Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Montreal

Accommodation

$25-60 per night

Dorm beds in hostels, budget guesthouses, shared Airbnb rooms, or budget hotels in outer neighborhoods

Food & Dining

$25-45 per day

Food court meals, casual cafes, grocery shopping with self-cooking, ethnic restaurants in local neighborhoods, bagels and poutine from casual spots

Transportation

$8-15 per day

Public transit (metro and buses), walking, occasional bike rentals, STM day passes

Activities

$10-25 per day

Free walking tours, public parks, free museum days, outdoor festivals, self-guided neighborhood exploration

Use public transit instead of taxis - typically saves 70-80% on transportation costs

Eat at local neighborhoods like Dakar or Mile End rather than Old Montreal tourist areas - usually 40-60% cheaper

Visit museums on free or reduced-price days - can save $15-25 per attraction

Shop for groceries and prepare some meals yourself - reduces food costs by 50-70%

Book accommodations 2-3 months in advance for 20-40% better rates

Take advantage of free festivals and outdoor activities, especially in summer months

Use STM weekly passes if staying 4+ days instead of daily tickets - saves approximately 25-30%

Staying only in Old Montreal tourist zone - typically 50-100% more expensive than other neighborhoods

Relying solely on taxis and rideshares instead of excellent public transit system - can triple transportation costs

Eating every meal at tourist-focused restaurants rather than exploring local dining scenes - usually costs 60-150% more

Not checking for free museum days or cultural events - missing potential savings of $20-40 per day

Booking last-minute accommodations during festival seasons - can cost 100-200% more than advance bookings