- I planned a girls' trip from the US to Montréal so we could enjoy European vibes at a lower cost.
- Flights from Orlando to Montréal are short, and the US dollar goes pretty far in Canada right now.
- We loved the city's scenery and vibrant art scene, which made it feel like a worthy dupe for Paris.
Cobblestone streets, adorable bistros, scenic river cruises, impressive basilicas, and artsy enclaves — this isn't France, it's Montréal in Canada.
Recently, I planned a girls' weekend trip to the charming French-Canadian city, which some visitors have nicknamed the "Paris of North America."
We really felt like we were in Europe, and best of all, our getaway was budget-friendly, thanks to inexpensive, quick flights and the favorable US-to-Canada currency-exchange rate.
Here's why Montréal is my new go-to spot for an international vacation, especially when I'm craving a more affordable alternative to Paris.
Montréal was fairly easy to get to from Florida on a budget.
Montréal is a city in Canada that feels like Europe but was much cheaper for us to get to from the US.
Amanda Adler
One of the best parts of this trip was that our flight costs could be quite low, and we didn't have to spend much time traveling.
This time, I booked a Breeze Airways flight from my home in Orlando to Plattsburgh, New York, which is just south of Quebec, for $135 round trip (or about $68 each way).
From there, we took a car (we paid about $160 to rent one for three days) and drove about 90 minutes into Montréal.
I also could've flown directly from Orlando to Montréal on discount carriers, such as Breeze and Allegiant Air, or a major airline like Air Canada. I've seen one-way flights as low as $80 and round-trip ones under $200.
Either way, travel costs felt like a great deal. I've seen similar flights to Paris cost five times as much, and it would take me at least four hours longer to fly there instead of Montréal.
Old Montréal's stunning architecture feels European and begs to be explored.
Montréal felt like Europe to me.
Amanda Adler
Despite being just a three-hour flight from Orlando, Montréal's delightful cobblestone streets and European-style buildings felt worlds away from Florida's modern cityscapes and sandy beaches.
Because it's fairly walkable, the city was easy to explore on foot — and its architecture made the experience feel enchanting.
The city's café culture is huge, and the food scene is top-notch.
We had many options for bistros in Montréal.
Amanda Adler
Adding to the charm is the café culture found here, with outdoor bistros serving up everything from decadent French cuisine to casual Canadian classics like poutine.
Plus, Montréal has some excellent bites. It was even dubbed one of the best food cities in the world in Condé Nast Traveller's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards.
We indulged in a luxurious wellness experience and shopped at local boutiques.
My friends and I enjoyed relaxing at Bota Bota spa.
Amanda Adler
We enjoyed shopping at the many local boutiques in town, where our money went further than it would've in Paris. The US dollar goes far in Canada right now — $1 US is worth more than $1.40 in Canada.
This made the many shopping opportunities even more appealing, and it also helped us feel comfortable splurging a bit on a few experiences.
One of our highlights was the soothing hydrotherapy experience at the floating Bota Bota, a historic river ferry that's been converted into an upscale spa.
We loved our cruise along the St. Lawrence River.
Montréal looked lovely from the water.
Amanda Adler
It might not be on the Seine, but a river cruise along the St. Lawrence River was a great way to see the city.
Although nothing tops floating past the Eiffel Tower, we loved seeing many of Montréal's own unique landmarks, including the tallest observation Ferris wheel in Canada.
Getting around town was easy, as the city has a Metro system.
The Metro signs in Montréal reminded me of ones I'd seen in Paris.
Amanda Adler
In addition to wandering the charming streets on foot and cruising past scenic sights along the river, we had access to the city's extensive Metro transit system.
It has many French influences, and I especially liked its easily identifiable signs that matched the iconic ones seen throughout Paris.
Montréal has its own Notre-Dame, complete with a nighttime light show.
Montréal's Notre-Dame was especially stunning at night.
Amanda Adler
Europe is renowned for its majestic churches, but don't sleep on Montréal's Notre-Dame, which is stunning inside and out.
Featuring striking Gothic Revival-style architecture, the Basilica hosts a nightly light show that uses projection mapping to bring the interior to brilliant life.
Its beauty certainly rivals the Notre-Dame in Paris.
Plus, the city has a wealth of museums, gardens, festivals, and more.
We enjoyed exploring the Montréal Botanical Garden.
Amanda Adler
My friends and I spent hours getting lost in the breathtaking Montréal Botanical Garden, located next to the Olympic Stadium that hosted the 1976 Summer Games.
We enjoyed several other local exhibits but still barely scratched the surface of the city's many cultural and artistic offerings.
I think this chic, cultured city is an amazing destination "dupe" for Paris.
Montréal wasn't super expensive for me to visit from the US.
Amanda Adler
The Canadian city reminded me of Paris in many ways and I liked that I could visit at a much easier-to-swallow cost.
So, although few things can top a trip to the "City of Light," I'd return to Montréal's charming streets whenever I crave the allure of Europe at a more approachable price point.