Montréal Starter Pack

Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the main gateway, about 20 minutes from downtown.

The 747 express bus runs 24/7 between the airport and downtown for a flat fare.

Uber, Lyft and taxis all operate from designated pickup zones at YUL.

VIA Rail connects Montréal to Toronto, Ottawa and Quebec City.

Driving in from the US is straightforward via I-87 from New York or I-89 from Vermont.

Visa-exempt travelers flying in need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) before boarding.

Other nationalities need a Temporary Resident Visa (visitor visa) through IRCC.

Quebec runs its own immigration process for permanent residency, separate from the rest of Canada — the Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ) is required before federal permanent residence.

Entering by land from the US generally needs only a valid passport, not an eTA.

Visitors are typically admitted for up to 6 months, set by the border officer.

Canada has no dedicated digital nomad visa — check current IRCC and Quebec guidance before working remotely while visiting.

Four sharply distinct seasons — Montréal winters are genuinely cold.

Winter (Dec-Mar): often -10°C to -20°C (14°F to -4°F), heavy snow is normal.

Summer (Jun-Aug): hot and humid, 25-30°C (77-86°F), a completely different city than in January.

The Underground City (RÉSO) lets you shop, eat and commute without going outside — a real winter lifeline.

Spring and fall are short but pleasant, good times to explore on foot.

Emergency Services (police, fire, ambulance)

Info-Santé — Quebec's free 24/7 non-emergency health advice line

Montréal runs a non-emergency municipal info line — check montreal.ca for the current number.

Save 911 and Info-Santé to your phone before you need them.

STM: 4 metro lines plus an extensive bus network cover the city well.

BIXI bike share runs spring through fall and is a genuinely useful way to get around.

The Plateau, Mile End and downtown are all very walkable.

A car is optional here — many residents get by entirely on transit and biking.

Uber and Lyft both operate city-wide, alongside traditional taxis.

Major carriers: Bell, Videotron, Telus, plus budget sub-brands (Fido, Koodo, Virgin Plus).

Videotron is especially strong in Quebec and often competitive on price.

Prepaid SIMs are available at carrier stores and some convenience stores.

Home internet: Videotron and Bell are the two main providers in most neighborhoods.

Montréal has a strong coworking and startup scene, especially around Mile End and downtown.

Currency: Canadian Dollar (CAD).

Desjardins, Quebec's homegrown credit union network, is as common here as the national banks.

RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO and CIBC all have branches throughout the city.

A Social Insurance Number (SIN) is required to work legally — apply through Service Canada on arrival.

Tap and contactless payment is standard everywhere.

Wise and Revolut both work well for moving money internationally.

Plateau-Mont-Royal: iconic spiral staircases, cafes, very walkable — the classic Montréal neighborhood.

Mile End: artsy, bagels, indie shops, popular with creatives and remote workers.

Griffintown: newer condos, close to downtown, popular with young professionals.

Verdun: family-friendly, riverside, more affordable than the Plateau.

NDG (Notre-Dame-de-Grâce): quieter, leafy, a mix of anglophone and francophone residents.

Rent here runs meaningfully cheaper than Toronto for comparable space.

The St-Viateur vs. Fairmount bagel rivalry is a genuine local debate — try both.

Poutine, smoked meat (Schwartz's is the classic stop) and bagels are the food trio Montréal is known for.

Bring Your Own Wine (BYOW/BYOB) restaurants are common and a great way to eat out cheaply.

Jean-Talon Market is a large, year-round food market worth building a routine around.

French bistros, patisseries and a genuinely strong coffee scene reflect the city's French roots.

Mont Royal Park, designed by the same architect as Central Park, sits right in the middle of the city.

The Lachine Canal path is popular for running and cycling along the water.

Parc Jean-Drapeau, on an island in the St. Lawrence, hosts festivals and green space.

The Laurentians and Eastern Townships are both within an hour or two for hiking and skiing.

Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal): cobblestone streets, historic architecture, the waterfront.

Montréal's festival calendar is packed — Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs, and more, especially in summer.

The Museum of Fine Arts and the Biodome are both worth a visit.

Day trips to Quebec City (about 2.5-3 hours) are a popular weekend option.

The Montréal Canadiens (NHL) are a genuine civic institution — hockey culture runs deep here.

Cycling is a major part of local life, helped by an extensive bike lane network.

Cross-country skiing and skating are both easy to pick up locally in winter.

Gyms and boutique fitness studios are common throughout the central neighborhoods.

French is the primary language of daily life and required by law in many commercial settings — even basic French goes a long way.

English is widely spoken, especially downtown and among younger residents, but don't assume it everywhere.

Winter gear is not optional — invest in a real coat, boots and layers before your first January.

Cost of living, especially rent, is lower than Toronto or Vancouver.

Tipping norms follow the rest of Canada: roughly 15-20% at restaurants.