Authored by FlightHub
Montreal is one of the most vibrant cities in North America, with its rich history, fine cuisine, and wonderful nightlife.
FlightHub knows that our travelers are looking for more than just a trip, they want an experience. To make it easier for travelers, FlightHub Review has compiled the best “how to’s” on traveling like a local in Montreal.
Travel Like a Local in Montreal: Public Transport
Montreal has an extensive public transit system that allows you to travel the entire island with ease. The STM (Société de Transport de Montréal) is the main provider for public transportation with buses and multiple metro lines that run all day and well into the night.
Relative to its size, Montreal has over 100 buses that effortlessly connect you to across the island. Among these are express routes for busier intersections, express buses to and from the airport, as well as night buses that run well into the wee hours of the morning, making sure you get home safe and sound!
The Montreal Metro has 4 lines that run throughout the city, and their operating hours begin at 6:00 AM until 12:30 AM from Sunday to Thursday, and until 1:30 AM Friday and Saturday. This makes getting to and from bars our night-outing easy and efficient.
The cost to ride the STM varies depending on the ticket you purchased. The fare for a one-trip ticket will cost users $3.25, and is valid for 120 minutes between metro and bus lines. For travelers please note that this is the only fare that may be purchased aboard a bus and exact change is necessary.
For a two-trip fare, the cost is $6 and serves as a “there-and-back” ticket. FlightHub would like to remind its travelers that these tickets are not valid for the Airport shuttle, and if you go off-island to the Laval or Longeuil metro stations, the transfer is not valid for departures back to Montreal.
From the months of April until October, the city of Montreal installs bike rental systems known as Bixi throughout the downtown core and surrounding suburbs. For $7 a day (a full 24 hours), you can use bixi as many times as you want!
Download the free app and find the closest station and go! When you’re done with your bike, park it and forget about it! FlightHub Review thinks this is an excellent alternative way to get around and explore Montreal like a local.
Eat the Best that Montreal Has to Offer
Whether this is poutine, smoked meat or vegan Montreal, you need to do it right or not at all.
Montreal is home to some of the best restaurants, so naturally choosing which one to grab some local grub may be difficult. If you’re craving a poutine fix, FlightHub has the following suggestions: For the most authentic Montreal experience, then head straight for La Belle Province Restaurant. Known affectionately as “la Bell Pro”, feast on delicious steamed hotdogs and arguably the best poutine in town.
If the famous chain-restaurant isn’t doing it for you, then FlightHub Review thinks Chez Claudette has what you’re looking for. Renowned for its comfort food, enjoy a poutines, burgers and pretty much anything else you’d like to eat 24hours a day, 7 days a week.
For smoked meat, there’s no competition: FlightHub knows that Schwartz’s Deli is the way to go. As one of the oldest delis in Canada, their reputation precedes itself. With lineups regularly beginning outside the establishment come 11:30 am, the restaurant caters to the rich, the famous, the tourists and most importantly, the hungry. Grab their regular sandwich, and don’t forget the pickle!
Deciding which bagels to get in Montreal is a little like choosing which one of your household pets you love more. Either way, St. Viateur and Fairmont Bagels are a must-eat while in Montreal. Enjoy the mouthwatering, hand rolled bagels fresh from the oven any time you want! Make sure to pack some extras in the suitcase for the way home.
Remember these FlightHub tricks the next time you visit Montreal, and roam like a local!
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4 Comments
Good info on transport, travellers will think they’re in Europe with the efficiency of the Montreal transport system.
As for the food: having lived in Montreal I have a pet peeve about Montreal cuisine consisting of bagels, smoked meat, and poutine. Montreal has some of the best cuisine anywhere in North America including lots of BYOB restaurants (where you can bring your own bottle of wine). I’m sorry, the only people that eat bagels, poutine and smoked meat on a regular basis are tourists – not locals.
Frank (bbqboy)
Thanks for the tips re Montreal food Frank – will have to aim for a more immersive food experience next time we’re in Canada :)
Happy Holidays!
Lots of exquisite French bistros, you’ll think you’re in Paris. And if you’re on the Plateau many are BYOB. Go to the liquor store, pick up your favorite wine and bring it to the restaurant of your picking.
Great ethnic food of every kind and compared to most Canadian cities affordable. If you need a specific recommendation let me know – really, Montreal a great food destination.
Unfortunately food tours perpetuate the whole bagels, smoked meat, poutine crap. Go to Old Montreal where all the tourists go and you’ll see more restaurants serving poutine than anywhere else, most of it vile.
Thanks Frank! Will definitely drop you a line for some specific recommendations when we have the chance to get back to Canada. BYOB is great :)
Noted on Old Montreal!