Montreal's downtown core with Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, and the Underground City.

About Downtown Montreal (Centre-Ville)

Downtown Montreal (Centre-Ville) is a dynamic, bilingual metropolis where French-Canadian culture meets North American urban energy. The underground city (RESO)—the world's largest underground pedestrian network—connects over 30 km of tunnels linking metro stations, shopping malls, hotels, and office towers, essential during Montreal's cold winters. Above ground, Sainte-Catherine Street is the main commercial artery, while the McGill district adds English-language university culture.

Montreal's downtown is dominated by Mount Royal (Mont-Royal), the 233-meter hill designed as a park by Frederick Law Olmsted. The Quartier des Spectacles hosts countless festivals—including the world-famous Montreal Jazz Festival (June-July) and Just for Laughs comedy festival. The city's food scene is legendary, from classic smoked meat at Schwartz's Deli to innovative tasting menus at restaurants that consistently rank among the world's best.

Nearby Landmarks

Place des Arts Mount Royal McGill University Bell Centre Sainte-Catherine Street

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost CA\$41 flat rate (~\$30)
Time 20-30 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost CA\$25-\$35 (~\$18-\$26)
Time 20-30 minutes

Outside arrivals, follow rideshare signs

Train (REM)

Cost CA\$11 (~\$8)
Time 20-25 minutes
Frequency Every 5-10 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Take the REM from YUL-Aéroport-Montréal-Trudeau station to Gare Centrale. Trains run every 5-10 minutes.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi CA\$41 flat rate (~\$30) 20-30 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare CA\$25-\$35 (~\$18-\$26) 20-30 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train CA\$11 (~\$8) 20-25 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

The 747 Express Bus operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week—one of very few airport buses worldwide with round-the-clock service. Frequency drops to every 30 minutes overnight. Taxis cost a flat rate of CAD $41 (fixed fare) to downtown at any hour.

Luggage Tips

The 747 bus has luggage racks and space near the front. The flat taxi fare makes cabs attractive for families with heavy luggage. Montreal's metro allows luggage but escalators are more common than elevators at older stations.

Accessibility

The 747 bus has low-floor wheelchair ramp access. Downtown Montreal's metro system has been adding elevators (not all stations have them yet). Street-level accessibility in the center is good with wide, maintained sidewalks. The underground RESO is fully accessible.