about C$9–16
- Portuguese grilled chicken sandwich: about C$12–20
- Smoked meat sandwich: about C$15–19 before tax and tip
Where to sleep for less
Hostels in the Plateau and Latin Quarter offer dorm beds at roughly C$35–60 and private rooms at about C$120–200.
Getting around cheaply
The metro and buses cover the city; BIXI bikes are cheap in summer. The 747 airport bus runs 24 hours to downtown.
A sample budget day
- Morning: bagels in Mile End (about C$5)
- Midday: hike Mount Royal (free)
- Afternoon: Jean-Talon Market snacks (about C$15)
- Evening: poutine or a BYOW dinner (about C$25 with tax and tip)
- Total: about C$50–60 plus a hostel bed (about C$60), so roughly C$120
More ways to save
- Add about 30% to menu prices for tax and tip.
- Visit in May, September or October for good weather and lower rates.
- Use BIXI for short summer trips.
- Look for museum free or reduced evenings.
- Buy beer and wine at dépanneurs for BYOW restaurants.
- Stay near a metro station rather than downtown.
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Common questions
Can I visit Montreal on a budget?
Yes, at around C$120 a day with hostels, cheap eats and free festivals.
What is the cheapest way from the airport?
The 747 bus, which runs 24 hours to downtown.
What is free in Montreal?
Mount Royal, Old Montreal, Jean-Talon Market and many outdoor festival shows.