Montréal basics: A practical guide to the city

Arriving (Electronic Travel Authorization)

Since 2016, visitors from other countries who fly to or transit through Canada need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. The application is completed online and costs $7. Apply now for an eTA !

Everyone arriving at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport via an international flight must pass through border services. Expect to answer simple questions around the purpose of your travels, where you’ll be staying, and what you’ll be doing in Canada.

To expedite your processing time, we recommend downloading the ArriveCAN mobile application. The app—from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)—allows travellers entering Canada to electronically submit travel documents and customs declarations. 

See our full guide to the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)…

Departing

Prepare for your airport departure ahead of time with the YUL Express service, which allows you (and a group of up to 10 people) to set a specific time to access security checkpoints. Essentially it will allow you access to a priority line through security, all for free. Register here! 

Free Wi-Fi

Travel is fun. But roaming fees and data surplus charges? Not so much. Fortunately, Montréal offers plenty of Wi-Fi options. It starts at the airport, with a free Wi-Fi connection. Once you’re downtown (and in certain neighbourhoods), a network called “MTLWiFi” provides you with Wi-Fi access free of charge at several locations. Additionally, The majority of Montréal shopping malls offer free Wi-Fi to visitors. You can also find free Wi-Fi in most of Montréal’s indie coffee shops!

See our full article on where to find free Wi-Fi in Montréal…

Money

Canadian currency is the Canadian dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollar bills. Smaller coins are 5, 10, and 25 cent pieces as well as of 1 and 2 dollars. Banking and credit cards (including touchless “tap and pay”) are welcome almost everywhere.

SIM cards

Need a SIM card when you arrive in Montréal? One of the fastest solutions is to buy a SIM card at the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL). You’ll find retailers ChatR, Rogers and Fido on the public arrivals level, between doors 27 and 28. Drop by their booths to find out which package is right for you.

If you’re downtown, Best Buy (an electronics retailer) and Virgin Mobile offer a selection of Micro SIM cards, adapters, cables, and more. You can also get a Fizz SIM card in various locations along the Montréal metro (subway) network.

Alternatively, you can skip the physical SIM card altogether and use an eSIM. Mobile applications such as Airalo offer eSIMs in Canada. 

Navigating the city with public transit

Montréal has a fantastic system of subways and buses. The network is called STM (the Société de transport de Montréal). You can buy tickets at all metro (subway) stations using fare vending machines or through a ticketing agent. On buses, you can pay your fare in cash, but drivers are not able to provide change.

If you’re going to be using the public transit network frequently during your visit, you might want to nab an OPUS card — Montréal’s rechargeable transit card. The cards cost $6 and can be purchased at STM fare vending machines or through a ticketing agent. You can add credits to your OPUS card via the Chrono mobile app.

From the airport, the 747 shuttle service offers convenient transportation to downtown, and with ample space for your luggage. You will need to purchase the 24-hour ticket, which currently costs $11 (available at kiosks on the Arrivals level).

Parents note that children (age 11 and under) can travel on the STM network for free!

Shared bicycles

BIXI is the official bike sharing system in Montréal. They offer a free application that lets you know, in real time, the number of bikes and docking points available at each station while also providing handy maps. Bikes can be unlocked via the mobile application or at the docking points. 

Public washrooms

When you’re out on the town and nature calls, Montréal offers several pee-pee possibilities. If you’re downtown, the major malls and food courts all have public washrooms. Locations include (and are not limited to) Centre Eaton de Montréal, Complexe Desjardins, Place Ville Marie, Place Montréal Trust, and more!

Montréal’s convention centre (the Palais des congrès de Montréal) offers public washrooms. 

The public markets all offer washrooms: Atwater Market, Jean-Talon Market and Maisonneuve Market. Additionally, most of the city’s most popular parks offer public washrooms, such as the chalet on Mount Royal or the chalet in La Fontaine Park.

And there’s always the option of using the facilities in many of the fast-food restaurants or corporate coffee chains. We won’t mention any names. But you get the gist. 

Potable water

The tap water is safe to drink in Montréal. You can fill your water bottles in your hotel room or at various water fountains throughout the city. A project called “De l’eau dans ta gourde” (Water in your bottle) offers than 125 water fountains and filling stations for reusable water bottles across the city. Watch for them in locations such as Square Viger, Parc Percy-Walters, and more. Furthermore, most restaurants and cafes will be happy to top up your water bottles. 

Tipping

It is customary to tip restaurant waiters, taxi drivers, and hairdressers 15% of the bill, before taxes. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $2 per suitcase or per service rendered. Coffee and food counters often have tip cups or an option to add a tip during a credit card payment. 

Language

Montréal is a French-speaking city but pretty much everyone speaks English. You will be able to speak English in restaurants, hotels, and at all major attractions (museums, concert venues, etc.). In fact, Montréal is Canada's capital for trilingualism! Along with French and English, you’ll hear Spanish, Arabic, Mandarin, Italian, Hindi, and many more languages.