International Students: Car-Free In Montreal?

Montreal is a top choice for international students due to its affordability, cultural diversity, and academic excellence. The city offers a well-rounded student experience with affordable accommodation, efficient public transport, and low-cost dining options. But can an international student live in Montreal without a car? The answer is yes. Montreal is one of the easiest car-free cities in North America. The city's neighbourhoods are quite walkable, and getting from one attraction to another, especially in neighbourhoods like old Montreal or Downtown, can be easily done on foot. Additionally, Montreal has been named one of the most bike-friendly cities in North America, with 780km of bike paths and a bike-sharing program called BIXI. The city also has an integrated network of buses and the metro, making it easy for students to get around without a car.

Public transport in Montreal

Montreal's public transport system is safe, clean, and reliable, making it easy for international students to live there without a car. The city has an extensive metro (subway) system, local buses, shared bicycles, and pedestrian-friendly streets.

The STM-run metro system is a fast and efficient way to get around the city. It is preferred by locals over the bus system due to constant road construction that often leads to bus route changes. The metro covers the downtown core and extends into suburbs like Lasalle, Laval, and the South Shore. It operates daily from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (1:30 a.m. on Saturdays), with trains arriving every eight minutes on average and as frequently as three minutes during rush hour. Fares are $3.75 CAD for a single ride or $7 for two tickets, with 24-hour and evening passes also available.

Local buses run 24 hours a day, providing a useful resource when the metro is closed. However, they are subject to significant delays in the winter due to snow and other weather conditions. Fares are the same as for the metro, but you can only pay with cash or a pre-purchased ticket on the bus.

Montreal also has a bike-sharing system called Bixi, with over 750 kilometres of bike paths throughout the city. This is a great option for getting around during the warmer months, with high-quality bike rentals and tours available. Additionally, the city has an Underground Pedestrian Network spanning 33 kilometres, connecting shops, restaurants, performance venues, and other attractions.

For those living in the suburbs or wanting to explore neighbouring towns, the Exo train service is a good option. Taxis and ride-sharing apps like Uber and Teo Taxi are also readily available throughout the city and into the suburbs.

Walkable neighbourhoods

It is possible to live in Montreal without a car as an international student. In fact, many residents of Montreal do not own a car, and instead, walk, cycle, or make use of the city's public transportation system. When choosing an apartment, it is recommended to select one near a metro station, and to check for nearby grocery stores.

Montreal is a city of vibrant neighbourhoods, with a mix of English and French culture, and old and new architecture. The city's walkable neighbourhoods are best explored on foot, and getting from one to another is easy thanks to Montreal's efficient bus and metro network.

One of the most walkable neighbourhoods in Montreal is Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, located just east of Mount Royal. This neighbourhood features leafy streets, upscale boutiques, and a mix of high-quality handcrafted and contemporary fashion and household goods. It has consistently high walking scores in the 99th percentile, making it a paradise for those who enjoy strolling.

Another walkable neighbourhood is Outremont, located north of Mount Royal. This quiet, leafy area boasts beautiful architecture, including the Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Cathedral of Montreal, and is known for its detached family homes and neighbourhood parks. The north end of Outremont offers a variety of top-calibre restaurants, such as the highly-ranked Syrian restaurant, Damas.

Other notable walkable neighbourhoods include Villeray, Mile End, and Cote Saint Paul, which is close to everything and filled with cute parks, the Lachine canal, and the Atwater market. Downtown Montreal is also within walking distance of many desirable neighbourhoods and offers a mix of office towers, vibrant squares, grand architecture, museums, and food halls.

Student discounts

It is possible to live in Montreal without a car as a student. The city has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses and metros, that can easily get you around. Additionally, there are student discounts available, making it even more affordable for students to get around the city without a car.

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) offers discounted fares for students through their OPUS card program. Students aged 16 to 17 and 18 and over in the Greater Montreal area can receive discounts of up to 40% on their public transit fares. To be eligible for this discount, students must purchase an eligible transit fare, typically including single tickets, multi-trip passes, and monthly passes. The OPUS card can be obtained by printing and submitting the application form in person at a point of service, or directly through your school portal if that service is available.

In addition to the discounted fares, STM also offers unlimited passes that can be added to the OPUS card. These passes provide unlimited travel for a specified period, such as 24 hours, the weekend, or three consecutive days. This can be especially useful for students who need to make multiple trips within a short period without worrying about the cost of individual fares.

Montreal also has a bike-sharing program called Bixi, which can be a great option for students during the warmer months. This provides an affordable and flexible way to get around the city, especially for those who live and work close to each other. For the winter months, there is also the option of Communauto, a car-sharing service for when a car is needed.

Overall, Montreal is a student-friendly city when it comes to transportation. With the available discounts and alternative transportation options, international students can easily navigate the city without the need for a car.

Cycling in Montreal

Montreal is a very cycle-friendly city, with more than 650km of bicycle paths, including the iconic Lachine Canal route, which gently weaves from the Old Port to the township of Lachine through the Quartiers du Canal. The city has been ranked as one of the top biking destinations in the world and has been recognised as North America's most bike-friendly city by the Copenhagenize Index.

The city's bike paths take you to many of its most popular sites. The Berri Street bike path, for example, takes riders from the Plateau to the banks of the St Lawrence River, passing by the Grande Bibliothèque and UQÀM campus, and onwards to Old Montreal. The Rachel Street cycle route continues eastward to the Espace pour la vie group of science-themed attractions, including the Jardin botanique, Biodôme, Planétarium, and Insectarium. For those looking for more modern sites, a turn off Berri Street onto Maisonneuve Boulevard leads to downtown Montreal's towers and shopping malls.

Montreal's extensive BIXI bike-sharing system makes it easy for anyone to get cycling. The Express Bike Network (REV) will soon reach 191km of traffic-separated bike lanes, with plans to expand throughout the island of Montreal. These lanes are kept clear and used all year round, even in the snow.

For international students looking to get around Montreal, cycling is a great option. It is a common way to get around the city, and with the many kilometres of bike paths, it is a safe and enjoyable way to explore and get to know the city.

Car rental

While it is possible to live in Montreal without a car, as the city has good public transport links and is walkable or cyclable, there may be times when you want to rent a car. Car rental companies in Montreal include Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Thrifty, Hertz, Dollar, and Globe, with prices starting from $19 per day.

If you are arriving at Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), you can rent a car there, or at one of the 25+ locations in the city. It is advisable to book in advance, and you can often get a better price by booking at least one day before your trip.

When renting a car in Montreal, it is worth noting that the city's streets tend to be on the smaller side, so a compact or mid-sized vehicle is usually the best option. Electric vehicles can get you better parking and access to HOV lanes in some suburbs. Road signs are in French, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with some key terms, such as "sortie" for exit and "bloqué" for blocked.

Renting a car can be a great option for road trips, airport travel, or exploring the surrounding areas of Montreal, such as the Gaspésie road tour, which takes you through Quebec's wine regions and provincial parks.

Frequently asked questions