Practical information for visiting Montreal

Air: Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is the principal passenger airport, with domestic, transborder and international services. The airport lists roughly 157 direct destinations, though routes and seasons change. The 747 bus is the current public connection to the metro and downtown; the REM airport branch is scheduled for 2027.

Rail: VIA Rail serves Central Station on the Quebec–Ontario corridor. Direct trains connect Montreal with Ottawa, Toronto and Quebec City, while longer-distance services use the same central station. Book early for popular weekends and verify engineering changes before departure.

Road and coach: Intercity coaches use the Berri-UQAM area, and highways connect the island to the South Shore, Laval and routes toward Quebec City, Ottawa and the United States. Bridge traffic and winter weather can make driving time less predictable than distance suggests.

Within the region: The metro, buses, commuter rail and operating REM segments form a regional network with fare zones. Check the correct zone before travelling beyond Montreal proper.

Montreal is a large city where most visitor trips are routine, but crowded transport, festivals, markets and queues create ordinary opportunities for pickpocketing. Keep bags closed and in front of you in dense spaces, separate payment cards from other valuables and avoid leaving a phone or bag on an adjacent seat.

At night, choose a populated vehicle, well-lit exit and a planned final walk. The STM's Between Stops service allows women travelling alone at night to ask a bus driver to stop between regular stops when it can be done safely.

Weather creates more common disruption than a tourist-specific threat. Ice, snow loading, heat and storms can change routes or walking conditions quickly. Respect temporary barriers and do not enter the river or closed natural areas to retrieve property.

Call 911 for an emergency or immediate safety concern. Minor thefts without a suspect, witness or injury may be eligible for an SPVM online report. Transport choices and driving rules are covered on Getting Around.

Visitors who are not covered by Quebec's public plan should carry travel health insurance. Confirm how the policy handles hospital care, prescriptions and any existing conditions before arrival rather than assuming a reciprocal arrangement applies.

Call 811, option 1 for free, confidential advice from a nurse about a non-urgent health issue; the service operates 24 hours a day. Call 911 or go to an emergency department for a serious or immediate problem.

Summer heat, humidity and smog can affect a long walking day, including people who are otherwise healthy. Check current alerts, carry water and move strenuous outdoor activity away from the hottest period. In wooded and grassy areas, use official guidance to reduce tick and mosquito exposure.

Winter cold, ice and wet footwear can be equally consequential. Dress in layers, protect exposed skin during alerts and use footwear with traction. The official climate normal is a planning baseline, not a substitute for the day's forecast.

Call 911 for police, fire or a medical emergency. Give the civic address, nearest intersection, metro station or recognisable landmark, and state whether the incident is above or below street level.

Call 811, option 1 for a non-urgent health question and 311 for information or requests involving municipal services. If the situation concerns immediate danger or you fear for someone's safety, use 911 rather than 311.

For non-emergency social mediation in public space, Montreal directs callers through 211. On the metro, use station assistance or the emergency equipment identified by the operator and follow staff instructions.

Save the address of your accommodation offline. Winter detours, street festivals and the underground pedestrian network can make an exact meeting point more useful than the name of a district.