Montreal's Old Port will whisk you away, convincing you that you’ve crossed the Atlantic or you've stepped back in time. Famous for its old European style, showcased in cobblestone streets, 17th-19th century architecture, and decadent French culture, the Old Port lures tourists into one of Canada’s most charming and popular areas.

During the summer months, the Old Port is full of energy on any given day, with a mix of both tourists and locals. The soft grassy shoreline of the Saint Lawrence River offers a serene location for an afternoon picnic or a quiet stroll. Only a few meters away the sounds of street performers, bustling terraces, and lively French shop owners, draw visitors in to the historic city known as Vieux Montreal, or Old Montreal. Crystal, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line and Silversea Cruise Line. Due to harsh winter conditions, cruises departing Montreal only operate from late Spring through early Fall.

Facts

Where is the cruise port?

Cruise ships dock at the Iberville Passenger Terminal (Alexandra Pier) at the Old Port (Le Vieux Port) on the banks of the St. Lawrence River (see map).

What language is spoken in Montreal? Do they speak English?

French is the official language, however English is spoken by the majority of its inhabitants.

What is the time zone in Montreal?

Montreal is on Eastern Standard Time (UTC-5).

Current Time - Montreal, QC, Canada

Money & Currency

What is the national currency?

The Canadian Dollar (CD).

Where can I get or exchange money?

If you are exchanging international currency, such as Euros or U.S Dollars, Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), located approximately 12 miles (20 km) from the Old Port (see map), banks and some downtown hotels are the most accessible to the Old Port area.

• Banks closest to cruise port: 

  There are a variety of banks located within a couple of miles of the port, below are a few:

  • BMO Banque De Montreal located at 119 St Jacques St, Montreal is walking distance from the cruise terminal (see map).
  • RBC Royal Bank at 360 Saint-Jacques St, Montreal is half a mile south west of the cruise terminal (see map).
  • CIBC (Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce), 610 Rue Saint- Jacques Ouest, Montreal is about half a mile west of the cruise terminal (see map.)
• ATMs closest to cruise port: 

  There are many ATMs located throughout the city, at the banks mentioned above and in the cruise terminal.

Stay in Touch

How can I stay in touch with home? (Ex. Email, phone, etc.)

Most US cellular carriers provide international roaming in Canada, while most US pre-paid phones will not work in Canada. Contact your cell phone provider for information regarding international roaming rates in Canada. You can also purchase calling cards at most any gas station or convenience store to make international calls affordably.

Where are the Internet cafes?

Free WiFi is available at all Starbucks and most McDonald's locations in the area. Free WiFi is also available at several locations around the city through Ile Sans Fil. Create a user account for free and find access points on a map of the city. There are also several hotels in Montreal that offer a small business center or couple of computers with Internet access for hotel guests in case you did not bring your own computer.

What are the cell phone rates?

Most cell phone plans in the US offer international roaming rates for $0.59 - $0.79/min in Canada. Contact your cell phone provider for information regarding international roaming rates in Canada.

Typical Weather in Montreal

Like most Canadian cities, Montreal experiences a large range of climates, with heavy snow and icy temperatures in the winter months, to very hot and humid summers. June through August, temperatures stay around 75 to 80 at the peak of the day, dipping between 59 and 66 over night. Due to the humidity and proximity to the Maritime Provinces, thunderstorms are also not uncommon, so being prepared for rain would be wise in this port.

Current Temperature

Average Monthly Temperatures and Rainfall in Montreal

Getting Around Montreal

Walking

Montreal’s Old Port boasts many streets restricted to pedestrian access only. From the rue de la Commune on the water’s edge, visitors can venture up west to the open Place du Jacques Cartier where you’ll find shoppers and sightseers walking amongst vendors, buskers, and caricature artists lining the street. On either side of this main area extend narrow cobble stone streets designed in a grid, making navigation by foot easy and enjoyable.

Taxis

Taxis are unnecessary to explore the Old Port, but for those wishing to visit other nearby areas of Montreal’s downtown, a quick taxi ride can help save travelers precious time on their visit. Taxis await you on the main rue Saint Paul East, or may be flagged on the rue de la Commune. Be aware however, that Montreal traffic may have you watching the meter with sweaty palms. If you find yourself stuck en-route to your destination, you may wish to ask your driver if it’s feasible to hop out and walk the rest of the way.

Buses

A less expensive option is to utilize transit line 515, dedicated to bringing travelers to and from the Old Port, to other areas of Montreal’s downtown. Bus stops are located along the main rue de la Commune as well as on rue Peel and rue Berrie, on the outskirts of the area. The 515 bus transports riders to Montreal’s famous rue Saint Catherine, Boulevard Saint Laurent, and other locations.

Metro

Inspired by the Paris Metro system, Montreal's Metro is the busiest of its kind in Canada, due in part to its ease of use. From the Old Port, three stops on the orange line, located at the Square-Victoria, Place-d'Armes, and the Champ-de-Mars, will deliver you to various locations in and beyond downtown.

Car Rentals

It is not advisable to rent a car during your visit to Montreal. Aside from the traffic, parking areas are difficult to come by, especially in the Old Port where car traffic is limited. If you do require a rental, the closest locations are outside of the Old Port area: Thrifty, 845 rue Saint Catherine east; Discount Car and Truck Rentals, 1000 Boulevard Rene Levesque.

Cruise Port to Airport

What is the best way to travel between the Montreal cruise port and the airport?

The Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is located approximately 12 miles (20 km) from the Old Port (see map.) Taxis can be found waiting outside the terminal, but some people may prefer to avoid the potentially expensive Montreal traffic and opt to take the bus. Buses leave the airport every 25 minutes for the central bus terminal. From there, travelers can hop on the Metro’s orange line and be in the Old Port within minutes.

Hotels

Which hotels are convenient to get to/from the cruise port?

There are plenty of hotels within reach of the Downtown Montreal area, Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport and surrounding areas. Here are just a few options depending on your needs:

• If you are looking for an economical hotel option near the cruise port in Montreal:

  Days Inn Montreal Downtown is just 1 mile northwest of the Iberville Passenger Terminal (see map) and offer moderately priced accomodations. Conveniently located in Downtown Montreal within walking distance of many Montreal attractions. Call (514)393-3388 to make reservations.

• If you are looking for an economical hotel option near the Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL):

  

  The Best Western Plus Montreal Airport Hotel (YUL) is conveniently located right at the entrance of the Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, just over 13 miles southwest of the cruise terminal. Offering free 24-hour airport shuttle service, free WiFi and free breakfast. For reservations or more information, call 800-361-2254.

• If you are looking for a nicer hotel, close to Montreal attractions:

  The Hotel Nelligan, located at 106 rue Saint Paul West, is a four and half star hotel constructed out of three 19th-century warehouses. It is nestled amongst art boutiques and grey stone pubs on one of the most beautiful alleyways of the Old Port. Hotel Nelligan is the ideal place to relax and experience authentic French food, a mix of rustic and modern décor, and always welcoming service.

Food & Drink

What are the best eats in Montreal?

Poutine is the classic French-Canadian dish made of French fries and squeaky fresh cheese curds, covered with warm brown gravy. Enjoy it in its traditional form during a quick stop to Montreal Poutine at 161 rue Saint Paul East, or take in a more modern version at the Garde Manger at 408 rue Saint-François-Xavier. Iron Chef Winner Chuck Hughs, serves up his winning dish, lobster poutine, at this youthful, upscale spot.

Onion soup gratinee, better known as French onion soup, is extra special at Gibbys, Montreal’s oldest steak house. Though famous for their red meat, the incredibly cheesy soup is a must-have starter or snack. Located at 298 Place D'Youville, a trip to Gibbys will whisk you back to the 1800’s with their converted stone horse stables and apron clad servers.

What are the must-drinks in Montreal?

The white sangria served on the rooftop terrace of Hotel Nelligan is made with crisp white wine, fresh lychee nuts, lots of ice, and other secret ingredients. Refresh yourself as you look out over the Saint Lawrence River and the historic rooftops of the Old Port, from five stories up.

Les 3 Brasseurs is a pub and restaurant chain found throughout France, Montreal, and Toronto. Each location is also a microbrewery, brewing beer on site. Found at 105 rue Saint Paul East, Les 3 Brasseurs in the Old Port was constructed within the original building of Montreal’s first bank, built in 1817. Try the Et.Cetera, a sampling of the four house made brews: blonde, amber, brown, and white, in four 4 oz. glasses, served in a wooden plank.

Souvenirs

Which are the best souvenirs to buy in Montreal? Where can I get them?

Under $25:

Along rue Saint Paul you will find numerous souvenir shops, many selling the same range of items that can be seen packed into shop windows and hanging out of shop doors. For customary Fleurs de Lis tee shirts, Quebec and Canadian flags, shot glasses, mugs etc., any of these shops will be sure to satisfy, not to mention fun to wander around.

$25-$75

Also on rue Saint Paul is Canadian Maple Delights, a lovely shop selling everything maple, including high quality traditional, and not-so-traditional, Canadian maple syrups.

Over $75

For high-end items such as leather goods, locally made jewelry, and Quebec's award-winning ice wines, visit Marche Bonsecour. This large market at 350 rue Saint Paul East, is a National Historic site of Canada, housing 15 boutiques selling only "Made in Quebec" items.

Attractions

What are the top attractions and must-sees in Montreal? How long will it take me to get there and to explore?

Attractions

• Notre Dame Basilica:

  Construction began on this grand Gothic Revival style landmark in 1824. More recently it was the setting of Celine Dion's 1994 wedding to Rene Angelil. Today, for a $5 fee, the public can enjoy the incredible architecture, as well as choral, organ, and sound and light performances.

• Casino de Montreal

  With an overwhelmingly distinct design, the largest casino in Canada is located on the Ile de Notre Dame, an artificial island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, built for Expo ’67. Casino de Montreal offers six smoke-free floors of gaming, along with four restaurants, three bars, and surprisingly large windows with lovely views of the water.

• Montreal Biodome:

  Experience four very different climates, from the Antarctic to the South American rainforest, in Montreal's most popular natural museum. The original site of the '76 Olympic cycling trials, this unique structure was converted in 1992, allowing visitors to encounter penguins and macaws, beavers and bullfrogs, anytime of the year.

Beaches

Visitors will be surprised to discover that Montreal has a peaceful sandy beach just minute from downtown, on the Saint Lawrence River. Located in the Parc Jean Drapeau, the tucked away beach offers kayak and peddle boat rentals, filtered water, changing rooms, and restaurants.

Shopping

Montreal is famous for both its high-end designer, and unique eclectic shopping. While the Old Port area is generally reserved for the souvenir shopper, a quick trip to Rue Saint Catherine will have visitors surrounded by fancy designer shops and high-end department stores. Travel further to the Plateau neighborhood to find a diverse range of boutiques peddling interesting house wears, one of a kind fashions, rare books, and local food products, on the Rue Saint Denis and Avenue du Mont-Royal.

Golf

• Le Ste-Rose Golf Club, located 22 miles northwest of the Iberville Passenger Terminal in the Old Port (see map), is a tough, scenic course designed by John Watson. Recently renovated, to improve the pace of play, this course still seems to have water everywhere; so bring plenty of balls. Tee times can be reserved online or by phone at (450)628-6072.
• Le Sorcier Golf Course, located 11 miles northeast of the cruise terminal (see map), is a 6,426 yard 18-hole par 72 course. Distiguishable by its hilly terrain, Le Sorcier has 14 elevated greens between 20 and 100 ft. Contact Le Sorcier by email or by calling (819) 669-9797 for more information and tee times.

Tours

Learn about the intriguing history of the Old Port and familiarize yourself with the area by taking the Old Port Walking Tour. The hour and half long tour guides travelers through the Notre Dame Basilica, the Marche Bonsecour, City Hall, and other important landmarks. Guides are knowledgeable and humorous on this highly reviewed tour.

For those wishing to explore at their own pace, a self-guided walking tour is also available. Pick up your 30-page brochure at the Old Montreal Tourist Information Bureau, 174 rue Notre Dame East, and wander the alleys and squares as you please.

Other

Visitors should be aware that thieves do lurk during the busy summer season. Be sure to keep purses and bags off the ground when on restaurant and bar patios.