Your complete guide to navigating Montréal

A perfect fusion of French and Canadian cultures, Montréal is a stylish, lively city filled with cultural treasures, historic buildings, and a vibrant culinary scene. As the largest city in Québec, you’ll discover these amazing activities spread across charming neighborhoods and the bustling city center.

You won’t have to stress about getting around Montréal – the metro and bus system is the busiest rapid transit network in Canada, expertly transporting both residents and tourists with efficiency and safety. The entire system is managed by the Société de Transport Montréal (Montréal Society of Transportation), often simply called STM by the locals.

In addition to the sleek blue metro trains and extensive bus routes, the city boasts an excellent bike-sharing program and trains that can whisk you away to the suburbs and beyond. Here’s everything you need to know about getting around Montréal.

Reach your destination quicker with the metro

Montréal boasts a vast metro system featuring four numbered, color-coded lines that link 68 stations. The entire service operates underground – a major advantage when winter winds are howling outside. Generally, the metro is known for its reliability and provides a swift way to navigate the city. Unlike many other underground systems in North America, Montréal’s trains run on rubber tires, a nod to French innovation (Paris introduced this technology in the 1950s) that results in quieter rides and quicker acceleration.

The orange ligne deux (line 2) is particularly beneficial for tourists, connecting Old Montréal to downtown and key northern neighborhoods like the Quartier Latin, the Plateau, Mile End, and Little Italy. Although the operating hours vary slightly across lines, they generally run from 5:30am until around 12:30am from Sunday to Thursday, extending about 30 minutes later on Friday and Saturday nights.

Opt for the bus to enjoy better views of the city’s neighborhoods

STM manages Montréal’s extensive bus network, which complements the metro by operating over 200 lines that weave throughout the city. Since metro stations can sometimes require a lengthy walk to reach your final destination, locals often combine the two systems, as transfers between them are free. Late at night, the bus might be your only option for getting around besides more expensive taxis or Ubers, with around two dozen routes running all night.

Stretch your budget for extended visits with an OPUS card

Montréal’s integrated transit system makes it easy to switch between the metro and bus. Fares are based on zones, with zone A covering all of Montréal. A single ticket for either bus or metro costs CA$3.75 and permits transfers between the two for up to 120 minutes after your first trip. Two-ride tickets ($7) can be purchased at metro stations, pharmacies, and dépanneurs (delis). You can also pay cash on the bus, but be aware that no change is provided.

If you're planning to stay in Montréal for several days, consider getting a rechargeable OPUS card to save on fares. The card has a $6 initial cost but can be reloaded at discounted rates: 10 rides for $33.25, unlimited rides for 24 hours at $11, or three consecutive days for $21.25. There's also a one-week pass available for $31, but remember that these passes run from Monday to Sunday, so purchasing one mid-week may not be the best option.

Breathe in the fresh air and get some exercise while riding a Bixi bike

Since its launch in 2014, Montréal’s bike-sharing network has expanded significantly. With 865 docking stations and over 10,000 bikes available, including more than 3,500 electric options, it's perfect for quick trips around the city.

Before you hop on a bike, you might be curious about whether Montréal is a bike-friendly city. The answer? Bien sûr! With more than 435 miles of cycling paths, including dedicated express lanes, Montréal is a frontrunner in urban cycling. Various organizations, such as the Copenhagen Design Index, have recognized it as one of the most bikeable large cities in North America. Just keep in mind that during winter, Bixi bikes go into hibernation: they're only available from mid-April to mid-November due to snow coverage on bike lanes, making cycling risky.

Download the official Bixi app to locate nearby stations and rent a bike directly through the app by scanning the QR code on your selected bike to unlock it. If your phone isn’t accessible, you can also purchase a one-way pass using a credit card to receive a five-digit code for unlocking a bike. If you plan to ride frequently, consider getting a $22 monthly membership via the app, which grants unlimited 45-minute rides on standard bikes. For non-members, the one-way pass costs $1.35 to unlock, plus 20¢ per minute for regular bikes (35¢ per minute for e-bikes), with a $100 security deposit temporarily held on your card until the bike is returned.

Take the train to venture beyond the city

Exo, also known as RTM, manages Montréal’s commuter train network. Five rail lines connect the city center to its suburbs in all directions: north, south, east, and west. Though often overlooked by first-time visitors, these trains provide a unique opportunity to explore off-the-beaten-path destinations, such as the First Nations reserve of Kahnawàand the city of Saint-Jérôme, which serves as a gateway to the beautiful Laurentian Mountains.

For even longer journeys, Canada’s exceptional long-distance network, Via Rail, can take you further afield. Trains depart from Gare Centrale in downtown and reach Québec City in just over three hours. You can continue all the way to Halifax (22 hours) or head towards Ottawa (two hours) and then on to Toronto (five hours).

Accessible travel options in Montréal

Montréal has set ambitious goals to enhance the accessibility of its public transport system. The STM has made significant investments to renovate metro stations, aiming for all 68 to become universally accessible. However, much work remains: currently, only 26 stations allow access from street level to the platform, with five more undergoing renovations expected to be completed by 2025.

Despite the ongoing improvements, the accessible stations are a great asset for travelers. Notable accessible stations include Place d’Armes in Old Montréal, Bonaventure in downtown, Mont-Royal serving the Plateau, Jean-Talon for Little Italy, and Viau for Parc Olympique.

Buses are particularly advantageous for travelers with disabilities. All buses are equipped to be wheelchair accessible, featuring a kneeling function and ramps that the driver can activate. However, not all bus stops have accessibility features. To plan an accessible route, you can utilize the STM route planner by entering your starting point and destination, and selecting the 'wheelchair accessible' option.