Welcome to Montréal
Welcome to Montréal, the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec. Montreal is a modern yet historic island city with optimism and hope flooding through its streets. Montréal sits in the St. Lawrence River and gets its name from the 764 feet high Mont-Royal, the only high mountain in the Montréal landscape. Montréal, much like New York City, is considered the diverse business center of Canada, with the best of urban skyscrapers and historic French commodities. Montréal is the simplest way to get a taste of Europe while in North America; many visitors remark upon how certain areas of Montréal resemble the streets of Paris. Major film companies come to Montréal to simulate both US and European cities.
Montréal’s population comprises of about 66% French speakers (Francophones), with most of the remaining population speaking English. Montréal is known as one of the safest and cleanest cities in North America. This tourist friendly metropolis is sure to provide you with a wonderful experience, as this bustling city is considered the Canadian capital for book publishing, film, architecture and design, and not to mention, the bagel capital of Canada, so be sure and enjoy all the adventure Montréal has to provide.
Entry Requirements
To visit Canada you:
- must be healthy. You might need a doctor's examination;
- must respect Canadian laws;
- will need a valid passport, proof of who you are or other travel documents; and
- may need a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)**.
** Visit http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.html to find the list of who will need a VISA. Citizens of U.S. and many European countries need no visa, but visit the above website for a more comprehensive list.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/applications/visa.html contains information on how to get your VISA.
The VISA application process should be initiated well in advance of your estimated departure date.
For details of requesting a Visa Assistance letter, please visit here.
Customs Information
The website for general customs information is: http://www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca
Montréal Airport
P. E. Trudeau International Airport (recently renamed from Dorval Airport) is 22km (14 miles) southwest of downtown and by car the trip into town should take about 30 minutes from the airport.
You may want to check the Internet for discount airfares at: http://www.airfare.com or http://altavista.com. Other reliable consolidators to consult for low fares include http://www.counciltravel.com or http://www.statravel.com. Non-U.S. and non-Canadian travelers can take advantage of the Visit USA airpasses offered by Continental (800 231-0856) and similar coupons from Air Canada (800 776-3000).
Shuttle Schedule
L'Aérobus is the shuttle service from Montréal - Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to the Montréal Central Bus Station.
A complimentary shuttle service is also available between the Montréal Central Bus Station and major downtown hotels. Consult the L'Aérobus schedule for more details.
Tickets for the shuttle may be purchased at the following locations:
Montréal Central Bus Station - 505, De Maisonneuve Blvd.;
Airport ticket kiosk.
For more information visit here.
The VIA Rail network is Canada’s train system that can also be used to enter Montréal from other parts of Canada. The Gare Centrale (Central Station), is at 935-rue de la Gauchetiere Ouest. Further information can be retrieved at: (514) 871-1331 or http://www.viarail.ca.
Amtrak also travels to Central Station from New York City. For information on train rides via Amtrak services call (800) USA-RAIL.
The Terminus Voyageur is Montréal’s main bus terminal and operates buses daily between all parts of Quebec. The Voyageur also connects to Ontario: hourly service to/from Ottawa and very frequent service to/from Toronto. More information on the Terminus Voyageur can be provided at: (514) 842-2281.
Greyhound Lines also provide transportation from certain U.S. cities into Montréal. Greyhound Canada (800-661-8747).
Taxi services charge a fixed rate of C$31 for transport between Trudeau Airport and Downtown Montreal. It takes about 25 minutes to get from the airport to the city center (about an 8-mile trip).
Departure Taxes
There is an airport departure tax of $55 placed on all international flights out of Canada, except those to US destinations. For the US destinations, the tax is 7% of the ticket value plus $6 to a maximum of $55. Most tickets include the departure tax; however, if your ticket was purchased outside of Canada, it may not include this tax.
For international flights, you should check in three hours before the scheduled departure.
Taxi Service
Taxi service is generally reliable. The meter begins at $2.50 and runs at $1.20 for each km. Three taxi services are listed below:
Champlain Taxi (514) 273-2435
Diamond Taxi (514) 273-6331
Taxi Lasalle (514) 277-2552
Rental Car Information
There are many car rental companies in Montréal. Below is a list of major agencies. Check the telephone directory for additional companies.
It is important to note that the majority of traffic road signs are in French, so it might be helpful to carry a language translation dictionary with you if traveling by car. However, most traffic signs do follow general international standards (e.g., STOP, written ARRET in Quebec). Here are a few tips: one-way streets and illegal turns are indicated by arrows; no-entry is by a red circle with a dash; sud = south, nord = north, ouest = west, est = east; a P with a slash through it means no parking; parking is often restricted by day and hour (e.g., lun-ven means weekdays; lun=Monday, mardi=Tuesday, merc=Wednesday, jeudi=Thursday, ven=Friday; a 24 hour clock is used, thus 15h = 3 pm);
Avis Budget Discount Dollar |
Enterprise Hertz National Tilden |
Currency
The Canadian dollar ($) is divided into 100 cents (¢). Coins come in denominations of 1¢ (penny), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), 1$ (loonie) and $2 (twoonie) pieces. Bills come in $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 denominations. $50 and $100 dollar bills are not accepted by some shops or services.
You may check the Currency Exchange Services at: http://www.foreignmoney.com or from http://www.us.thomascook.com.
ATMS are found in most of the same places as in the United States, but many times are labeled Automatique or Services Automatisés.
Most major credit cards are accepted. Visa and MasterCard dominate the market, followed by American Express, Diners Club, and enRoute.
You can also exchange your cash at the airport or at major banks downtown. Banks and other financial institutions offer a standard rate of exchange; the best exchange rates can be obtained by withdrawing funds from bank’s ATMs.
American Express -- (800) 807-6233
Thomas Cook – (800) 287-7362
Taxation
Most goods and services in Canada are taxed 7% by the federal government and appears on the bill as the TPS tax or also known as GST. In addition to this tax, Quebec also charges a 7.5% provincial tax on goods and services, including hotel accommodations. This tax appears as the TVQ tax. The total tax on most goods and services is thus 15%. Visitors to Montréal from outside the country can apply to have both the federal and provincial tax returned to them upon their departure. Be sure to keep all purchase receipts as proof of payment. This application form can be found in the Tax Refund for Visitors to Canada booklet. It’s available at most hotels, Tourist Information Centers, travel agents, duty-free shops, and shopping centers. You can also call the Visitor Rebate Program (800) 668-4748 (within Canada) or (902) 432-5608 (outside Canada); or visit the website: http:// www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca.
Getting Around
Public Transportation
The subway system, known as the Metro, is an efficient and safe way to get around Montréal. The trains run all day and as often as every three minutes. The Metro system has 65 stations, with more on the way. An unlimited day pass is C$7 and a three-day pass is C$14. Connections and transfers from one bus to another can be made at each station. The orange, green, and yellow Metro lines run from about 5:30am until 1am, and the blue line runs from 5:30am to 11pm. Free system maps can be obtained at Metro ticket booths to provide complete route information. For more information about the subway system call the Societe de Transport de Montréal (STM) at (514) 288-6287 or visit http://www.stm.info.
The bus system in Montréal is similar to the Metro system, however buses do not run as frequently as the Metro. The costs are equivalent to that of the Metro system and Metro tickets are good on all buses. Exact change is necessary to pay bus fares and if you begin a trip on a bus and would like a transfer to the Metro, simply ask the bus driver for a transfer ticket (“ticket de correspondence”).
Neighborhoods
Downtown
Downtown Montréal is the home of Montréal’s beautiful skyline and luxurious hotels, department stores, and corporate buildings. Once known as “The Golden Square Mile” because of the many Scottish and English mansions that used to exist in this area, it is still very much authentic and modern. On the northern edge of the downtown area lies the campus of McGill University.
The Underground City
Montréal’s underground maze has about 1,600 shops, 40 banks, 200 restaurants, 10 Metro stations, and about 30 cinemas. This part of the city lacks the traffic congestion, but it can be very easy to get lost. Mark your way using the signs and corner landmarks so that maneuvering around the underground city does not become too confusing.
Rue Crescent
Rue Crescent is one of Montréal’s popular dining and nightlife districts. This area lies west of the downtown area and provides a party atmosphere that lasts throughout the night.
Vieux-Montréal
The birthplace of Montréal in 1642 is by the river at Pointe-a-Calliere. Vieux-Montréal is a place for outdoor summer activities as artists, street performers, and picnickers can be found enjoying the fresh air and historical buildings. This area houses many old banks on one side, as it was once called the “Wall Street” of Montréal and a newly developed park on the other. Vieux-Montréal has preserved many of the 18th and 19th century structures and buildings that can be quite beautiful at night.
St-Denis
This area is the Francophone hub of Montréal. It is covered with cafes, bistros, shops, and lively nightspots that many of the locals enjoy. South on St-Denis is the Universite du Quebec a Montréal and therefore this district is full of students and young adults. This area is pricier than many others, but it also carries some of the city’s best restaurants.
Plateau Mont-Royal
Northeast of downtown, this area is a diverse urban center that is home to many new immigrants. It houses many warehouses, small businesses, shops, and restaurants.
Parc-du Mont-Royal
The Royal Mountain, at it is called, is actually a tall hill that displays the view of the city and the St. Lawrence River. A scenic drive or horse-drawn caleche at dusk can be taken to the top of the hill. The park was designed by American landscape architect Frederick Law Omsted, creator of New York City’s Central Park and is used by Montréalers daily for hiking, running, and skating. Locals refer to it as “the mountain.”
Chinatown
This area is mostly filled with restaurants and a tiny park. You will find that most signs are in French, English, and Chinese in this area. While more modern districts surround it, it has still managed to maintain distinct Chinese traditions.
The Village
The Village is Montréal’s gay and lesbian center. The Village is actually one of North America’s largest gay and lesbian districts and is filled with antique stores, clubs, cafes, and the Gay and Lesbian Community Centre. The Beaudry Metro station in the center of the district, displays a rainbow to symbolize the gay community.
Ile Ste-Helene and Ile Notre-Dame
The St. Helen’s Island is in the St. Lawrence River and is known as the site of the 1967 Expo, or world’s fair. This area was reshaped and beautified prior to the fair, with bridges and over 83 pavilions built. After the Expo, many parts of this area were used in the 1976 Olympics and today it is the home of Montréal's most popular casino and its summer amusement park, La Ronde.
Places to Explore
Musee des Beaux-Arts – The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the most prominent museums in Montréal. The original classical pavilion built in 1912 became too small for the collection and therefore in 1991 a new annex was completed to house the entire collection from paintings from the 16th century to the present.
Parc du Mont-Royal – This 232m hill encompasses miles of paths, trails, and beautiful picnic spots for locals and tourists alike to enjoy Montréal outdoors. The Chalet Lookout also provides a gorgeous view of the city from its terrace.
Basilique Notre-Dame – This large church designed in 1824 by James O’Donnell, an Irish-American Protestant, holds up to 4,000 worshippers. The structure is rich in detail and rare woods that have been uniquely carved and painted.
Montréal Science Centre – This $49-million complex concentrates on a variety of displays and interactive exhibits that focus on science and technology. The Montréal Science Centre also has a popular IMAX theater within the complex.
Biodome de Montréal– The biodome is next to Montréal’s Botanical Garden and the Olympic Stadium. It was originally built as a dome for the Olympics, it now holds four ecosystems, with fauna, flora, and animals that match the four distinct ecosystems.
Stade Olympique – This original Olympic Stadium is a facility worth viewing, with a natatorium with six pools and a deep pool for scuba diving. The stadium seats 40,000 to 60,000 people and the facility is linked to the Olympic Park and Botanical Garden.
Vieux-Montréal– The oldest part of the city is worth a stroll. Antique shops, restaurants, and buildings fill the atmosphere.
Quartier Latin and Plateau Mont-Royal – This area used to house The Universite de Montréal in 1893, but when the campus moved the area began to decline. Since 1969 the area has revamped and now has rows of French and ethnic restaurants, shops, and art galleries. It is a great place to visit during the summer.
Place Jacques-Cartier – This area is across the street from the Hotel de Ville (City Hall). This plaza features outdoor cafes, street performers, horse-drawn carriages and more. This attraction is very much filled with tourists, but one will also find many locals visiting the area to enjoy a drink in the summer sun.
Chinatown – A small quarter-mile area combines the spices and ethnic flavors of China and more recently Hong Kong. The oldest building in Chinatown is Canada’s largest manufacturer of Chinese noodles and fortune cookies known as the Wing Building.
Ste-Catherine – The bustling street of Ste-Catherine is lively both by day, as the city’s business core, and by night, as the city’s most popular bars and restaurants reside in this area. Many of the major Canadian festivities also occur here, such as the Santa Claus and St. Patrick’s Day parades.
Other Options – Montréal and the surrounding areas are filled with lots of spectacular sites and fun adventures. Here are a few of the different Canadian regions and their websites to explore before you embark on your trip:
Quebec Tourism: www.bonjour-quebec.com
Gaspesie: www.tourisme-gaspesie.com
Eastern Townships: www.cantonsdelest.com
Mauricie: www.icimauricie.com
Quebec City: www.quebecregion.com
Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean: www.tourismesaguenaylacsaintjean.qc.ca
Outaouais: www.tourisme-outaouais.ca
Laurentides: www.laurentides.com
Monteregie: www.tourisme-monteregie.qc.ca
Montréal: www.tourisme-montreal.org
Ottawa: www.ottawatourism.ca
Organized Tours
Boat Tours
Le Bateau-Mouche offers a variety of glass-enclosed boat tours along the St. Lawrence River. Cruses are generally 90 minutes and day tours cost about C$20 for adults and include a snack. More information can be obtained at www.bateaumouche.com or by calling (800) 361-9952 or (514) 849-9952.
Croisieres du Port de Montréal (AML Cruises) also provides boat tours with dinner, dancing, and sightseeing along the St. Lawrence River. Fares are between CAD$15 to CAD$35 for adults. They also offer cruises to Quebec City and Charlevoix for whale watching. Call (800) 667-3131 or (514) 842-3871 for more details. The website is www.croisieresaml.com.
Saute Moutons is another boat ride that is sure to be exciting and wet. The hydrojet boats take on the Lachine Rapids of the St. Lawrence River. You are sure to get soaked while splashing your way through the rapids so it is advised to take a change of clothes. Rates vary from C$17 to C$46 for adults. For more information call (514) 284-9607 or go to www.jetboatingmontreal.com.
Bus Tours
Gray Line de Montréal/Autocar Connaisseur provide three-hour air-conditioned bus tours of the city. The tours include stops at the Botanical Gardens, Biodome, and other must see sites. The basic city tour costs C$33 for individuals 13 and up. Gray Line also provides pickup services at the major hotels in Montréal. Call (514) 934-1222 or visit www.coachcanada-montreal.com for more information.
Autocar Imperial also offers similar city tours on double-decker buses and can be reached at (514) 871-4733.
Amphi-Bus also provide tours of a different nature. The bus tours Vieux-Montréal but takes a twist into the water of the harbor at its end. More information provided at (514) 849-5181. Tours cost anywhere from C$16 to C$45, depending on the package purchased.
Caleches are also an option in Montréal. These are horse-drawn carriages that are accompanied with a driver that serves as a guide. The carriage rides cost about C$45 for an hour ride and can hold up to four passengers comfortably. (514) 934-6105
Walking and Cycling Tours
Guidatour provides walking tours of Vieux-Montréal, the underground city, and other places of interest. Call (514) 844-4021 or visit www.guidatour.qc.ca for more details or call Visites de Montréal at (514) 933-6674 for other walking tours.
Cycling tours are also available both in French and English via Velo Montréal at (514) 236-8356 or www.velomontreal.com.
Heritage Montréal provides tours that focus on Montréal’s architecture and landscaping. Most of these tours are on foot or on bicycles and concentrate on different themes and city attractions. Visit www.heritagemontreal.qc.ca or call (514) 286-2662 for further details.
Tipping
Tipping is generally not included in service charges in Canada. The general rule is to tip 15% of the entire bill. Porters and doormen should get about $2 a bag and maids should receive about $2 per person per day ($3 in luxury hotels).