I'm going with my friend, so some costs are split. We are taking a bus to New York, and then a train to Montréal each way, since the train is only available in New York, and we wouldn't need a plane because we live in New England. The bus and train cost is completely accurate.
The trip is 10 days. We plan to see some attractions, like art museums, but mostly walk around and explore (ie: Old Montréal). We're definitely not eating expensive, and the hotel is to provide a small but complementary breakfast. She'll only drink a little, and I can't drink since I'm only 17.
Here is a basic breakdown:
MONTRÉAL, CANADA
• Day 1
Bus to New York (09:45-12:30) = $12
• Day 1-2
Hotel in New York = $50 (split per person)
• Day 2
Train from New York-Montréal, 08:15-19:15 = $80
• Day 2-7
Hotel (ie: Centrale Hotel Montréal), 6 nights = $325 (split x2)
• Food = $400
• Public Transportation = $110
• Free Money (Recreation) = $200
• Day 7
Train from New York-Montréal, 08:15-19:15 = $80
• Day 7-10
Hotel, New York = $50 (split x2)
• Day 10
Bus from New York = $8
• Surplus (Room for Error): $40
App. Total: $1 400
What do you think? Realistic? Too above? Or way under expectations?
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
Ryan,
Here are a few of my comments about your estimated costs.
MONTREAL HOTEL
You may want to review the hotel bill. Six nights at only $325 seems a bit low. Does that price include any 3.5% Accomodation tax, the 5% federal services tax, and the 9.975% provincial sales tax? There are often "hidden fees" that get added to your hotel bill because the quoted rate may not include those. NOTE: If you see "TPS" on a bill, it does NOT mean "tips". It stands for Taux des Produits et Service (Goods and Services Tax, or GST)
FOOD
Usually a good estimate if you plan to eat out all the time is to look at about $10 for breakfast, $15 for lunch, and $25 for dinner per person. So that's $50 a day over 6 days in Montreal, so $300 each. You may be able to save more if your hotel has a free continental breakfast, you buy your lunch in a supermarket, or eat at inexpensive restaurants for your dinner/supper. And the main thing that drives up the price in any restaurant is alcohol and drinks.
TRANSPORTATION
For the six days that you will be in Montreal, you can buy an adult fare weekly CAM pass for $23.75 each. It counts from the day you activate it, so that would save you a lot. Gets you access to all Montreal buses and subways, but not the commuter trains. As a tourist, that's all you really need. If you go out at night and need a taxi (the subway stops running after about midnight), then that will add a bit to your costs.
http://www.stm.info/en#view-tariffs
RECREATION
This really depends on what you plan to do. Attractions like the Biodome or Six Flags (La Ronde) will have admission fees. Most museums will too, unless you happen to get a day where admission is free. And if you go to the Casino de Montreal, you could blow a lot more than $200 in an hour, never mind a week.
http://www.museesmontreal.org/en/The_Montreal_Muse...
Ryan, a couple of those figures seem to be suspect. I would allow a lot more for room for error. As for the total of $1,400.00, Really I would add another $400 to that. Also did you guys think about travel insurance? People seem to leave this one out, and it could become quite expensive, if you need emergency treatment.
Recreation, souvenirs etc, I would double that amount (and maybe a bit more). PS: I also urge you to travel-health insurance (you get into an accident or need medical care for whatever reason...could end up costing you thousands of dollars.