With well-established air, road, rail, and sea connections to the rest of Canada as well as the United States and Europe, Montreal serves as a transportation center for eastern Canada. Montreal is a pedestrian-friendly city, from its center-ville (downtown) to its unique neighborhoods. In actuality, there are numerous pedestrian-only streets in the Old Montreal neighborhood, including the well-known Bonsecours Market and Rue St. Paul. Just keep in mind that Montreal has several significant inclines, including Vincent d’Indy and Boulevard Decarie.

Both walking and taking public transportation are the best methods to travel around Montreal. Although Montreal is a relatively walkable city, if your feet start to hurt, the bus and Montreal Metro are both affordable and simple to use. Additionally, a public shuttle bus (number 747) operates continuously between the city’s center and Montréal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL). Each ride costs CA$10, or around $7.50. The cost of a cab to get from the airport to the city center is CA$41 (about $31).

Getting Around Montreal by Air:

Two international airports serve Montreal, one exclusively for passenger flights and the other for freight. All commercial passenger traffic is handled by Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, better known as Dorval Airport, which is also the main office for Air Canada and Air Transat. Upon arrival, a variety of information and services are accessible, including a number of options for getting to the city’s center: car rental and limo transportation firms are on-site, as are airport shuttles like the 747 Express bus, which costs just $7. You will pay a flat charge of $38 for a taxi ride into the city.

Getting Around on Foot:

Despite the fact that Montreal is a sizable city, its various areas, especially Vieux-Montréal, are simple to get around on foot. The heel-to-toe mode of transportation can also be used to get to and from important places. Don’t forget to walk even if you’re there in the winter; because to the Underground City, traveling to the city center is quick and cozy.

Getting Around on Public Transport:

La société de transport de Montréal (STM), which comprises the metro and buses, is Montreal’s recognized public transportation network. Bus and metro single-ride tickets cost CAD$3.50 each. STM tickets can be purchased at bus or metro stations, however, keep in mind that single-ride tickets work on both buses and metros. You will be given a reloadable Opus transit card for CAD$6 if you choose another metro pass, such as a day or weekend passes. Even at night, it is very safe to ride the STM metro and buses. In reality, STM has a safety function called “Between Stops” that was made especially for ladies utilizing nighttime public transportation. Women can request that bus drivers drop them off as near to their destination as possible using Between Stops.

Getting Around on a Taxi:

Cabs are an excellent option when you need to get somewhere quickly but are unsure of where you’re headed. A word of advice: To prevent any communication issues, it’s usually a good idea to write down the address of your destination, including the cross street. In addition to the Uber smartphone app, taxis are widely available across the city of Montreal.

Getting Around on a Car:

There is really no need for a car because of Montreal’s excellent public transportation system. Although parking is rather inexpensive, it could be challenging to get a spot in the busier areas. Additionally, gas is expensive since it is priced per liter rather than per gallon. However, there are rental companies in the city and at the airport if you’d prefer the convenience of having your own vehicle (or want to go on day trips). A legitimate U.S. driver’s license may be used, however, be aware that some traffic laws change.

On Quebec’s auto routes (limited-access expressways), the official speed limits are indicated in kilometers rather than miles, and some of the signs are exclusively in French. Additionally, if this is your first time driving in Montreal, you could be perplexed by the traffic lights. When turning left, be careful to wait for the flashing green light, which indicates that the incoming traffic is still in the red (which is meant to allow pedestrians to cross the intersection).

Getting Around on a Bike:

If you’re traveling during the summer, you might want to think about renting a bike. Numerous bike lanes and trails are available, and in case you run out of gas, bikes are also allowed on public transportation. The bike-sharing system in Montreal is called BIXI, and it is simple to use. Simply purchase a one-way ticket, a one- or multi-day pass, pick up a bike, ride it to your destination, and then return it to the nearest docking station (there are more than 540 locations throughout the city). Day passes cost CA$5 (about $3.75), while trips lasting 30 minutes or fewer cost CA$2.95 (about $2.25).

Tips for Getting Around Montreal

Considering how busy the city is, getting around Montreal is very simple, but there are a few small details that will make it even simpler:

• If given the choice, use the subway instead of the bus. The misconception about construction in Montreal is largely accurate; buses frequently need to reroute to avoid certain areas, and temporary bus stops are not always obvious. The metro has considerably more consistency and dependability.
• Buses at night are surprisingly effective. Even though the subway doesn’t operate at night, night buses effectively fill the gap and transport commuters home after midnight. Depending on how far your commute is, a night bus might be a more affordable option than Uber, which frequently charges extra after clubs and bars start to close, particularly on Thursday through Sunday.
• Whenever possible, take express buses. Try to board an express bus if you’re traveling into the city from the suburbs; they’re well-marked. In comparison to a local bus route, this can save you a ton of time, especially during rush hour.
• Never ride in an Uber or a cab on Ste-Catherine Street. Ste-Catherine Street should be avoided unless you want to increase your fare while sitting in standstill traffic because it is notorious for traffic and holdups. Take René-Levesque Street one block south and then call a taxi or Uber.
• The “underground city” provides access to several nearby metro stations in the downtown area. It’s hardly a big problem if you exit the wrong station downtown. You can easily walk from one side of downtown to the other without really needing to board the metro again because of the underground city, which is essentially a large network of office buildings and shopping centers.