Grab a double-double, pack your toque and get psyched for some frolicking in Canada's crunchy maple goodness. 

When you think "Montreal," do you imagine strolling through cobblestone streets scattered with blossoms, the sound of jazz floating in the air? Are you drawn to cozy plaid-bedecked hiking under fiery fall foliage? Or do you believe that Canada is a winter wonderland meant to be experienced as you lazily snowshoe through a blanket of glittering white snow?

A good portion of our team is either Canadian, has lived here, or has traveled to Canada. We’ve crowdsourced the best travel tips and wrapped them up in a neat little package for your upcoming trip.

A quick note on the links in this guide: we’re not affiliated with any external sites we’ve chosen to include, so we’re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We’ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you decide whether this destination is for you.

Seasonality

Some people swear that winter is the only time to visit Montreal, others think it would be mad to go anytime but summer. Personally, we are partial to the sugar-shack insanity of spring—or the crisp Canadian fall. 

Let’s break down what you can expect in each season: 

• In spring (March–May), picture vibrant gardens, lively festivals, and mild weather. The average temperatures of 10–20℃/50–68℉ make the sidewalk cafés and rooftop terraces comfortable whenever the sun comes out.
• Montreal starts to fill up as it transitions to summer (June-August). The 23–26℃/74–79℉ weather has outdoor events popping up throughout the city. Enjoy bustling street festivals, night markets, and temporary nightclubs. 
• Fall (September-November) in Montreal is quintessentially Canadian, with bright foliage and crisp 10–23℃/50–74℉ temps. 
• In winter (December-February), the city transforms into a frosty wonderland, with ice skating in Old Montreal, skiing on nearby hills, and the entire place decked out in festive lights. The season includes the Montreal en Lumière festival, and is a magical (but chilly!) -5 to -1℃/23–30℉.

Pre-trip Checklist

Visas

Find out if you need a visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada via the government’s handy interactive tool.

Vaccines

Disclaimer: We aren’t medical experts, so always check which medications and vaccines are recommended by your local healthcare service before traveling:

• UK: NHS Fit for Travel
• EU: Travel Advice for EU citizens
• USA: CDC Travelers’ Health

Check the weather and season

Refer to our Seasonality section above for more information, but double-check that the list of things you want to do in Montreal lines up with the time of year you’re visiting. For example, you can’t plan to enjoy sugar shack season in the summer.

Language

Although English is widely spoken across the city, we recommend learning a few basic Québec French words. Local Francophones will appreciate it, since Quebec is proud to be a distinctly French-speaking region:

• Hello: bonjour or salut
• Thank you: merci
• Please: s’il vous plait
• Do you speak English?: Parlez-vous anglais?

Cash and Currency

The currency in Montreal is the Canadian Dollar (CAD). You might want to bring some cash for street vendors, but credit and debit cards are widely accepted. 

ATMs are found everywhere, the best ones are Canadian banks — Bank of Montreal, Scotiabank, CIBC, RBC and TD — since they are the most reputable and have the lowest fees.

In Canada, tipping 15–20% is customary in restaurants, taxis and hotels. It is especially important for servers, since most places require the staff to combine tips between restaurant staff. Some restaurants even “tip out,” which means an employee is docked 4–6% of their total sales at the end of the night for the establishment to divvy up, regardless of the actual amount received.

Getting to Montreal

Montreal is a major travel hub for eastern Canada, accessible by air, rail, or road. It serves as the gateway to greater Québec, as well as Ontario to the west and the Atlantic provinces to the east, and is one of the most well-connected cities in Canada alongside Toronto and Vancouver. Montreal’s primary airport (YUL) is especially popular as a connection for international travel, with about 70% of its passengers taking non-domestic flights.

By Air

We've done a deep dive and dug up some Jack's stats on the cheap flights to Montreal we’ve seen from Europe, the UK, the USA and Canada, just for you.

From Europe:

Average expected price: €400s return
How many Flights we expect in a year: 10+
Lowest price we’ve ever seen: €150s return from Stockholm

From the UK:

Average expected price: £390s return
How many Flights alerts we’d expect in a year: 10+
Lowest price we’ve ever seen: £250s return from London

From the USA: 

Average expected price: $270s round trip
How many Flights we’d expect in a year: 8
Lowest price we’ve ever seen: $90s round trip from Orlando

From Canada: 

Average expected price: $200s round trip
How many Flights we’d expect in a year: 10
Lowest price we’ve ever seen: $90s round trip from Toronto

Montreal is well-connected to most North American and European cities through Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), which is a 40-minute ride away from downtown on the 747 Express bus.

Most flights are served by local Canadian airlines—Air Canada, Air Transat, and WestJet—but pretty much every major carrier will have a route to Montreal. Here’s a list with all the non-stop connections flying to YUL.

By Rail

You can reach Montreal with VIA Rail, Canada’s national railway, from the largest cities in the country. From Montreal’s Central Station, there are multiple local daily departures on the following routes:

• Ottawa–Montreal
• Montreal–Quebec City
• Toronto–Montreal

In addition, a 10-hour train connecting New York City to Montreal runs once a day—it's served by Amtrak, the national passenger railroad company of the United States.

By Road

If you’re coming from elsewhere in Canada, you can easily reach Montreal by picking up the Trans-Canada Highway and taking it all the way to the city. American road trippers can head for the closest border station in Champlain, NY, about 45 minutes from Montreal, although it might be faster to cross the border elsewhere and follow the TCH from there. 

You can also take a bus directly to Montreal from the eastern US and Canada, typically for $30-$70 CAD. From the central bus station, you can reach the underground pedestrian network by following signs for the Berri-UQAM metro station. 

Public Transportation in Montreal

Montreal has a great metro and bus system, alongside suburban and regional trains. It’s also super reliable and affordable, with a one-way ticket costing under $4 CAD. You can buy passes for shorter durations, such as a single trip or a three-day trip, or save money by purchasing longer durations. We'd suggest buying your passes in advance from a kiosk in the metro station, since you'll need exact change (no notes!) if you buy your ticket on the bus.

As a visitor, you’ll probably use the metro to get around during your trip. There are four numbered, color-coded lines that connect 68 stations, with the entire service running underground—a big advantage during the harsh winter months!

Each line has slightly different operating hours, but generally, they run from 5:30 am to about 12:30 am, Sunday through Thursday, and until around 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays. Late at night, the bus may be your only means of getting around besides a taxi or an Uber. There are around two dozen all-night bus routes across the city.

Most of the central neighborhoods are walking/biking-friendly. You can use Google Maps for directions, as it has reliable navigation and shows bike paths and public transport info in the city. Plus, you can rent a bike through the top-notch city bike-sharing program.

Underground City

Downtown Montreal has one of the coolest pedestrian networks out there: the Underground City. Officially called RÉSO (like réseau, French for “network”), these tunnels run under the city center, connecting 10 metro stations and over 1,500 buildings. It’s kind of like a huge underground shopping mall, and it’s a great way to walk around downtown when the weather gets chilly on the surface. Here’s a map to help you get the lay of the land.

Ridesharing 

When it comes to ride-sharing apps, Uber is available and works well in the city. That said, it’s best not to rely on taxis/ride-sharing apps during the day since the price can get quite steep. 

This comprehensive guide should give you a good idea of all the taxi options available in the city.

Internet and Cell Service

Mobile Service and Data

The main cell service providers are Bell, Rogers, Telus, and Videotron (a regional carrier with strong coverage in Québec). In most places, you’ll get a speedy 4G or even 5G connection.

SIM Cards

You can buy a physical SIM card from the main providers at the airport when you arrive, or place an order online for a Fizz SIM card if you’re planning to stay for a month or longer—their plans tend to be cheaper than their competitors.

However, if your phone supports it, we recommend buying an eSIM instead. Mobile data is infamously quite pricey in Canada, and companies like Fizz and Airalo sell prepaid data plans that allow you to get connected before you arrive—and at a better price.

Wi-Fi

Basically every café, restaurant, and shopping center provides free Wi-Fi to customers. 

The city also has a free public Wi-Fi network, MTLWiFi, which you’ll be able to connect to in many downtown areas, parks, and public spaces. Plus, some STM metro stations and buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi as well.

Remote Working from Montreal

Remote working is easy in the city, with numerous co-working spaces, such as WeWork, Regus, Notman House, and Crew Collective & Café, which have flexible membership plans and amenities for remote workers. 

Travel Style

Montreal is an excellent destination for solo travelers and family groups alike. There’s plenty of variety to be found in the metro area itself, and it’s easy to take day trips elsewhere in Québec for natural beauty. In general, Montreal is an extremely safe city, including for women and LGBT+ travelers. Organizing a DIY trip shouldn’t be too challenging—it's a very easy place to visit.

Montreal Area Guides

Plateau Mont-Royal (the Plateau)

Located to the northeast of downtown Montreal, the neighborhood is renowned for its distinctive Victorian architecture, packed with colorful, narrow, two or three-story buildings with wrought-iron staircases and balconies. Head to Square Saint-Louis to see some of the oldest and prettiest examples of this style.

The two main boulevards are Saint-Laurent Street and Saint-Denis Street:

• Saint-Laurent (or “The Main”)—a major commercial artery filled with shops, restaurants, and nightlife spots. It is also known for its street art and murals.

• Saint-Denis Street—famous for its European ambiance, featuring a wide variety of boutiques, bistros, and theaters.

Accommodation: In the Plateau, you can expect a mix of low-key hotels, a couple of hostels, and plenty of unique Airbnbs.

Mile End

Right next to the Plateau, this historical working-class neighborhood has transformed over the decades into a bohemian hub for artists, musicians, and young families. The area is well-known for its café culture, with numerous literary cafés and bakeries. Here are the three most important streets in the area:

• Laurier West Street—connects the neighborhoods of Outremont and the Mile End. It’s the place to be if you’re interested in shopping from local designers and small boutiques, or if you’re looking for a trendy restaurant for brunch.

• Fairmount Avenue & Saint-Viateur Street—aka Bagel-land. Besides the puffy, sesame-y deliciousness of their famous bagels, both streets are well known for a variety of cafés, bakeries, and second-hand/boutique shops.

Accommodation: Around Mile End, you’ll mostly find artsy design hotels and lots of Airbnbs.

Downtown

The neighborhood revolves around the Place des Arts cultural complex, home to the Montreal Opera and Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Grands Ballets Canadiens. Plenty of festivals are also held in the area, such as the Montreal Jazz Festival and Just For Laughs comedy fest.

You’ll see all the city’s biggest cultural institutions here: Montreal’s central library, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the National Theatre School of Canada, right next to the main commercial area on Saint Catherine Street.

Accommodation: Downtown features a solid mix of high-end, business-type hotels, basic Airbnbs, and some hostels.

Vieux Port/Old Montreal

This historic neighborhood located along the St. Lawrence River is one of the city's most popular destinations, thanks to the historic buildings, waterfront views, cobblestone alleys, and sites like the Notre-Dame Basilica. It’s a little bit touristy, and it can get crowded, but the streets are gorgeous, and there are a bunch of top-notch art museums there. Plus, you can pop in and out of all the cute shops selling Québec-made products. We recommend leaving your car at the hotel for this one, though, since parking is impossible and the area is well-connected to the metro.

Accommodation: The Vieux Port mostly has luxury boutique hotels.

Food in Montreal

Traditional Food

Central Canada’s cuisine (Quebec and Ontario) has a unique mix of First Nations traditions, as well as French and British colonial influences. And, like any major city, Montreal is chock-full of great restaurants from all over the world, especially Lebanese, Vietnamese, and Italian food.

Québec cuisine is known for French dishes like tourtière (meat pie), ragout de pattes (pork stew), and pea soup.

But ask a Québécois about the most iconic Québec dish, and they will tell you: poutine. Made of French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy, you’ll find variations with additional toppings like pulled pork, bacon, or foie gras. You can get poutine just about anywhere in the city, but our favorite spot is Patati Patata. 

Speaking of sweets, get ready for plenty of maple syrup—a quintessential Canadian (and Québécoise) staple—in desserts like tarte au sucre (maple pie) and pouding chômeur, but also in candies and as a topping for pancakes and waffles. It’s a key ingredient in savory foods as well, such as caramelized onions, bacon, or even beans (it’s called fèves au lard—look it up!).

New Québec Cuisine

People come from all over North America to eat in Montreal.

But it’s not only traditional meals they’re after—Montreal's cuisine has a distinctive focus on unusual local ingredients, putting it on par with other foodie cities like New York or Chicago. Head to Vin Papillon, Miracolo, or even funky Épicerie Pumpui to taste this experimental version of the farm-to-table strategy. 

And what’s better than unique wines to accompany some innovative cuisine? The city has one of the most elaborate natural and biodynamic wine scenes in the world. So, if you enjoy your natural wines, get ready to drink!

Montreal Smoked Meat

A culinary tradition with roots in the city's Jewish immigrant community, Montreal’s answer to pastrami features cured and smoked brisket that's thinly sliced and piled high on rye bread and topped with yellow mustard. 

One of the most famous places is Schwartz's Deli, founded in 1928 and located on Saint-Laurent Street, but there are also some great options all around the Mile End neighborhood (the city’s Jewish quarter).

Vegetarian & Vegan Options

Montreal has an incredible variety of veggie-friendly spots—have a look at OPLANTE to get your vegetarian sushi fix, or La Cale for some dairy-free vegan poutine.

Events in Montreal

Fact: There is nothing that this city loves more than a good festival. From couch potatoes to adventure aficionados, Montreal has something for everyone. Here are some of the highlights:

Check out this website for festivals, pop-ups, new restaurant openings and the upcoming calendar. Montreal was also the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, so keep your eyes peeled for local performances and themed events.

Recommended links:

• Fall foliage map
• Sugar shack experiences
• Tastet
• Curiocity Montreal (for events and pop-ups)
• Month by month weather conditions
• Tourism Quebec
• Tourism Montreal

Outdoor Activities & Day Trips From Montreal

One of the main draws of Canada is the great outdoors, and Montreal is no different. Here are our favorite activities that you should add to your list:

• Hike in the inner-city Mount Royal Park (or foray slightly further out to hike alpine lakes and dramatic mountain peaks at Mont Tremblant, only a short 1.5–2-hour drive away)
• Relax on the urban beach at Clock Tower Quay, smack-dab in the Old Port of Montreal.
• Snowshoe in the powder-white wonderland that is Parc Jean-Drapeau. Looks like Narnia; is accessible by metro instead of a wardrobe!
• Ice skate under the Clock Tower at the Old Port. 
• Ski/snowboard under the stars at Mont Saint-Sauveur (and then get your après-ski on in their charmingly lit ski village)

Day trips: 

• Nordic Spa Nature, an outdoor spa that melts into the surrounding forest, offers a thermal circuit with a chilly arctic plunge and plenty of steaming hot pools. Don’t get scared off by bad weather — there’s nothing quite like a hot soak in the midst of a snow flurry! (2-hour drive)
• Dog sled at Kanatha-Aki for full-day excursions through the Laurentian forests. We especially like Kanatha-Aki for their ethical encounters and the chance to learn from mushers about their dogs, as well as a deep dive into indigenous culture. (1.5-hour drive).
• Live out a fairytale at the Chateau de Glace, which Disney animators studied to create the art for the Frozen movie. Sure, you can sleep in their on-site hotel, but the true bucket-list-worthy experience is sleeping in a building carved (almost) entirely of ice, in a room built from ice, on an actual bed made of ice! Don’t worry, the mattress is nice and warm, and the entire experience is nothing short of magical. (2.5–3-hour drive).
• Hop on the Orford Express through the Eastern Townships—especially gorgeous in mid-September–October, when the fiery fall foliage lights up the forests, mountains and alpine lakes. Don’t eat beforehand because the train includes gourmet meals served in its vintage rail cars (begins a 1.5-hour drive from Montreal).

Have you visited Montreal? Share your tips with us!