Practical information about Montreal

The modern and culturally diverse city of Montréal is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The largest city in Canada's Quebec province offers many opportunities to relax, take in the art galleries and museums and revel in the spectacular Notre-Dame Basilica, but you will need to have some important information on hand to make the most of your trip.

You will need information on what to do in the event of an emergency, what kind of currency is used and where to go to talk to government officials and obtain travel-related documents. You will also want to know about the local weather patterns and rainfall and what electrical plugs are standard in the city.

Local numbers are always important when visiting a city so take a few minutes to read through our handy guide before leaving on your holiday. Check out the overview below on the things every traveller should know when travelling to Montréal !

Essential Montréal information for visitors

Emergency numbers: For general police, fire and medical emergencies, dial 911. The Montréal Police can be reached on 514 280 2222 and for Quebec Security dial 514 310 4141. For serious health questions and to find out where to go for help contact Info-Santé. This is a 24-hour service for urgent advice and a nurse is available to assist. For the Québec Poison Control Centre dial 1 800 463 5060. The dialing code is +1.

Temperature: Montréal weather is mild from May until August and this is peak tourist season. The winter months from December to February are usually cold with snowfalls. The hottest month of the year is July and the coldest month is January. The climate is semi-continental so summer is warm and humid. Winters can be very cold so take thermal clothing during these months. Rain falls throughout the year but mostly in June.

Currency: The official currency of Montréal is the Canadian dollar. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign ($), CAD or C$. The dollar can be divided into 100 cents. Banknotes are available in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.

Local Time: Montréal is in the Eastern Daylight Time zone. It is four hours behind GMT/UTC. The city employs daylight savings time from March to November. There is no time difference between Montréal and Washington DC in the US. Montréal is five hours behind the UK and 13 hours behind Tokyo.

Electricity: The electricity voltage in Montréal is 110-120 V with a standard frequency of 60 Hz. You will be able to use US appliances in Canada but European appliances cannot be used with Canadian electrical sockets, and you will need an adapter or compatible electronics.

Language: Most people in Montréal speak French and this is the official language of the city. It is, however, a bilingual city and most inhabitants are fluent in English. More than 59% of people living in the city can speak both languages. The city is the second largest French-speaking city, next to Paris.

Required travel documents: Any person entering Canada needs to carry proof of citizenship and proof of identity. In the case of U.S. citizens a U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card is sufficient. Canadian residents will only need a photo ID to enter the city. International travellers may need additional documentation, depending on your country of origin, even if it is only a connecting flight. Contact the tourism information center in your country for more information on country-specific visa requirements, but in general, if visiting for less than 180 days a visa is not required.

Health: Hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccinations are recommended by the WHO along with routine vaccinations like MMR, d-tap, influenza, pneumonia and chickenpox.

Tipping and taxes: Tipping is expected and customary in hotels and restaurants in Montréal​. Tips range from 15-20% and if poor service is experienced it is okay to note this to the manager and tip less or withhold the tip entirely. If exceptional service is received by all means express your appreciation by tipping more.

BudgetAir provides advice about our best and most affordable flight packages into Montréal​ and can provide you with expert advice and support as you plan your trip to this diverse and modern city.