Staying in Montreal, Canada
Set on an island in the Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is the largest city in Quebec, and a key business travel destination in Canada. Made up of what were once independent cities, which became neighbouring districts, each with varying cultures steeped in history. Montreal’s thriving business scene ranges from specialities in leading technology start-ups, to the biggest global aerospace companies. Known for its vast cultural outreach, the film and television industry flourishes in Montreal, and many industries work together to support sustainable business practices encouraged in the city.
Montreal's colourful cityscape year round.
Visiting Montreal, Canada - Key Information
Weather in Montreal
For the weather in Montreal, you can expect extreme temperature swings. When on a business trip to Montreal we’d recommend you pack extra layers for the long winter, as the weather can reach as low as -15C. A warm jacket, sensible footwear, as well as hats and gloves, will be very useful. In summer, Montreal experiences highs of 27 degrees, so lightweight fabrics, sandals and sunglasses would be a more suitable choice.
Currency in Montreal
Montreal’s currency is the Canadian dollar. Whilst different from the USA’s currency, Montreal still follows the customary tipping etiquette of North America, where 15 to 20% is expected.
Health & Well-being in Montreal
Montreal’s parkland has beaches, which are perfect for walking and cycling, alongside the Biosphere geodesic dome, which is ideal for discovering nature and getting in touch with the wilderness. The beautiful Mount Royal Park, which is Montreal’s namesake, is a symbol of the city's heritage. Over 200 acres of greenery and fantastic views over the city make Mount Royal a recommended spot for jogging, boating, biking, sledding, and hiking.
Parc la Fontaine is also vibrant, with ice skating on the pond in winter, and the capacity for cross country skiing. The Saint Lawrence River is home to the exciting Lachine Rapids, which teaches rafting and other dynamic water sports in the summer. In Montreal, the most popular sport is ice hockey. With most Montreal citizens choosing to support the Montreal Canadians, there’s plenty of games to attend here.
The beautiful parks and landscapes full of opportunity to exercise.
Data in Montreal
Rogers, Bell, Telus and Orange are all mainstream data providers in Montreal. The city itself also has free public Wi-Fi access areas, available on the network map.
Plug Type: Type A & B plugs are widely used in Montreal.
Emergency Contact Numbers in Montreal
Fire, Police and Ambulance: 911
Montreal Police: 514 280 2222
Québec Security: 514 310 4141
From a cell phone: *4141
Info-Santé - 24-hour service for urgent health questions. A nurse can provide information on the best course of action and/or where to go: 811
Cuisine in Montreal
Montreal has a diverse range of cuisine, one of it’s staples is a sliced salt beef brisket. Usually served with a classic Canadian dish poutine, a dish of fries, gravy sauce and cheese curds. Bagels are often recognised as part of Montreal’s cuisine, and can be served savoury, with beef or sweet with pure maple syrup or ice wine, both Quebecois delicacies. Pure maple syrup can also be used in the colder months to make taffy.
If you head to Little Italy, you’ll come across the Jean-Talon Market, one of the largest markets in North America and certainly the biggest in Montreal. It’s open year-round and you can find plenty of variety of freshly picked produce here.
Another market worth visiting on your corporate trip to Montreal is the Atwater Market, a foodie favourite on the Lachine Canal where you can find rye sandwiches with pickles, and wood-oven bagels.
The vibrant cuisine of Montreal.
Speaking the Language in Montreal
As Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city after Paris, it’s worth learning some French phrases alongside English for your business trip to Montreal:
Bonjour (bon-zhoor) - Hello
Bonsoir (bon-swahr) - Good evening
Merci (mair-see) - Thanks!
De rien (duh ree-en) - You’re welcome
S’il vous plaît (seel voo play) - Please
Je ne parle pas très bien français. (juh nah parl pah tray bee-en fran-say) - I don’t speak French very well.
Dépanneur - From the French verb “dépanner” — which means to help out or to fix — this is the common term for corner stores.
5-à-7 - Pronounced “sank-ah-set,” the term roughly translates as “happy hour” going from 5 pm to 7 pm — or beyond, if everyone’s having a good time!
Transport in Montreal - Getting Around Montreal, Canada
Whether your business trip to Montreal is a short stay or a longer-term relocation, the city has excellent transport links and is relatively easy to navigate.
The Metro has four main, direct lines running through the city. It is clean, speedy and safe, operating daily from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (1:30 a.m. on Saturdays). The average wait time between trains is eight minutes - three minutes during rush hour in the morning and evening – making it an affordable option for commuting. Public buses run 24/7, and have 220 lines, covering more ground than the Metro. However, wait times can differ from 5 to 45 minutes, so it’s worth checking the live timetable. Metro and bus passes can be used interchangeably, but only for 90 minutes validation, and with a designated flexible pass called an Opus card. If not, Canadian dollars in cash can be used but change won’t be given.
Cycling is a popular option for getting around Montreal, with the easy-to-use BIXI rent system. Montreal has 780km of cycle lanes and has been named one of the most bike friendly cities in North America by the Copenhagen Index. Montreal is very walkable overall, with Old Montreal having many pedestrian-only areas. Little districts such as Le Petite-Patrie, Little Burgundy, and Côte-des-Neiges, are all better explored on foot.
Districts in Montreal
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts is in the Golden Square Mile, an area known for Victorian architecture and galleries. It features old masters and contemporary exhibitions for a cultural divulge.
The classy suburb of Westmount is home to Leonard Cohen, and the Mile End neighbourhood has many cafes, art, and terraces to appreciate its bohemian style. A similar area is the Golden Square Mile with Victorian architecture and galleries.
Montreal’s underground city is an exciting visit, with 20 miles of tunnels under the city containing shops, music venues, and food markets. Exploring here also makes for a nice break from the cold in winter and is great for souvenirs.
Cirque Du Soleil was born in Montreal, and the world’s largest circus can be caught in the big top at the Old Port for an incredible acrobatic show.
In Parc la Fontaine, there are free theatre performances, and nearby to the Mount Royal Park is the ‘Tam-Tams’. This drum circle takes place every Sunday from noon, May to September and has been a traditional spectacle since the 1970s.
At SilverDoor, we specialise in providing premium serviced apartments in Montreal tailored for business travellers. Our expert team ensures each stay is seamless, comfortable, and strategically located for your corporate travel needs. Browse our range of corporate housing in Montreal here, or contact us to discuss your requirements.
At SilverDoor, we specialise in providing premium serviced apartments in Montreal tailored for business travellers. Our expert team ensures each stay is seamless, comfortable, and strategically located for your corporate travel needs. Browse our range of corporate housing in Montreal here, or contact us to discuss your requirements.
