Montreal Travel: 100 Questions Answered based on NeemTime research
Getting Around & Practical Tips
Is Montreal safe?
Yes, Montreal is generally a very safe city. As with any major city, be aware of your surroundings, especially at night. A few areas to be cautious of are “The Village” at night, though it’s typically fine.
Do I need to speak French?
While French is the official language, you can get by with English, especially in the service industry and tourist areas. A simple “Bonjour” to start an interaction will be appreciated. Most Montrealers are bilingual.
What’s the best way to get around?
The Metro (subway) is the most efficient and easiest way to navigate. It’s clean, safe, and the layout is simple with only four color-coded lines.
Do not rent a car. Montreal is notoriously difficult for driving and parking, with frequent construction and road closures.
Bixi is a great bike-sharing service for exploring the city’s many bike paths and neighborhoods.
How do I use the public transit system (STM)?
Buy an OPUS card at a Metro station. You can load it with single fares, day passes, or 3-day passes.
You can buy passes with a credit card at the automated machines or at the booth with a live person. Note that you can’t tap in directly with your credit card or phone; you need to use the physical card.
The 747 bus is the dedicated airport shuttle to downtown. It has a special fee, but the ticket is a 24-hour pass for all of Zone A.
How are the street directions laid out?
Montreal’s directions are based on the St. Lawrence River, not a compass. St-Laurent Boulevard is the dividing line for East and West. Major streets like Sherbrooke and Ste-Catherine run East-West.
What’s the tipping culture like?
Tipping is expected in restaurants and bars, similar to the US. A tip of 15-20% is customary.
What about taxes?
Prices listed do not include tax. Expect to pay a combined tax of about 15% on most goods and services.
What’s the legal drinking age?
The legal drinking age is 18.
Can I drink in public parks?
Drinking in public is technically illegal, but it’s often tolerated in parks if you are also eating food.
Is the Underground City worth visiting?
Most locals and frequent visitors agree the “Underground City” is overrated. It’s a series of connected shopping malls and metro tunnels designed for getting around in the winter.
Any social etiquette I should know?
Saying “Bonjour” when entering a shop or restaurant is polite.
Montrealers are generally friendly. If you get lost, don’t hesitate to ask for help.
Are taxis or ride-shares better?
Taxis and Uber are available. There is no Lyft.
What’s a “dépanneur”?
A “dépanneur” or “dep” is a convenience store. They sell beer and wine until 11 PM.
What’s a “cinq-à-sept”?
This is a local term for happy hour, literally “five to seven.”
Neighborhoods & Attractions
What neighborhoods should I explore besides Old Montreal?
The Plateau: Known for its charming architecture, colorful houses, and bustling St-Laurent and St-Denis streets.
Mile End: A trendy and artistic neighborhood with great cafes and boutiques.
Little Italy: Home to great food and Jean-Talon Market.
Verdun: A revitalized neighborhood with a growing food scene.
Is Old Montreal worth visiting?
Yes, it’s great for a day or two, but don’t spend your whole trip there. It’s the city’s main tourist hub with cobblestone streets and historic buildings.
What’s the best way to see the city from above?
Climb to the Belvedere lookout on Mount Royal.
What are the must-see sights in Old Montreal?
Notre-Dame Basilica
Old Port of Montreal
Pointe à Callière Museum
Château Ramezay
What is a “Bixi”?
Bixi is Montreal’s bike-sharing system. It’s a popular way to explore the city in warm weather.
What’s a good walking tour?
Walking tours of Old Montreal are a popular way to learn about the city’s history. Check Viator for options.
What are some good outdoor activities?
Stroll along the Lachine Canal to Atwater Market.
Visit Parc Jean-Drapeau (accessible by Metro’s yellow line).
Explore the Montreal Botanical Garden.
What’s a unique attraction I should visit?
The Crew Collective & Café is a stunning coffee shop housed in a former bank.
What’s the deal with the Biodome and Planetarium?
They are part of the Space for Life complex, along with the Botanical Garden and Insectarium, and are popular attractions for all ages.
Where can I see some local art?
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the Contemporary Art Museum are great options.
Food & Drink
What’s the one food I HAVE to try?
Poutine. A local specialty of fries, cheese curds, and gravy.
Where’s the best poutine?
La Banquise is iconic and has many varieties, but some locals say it’s overrated. Other highly recommended spots include Chez Claudette, Paul Patates, and Patati Patata.
What’s the best smoked meat sandwich?
Schwartz’s is the most famous and a tourist favorite.
What are some other great Montreal food recommendations?
Portuguese Chicken: Ma Poule Mouillée, Jano, Coco Rico.
Bagels: St-Viateur Bagel and Fairmount Bagel.
Italian: Moccione, Elena, Pizza Bouquet.
French Bistro: L’Express, Leméac, Monarque.
Ramen: Yokato Yokabai, Sansotei.
Thai: Pichai, Pumpui.
Where can I find good coffee?
Montreal has a thriving cafe culture. Many great spots are in the Plateau and Mile End. Crew Collective is a popular choice for its architecture.
What about good cocktails and bars?
Speakeasies: The Coldroom, Atwater Cocktail Club, Big in Japan.
Wine Bars: Buvette Chez Simone, Vinvinvin.
Breweries: Brasserie Dieu du Ciel!
Where can I go for brunch?
Arthurs, La Fabrique, and L’Express are often recommended.
What’s a good market to visit?
Jean-Talon Market is a fantastic open-air market with local produce, cheese, and other gourmet treats.
What’s a good place for a late-night meal?
Many restaurants and diners stay open late, especially on weekends.
Nightlife
What are the best neighborhoods for nightlife?
Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End for bars, pubs, and live music.
The Village (Gay Village) for a vibrant LGBTQ+ scene.
Old Montreal for trendy clubs and speakeasies.
What are some recommended clubs?
New City Gas, Stereo, and La Voûte are well-known venues for electronic music and dancing.
Are there any good live music venues?
Yes, Montreal is a major music city. Les Foufounes Électriques is a classic punk/rock bar. Club Soda and Café Campus host various live acts.
What’s a good place to listen to live jazz?
Modavie and Jardin Nelson are both known for their live jazz music.
Travel Planning & Timing
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
Summer is great for festivals and outdoor activities, but it’s also the busiest and most expensive time.
Fall offers beautiful foliage and pleasant weather.
Winter is for those who enjoy cold weather and winter sports.
Spring can be a bit muddy but less crowded.
How many days should I spend in Montreal?
A long weekend (3-4 days) is good to see the highlights, but a week would allow for a deeper exploration of the neighborhoods and food scene.
How do I get from the airport to downtown?
The 747 bus is the most popular and affordable option. Taxis and Uber are also available.
Is it easy to do a day trip from Montreal?
Yes, popular day trips include Quebec City, Mont-Tremblant, and Ottawa.
How far is Quebec City?
It’s about a 3-hour drive or bus ride from Montreal.
Is it better to stay in a hotel or an Airbnb?
Many Airbnbs in Montreal are illegal, so it’s best to book a hotel or a certified legal short-term rental to avoid issues.
Additional Questions
What are some good cafes to work from?
Many cafes in the Plateau and Mile End are laptop-friendly, but check for specific policies.
Where can I find unique souvenirs?
Explore local shops in the Mile End and Plateau for artisan goods.
What’s a “pâtisserie”?
A French-style bakery.
Is Montreal good for solo travel?
Yes, it’s a very safe city for solo travelers with plenty of activities and a friendly atmosphere.
What are some good places for people-watching?
Plateau cafes, especially on St-Denis and St-Laurent, and any park on a nice day.
Any tips for visiting during a festival?
Book accommodations well in advance, as hotels fill up quickly. Be prepared for larger crowds and longer lines.
What’s the best way to get to Parc Jean-Drapeau?
Take the Metro’s yellow line to Jean-Drapeau station. It’s a short ride from Berri-UQAM.