Travel guide · Canada
Montreal Travel Guide 2026: Notre-Dame Tickets, Transit Passes, Best Months and Real Costs
Downtown Montreal from the Kondiaronk Belvedere, Mount Royal Park Photo: Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0
Montreal is Quebec's largest city, a French-speaking island on the St. Lawrence founded in 1642, with a stone-built old town, a mountain park in the middle and more than 33 km of indoor walkways beneath downtown. The decisions that shape a visit are when to come (January highs average -5 °C, July highs about 26 °C), whether Notre-Dame is better by day or during the evening AURA show, and how to fit Quebec City into the trip. This guide gathers official 2026 ticket prices and fares, the climate month by month and current prices across 358 bookable tours.
Montreal at a glance
| Where | Island city on the St. Lawrence River, Quebec, Canada |
|---|---|
| Founded | 17 May 1642 |
| Language | French is the main language; Notre-Dame and the main museums also work in English |
| Currency | Canadian dollar; cards accepted almost everywhere |
| Taxes | 5% GST + 9.975% QST on most prices; 3.5% extra on accommodation |
| Tipping | 15% of the pre-tax bill in restaurants and taxis |
| Airport | Montréal-Trudeau (YUL); 747 bus to downtown |
| Emergency | 911; health advice line 811 |
Most visitors spend their time in four areas: Old Montreal and the Old Port along the river, downtown with the museums and the underground network, Mount Royal park behind it, and the residential Plateau and Mile End to the north-east, where many food tours run. Olympic Park, with the Biodôme and Botanical Garden, is a métro ride east. A car is more burden than help in the city, not least because right turns on red are banned on the island.
Montreal in pictures
Tap a photo to enlarge it. Photos: Antony-22, Andre Carrotflower, Maxime Laterreur, Jiaqian AirplaneFan, Tetro Smog on fr.Wikipédia — Wikimedia Commons.
Is Notre-Dame Basilica worth it, and should you go by day or for AURA?
The daytime visit is the better first choice for most people
Notre-Dame was the first Gothic Revival church in Canada, built in just 35 months between 1824 and 1829 to a design by the New York architect James O'Donnell, and it became a minor basilica and National Historic Site in 1982. The daytime visit is self-guided: about an hour with 24 numbered points of interest and panels in French and English. It costs CAD 16 plus tax for adults and runs Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 16:00 and on Sunday from 12:30 to 16:00.
| Ticket (2026, plus tax) | Day visit | AURA evening show |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | CAD 16 | CAD 37 |
| Senior 65+ | CAD 15 | CAD 32 |
| Student 17–22 | CAD 14 | CAD 31 |
| Child 6–16 | CAD 10 | CAD 22 |
| Child 5 and under | Free | Free |
| Family, 2 adults + 2 children | CAD 40 | CAD 104 |
Prices are listed as 'starting at'. After 16:00 tickets are sold only online or by phone. A combined day visit and AURA offer starts from CAD 43.50.
AURA is worth it if you want the interior as a show, not as a church
AURA is the evening light-and-sound show inside the basilica. At CAD 37 plus tax it costs more than twice the day visit, and you see the space under projected light rather than in daylight with time to look at the carvings. If you have only one slot, take the day visit; if you are in Old Montreal in the evening anyway and already like the building, the combined offer is the cheapest way to do both.
Verdict: Go by day first: CAD 16 plus tax buys an unhurried hour. Add AURA only as a second visit or through the combined ticket.
How do you get from the airport and get around Montreal?
The 747 bus with a 24-hour pass is the cheapest airport transfer
The STM's 747 shuttle runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every 10 to 15 minutes during the day, between Montréal-Trudeau airport, Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM métro stations and the Gare d'autocars coach terminal. The STM itself says the 24-hour pass (CAD 11.25) is the best fare for it, and the same pass then covers the métro and buses for the rest of the day. At the airport the STM counter and fare machines are at door 28 of international arrivals; you can also pay in exact change on board or buy the fare in the Chrono app.
The REM light-rail line does not reach the airport yet. Its airport station is still under construction, with recent reports pointing to an opening some time in 2027, so older advice about taking the train from YUL is premature. Taxis charge a regulated flat fare to downtown; check the current amount at the taxi rank before you get in.
| Fare (Zone A unless stated) | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 trip with transfer | CAD 3.75 | One or two rides |
| 2 trips | CAD 7 | A round trip |
| 10 trips | CAD 35 | Several days, few rides a day |
| 24-hour pass | CAD 11.25 | Arrival day: covers the 747 |
| 3-day pass | CAD 21.75 | Most short visits |
| Weekly pass | CAD 33.25 | 5 days or more |
| Unlimited Evening (all zones) | CAD 6.75 | After 18:00 |
| Unlimited Weekend (all zones) | CAD 17 | Weekends; starts 16:00 Friday |
Keep your validated fare until you leave the system: it is your proof of payment, and inspectors can fine riders without one up to CAD 500 plus fees. Children 11 and under travel free with a person aged 14 or over. From mid-April to mid-November the BIXI bike share is the easiest way to cover short hops: pay-as-you-go costs CAD 1.60 to unlock plus 21 cents a minute on a regular bike or 36 cents on an electric one, taxes extra.
Verdict: Buy a 24-hour pass at the airport, then a 3-day pass if you are staying longer. Do not hire a car for the city: keep it for day trips.
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
June to September is the best time for most visitors
Montreal has a short, warm summer and a long winter. Average daily highs reach 23.9 °C in June and 26.3 °C in July, and September is still pleasant at 20.6 °C. In January the average high is -5.3 °C and the low -14.0 °C, with about 23 days that never rise above freezing and snow on the ground almost every day. Precipitation is spread evenly through the year, roughly 60–100 mm a month, so there is no dry season to chase.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -5.3 °C | -14.0 °C | 77 mm | Deep winter; Igloofest; underground network earns its keep |
| February | -3.2 °C | -12.2 °C | 63 mm | Cold; MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE festival |
| March | 2.5 °C | -6.5 °C | 69 mm | Thaw begins; sugar shack season |
| April | 11.6 °C | 1.2 °C | 82 mm | Cool shoulder month; sugar shacks |
| May | 18.9 °C | 7.9 °C | 81 mm | Mild; Grand Prix on a late-May weekend |
| June | 23.9 °C | 13.2 °C | 87 mm | Excellent; jazz festival starts late June |
| July | 26.3 °C | 16.1 °C | 89 mm | Warmest; festival peak |
| August | 25.3 °C | 14.8 °C | 94 mm | Warm and busy |
| September | 20.6 °C | 10.3 °C | 83 mm | Best balance of weather and crowds |
| October | 13.0 °C | 3.9 °C | 91 mm | Cool; good for Mount Royal walks |
| November | 5.9 °C | -1.7 °C | 96 mm | Wettest month; snow begins |
| December | -1.4 °C | -9.3 °C | 87 mm | Winter returns; snow on the ground |
Climate figures are 1981–2010 averages for Montréal-Trudeau airport from Environment and Climate Change Canada; precipitation includes snow.
Plan around the big events. The Canadian Grand Prix moved to the third or fourth weekend of May from 2026, the Festival International de Jazz runs from 25 June to 4 July in 2027, and the Just for Laughs OFF festival from 14 to 25 July 2027. In the 2026 edition two-thirds of the jazz festival's 350-plus concerts were free. Winter has its own reasons to come: Igloofest runs outdoors in the Old Port from 14 January to 6 February 2027 (general admission CAD 59), and MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE from 18 to 28 February 2027 with free general access. Maple syrup season at the sugar shacks runs from late February through April.
Verdict: Choose September if you can travel any time: summer warmth without the July festival rush. Come in winter only if you want the snow, and pack for nights around -14 °C.
What are the best things to do in Montreal?
Montreal's sights are less about ticketed monuments than about neighbourhoods, views and food. The list below ranks them by how much they add to a short first visit, with official prices where there is a gate.
Old Montreal is the place to start, ideally with a guide Must do· Morning, before the day visitors
Montreal's story starts here: French settlers took possession of the island on 17 May 1642, and Maisonneuve's statue stands on Place d'Armes facing Notre-Dame. Walk Rue Saint-Paul down to the Old Port, and pair it with Pointe-à-Callière, the city's archaeology and history museum (adults 31–64 CAD 30, taxes included; closed Mondays). Guided walks of the old town are among the best-reviewed tours in the city and usually cost around $79.
28 Old Montreal walking tours tours on Excurgo · from $5, typical $79 per person · rated 4.9 across 7,041 reviews
Mount Royal gives the best free view of the city Must do· Late afternoon; any season
The park on the city's mountain was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect of New York's Central Park, and opened in 1876. The Kondiaronk Belvedere at the summit is the classic viewpoint; one route up starts at the corner of Rue Peel and Avenue des Pins and climbs stairs to the lookout, and the chalet beside it has washrooms and food. The 1924 steel cross is lit at night. In winter the same paths are used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing, and Beaver Lake becomes a skating rink with rentals in its pavilion.
7 E-bike tours including Mount Royal tours on Excurgo · from $64, typical $71 per person · rated 4.9 across 1,985 reviews
A Mile End or market food tour is the best way to eat your way through the city Must do· Lunchtime
Bagels and poutine are the headline tastes, and the food tours that cover them are some of the most reviewed experiences in the catalogue, typically around $130. Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy, opened in 1933 and one of the largest public markets in North America, is open all year (Monday to Saturday 8:00–18:00, Sunday until 17:00; métro Jean-Talon or De Castelnau) and is worth a visit on your own if you skip the tour.
23 Food tours in Mile End and Little Italy tours on Excurgo · from $18, typical $130 per person · rated 4.9 across 6,218 reviews
Saint Joseph's Oratory is free and worth the trip up the hill Worth it· Daily 6:30–21:00
The Oratory of Mount Royal is free to enter. It was founded by Saint Brother André, whose tomb lies beside the Votive Chapel, and the site has a panoramic view over the city. The shrine is open daily from 6:30 to 21:00 and the museum from 10:00 to 16:30. Drivers pay by the hour in the car park, from CAD 3.75 for up to an hour after a free first 30 minutes.
The Biodôme and Botanical Garden are the best rainy-day pair Worth it· Half a day at Olympic Park
Espace pour la vie runs the Biodôme, the Insectarium, the Planetarium and the Botanical Garden. The Biodôme, Planetarium and Botanical Garden sit beside Olympic Park. One museum costs CAD 25.50 for a visiting adult in 2026 and three cost CAD 42.50, so the package pays off as soon as you add a second and third. Montreal-area residents pay less, and children under 4 enter free. The Biodôme, entirely indoors, is the strongest single pick in bad weather.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is free if you are 25 or under Worth it· Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–17:00
The city's main art museum charges CAD 32 for visitors aged 26 and older and nothing for anyone 25 and under. It is closed on Mondays. On Wednesday evenings from 17:00 to 21:00 entry is half price, CAD 16, but only the featured exhibition is open, not the permanent collection galleries; seniors 65+ get free collection entry on Tuesday mornings.
The underground network matters in winter, less as a sight Worth it· December to March
The RÉSO links métro stations to shopping centres for more than 33 km beneath downtown. On its own it is mostly corridors and malls, so it disappoints as an attraction in summer. In January, when highs stay below freezing, it lets you cross downtown without going outside, and a short guided walk explains the architecture; these tours cost around $150.
11 Underground City tours tours on Excurgo · from $29, typical $150 per person · rated 4.9 across 657 reviews
The Old Port is best from the water or the Ferris wheel Worth it· Summer evenings
The waterfront below Old Montreal is a promenade of quays and the home of La Grande Roue, a Ferris wheel at 362 de la Commune Street East that runs daily from 10:00 to 23:00, with views up to 28 km on clear days. A St. Lawrence boat cruise costs around $108, and jet ski rides around $137.
11 St. Lawrence boat cruises tours on Excurgo · from $18, typical $108 per person · rated 4.2 across 404 reviews
A bike ride along the Lachine Canal is the best way to see the south-west Worth it· Mid-April to mid-November
The Lachine Canal is the route many rental bikes and tours pair with Old Montreal. With BIXI bikes available from mid-April to mid-November you can do it on your own; a guided bike or e-bike tour, which often adds Old Montreal and the islands, typically costs around $71.
7 Bike and e-bike tours tours on Excurgo · from $64, typical $71 per person · rated 4.9 across 1,985 reviews
Evening options: a ghost walk or a craft beer tour Worth it· After dark
Old Montreal's lanes are the setting for ghost walks, which are among the cheapest guided options in the city at around $25. Beer and wine tours of the bars cost around $90. If you want something hands-on instead, a bagel-making or cooking class typically costs around $115.
14 Ghost walks tours on Excurgo · from $12, typical $25 per person · rated 4.6 across 1,288 reviews
Worth skipping
- The Olympic tower observatory as a plan: the 165 m inclined tower has been under renovation, and its observatory is not on Olympic Park's current activity list; see it from the ground while visiting the Biodôme.
- The underground network as a summer sight: in warm months walk the streets above it instead.
- AURA on its own if you will not see the basilica by day: you pay CAD 37 plus tax and miss the detail the daylight visit shows.
- A rental car for city days: right turns on red are banned on the island, and transit plus BIXI covers the centre.
Can you visit Quebec City as a day trip from Montreal?
Yes, but it is a long day. Quebec City is 270 km away by rail, and VIA Rail's trains average 3 hours 26 minutes each way with 34 departures a week, which leaves only a few hours in town if you return the same evening. Its walled old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, inscribed in 1985 as the only North American city that has kept its ramparts, bastions and gates.
| Option | Time each way | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| VIA Rail train | Average 3 h 26 min | Check VIA fares | Independent travellers who stay overnight |
| Coach day tour | Road trip, full day | Around $105 | One-day visit with Montmorency Falls included |
| Self-drive | Full day | Car hire + fuel | Families; flexible stops |
Montmorency Falls is the stop that makes a coach tour worth it
Most day tours also stop at Montmorency Falls, which at 83 m is 30 m higher than Niagara Falls; the park has a cable car, a panoramic staircase and lookouts. Doing both the old town and the falls by public transport in one day from Montreal is not realistic, which is why the coach tour is the better choice if you have only one day.
Verdict: Stay a night if you can: take the train and give Old Québec a full day. If you only have one day, take a coach tour that includes Montmorency Falls rather than the train.
12 Quebec City day trips from Montreal tours on Excurgo · from $45, typical $105 per person · rated 4.4 across 5,593 reviews
Which other day trips from Montreal are worth it?
| Day trip | Time from Montreal | How | Tour price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec City | Average 3 h 26 min by train | Train, coach tour | Around $105 |
| Ottawa | Average 2 h 4 min by train | VIA Rail, tour | Around $434 |
| Mont-Tremblant | About 1 h 40 min by car | Car via Highway 15, tour | Around $337 |
| Parc Oméga | About 1 h 45 min by car | Own car or tour | Around $375 |
| Eastern Townships | About 1 h by car | Car via Highway 10 | Private tours |
| Sugar shack | Varies by shack | Tour or car, late Feb–April | Around $271 |
Mont-Tremblant is the best mountain trip, in autumn or ski season Must do
The resort, skiing since 1939, is about 1 hour 40 minutes north on Highway 15. In winter it is a ski day; in summer and autumn it offers hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and golf around the pedestrian village. Group day tours are few, so many options are private and priced around $337.
8 Mont-Tremblant day trips tours on Excurgo · from $72, typical $337 per person · rated 4.3 across 96 reviews
Parc Oméga is the best wildlife trip, but needs a car or a tour Worth it
This drive-through wildlife park lies north of Montebello, roughly halfway between Montreal and Ottawa, about 1 hour 45 minutes from the city. You tour it in a vehicle, so without a car the only practical option is an organised trip, typically around $375.
4 Parc Oméga trips tours on Excurgo · from $308, typical $375 per person · rated 4.8 across 69 reviews
Ottawa works by train; the Eastern Townships need a car Worth it
Canada's capital is 185 km away and VIA Rail averages about 2 hours each way with 35 departures a week, so it is easy to do on your own. The Eastern Townships, about an hour away across the Samuel de Champlain Bridge on Highway 10, are a scatter of villages such as Sutton, Dunham, Bromont and Frelighsburg with no single centre, which makes a car or a private tour the only sensible way to see them.
Verdict: Pick Quebec City first, Mont-Tremblant second. Choose Ottawa if you want a train trip without a tour, and Parc Oméga if you are travelling with children.
How many days do you need in Montreal?
2 days
Day 1: Old Montreal, Notre-Dame by day, Pointe-à-Callière and the Old Port. Day 2: Mount Royal and the Kondiaronk lookout in the morning, a Mile End food tour, the Plateau.
Tickets ≈ CAD 16 basilica + CAD 30 museum · food tour ≈ $130
3 days
Add Olympic Park with the Biodôme and Botanical Garden, Saint Joseph's Oratory and an evening ghost walk or AURA. The best length for a first visit.
Tickets ≈ CAD 42.50 for 3 Espace pour la vie museums · walking tour ≈ $79
4–5 days
Add Quebec City (ideally with a night there) and Mont-Tremblant or Ottawa, or the Lachine Canal by bike and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Quebec City tour ≈ $105 · 3-day transit pass CAD 21.75
Verdict: Plan three days for the city and a fourth for Quebec City. Two days covers Old Montreal and Mount Royal but leaves no room for a day trip.
How much do tours and tickets cost in Montreal?
Official gate prices are fixed and listed below; most exclude the 14.975% in combined sales taxes unless marked. Tour prices vary by operator, so the first table shows the current typical price in our catalogue for each type, updated automatically.
| Activity | Tours | From | Typical | Top end |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Montreal walking tours | 28 | $5 | $79 | $410 |
| Food tours | 23 | $18 | $130 | $250 |
| Underground City tours | 11 | $29 | $150 | $379 |
| Bike and e-bike tours | 7 | $64 | $71 | $79 |
| Ghost walks | 14 | $12 | $25 | $25 |
| Craft beer and wine tours | 10 | $18 | $90 | $266 |
| Cooking and bagel classes | 7 | $71 | $115 | $129 |
| St. Lawrence boat cruises | 11 | $18 | $108 | $705 |
| Jet ski rides | 3 | $125 | $137 | $137 |
| Quebec City day trips | 12 | $45 | $105 | $1,267 |
| Mont-Tremblant day trips | 8 | $72 | $337 | $709 |
| Ottawa day trips | 6 | $72 | $434 | $1,006 |
| Parc Oméga trips | 4 | $308 | $375 | $397 |
| Sugar shack trips | 3 | $137 | $271 | $271 |
| Airport transfers (YUL) | 25 | $35 | $67 | $159 |
| Official ticket or fare | Adult price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Notre-Dame Basilica, day visit | CAD 16 + tax | Self-guided, about an hour |
| Notre-Dame AURA | CAD 37 + tax | Evening show |
| Pointe-à-Callière | CAD 30 incl. tax | Ages 31–64; closed Mondays |
| Montreal Museum of Fine Arts | CAD 32 | Free for 25 and under |
| Espace pour la vie, 1 museum | CAD 25.50 | 3 museums CAD 42.50 |
| Saint Joseph's Oratory | Free | Paid parking |
| Igloofest 2027 | CAD 59 | General admission |
| STM 24-hour pass | CAD 11.25 | Valid on the 747 airport bus |
| STM 3-day pass | CAD 21.75 | Consecutive days |
87% of Montreal tours in our catalogue offer free cancellation. Tour prices are shown before tax where operators list them that way.
Where should you stay in Montreal?
For a short first visit, stay within walking distance of a métro station between Old Montreal and the Plateau. The 747 airport bus stops at Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM, so a hotel near either line saves a transfer on arrival. Budget for 3.5% accommodation tax on top of GST and QST.
| Area | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Old Montreal | First-timers; Notre-Dame and the Old Port on the doorstep | No 747 stop; cobbled streets with luggage |
| Downtown | Short stays, winter visits, museums, underground network | Office district feel |
| Quartier Latin / Berri-UQAM | Transit: métro lines and the 747 airport bus | Busy streets around the station |
| Plateau and Mile End | Food, cafés, a local residential feel | Further from Old Montreal and the airport bus |
Verdict: Stay in Old Montreal for atmosphere in summer, downtown for a winter trip. Choose the Plateau if food matters more than sights.
What rules, safety and entry details should you know?
- Entry: visa-exempt visitors flying to Canada need an eTA (CAD 7), valid up to five years; US citizens are exempt, and visa-exempt visitors arriving by car, bus, train or boat do not need one.
- Taxes and tips: expect 5% GST plus 9.975% QST at the till, and tip about 15% of the pre-tax bill in restaurants and taxis; since May 2025 card terminals must calculate suggested tips on the price before tax.
- Alcohol in parks: only allowed with a meal in Montreal.
- Cannabis: the minimum age in Quebec is 21, and it may not be consumed in a vehicle or on a bike.
- Driving: no right turns on red anywhere on the island of Montreal, and no hand-held phones while driving.
- Transit fines: keep your validated fare; riding without proof of payment can cost up to CAD 500.
- Safety: the usual city precautions apply; do not leave bags unattended or luggage visible in a parked car. Winter storms with freezing rain are frequent from November to April.
- Emergencies: call 911; the Info-Santé health line is 811.
Mistakes visitors regret in Montreal
- Buying a single fare for the 747. The 24-hour pass at CAD 11.25 is the fare the STM recommends, and it also covers the rest of the day.
- Counting on the REM train from the airport. The airport station is not open yet; plan on the 747 bus.
- Arriving at Notre-Dame after 16:00. The day visit closes at 16:00, and on Sundays it opens only at 12:30.
- Going to the Museum of Fine Arts or Pointe-à-Callière on a Monday. Both are closed.
- Packing for 'cold' instead of -15 °C. January lows average -14 °C, and there are about 23 days when it never goes above freezing.
- Trying to see Quebec City by train in one day. About seven hours on the train leaves too little time in town; stay a night or take a coach tour.
- Tipping on the after-tax total. Tips are customary on the pre-tax amount.
- Building a day around the Olympic tower. Its observatory is not on Olympic Park's current activity list; check before you go.
Montreal FAQ
How much does it cost to visit Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal?
The self-guided daytime visit costs from CAD 16 plus tax for adults, CAD 10 for children 6–16, and is free for children 5 and under. The evening AURA show costs from CAD 37 plus tax for adults. A combined day and AURA offer starts at CAD 43.50.
How do I get from Montreal airport to downtown?
Take the STM 747 bus, which runs 24 hours a day and every 10 to 15 minutes during the day to Lionel-Groulx, Berri-UQAM and the coach terminal. The fare is the CAD 11.25 24-hour pass, bought at door 28 of international arrivals, in the Chrono app or paid in exact change on board. The REM train does not reach the airport yet.
Which transit pass should I buy in Montreal?
Buy a 24-hour pass (CAD 11.25) on arrival day because it covers the 747 airport bus, then a 3-day pass (CAD 21.75) for a short stay or a weekly pass (CAD 33.25) for five days or more. Single trips cost CAD 3.75. Children 11 and under ride free with someone 14 or over.
What is the best month to visit Montreal?
September is the best all-round month, with average highs of about 21 °C, milder than July. June to August are warmer (highs 24–26 °C) and packed with festivals. January averages -5 °C by day and -14 °C at night.
Is Montreal worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you like snow and plan for the cold. January highs average -5.3 °C and snow covers the ground most days, but Igloofest and MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE run in January and February, Beaver Lake on Mount Royal becomes a skating rink, and more than 33 km of underground walkways connect downtown.
Can I do Quebec City as a day trip from Montreal?
You can, but it is long. VIA Rail averages 3 hours 26 minutes each way, so a coach tour that also stops at Montmorency Falls is the better one-day option. If you have time, take the train and stay a night.
Is the Montreal Tower at Olympic Park open?
The 165 m inclined tower has been under renovation, and its observatory is not on Olympic Park's current list of activities. Check the park's website before you go rather than planning a visit around it.
How much should I tip in Montreal?
About 15% of the bill before taxes for restaurant servers and taxi drivers, and at least CAD 2 per bag or service for porters. Since May 2025 businesses in Quebec must calculate suggested tip amounts on the pre-tax price.
Do I need an eTA to visit Montreal?
If you are a visa-exempt traveller flying to Canada, yes: it costs CAD 7 and is valid for up to five years. US citizens do not need one, and visa-exempt travellers arriving by land or sea do not either.
Can you drink alcohol in Montreal parks?
Only with a meal. Montreal allows alcohol in parks when it accompanies food, not on its own.
Sources and how this guide is made
Written by the Excurgo editorial team with AI assistance. We are a tour comparison site, not a tour operator, and we have not personally tested every tour. Every fact was researched in official and specialist sources and checked against them before publication; prices, ratings and tour counts come from our live catalogue of 358 Montreal tours. Ratings and review counts are collected by Viator and Tripadvisor. Tours are picked by rating weighted by number of reviews (at least 20); we earn a commission from Viator when you book, and it does not affect the order.
- Notre-Dame Basilica — hours and rates for the day visit and AURA (Nov 2026)
- Notre-Dame Basilica — history of the building (Nov 2026)
- STM — transit fares and passes (Nov 2026)
- STM — 747 airport bus fares and service (Aug 2026)
- Tourisme Montréal — taxes, tipping, driving and emergency numbers (Nov 2026)
- Tourisme Montréal — Mount Royal Park (Nov 2026)
- Saint Joseph's Oratory — plan your visit (Nov 2026)
- Montreal Museum of Fine Arts — hours and admission (Nov 2026)
- Pointe-à-Callière — hours and rates (Nov 2026)
- Espace pour la vie — 2026 admission rates (2026)
- VIA Rail — Montréal to Québec trains (Nov 2026)
- UNESCO — Historic District of Old Québec (Nov 2026)
- Government of Canada — eTA (Nov 2026)
- Environment and Climate Change Canada — Montréal-Trudeau climate normals (Nov 2026)
- Bonjour Québec — Igloofest 2027 dates and admission (Nov 2026)
Photos come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences (CC BY, CC BY-SA, CC0 or public domain); the author and licence are shown under each one. They show the places described, not the exact tours listed.
Changelog. 3 November 2026: guide published.
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