Canada trip: full budget by city

The east-west gradient structures the whole budget. Montreal is at 0.90, Toronto at 1.03, Vancouver at 1.21. In practice, the budget-end night goes from €46 in Montreal to €81 in Vancouver, and the four-star from €150 to €301. The choice of city weighs more than the comfort level.

The flight follows the same east-to-west logic: Montreal is the cheapest gateway from London, at €244, ahead of Toronto at €251 and Vancouver at €322. Arriving in the east and moving west is therefore budget-coherent.

Montreal is the country's best value, and it is also the French-speaking city. English is widely spoken there, but signage and everyday life run in French, which is worth knowing before you arrive.

Two lines are systematically added to the posted bill. Taxes are not included in prices, neither in shops nor restaurants, and tipping runs around 15 to 20%. As in the United States, a budget based on labels is roughly 25% too low.

Summer, June to September, is the safest period everywhere, at 15 to 22°C in all three cities. It is high season, but also the only moment when the whole country is comfortable at once.

The eastern winter is harsh, and needs taking seriously. Montreal drops to minus 10°C in January and minus 8 in February, Toronto around minus 3 to minus 4. It is not an obstacle if you come equipped, and the cities are organized for it, but it completely changes the nature of the trip.

Vancouver does not have that winter, staying around 4°C, but it pays in rain: 299mm in December and January, 338 in November. It is one of the comparator's wettest cities. Summer there, by contrast, is remarkably dry, at 51mm in July.

The Quebec autumn is the most sought-after window, for the colours, with temperatures still mild in September, around 16°C.

Flights vary noticeably: on €244-322 tickets, comparing dates has a real return.

Eating. The posted price is never the price paid: taxes are added at the till, then the tip, 15 to 20% at table-service restaurants. A dish listed at 20 dollars therefore comes to around 26. Covered markets and counters allow a decent lunch for 12 to 18 dollars. In Montreal, the food scene is celebrated and often more affordable than in the other two cities.

Getting around. Montreal and Toronto have efficient metros at reasonable fares, and their centres are walkable. Vancouver is more spread out but well served. Between eastern cities, the train is comfortable but slow; domestic flights often remain more rational. For the Rockies, a rental car is essential, with fuel and park fees to factor in.

Sightseeing. Museums charge close to North American levels, often 15 to 25 dollars. Against that, much of Canada's appeal is outdoors and free: urban parks, waterfronts, historic districts. National park entry is paid and often taken as a pass, worthwhile from several days.

Currency. The Canadian dollar, not to be confused with the American one. Cards work everywhere and cash is little used outside tipping.

Tax and tipping. As in the United States, posted prices exclude taxes, which vary by province, and tipping runs 15 to 20% at restaurants. It is the main source of budget surprise for a European visitor.

Language. English everywhere, and French in Quebec, where it is the official and everyday language. Montreal is in that respect the only North American destination in our comparator where French is the everyday language.

Winter. It is not incidental in the east: minus 10°C in January in Montreal. The cities are equipped, notably with underground networks, but suitable clothing is not optional.

Entry. An electronic travel authorization is required before boarding for nationals of eligible countries arriving by air. It is applied for online, in advance.