How to visit Montréal and its surrounding areas without a car
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You don’t need a car or even a driver’s licence to explore this vibrant city and its surrounding areas. Take advantage of the many affordable active and public transportation options to visit all of the city’s attractions without having to worry about parking or road conditions.
Cycle around the city’s neighbourhoods on a BIXI bike
BIXI is a unique active means of transportation you can use to explore Montréal at your own pace, using its many bike paths connecting over 230 docking stations.
What’s more, these self-service bikes are the only ones in the world to be adapted for the winter. Thanks to their studded tires and non-slip pedals, you can ride a BIXI bike anywhere in the city, in any season. What a wonderful way to soak up the energy of different neighbourhoods while admiring the impressive murals and frescoes (in French only) along the way.
Let yourself be transported by the Réseau express métropolitain (REM)
Running from the South Shore to the North Shore and through Île-des-Sœurs and downtown Montréal, the REM offers a multitude of possible destinations. Urbanites looking to shop, discover culinary treats or stop off for a drink can head to Brossard station, which offers easy access to hundreds of unique shops and restaurants at Quartier Dix30.
If you’re looking for a hassle-free nature getaway, head north to the Deux-Montagnes station, then take a bus that will get you to Parc national d’Oka in less than 30 minutes. From there, enjoy a day at Aquazilla or take a hike along the Calvaire trail (where you can also take in the gorgeous fall colours!).
Since the REM is fully automated and driverless, regardless of the season, you can enjoy the changing scenery from the first or last car with a nearly 360-degree view during the trip.
Explore the underground city on foot or by metro
The best way to get around Montréal is, unsurprisingly, by metro. With its four lines serving 68 stations within the city and along its shores, you will be able to quickly get to the heart of Chinatown, the Biodôme, Marché Jean-Talon, Parc Jean-Drapeau and the Old Port, to name just a few destinations!
In addition to the metro, the underground city boasts some 30 km of pedestrian walkways that are protected from the elements. You can explore them accompanied by professional guides who will reveal all the secrets of this underground circuit, or you can explore them on your own. These unique paths will lead you to impressive shopping centres (such as Centre Eaton), lively dining areas (such as Le Cathcart), as well as several entertainment venues—without ever having to step outside!
Take it all in by city bus
The Société de transport de Montréal operates bus service that extends beyond the metro’s limits. With a single ticket, you can combine these two modes of transportation, and the city will be yours to explore!
You can head to the fabulous Parc du Mont-Royal to enjoy the lookout point and stunning views of the city, make your way to the Parc nature de l’Île-de-la-Visitation for a relaxing picnic along the Rivière des prairies or take a refreshing dip at the beach at Cap-Saint-Jacques.
Get away and explore the outskirts of Montréal
Several public transit networks will allow you to explore the Montréal’s surroundings or even travel to more distant destinations.
The Société de transport de Laval (in French only) can take you to nearby Laval, and the Réseau de transport de Longueuil (in French only) goes to several towns on the South Shore. Meanwhile, commuter trains can take you to the friendly, more outlying areas of the vast metropolitan region. The Zoo Economuseum n Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue is a great example of an attraction that can be reached by combining train and bus travel. You could also enjoy an outing to pick your own apples, such as at the Verger Trottier (in French only), without having to drive.
Another unique means of transportation is available from May to October, when river shuttles connect Montréal to several docks on the South Shore. For example, you can hop aboard the Boucherville–Vieux-Port-de-Montréal shuttle to take in the river and city views with the wind blowing through your hair.
EXO: A single platform for all public transit in Greater Montréal
The EXO website lists all the public transportation options in the city of Montréal as well as its suburbs. To find the best route and associated timetables, use its trip planner.
Meet new people by opting for carpooling
Another fun way to explore the Montréal area while making new acquaintances is by carpooling. Some digital platforms connect drivers looking for company with passengers based on their departure and arrival points.
Here are a few: Allons covoiturage,an app launched in Québec by five tourism associations. This is an economical and user-friendly solution for exploring tourist attractions or hiking areas outside the city year-round, such as the resorts at Mont-Tremblant or Mont-Orford.
In addition to Allons covoiturage, you can use other online carpooling services to explore Québec’s scenic regions, such as ridesharing.com, Kangaride and Poparide.
Take an organized tour or excursion
Guided tours on foot, by bike or by bus are also organized by private companies, allowing you to explore the city like never before. This turnkey option, with a variety of themes, is great way to leave the work to someone else and follow the guide, who will share all their knowledge with you at every stage of the tour.
You can also take a summer tour on a double-decker tour bus, which stops at Montréal’s main tourist attractions. This is a hassle-free way to make sure you don’t miss any of the city’s must-see attractions, such as the impressive Saint Joseph’s Oratory, located near Mont-Royal.
You can also head out of the city to enjoy Québec’s magnificent national and regional parks hassle-free! Year-round shuttle services, such as Navette Nature and Bonjour Nature, offer numerous day trips (with the option of renting equipment) to adventurers without a car.
This is a great way to go paddling in Parc national du Mont-Saint-Bruno or skiing in Parc national de la Mauricie. Food lovers can enjoy a one-day themed guided tour of Lanaudière to savour local products. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?
Get away from it all for a weekend
If you’re looking to go a bit further, you can make your way to the scenic and historic city of Québec a number of ways, such as by taking a bus with Orléans Express Keolis or a train with Via Rail.
From there, the Réseau de transport de la Capitale offers a large fleet of buses to take you to your final destination, whether it’s the charming Old Port of Québec or the vast Plains of Abraham.
Bus companies and Via Rail trains also offer the option of travelling in the opposite direction, to Gatineau. There, you can try out the only interprovincial zip line in the world, go for a swim at the beach in Parc Moussette or enjoy kilometres of bike paths in the summer. In the winter, you can visit the Canadian Museum of History You can also bundle up and head out to Igloofest Gatineau or the Snowflake Kingdom at Winterlude. In this city next door to Ottawa, you can use the Société de transport de l’Outaouais to get around.
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Ideas for urban activities and itineraries for all types of stays
Whether you’re staying in Montréal for just a few days or more than a week, we can recommend several itineraries and a host of activities to make the most of your visit.
