Offering a smooth fusion of French and Canadian cultural elements, Montréal is a stylish and lively urban area teeming with cultural treasures, old architecture and a bustling restaurant scene. Being Québec’s biggest city, you’ll discover these amazing activities throughout picturesque districts in addition to the city center.
No worries about navigating through Montréal – the metro and bus system is the most active rapid-transit network in Canada, efficiently and safely ferrying residents and tourists alike. Managed by the Société de Transport Montréal (Montréal Society of Transportation), it is commonly referred to as STM by the locals.
In addition to those new blue metro trains and extensive bus routes, the city boasts an impressive bike-sharing system and trains that can transport you to the outskirts and further. Here is all you need to comprehend about cruising around Montréal.
Speed up your travel by using the metro
Possessing a vast metro system, Montréal features four distinguished, color-coded lines spanning 68 stations. All operations are fully underground – a significant advantage when chilly gusts howl outdoors. Typically, the metro is held in high regard and offers a brisk mode of moving throughout the city. Unlike many other subterranean systems in North America, Montréal’s trains operate on rubber tires, a clear nod to French influence (Paris introduced this technology in the 1950s) that is quieter and grants swifter acceleration.
The orange ligne deux (line 2) is most advantageous for sightseers, as it links Old Montréal with downtown and significant neighborhoods towards the north: the Quartier Latin, the Plateau, Mile End, and Little Italy. While each line has slightly diverse schedules, operation usually commences from 5:30am to around 12:30am on Sunday to Thursday, extending about half an hour later on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Use the bus to experience better vistas of city districts
STM is responsible for Montréal’s bus system as well, which supplements metro stops with over 200 routes that span the city. Since metro stations might occasionally leave a substantial walk to your final stop, locals intermix modes as necessary with free transfers between the two systems. At night, the bus could be your singular method to get about unless opting for a more expensive taxi or Uber. Approximately twenty-four around-the-clock bus routes are in operation.
Optimize your budget on extended stays using an OPUS card
Montréal’s cohesive transit system simplifies travel between the metro and bus. Pricing is zone-based, with zone A covering all of Montréal. A single metro or bus ticket costs CA$3.75, allowing transfers between bus and metro within 120 minutes of the initial journey. Two-ride tickets ($7) are also offered at metro stations and in pharmacies and dépanneurs (delis). On the bus, cash is accepted but no change is provided.
For those settling in Montréal for several days, a rechargeable OPUS card is a frugal option. The card’s initial price is $6, with recharges available at discounted rates for 10 rides ($33.25), 24 hours of unlimited travel ($11), or three consecutive days ($21.25). A one-week pass ($31) is also an option – bear in mind, these passes activate on Monday and end on Sunday, thus they might not be the best buy if chosen mid-week.
Embrace the breeze and some exercise on a Bixi bike
Introduced in 2014, the bike-sharing system in Montréal has expanded phenomenally. The network includes 865 docking spots offering more than 10,000 bicycles (among them 3500+ electric bicycles) ready for brief city rides.
Before taking to the streets, you might ask if Montréal accommodates cyclists. Is it friendly to bikes? Oh yes! (Bien sûr!) With an extensive network of bike pathways, exceeding 435 miles and including express routes separated from traffic, Montréal leads the urban cycling world and is acknowledged by various institutions (Copenhagen Design Index being one) as one of the prime cycle-friendly metropolises in North America. However, during wintertime, Bixi pauses: from mid-April to mid-November the bicycles are accessible, as winter snow accumulation on paths renders cycling risky.
Utilize the Bixi official application to discover nearby docks and rent bicycles directly via the app (with QR codes for chosen bicycle unlocking). And if your phone isn’t handy, obtain a one-way pass through your credit card and receive a code for bike access. Planning frequent rides? Opt for a $22 monthly membership (through the app), which allows unlimited 45-minute regular rides. Non-members purchase a pass for $1.35 for bike access, with an additional charge of 20¢ per minute for conventional bicycles (35¢ for electric bicycles), and a $100 security deposit is held on your card till the return of the bicycle.
Utilize trains for exploration outside the city limits
Montréal’s suburban train network is managed by Exo (formerly RTM). Five railway routes extend from the city center, reaching northern, southern, eastern, and western suburbs. Not commonly used by first-time visitors, these trains offer paths less trodden to venues like the First Nations reserve of Kahnawà:ke, or the city of Saint-Jérôme, the entryway to the Laurentian Mountains’ adventures.
For longer journeys, Canada’s exceptional Via Rail network is your option. Launching from Gare Centrale in the downtown area, trains travel to Québec City in about three hours. One can continue to Halifax (a 22-hour journey) or veer towards Ottawa (taking two hours) and proceed to Toronto (a five-hour trip).
Travel accessibility in Montréal
Montréal holds ambitious aspirations regarding the betterment of access in its public transit system. STM’s significant funding has aimed at upgrading metro stations to achieve universal accessibility across all 68 stops. Yet, extensive work remains. Presently, 26 stations provide access from street to platform, while five others are undergoing renovations, with reopening slated by 2025.
Despite incomplete progress, accessible stations are notably advantageous to visitors, notably Place d’Armes in Old Montréal, Bonaventure in the hub, Mont-Royal for the Plateau, Jean-Talon for Little Italy, and Viau for Parc Olympique.
The bus system serves significantly for individuals with impairments. All buses are now equipped for wheelchairs, having features to “kneel” and lower ramps (prompted by the driver). Be aware, though, not all bus stops are accessible. For aid in planning a barrier-free journey, the STM route planner remains at your disposal. Simply input the start and endpoint, choosing the “wheelchair accessible” setting.