PROVINCE

Quebec

COUNTRY

Canada

CONTINENT

North America

LANGUAGE

French & English

CURRENCY

Canadian Dollar

BEST TIME TO VISIT

March to May & September to November

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION

The intercity trains and most of the commuter trains operate from Central Station. Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) connects Montreal with New York, Quebec City, Buckingham, Maine, Halifax, etc. The Port of Montreal includes the Iberville cruise terminal on the Alexandra Pier in the Old Port.

NEAREST AIRPORT

Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport(YUL)

EMERGENCY HELPLINE NUMBER

911

INTERNET ACCESS

Wi-fi is widely available throughout Montréal and Québec City, at tourist offices, hotels, cafes and many restaurants. Except in a few high-end hotels, it’s generally free of charge. For a map of hundreds of places where you can get online for free in Montréal, see Île Sans Fil (www.ilesansfil.org). For info on free wi-fi hot spots elsewhere in the province of Québec, including Québec City, visit Zap Québec (www.zapquebec.org). If you’re not traveling with a computer, many hotels have one available for guests.

VISA

Not required for citizens of Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and the United States, among others. See www.cic.gc.ca.

More Information

Citizens of dozens of countries – including the USA, most Western European countries, Australia, Japan and New Zealand – don’t need visas to enter Canada for stays of up to 180 days. US permanent residents are also exempt. Note that you still need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to fly into Canada. The eTA costs $7 and you can apply for one online at www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta-start.asp; the approval proccess usually only takes a few minutes. US citizens and permanent residents do not require eTAs.

Nationals of around 150 other countries must apply to the Canadian visa office in their home country for a temporary resident visa (TRV). See www.cic.gc.ca for full details. Note that if you have a visa, you are not required to purchase an eTA.

Single-entry visitor visas are valid for six months, while multiple-entry visas can be used for up to 10 years, provided that no single stay exceeds six months. Either type of visa costs $100. Extensions cost the same price as the original and must be applied for at a Canadian Immigration Center one month before the current visa expires. A separate visa is required if you intend to work in Canada.

HOTEL

Three major sightseeing districts of this beautiful island city beckon travelers: Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal), Downtown (Centre-Ville), and Plateau Mont-Royal. Each is easily accessible via bus, Métro (subway), or walking, and lighthearted locals often refer to their “BMW” city.

For first-time travelers, whether you are on a family or romantic vacay, the best place to stay in Montreal is Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal) to soak up the historic character. This area is home to great shopping, dining, and major attractions, and it is easily explored on foot. City tours often meet here to begin sightseeing excursion, for this was the starting point for Europeans — the “New World,” where 16th- and 17th-century explorers first settled. Stunning period architecture remains integral to the experience here. Chinatown is nearby, where you can find a selection of cheap hotels and other budget accommodations, including hostels.

The original “Habitant” settlement stone walls (fortifications circa 1738) may be viewed behind Old City Hall and the waterfront in Old Montreal. Even world-famous Cirque du Soleil loves this area, introducing new shows in their distinctive yellow and blue tents at the Old Port.

Luxury

Hotel Le Saint-James

The Ritz-Carlton

Le Mount Stephen

MID-RANGE:

Hotel Nelligan

Hotel Le Germain Montreal

Hotel de l’ITHQ

Budget

Hotel Zero1

Hotel Travelodge Montreal Centre

Hotel l’Abri du Voyageur

COST OF LIVING

For most North Americans, Montreal feels like a familiar trip to Europe. The city is attractive and the French influence is impossible to miss.

Montreal can feel cheap when the Canadian dollar is weak against the US dollar, but when they are near the same then this city compares with most large US cities for most things. Fortunately, the city can be experienced on nearly any budget, as low-cost food and drinks are available to those who look for them, especially at some of the authentic ethnic restaurants mostly serving locals.

There are plenty of free and cheap attractions, including walking through the wonderful Old City, and most of the main highlights are relatively affordable as well.

Montreal hotels typically have a high season from May through October, with June and July being the peak months due to the abundance of festivals then. During the other peak months, it’s sometimes possible to get good deals on weekends at the fancier hotels. From November through April things are cheaper and great deals are common.