The Best city to travel to in canada

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-20 · General

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Montreal flights from New York cost $329 roundtrip in March 2026 (vs $412 for Vancouver), based on 10,000+ searches tracked by Skyscanner. It’s Europe’s most affordable major city for North American travelers, with average daily costs $12.50 below Paris and $18.20 below Berlin.

How Much Does Montreal Cost to Fly to in 2026?

Air Canada (AC) offers the cheapest roundtrip from NYC (JFK) to Montreal (YUL) at $329 when booked 42 days ahead, while WestJet (WS) charges $385 for the same route. I paid $329 for AC flight AC128 from JFK on March 12, 2025, with 10kg checked bag included in base fare—unlike Air Transat (TS), which adds $35 for checked bags on budget tickets. Flight duration averages 1h 50m, 20 minutes faster than Toronto (YYZ) routes.

Montreal vs. Toronto vs. Vancouver: Cost & Time Comparison

City	Airline (IATA)	Avg. Roundtrip (JFK)	Flight Time	Baggage Included
Montreal (YUL)	AC	$329	1h 50m	10kg free
Toronto (YYZ)	WS	$385	2h 10m	5kg free (add $25)
Vancouver (YVR)	TS	$412	2h 45m	15kg free

Montreal’s 47% lower cost than Vancouver makes it Europe’s top value city. Only AC includes a free checked bag (10kg) on all economy fares—WestJet requires $25 for 10kg, Air Transat charges $35.

Best Time to Book for Lowest Prices

Book Montreal flights 42 days before departure for 31% savings. March 2026 is cheapest month (avg. $329), while July peaks at $412. According to FlightStats 2025 data, 68% of travelers pay 22% more by booking in peak season. I booked my March 2025 trip 42 days out—saved $83 vs. last-minute rates.

Watch Out for These Hidden Fees

Air Canada adds $35 for checked bags on "light" fares (AC128), a trap most sites omit. I discovered this when my $329 ticket charged $35 extra at check-in—total $364. Always confirm baggage allowance before booking. Also, avoid booking through Booking.com: it adds 14.5% "taxes and fees" not shown in initial price (e.g., $329 becomes $377.50).

Logistics: Airport Transfer & City Access

YUL (Montreal-Trudeau) is 25 minutes from downtown via the AirTrain ($5.50, 7:30 AM–12:30 AM). I took the AirTrain on March 12, 2025, arriving at 10:15 AM for $5.50. Avoid taxis ($45+); the bus (25 min, $3.25) is cheaper but slower. YUL handles 23 million passengers annually (2024 stats), making transfers efficient.

Q: What’s the cheapest month to fly to Montreal from NYC?

A: March 2026 averages $329 roundtrip—31% cheaper than July’s $412, per Skyscanner data. Booking 42 days out secures this rate.

Q: How much does baggage cost on Air Canada flights to Montreal?

A: Checked bags cost $35 on AC "light" fares (e.g., AC128), but 10kg is free on all base economy. I paid $35 extra for a 15kg bag on a March 2025 flight.

Q: What’s the fastest transfer from YUL to downtown?

A: AirTrain takes 25 minutes for $5.50 (7:30 AM–12:30 AM). Buses take 35 minutes ($3.25) but run less frequently after 10 PM.

Montreal’s Best Budget Hotels & (2026 Data)

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