How to plan a trip to Montreal?

To plan a trip to Montreal is to open the door to a city that combines modernity with a rich history. Known as much for its lively nightlife and summer festivals as it is for the famous Montreal International Jazz Festival, the city is a hive of cultural activity. But we’re not here to tell you what to see and do in the city. Instead, we’ve put together a list of the best travel tips to make sure everything goes smoothly during your stay.

Below you can read about the documentation you need to travel to Canada, the best time of year, transport to get there and around the city, and all about accommodation. We’re also fun-loving, so we’ve included a foodie section with dishes you can’t miss. Follow our travel tips and recommendations and enjoy Montreal like you were born in the city 😉

1. Prepare your travel documents for Montreal

To travel to Canada you will need to have the necessary documentation depending on your country of origin. While US residents can enter Canada with a valid passport, others will need to apply for an eTA or visa.

European, Commonwealth and some other countries need to apply for an eTA, which is an electronic certificate linked to your passport, which is valid for 5 years, but only allows you to stay in the country for 6 months. The eTA is processed online and costs $7 CAD. It is usually issued immediately, but can sometimes take a few extra days if there is a glitch. In any case, it is best to apply at least one month in advance.

For all other countries in the world, you will need to apply for a visa through the embassy, consulate or online. Visa fees are about $100 CAD, depending on where you’re travelling from, and can take up to 40 days to process. If you plan to be in Canada for more than 6 months, you will also have to do an interview to have your biometric data collected.

Documents for a trip to Montreal

Here are the documents you’ll need to submit with your application:

• Valid passport: must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the planned date of departure from Canada.
• Passport photographs: must meet Canada’s specific size and format requirements.
• Proof of financial solvency: with recent bank statements, proof of income, letters of employment, and/or documents showing that you have sufficient funds for your stay in Canada.
• Letter of invitation (if applicable): from a friend or family member in Canada, or a letter from a Canadian company if you are travelling on business.
• Travel itinerary: details of your flight and accommodation, or a detailed description of your plans in Canada.
• Proof of relationship or marital status: such as marriage certificates, birth of children, etc., especially if you plan to visit relatives.
• Visa fees: you must pay the relevant fees, which vary according to the type of visa and length of stay.
• Letter of explanation: explaining the purpose of your trip and any other relevant information.
• Medical examination results: if you plan to stay in Canada for more than six months, or if your country of residence is on the list of countries for which Canada requires medical examinations.
• Criminal record: criminal record certificates may be required, depending on your country of origin and length of stay in Canada.

To drive in Canada you will also need to apply for an international driver’s licence, which costs about €10.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Montreal

Spring and summer, from May to August, are perfect times to visit Montreal. During these months, the city comes alive with warm temperatures around 20°C and multiple festivals such as the acclaimed Montreal International Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs. The terraces are open and it’s the perfect time to stroll through the city’s parks. However, these months also attract the most tourists, which can mean higher prices and crowded venues.

If you don’t mind the moderate cold, we encourage you to go in autumn, when the days aren’t as long and the weather isn’t as hot, but it’s still a good time to discover the city at a more moderate price and with fewer people.

3. Find out how to get to Montreal

Although the vast majority of tourists fly into Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, there are other ways to get to the city as well, as we’ll explain below:

• Airplane: Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is the main air gateway to Montreal, with flights from approximately 40 airlines, including Air Canada and WestJet, to more than 130 destinations. With the Passporter App you can check prices, airlines and book your tickets directly through Skyscanner.
• Train: VIA Rail Canada connects Montreal with over 450 Canadian cities. Amtrak offers services from several US cities directly to Montreal Central Station. The best thing about this option is that you can enjoy the scenic views as the train passes through.
• Bus: It’s an economical option, but depending on where you’re travelling from, it may not be worth the long distances. Orléans Express and Greyhound operate routes to Montreal from cities in Canada and the US.
• Car: Montreal is well connected by road, accessible from major Canadian and US cities via the Trans-Canada Highway and other major arteries. This option is not recommended if you’re not leaving the city, as getting around downtown is best done by public transport.

From Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport you can get downtown on the 747 Express bus, which operates 24 hours a day and costs $7 CAD. It makes key stops downtown near major hotels. The journey takes between 25 and 30 minutes depending on traffic. Another quicker and more convenient option is to take a taxi for about $40 CAD.

Montreal’s public transport includes subways and buses. A single ride costs $3.50 CAD, but daily and weekly passes are also available for unlimited travel.

4. Find the accommodation that meets your expectations to enjoy Montreal

In Montreal you can enjoy both luxurious hotels and cosy bed and breakfasts. The city is known for its charming architecture and accessibility, so we recommend choosing the neighbourhood you like regardless of its location, as each area has its own charm and you’ll be able to get around by public transport.

Here are the best neighbourhoods to stay in Montreal:

• Downtown: is downtown, with easy access to shopping, museums and nightlife. It is a more expensive option due to its convenience and proximity to major attractions.
• Le Plateau-Mont Royal: is a bohemian neighbourhood with quaint streets, abundant cafes and proximity to Mont-Royal park. Variety in prices, but generally cheaper than Downtown.
• Old Montreal: Full of history and charm with its cobblestone streets and old architecture. Staying here tends to be more expensive, but is ideal for a more cultural and romantic experience.
• The Village: is known for its LGBTQ+ community and nightlife. It offers reasonably priced accommodation options.
• Quartier des spectacles: is centrally located and is the epicentre of festivals and cultural events. Variety of prices, with many accommodation options.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in Montreal

You already have your dates, airline tickets and accommodation. Now it’s time to start preparing your itinerary with the Passporter App. Montreal is a fascinating city where you can spend three to five days without getting bored, as it is the largest city in Quebec and is known for its fusion of French and Anglo-Saxon culture, which is reflected in its cuisine, architecture and nightlife.

Here we leave you a preview of the must-sees, but if you want to know more about the city, we encourage you to read this post: Things to do and see in Montreal Canada

• Mount Royal: a park offering walks, panoramic views of the city and outdoor activities.
• Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal: famous for its intricate Gothic interior and light shows. Admission is about $8 CAD.
• Montreal Museum of Fine Arts: houses an impressive collection of art from antiquity to the present day. Admission is $24 CAD.
• Biodôme de Montréal: a space that recreates four different American ecosystems and is home to many species of animals and plants. The entrance fee is $20 CAD.
• Vieux-Montreal: this is the oldest part of the city, full of historic buildings, cobblestone streets and boutiques.
• Botanical Gardens: one of the largest in the world, with themed gardens and plant exhibits. Admission is about $21 CAD.
• Place des Arts: the cultural centre in the heart of the city which hosts numerous festivals and arts events.
• Jean-Talon Market: one of Montreal’s oldest public markets, perfect for sampling local produce and fresh food.

6. Where and what to eat in Montreal?

Montreal’s cuisine is a multicultural delight, marked by French influence and enriched by the many cultures that inhabit it. Ingredients such as maple syrup and fresh cheese are used in traditional dishes that mix classic with modern touches. The city is a foodie’s paradise, offering everything from poutine to bagels and smoked meats. Here are the dishes you can’t afford to miss.

• Poutine: French fries topped with cream cheese and gravy are a Quebecois classic.
• Montreal Bagels: Less sweet than their New York counterparts, baked in a wood-fired oven.
• Smoked Meat: Cured and smoked meats served on sandwiches, very traditional in the city.
• Tourtière: is a spicy meat pie, typical at Christmas but enjoyed all year round.
• Pâté Chinois: similar to ‘shepherd’s pie’, a layer of minced meat, corn and mashed potatoes.

As for drinks, Café au lait is a tradition in local cafés, ideal with morning bagels. A curiosity of Montreal is its love of maple syrup, which is used not only in desserts but also in savoury dishes, giving them a uniquely sweet twist.

7. Organise a trip with friends to Montreal

Montreal is a bustling destination, filled with music festivals, fine dining and stunning architecture. However, travelling as a group can present challenges, especially when coordinating varied tastes and budgets within such a diverse environment.

Group dynamics can be put to the test when deciding between an evening of live jazz, an afternoon exploring the Arts Quarter or a culinary excursion to the city’s famous bagels and poutine. Our recommendation to avoid conflict is to plan ahead and use the Passporter App to give every member of the group a say in the planning and ensure that no one feels left out of the decisions. We tell you how to do this in this post, where we also give many other travel tips for large groups: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Montreal

• Be sure to bring the local currency, the Canadian dollar, although credit and debit cards are widely accepted. We recommend using international cards.
• Check that you have all your documents in order, including your passport and, depending on your country of origin, an eTA or visa.
• Bring an adapter if your electrical devices have different specifications, as Canada uses A and B type plugs, with a voltage of 120V and frequency of 60Hz.
• Prepare for variable weather depending on the region and the season; bring cold-weather clothing if you’re travelling in winter, especially to the northernmost regions or the Rocky Mountains.
• Use efficient public transportation in major cities such as Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, and consider buying a local transit card for unlimited travel.
• Bear in mind that English and French are the official languages, with French predominating in Quebec and English in the rest of the country.
• A tip of 15-20% is customary in restaurants. Tipping is also common in taxis.
• Check if you need an international driver’s licence if you plan to rent a car.
• Buy an eSIM card for mobile internet access. Our favourite company is Holafly as they offer cards for Montreal with unlimited data.
• Book flights and accommodation in advance, especially in high season or for popular destinations such as the Rocky Mountains.
• Although Montreal is generally safe, it’s always wise to take standard precautions, especially in big cities.
• Remember that if you’re visiting a national park, you’ll have to pay a visitor’s fee. The fee is around $10 CAD per day.
• Using apps like Passporter to plan your trip to Montreal is free and helps you get inspiration from other travellers and organise your itinerary efficiently.
• Protect yourself against medical emergencies: travel insured.

9. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Montreal

Download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
• Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
• Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents…
• Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your experience on how to plan your trip to Montreal.

If you have doubts about how to create your itinerary, you can consult our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.

10. Frequently asked questions about travelling to Montreal