Montréal basics: A practical guide to the city

Arriving

Visitors from other countries who fly to or transit through Canada need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. The application is completed online and costs $7 and is typically valid for five years. Apply now for an eTA !

Everyone arriving at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport via an international flight must pass through border services. Expect to answer simple questions around the purpose of your travels, where you’ll be staying, and what you’ll be doing in Canada.

To expedite your processing time, we recommend downloading the ArriveCAN mobile application. The app—from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)—allows travellers entering Canada to electronically submit travel documents and customs declarations. 

See our full guide to the YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport

Departing

Prepare for your airport departure ahead of time with the YUL Express service, which allows you (and a group of up to 10 people) to set a specific time to access security checkpoints. Essentially it will allow you access to a priority line through security, all for free. Register here! 

Luggage storage

Where can you store your suitcase in Montréal? Luggages storage services are available at various points throughout the city, including at the customer service desks of the Centre Eaton, the Central Bus Station (Gare d’autocars de Montréal), and VIA Rail for ticket holders. Additional services include Nannybag, Bounce, and LuggageHero.

Language

Montréal is a French-speaking city. However, you will be able to speak English in restaurants, hotels, and at all major attractions (museums, concert venues, etc.). In fact, Montréal is Canada's capital for trilingualism. Along with French and English, you’ll hear Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Italian, Hindi, and many more languages. 

Money

What currency does Montréal use? The Canadian dollar. The currency is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollar bills. Smaller coins are 5, 10, and 25 cent pieces as well as of 1 and 2 dollars. Banking and credit cards (including touch-less “tap and pay”) are welcome almost everywhere.

Public transit

Montréal has a fantastic system of subways and buses. The network is called STM (the Société de transport de Montréal). You can buy tickets at all metro (subway) stations using fare vending machines or through a ticketing agent. On buses, you can pay your fare in cash, but drivers are not able to provide change.

If you’re going to be using the public transit network frequently during your visit, you might want to nab an OPUS card — Montréal’s rechargeable transit card. The cards cost $6 and can be purchased at STM fare vending machines or through a ticketing agent. You can add credits to your OPUS card via the Chrono mobile app.

From the airport, the 747 shuttle service offers convenient transportation to downtown, and with ample space for your luggage. You will need to purchase the 24-hour ticket, which currently costs $11.25 (available at kiosks on the Arrivals level).

Parents note that children (age 11 and under) can travel on the STM network for free!

Shared bicycles

BIXI is the official bike sharing system in Montréal. They offer a free application that lets you know, in real time, the number of bikes and docking points available at each station while also providing handy maps. Bikes can be unlocked via the mobile application or at the docking points. 

Tipping

It is customary to tip in Montréal? The short answer is yes. We recommend offering restaurant waiters, taxi drivers, and hairdressers 15% of the bill, before taxes. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $2 per suitcase or per service rendered. Coffee and food counters often have tip cups or an option to add a tip during a credit card payment. 

Housekeeping standards are between $1 and $2 per day. Many people simply round off the amount; for example, if you’re staying 4 nights, a $10 gratuity would be considered very nice, but not excessive.

Shopping

Most shops are open Monday to Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are usually closed on legal holidays — and on January 2 in the majority of cases — but some establishments (supermarkets, liquor stores and others) may still be open.

For more information, look here.

Free Wi-Fi

Travel is fun. But roaming fees and data surplus charges? Not so much. Fortunately, Montréal offers plenty of Wi-Fi options. It starts at the airport, with a free Wi-Fi connection. Once you’re downtown (and in certain neighbourhoods), a network called “MTLWiFi” provides you with Wi-Fi access free of charge at several locations. Additionally, The majority of Montréal shopping malls offer free Wi-Fi to visitors. You can also find free Wi-Fi in most of Montréal’s indie coffee shops!

See our full article on where to find free Wi-Fi in Montréal

SIM cards

Need a SIM card when you arrive in Montréal? One of the fastest solutions is to buy a SIM card at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL). You’ll find retailers ChatR, Rogers and Fido on the public arrivals level, between doors 27 and 28. Drop by their booths to find out which package is right for you.

If you’re downtown, Best Buy (an electronics retailer) and Virgin Mobile offer a selection of Micro SIM cards, adapters, cables, and more. You can also get a Fizz SIM card in various locations along the Montréal metro (subway) network.

Alternatively, you can skip the physical SIM card altogether and use an eSIM. Mobile applications such as Airalo or Saily offer eSIMs in Canada. 

Public washrooms

When you’re out on the town and nature calls, Montréal offers several possibilities. If you’re downtown, the major malls and food courts all have public washrooms. Locations include (and are not limited to) Centre Eaton de Montréal, Complexe Desjardins, Place Ville Marie, Place Montréal Trust, and more.

Montréal’s convention centre (the Palais des congrès de Montréal) offers public washrooms. 

The public markets all offer washrooms: Atwater Market, Jean-Talon Market and Maisonneuve Market. Additionally, most of the city’s most popular parks offer public washrooms, such as the chalet on Mount Royal or the chalet in La Fontaine Park.

And there’s always the option of using the facilities in many of the fast-food restaurants or corporate coffee chains. We won’t mention any names. But you get the gist. 

Potable water

Is it safe to drink the tap water in Montréal? Absolutely. You can fill your water bottles in your hotel room or at various water fountains throughout the city. A project called “De l’eau dans ta gourde” (Water in your bottle) offers than 125 water fountains and filling stations for reusable water bottles across the city. Watch for them in locations such as Square Viger, Parc Percy-Walters, and more. Furthermore, most restaurants and cafés will be happy to top up your water bottles. 

Canadian weather

Think Canada is cold? Not in the summer! Montréal is a city of extremities: loads of fun, lots of exciting moments, and — yes — intense weather, particularly at the height of summer and the depths of winter. Early and late summer evenings may bring a little chill (think: light jacket or shawl), but daytimes will have you sporting your short sleeves. Winter, meanwhile, requires insulated winter jackets, waterproof, warm winter boots, as well as a hat, scarf and gloves. For more specific forecasts, check in with Environment Canada and Weather Network (useful for its 14-day forecasts).

Want to mail a letter?

For regular mail or postcards (up to 30 grams), stamps cost $1.44 for delivery within Canada, $1.75 to the US and $3.65 for international destinations. For more details visit www.canadapost.ca.

Consult your hotel concierge to find the closest Canada Post office. Some hotels will sell stamps directly and mail missives for their guests. You might also find stamps at convenient stores.