Travel to Montreal

Travel to Montreal

Montreal is Canadas second largest city and also the largest city in Quebec Province; moreover, it ranks as the second largest urban concentration of French speakers after Paris.

From a visitor perspective, Montreal is a place of significant interest; an eclectic mix of cultural influences from France, neighbouring USA and the countrys Anglophile residents. A host of attractions available in the warm season, combined with some great winter sports opportunities makes Montreal a popular tourist destination throughout the year and one which visitors of all backgrounds can appreciate.

Transportation to Montreal

Montreal is easily reached, with a number of transportation options available. Most visitors however will fly into the Montral Trudeau Airport, which is located 25kms west of the city. The airport is well served by ground transportation methods and also offers a comprehensive selection of passenger facilities including essential financial services and amenities for dining and shopping.

Alternatives for reaching Montreal include road routes from the USA and other Canadian cities, which can be followed by private car or by Greyhound bus, while there are also trains which arrive from country-wide origins.

Once in the city, youll find a comprehensive public transportation system which allows for getting around all of the main districts. The system comprises a metro and bus service, which work together to provide maximum coverage and convenience in inner-city travel. Taxis are also available and can be flagged, hired from stands or pre-booked by telephone.

What to see

Montreal offers a variety of sights, and visitors can create an interesting sightseeing agenda. Museums are plentiful and include highlights such as the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and the McCord Museum of Canadian History. For those visitors who enjoy a touch of nature, the citys Botanical Gardens are a must, while for those with an interest in history, the St Josephs Oratory and Notre Dame Basilica are both worthy of a visit.

Daytrips

A number of daytrips around the city and beyond are available from local tour operators. Visitors can check out the stunning Laurentian Mountains, take a daytrip to Quebec and see the Montmorency Falls or visit the countrys capital city, Ottawa. Within the city itself, there are guided tours of Old Montreal and the Greater Montreal area.

Activities and leisure

Get physical during your holiday in a number of ways; cycling and rollerblading are two of the most popular activities on offer and neither require visitors to be in possession of his or her own equipment. Skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports can also be pursued when the snow hits the mountains in the winter months. Gymnasiums can often be found in the big hotels, for those wanting to workout during their holiday.

Safety issues

Montreal presents very little in the way of safety issues for visitors, and sensible modes of behaviour are generally sufficient to keep you out of harms way. Holiday insurance is a sensible option, especially if you are taking a winter sports holiday, as you could run the risk of sustaining an injury.