Montreal

Where ships dock

Walk; the Grand Quay is in the Old Port, across from Pointe-à-Callière in Old Montréal.

• Grand Quay (Terminals 1, 2 and 4), Old Port

Best time to go

Ships call from late April into the fall. Holland America's Volendam turns around here most often, and many other lines start or end trips in September.

Summer brings many festivals and fall brings color. Summer days are warm, but evenings can be cool, so pack a light jacket.

Ship tour or go independent?

Montréal is an easy city to do on your own. You step off at the Grand Quay into Old Montréal, two metro stations are close by, and the city is very walkable. Booking your own tour, such as a food walk or a city tour that adds Mount Royal, gives you more choice, often smaller groups, and lets you set the pace. Since most cruises start or end here, a pre- or post-cruise day is the natural time to explore. The cruise line's transfers and tours suit anyone who would rather leave the timing to them. Browse the tours below and use the time-ashore filter.

• Check your terminal. Most ships use Terminal 1 or 2 at the Grand Quay, but some sailings are listed at Terminal 3 or other berths.
• Notre-Dame Basilica closes to visitors at 4 p.m. and opens later on Sundays, so plan it early in the day.
• The Basilica sells tickets through Fever, and sales are final.
• Many sailings start or end here, so leave room for luggage drop and terminal check-in times from your cruise line.

Getting around

Rideshare available

• WalkThe Grand Quay is at 200 De la Commune Street West in the Old Port. Old Montréal, Place Jacques-Cartier and Notre-Dame Basilica are on foot from there. The Old Montréal tourist office is at 174 Notre-Dame Street East.
• TrainZone A fares (ARTM)Metro: Square-Victoria and Place-d'Armes stations are the closest to the Grand Quay. Trains run roughly 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Fares are set by the ARTM for zone A.

  1 trip

  $3.75

  2 trips

  $7.00

  24 hours

  $11.25

  3 days

  $21.75

• Bus747 airport bus: $11.25 cash (ARTM)Bus lines 715, 35, 61 and 75 serve the Grand Quay. The 747 bus links the airport and downtown; pay exact cash on board or use a 24-hour, 3-day or longer pass.
• TaxiTaxi Coop and VECO Taxi serve the port. Taxis charge a flat fare from Montréal-Trudeau airport, taxes included but not the tip. The port quotes the daytime fare to the Grand Quay; Tourisme Montréal gives the night fare to downtown.

  Airport–Grand Quay, 5 a.m.–11 p.m.

  $49.45

  Airport–downtown, 11 p.m.–5 a.m.

  $56.70

• RideshareUber operates in Montréal; at the airport, pickup is at Door 20 (arrivals) or Door 7 (departures).

Tourisme Montréal gives Uber pickup points at the airport. Taxis are also easy to hail in town.

Money, tipping & phones

Money

Canadian dollars (CAD) are needed for most purchases, though some stores accept US dollars. Visa, Mastercard and American Express are widely accepted, and ATMs and exchange offices are easy to find. Sales tax is 5% federal GST plus 9.975% Quebec QST, and visitors can't get it refunded.

Tipping

Service is not included. Tip at least 15% before taxes in restaurants (groups of six or more may see 15% added), about 15% for taxis, and $1–2 for porters.

Phones

Free Wi-Fi is available at the Grand Quay. Plugs and voltage (110V) match the US.

Must-sees

• Old Montréal and the Old PortWalkableCobblestone streets, Place Jacques-Cartier, Saint-Paul Street, Bonsecours Market and the riverfront Clock Tower in the Old Port, across the street from the Grand Quay.
• Notre-Dame BasilicaWalkableMontréal's landmark church in Old Montréal, by Place-d'Armes metro. Visit by day on a self-guided tour, or come back after dark for the AURA show.
• Pointe-à-CallièreWalkableThe museum built on the spot where Montréal began, across the street from the cruise terminal.
• Mount Royal Park and the Kondiaronk lookoutRide neededFrederick Law Olmsted's park, opened in 1876. Climb to the Kondiaronk lookout for the city view, or loop past Beaver Lake and the lit cross.
• Jean-Talon MarketRide neededA public market open year-round since 1933. It moves indoors from October and opens up its outdoor aisles again in late April.
• Montréal Museum of Fine ArtsRide neededDowntown art museum on Sherbrooke Street West, with permanent collections and changing exhibitions.

Free & cheap near the pier

• Promenade d'Iberville green roofFreeThe Grand Quay's rooftop park has a wooden walkway, river and city views, and a timeline of the port's history. A good spot to watch ships.
• Old Port and the Clock TowerWalk the riverfront past the Clock Tower, built in 1919–1922 to honor sailors lost in the First World War.
• Mount Royal ParkOlmsted's park, opened in 1876, with the Kondiaronk lookout, Beaver Lake and trails up to the cross. Open daily 6 a.m. to midnight.
• Jean-Talon MarketA year-round farmers market open since 1933. Browsing costs nothing; snacks and picnic supplies are easy to find.
• Notre-Dame Basilica visit$16 + taxSelf-guided visit of about an hour, with French and English panels. Price is for adults; children 5 and under are free.
• Port of Montréal Tower$15 + tax (adult)Observatory at the Grand Quay. In 2026 it opened daily noon–8 p.m. from June 20 to September 7.

Eat like a local

• Montréal bagelsBoiled in honey water and baked in a wood-fired oven, so they come out chewy and a little sweet.
• Smoked meatA deli sandwich with Eastern European Jewish roots. Order it medium, with a dill pickle on the side.
• PoutineQuebec's signature dish, with plenty of creative versions around town.
• Market grazingProduce, cheeses and pastries at Jean-Talon Market, plus butchers, bakers and fishmongers under one roof.
• Bakeries and cafésCroissants, sourdough and kouign-amann, and coffee from independent roasters and long-running Italian cafés.

Rainy-day backups

• Pointe-à-CallièreArchaeology and history museum on the birthplace of Montréal, across from the Grand Quay. Adults $30, taxes included; open Tuesday to Sunday.
• Notre-Dame BasilicaSelf-guided daytime visit, or the AURA light and music show in the evening (adults from $37 plus tax).
• Montréal Museum of Fine ArtsArt museum on Sherbrooke Street West, near Peel and Guy-Concordia metro stations. Some exhibitions need a reservation.
• BiodômeFive ecosystems of the Americas indoors at the Olympic Park. Space for Life's calendar lists Biodôme programs running into January 2027.
• Montréal Science CentreScience museum in the Old Port.

Safety & scams

Official advisoryUS State Dept: Level 1 — Exercise normal precautions (as of June 5, 2026)

• Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching happens in busy tourist areas. Keep valuables, including your passport, out of sight and never leave them in a car.
• Dial 911 for police, fire or medical emergencies.
• Canada's public health care is not free for visitors, and US Medicare and Medicaid apply only in rare cases. Extra travel medical insurance that covers evacuation is strongly recommended.
• US citizens need a valid passport, passport card or NEXUS card to enter Canada.
• Don't bring cannabis or CBD products across the border.
• In Quebec some road signs are only in French, and some health care staff may speak only French.
• The US has a Consulate General in Montréal.

From official government and port sources. Check the latest advisory before you travel.

Accessibility

At the pier

Ships dock at the Grand Quay, so there is no tender. The port lists reduced-mobility parking at the Grand Quay but does not describe step-free routes or elevators in the terminal.

• Notre-Dame Basilica is rated partially accessible by Kéroul and accepts the Companion Leisure Card (free entry for a companion).
• The Biodôme accepts the Companion Leisure Card and offers wheelchair rental.
• Mount Royal Park has paid parking with some reduced-mobility spaces.
• Montréal's tourism board describes the city as very walkable.