Guide · 1 Places
Montréal
Canada
Before You Go
May to September offers the best weather with temperatures from 15-27°C (59-81°F) and long days. July and August are peak season with warm weather perfect for festivals. October brings beautiful fall foliage. November to April is cold (0-10°C) with snow in winter, though indoor attractions remain open. Spring (March-May) is unpredictable with rain and occasional snow.
Visa
Check requirementsUS citizens can enter with a passport. Most other nationals need an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization) for visa-free entry up to 6 months. Some countries require a visa. Check requirements at cic.gc.ca.
Getting There
TransportationBy Air: Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the main gateway, 20km west of downtown.
By Train: Gare Centrale is a major hub with VIA Rail connections to Toronto (5 hours), Ottawa (2 hours), and other Canadian cities.
Language
CommunicationFrench is the primary language, though English is widely spoken. Montréal is officially bilingual. French is dominant in many neighborhoods, but English is universal in tourist areas and downtown.
Currency
Money mattersCanadian Dollar (CAD). Exchange rate roughly 1.3-1.4 CAD per USD. Cards accepted everywhere. Tipping is customary: 15-18% at restaurants, $1-2 per drink at bars, $2-5 for rideshare drivers.
Getting Around
Local transportSTM Metro: Four lines covering the city. Get an OPUS card or use contactless payment. Single ride $3.50 CAD.
Buses: Comprehensive network, same card works.
Bixi: Bike-share system with stations throughout the city.
Uber/Lyft: Available.
Walking: Old Montréal, Plateau, and downtown are very walkable.
From the Airport
Arrival info747 Express Bus: Direct to downtown (45-60 min, $11 CAD).
Taxi/Uber: $40-55 CAD to downtown (20-30 min).
Rental Car: Multiple agencies at airport.
Bookstores and Libraries
Librairie Drawn & Quarterly
Independent publisher's bookstore in Mile End. Graphic novels and literary fiction.