Montréal public transport (STM): metro, bus, OPUS card
Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus Tour
Duration: 1.5 hours
Do you need a car to get around Montréal?
No. Montréal has excellent public transport: 4 metro lines, an extensive bus network, and the newer REM automated rail system. For tourists, the metro covers all major attractions. An OPUS card costs $6 (refundable) plus $3.75 per trip, or $11 for a 24-hour pass. No car needed in the city.
You don’t need a car in Montréal
This is the most important practical thing to say upfront: Montréal is one of the few Québec cities where a car is a liability rather than an asset. Parking is expensive, the downtown grid is often congested, and the metro will get you to every major attraction faster than driving would.
This guide covers everything you need to know to get around Montréal using the STM (Société de transport de Montréal) — from buying your OPUS card at the airport to navigating the underground network on a January morning.
The STM network
Metro
Montréal’s metro opened in 1966 and remains the backbone of the city’s transport network. It’s fast, frequent, air-conditioned (in summer), and heated (in winter). Most importantly for tourists, it connects all the key neighbourhoods.
Line 1 — Green (Verte): the east-west backbone of the island. Key stops for visitors: Lionel-Groulx (transfer point), Guy-Concordia, Peel, McGill, Place-des-Arts (Quartier des spectacles), Sherbrooke (Plateau-Mont-Royal), Frontenac, and Berri-UQAM (central hub).
Line 2 — Orange (Orange): the main spine running roughly north-south through downtown. Key stops: Square-Victoria–OACI (Old Montréal), Bonaventure (Gare Centrale / Central Station), McGill (transfer), Côte-des-Neiges, Snowdon, Côte-Sainte-Catherine, and continuing north to Laval (Cartier, De la Concorde, Montmorency).
Line 4 — Yellow (Jaune): three stations only. Berri-UQAM (downtown hub) → Longueuil–Université-de-Sherbrooke (south shore). Useful if you need to get to Longueuil; not commonly needed by tourists.
Line 5 — Blue (Bleue): runs east-west across the north of the island through the student quarter. Key stop: Édouard-Montpetit (Université de Montréal), Outremont.
Bus network
The STM bus network covers the entire island with hundreds of routes. For tourists sticking to the central neighbourhoods, the metro is sufficient. The bus becomes necessary for:
- Going to the Botanical Gardens / Olympic Stadium area (metro: Pie-IX or Viau, but buses connect)
- Reaching the Lachine Canal area (metro to Lionel-Groulx then walk, or bus)
- Getting to the Oratory on Mont-Royal (bus 165 from Côte-des-Neiges metro)
Express buses (10x series): faster, limited stops, run on main arteries. The 747 bus is the airport (YUL) to downtown express bus — $11 CAD including a full-day STM pass, runs 24/7.
The REM (Réseau express métropolitain)
The REM is Montréal’s new automated light-rail network, built and operated by CDPQ Infra. Opening progressed through 2023-2026:
- REM de l’Ouest (Deux-Montagnes and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue to Central Station): operational 2023
- Brossard branch (South shore to Central Station): operational 2023
- YUL airport branch (airport to Central Station in ~20 minutes): opening confirmed for 2027; check rtm.quebec for current status
REM trains run every 2.5-5 minutes during peak hours. Fares integrate with the STM OPUS card system. Central Station is the main REM hub (Orange metro line, Bonaventure station area).
Fares
Single trip
$3.75 CAD per trip. Valid for 90 minutes of travel including transfers between metro and bus. Load on OPUS card or pay with contactless bank card at newer stations.
Day and multi-day passes
| Pass | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day (24h) | $11 CAD | Day visit, 3+ trips |
| 3 consecutive days | $21.50 CAD | Weekend city break |
| 1 week (7 days) | $31.50 CAD | Full week stay |
| Monthly unlimited | $99 CAD | Month-long stay |
The 3-day pass is excellent value for a standard 2-3 night visit — you’ll use it at least 6-8 times.
OPUS card
$6 CAD for the card itself. Available at any metro station vending machine or ticket office. Returns and cash refunds require visiting a service centre. Many visitors keep their OPUS card for future trips — it’s valid for 5 years.
Load the card with passes or individual trips. Top up at vending machines or online via the STM website.
Airport express bus 747 (YUL)
The 747 bus runs 24/7 between Montréal-Trudeau airport (YUL) and downtown (Berri-UQAM metro station via René-Lévesque). Cost: $11 CAD (includes a full-day STM pass valid on all metro and bus). Journey: 45-70 minutes depending on traffic. Buy your OPUS card and load the 747 fare at the airport terminal vending machine.
Key tourist routes
Getting to Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal)
Metro Orange Line to Square-Victoria–OACI. Exit on the south side. Old Montréal is a 5-minute walk. Alternatively, metro to Place-d’Armes (future REM stop) or walk from Bonaventure.
Mount Royal / Parc du Mont-Royal
Metro Blue or Orange to Mont-Royal station (Line 2 / Orange). Walk west up Avenue du Mont-Royal then north through the park — it’s about 1.5 km to the Chalet du Mont-Royal lookout. In winter, fat bike rentals are available near the park.
Olympic Stadium / Botanical Gardens / Biodome
Metro Green to Pie-IX or Viau. The entire Olympic Park cluster (Stadium, Biodome, Botanical Gardens, Insectarium) is walkable from these stations.
Plateau Mont-Royal / Mile End
Metro Green to Mont-Royal or Laurier. The heart of the Plateau is immediately around these stations.
Jean-Talon Market
Metro Blue to Jean-Talon. The market is 500m from the station. One of the best farmers’ markets in North America — go in the morning.
Exploring Montréal by bike
Montréal has an excellent bike infrastructure. BIXI, the city’s bike-sharing system, has hundreds of stations and costs $3.95 CAD for a 30-minute trip or $9.95 for a 1-day unlimited pass (30-minute increments). Perfect for the Lachine Canal and Plateau.
For a guided bike tour that shows you what the metro doesn’t cover:
E-Bike Sightseeing TourHop-on hop-off bus
If you want an overview before diving into the metro system — particularly useful on day one with heavy luggage — the hop-on hop-off bus covers the major tourist sites on a loop:
Hop-On Hop-Off Double-Decker Bus TourWalking in Montréal
Many of the best neighbourhoods are walkable once you’re in them. The distances are:
- Old Montréal to Old Port: 10 minutes walk along the waterfront
- Old Montréal to Plateau-Mont-Royal: 25-30 minutes north
- Plateau-Mont-Royal to Mile End: 15 minutes north along Boulevard Saint-Laurent
- Mount Royal summit: 25-30 minutes from the metro on foot
Underground city (RÉSO)
Montréal’s famous underground city connects major buildings via 33 km of tunnels — shopping centres, hotels, offices, metro stations, and Gare Centrale. It’s genuinely useful in winter (January–February, when temperatures reach -25°C) and during rain. Not a tourist attraction per se — it’s primarily a commuter convenience — but excellent for staying warm while moving between the Plateau and the downtown core.
Enter via any metro station downtown. Maps are available at tourist offices.
STM app
Download the STM Info app for real-time bus arrivals and route planning. It’s accurate, free, and works offline for map viewing. Google Maps also integrates STM schedule data effectively.
Getting around without the metro: walking tours
Old Montréal repays a slow walk:
The Original Old Montréal Walking TourRelated guides
- Montréal to Québec City: train, bus, car comparison
- Montréal YUL airport guide
- Driving in Québec from Europe
- Day trips from Montréal
Frequently asked questions about Montréal public transport (STM): metro, bus, OPUS card
How much does the Montréal metro cost?
A single trip on the STM (metro + bus) costs $3.75 CAD. A 10-trip booklet costs $34.25 CAD. A 24-hour unlimited pass is $11 CAD; a 3-day pass is $21.50 CAD. A monthly unlimited pass is $99 CAD. All require an OPUS card ($6 card fee, refundable). Contactless bank card payment is also available on some routes.What are the 4 Montréal metro lines?
Line 1 (Green / Verte): runs east-west across the island. Line 2 (Orange / Orange): the main north-south spine, including Central Station (McGill/Bonaventure), Berri-UQAM hub, and connects to Laval via Montmorency terminus. Line 4 (Yellow / Jaune): 3 stations only, connecting Berri-UQAM to Longueuil on the south shore. Line 5 (Blue / Bleue): east-west in the north of the island, including Parc, Snowdon, and Côte-des-Neiges.What is the OPUS card?
The OPUS card is Montréal's rechargeable transit card. Buy it at any metro station ticket office or vending machine for $6 (the card fee itself). Load single trips, 10-trip booklets, or passes. Return the card for a $6 refund when you leave — or keep it for a return visit. The card is also valid on other transit networks (Laval, Longueuil).What is the REM and is it useful for tourists?
The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) is a new automated light-rail network that opened progressively from 2023-2026. Key tourist-relevant line: REM de l'Ouest connects Deux-Montagnes and Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue to Central Station (downtown). The YUL airport branch (REM-YUL, connecting YUL directly to downtown in 20 minutes for ~$10 CAD) opened progressively — check rtm.quebec for current operational status in 2026.What time does the Montréal metro close?
The metro operates approximately 05h30-01h00 on weekdays and 05h30-01h30 on weekends. On New Year's Eve, the metro runs all night. Bus service continues after the metro closes on many routes, but less frequently.Is Montréal public transport safe at night?
Yes. The Montréal metro is generally safe at night — it's one of the safest metro systems in North America. The Programme de Raccompagnement nocturne allows women travelling alone to request a stop between official stations on certain bus routes after dark. Avoid leaving valuables visible in the rear of the metro late at night, as in any major city.
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