Getting there
Air
Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport has flights to all over Canada and the USA. There are also numerous direct flights to Europe. The Aerobus can take you between the airport and the Central Bus Station downtown.
Train
You can travel by train from Gare Centrale to other cities in Quebec such as Ottawa and Quebec city, and destinations as far away as Toronto (9 or so hours) and New York (9 hours). It’s not quite as quick as the bus, but will be a lot more pleasant.
Bus
Buses connect most parts of the Quebec province. Numerous buses run from the Central Bus Station to Ottawa (about 2 hours) and Toronto (8 hours). Buses to New York take about 8 hours.
Getting around
Metro
For hopping between different parts of the city, Montreal’s efficient metro (subway) system is the best bet. If you’re going to do several trips a daily or three-day pass is good value.
Cycling
Montreal has miles and miles of designated cycle paths. They’re separated from the traffic and make cycling a pleasure.
Walking
The 33km of underground walkways that connect the city are perfect for wandering around on a cold winter day. Above ground, Montreal has lots of funky neighbourhoods that are great to wander around and just soak up the atmosphere. Some of the picks are:
• Old Montreal (charming shops and restaurants with a distinctly Parisian feel);
• The Village (home to the city’s ultra-vibrant gay community);
• The Latin Quarter (stylish bars and restaurants); and
• The arty district uptown along Avenue du Mont-Royal.