Montréal is a major international hub and a gateway to North America. 600 flights transit through the Montréal-Trudeau airport daily. But that’s not all. Whether by air, train, bus, car or boat, travelling to Montréal is a piece of cake.
By Plane
Some 33 passenger carriers connect Montréal to many airports, worldwide. In 2018, 19,4 million passengers passed through Montréal-Trudeau Airport, located 20 minutes from downtown. Equipped with the most up-to-date airport technology, the terminal is secure, comfortable and convenient on top of offering travelers a memorable airport experience with a Montréal flavor in more than 90 shops, restaurants and services.
By Train Via
Rail operates Canada’s national passenger rail service and provides a safe, cost-effective and environmentally responsible service from coast to coast. The VIA Rail network extends 12,500 km, serving over 400 communities across Canada with over 500 trains weekly. AMTRAK also serves Montréal with a daily service to and from New York City.
By Bus
The centrally-located Montréal Coach Terminal, Gare d’autocars de Montréal, is the departure and arrival point of most inter-city buses as well as the airport shuttle. It is conveniently connected to the subway system at the Berri-UQAM station and linked to the 32 km of Underground City where visitors enjoy quick and easy access to hotels, restaurants, stores, tourist attractions and more.
By Car
American visitors or international visitors transiting through the United States will love driving North to Montréal via Interstates 87 and 89. Located just 60 km (29 miles) from the U.S. border, Montréal is easily accessible by highway with many roads and expressways leading to the city.
Useful Tips About Montréal to Help You Plan Your Trip
Can I Use My Cell/Mobile Phone in Canada?
Your cellular phone will work in Canada, however, to avoid potentially expensive roaming charges, it is strongly recommended that you turn off your data before landing on Canadian soil. Montreal has hundreds of free Wi-Fi connections in the city, not to mention hotels, the convention centre, along with restaurants and cafés, so there is no reason for visitors to incur additional charges with their cell phone carrier.
Banks, Currency Exchange & Taxes
Canadian currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollar bills. There are numerous currency exchange offices for visitors to exchange money into Canadian currency. Most exchange offices are open during regular business hours (9am-6pm) and Saturday from 10am-5pm. Credit cards are also widely accepted in restaurants, stores, taxis, etc. Taxes in Montréal are calculated as follows: a 5% Federal Goods & Services tax and a 9.975% Provincial Goods & Services tax. Only basic groceries (breads, dairy, fruits, vegetables, etc.) are not taxed. Taxes paid by visitors are not reimbursable.excitement about the destination.
Electricity
The electric current is 110V and the plugs are the same as what is found in the US. If you come from a country that uses 220V electricity, you will need an adaptor (for computers, cell phones, tablets / iPads, cameras etc.) or a converter (to transform voltage- for your hairdryer, electric shavers etc.)
Language
French is QuÉbec's official language but english is widely spoken in Montréal. The city has more than 120 cultural groups and over 20% of population speaks three languages. It is common that you will be addressed in French, but people will quickly speak English when asked.
Time Zones
Montréal switches to Eastern Daylight Time (summer time zone) on the second Sunday of March and returns to Eastern Standard Time (winter time zone) on the first Sunday of November. The time difference between Montréal time and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is less than 5 hours in the winter.
Getting Around Montréal
Public transport is a great and sustainable way to see the city. Our public transportation service has received many awards for its initiatives in sustainable development. Hop on the métro or on a bus and in minutes, you’re at a museum, a restaurant or in Old Montréal. To top it all, it’s affordable and reliable.
The REM
From the Airport To Downtown in 20 Minutes.
The Réseau Électrique Métropolitain (REM) is a fully automated, 100% electric light rail transit (LRT) project to serve the major metropolitan areas in Montréal. It will provide fast and direct service between Montréal-Trudeau Airport and downtown Montréal. From Central Station, the trip should take 20 minutes and the service will run all day, every 10 minutes at peak-time.
Commissioning is planned for 2023.
Getting Around By Taxi
If you prefer getting around by taxi, it’s easy to flag one down on the street. You’ll also find them at one of the city’s many taxi stands or in front of most major hotels. All taxis accept electronic payment and most taxi company have apps for easy reservation.
Getting Around By Bicycle
BIXI, recipient of the Edison Award for Energy & Sustainability, allows everyone to easily explore Montreal's 846 (525 miles) kilometres of bike paths. A $5 access fee is all it takes to borrow a bike at one of the 540 stations across the city, for a trip on the fly. The first 30 minutes of a ride – no matter how many trips are made in a day – are always free but an additional fee will be added to each subsequent 30-minute period. In 2017, Copenhagenize ranked Montréal as North America’s (and the world’s 20th) most bicycle-friendly city based on the company's 2017 Bicycle Friendly Cities index.
Metro
With 4 métro lines and 68 stations, it can be accessed via the city’s underground pedestrian network.
Operating Hours
Sunday to Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Bus
220 bus lines of which 23 are dedicated to all-night service.
All vehicles are wheelchair accessible, with the exception of minibuses operated on Navette Or shuttles and the 212 - Sainte-Anne line.
Fares
One trip: $3.25 CAD
1-day pass: $10 CAD
3-day pass: $19 CAD
Weekly pass: $26.25 CAD
