Overview
The Montreal Metro (Métro de Montréal) is a rubber-tired underground rapid transit system operated by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM). It is Canada's second busiest rapid transit system, carrying an average of 1,019,200 daily unlinked passenger trips on weekdays as of early 2026. The metro is one of two rapid transit systems in Montreal, alongside the Réseau express métropolitain (REM).
As a visitor, you'll find the metro straightforward to navigate: purchase a fare from a kiosk at any station, tap your Opus card (a rechargeable smartcard) or ticket at the turnstile entrance, travel on one of four colour-coded lines to your destination, and exit at your stop. Single fares include one free transfer to the bus network if needed. Service runs from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weeknights and until 1:30 a.m. on weekends, with trains arriving every 3–5 minutes during rush hour.
The network
The Montreal Metro operates 68 stations across four colour-coded lines, totalling 69.2 kilometres (43.0 miles). The network has expanded significantly since its inauguration on October 14, 1966, when it opened with just 22 stations on two lines.
Metro lines
- Green Line (Line 1): Runs between Atwater in the west and Frontenac in the east, passing through the downtown core under De Maisonneuve Boulevard, roughly between Saint Catherine and Sherbrooke streets. This was the first main line constructed.
- Orange Line (Line 2): Extends from Henri-Bourassa in the north through various residential neighbourhoods to Bonaventure station in the south, serving the downtown business district. This line also connects to Laval.
- Yellow Line (Line 4): Links downtown Montreal to the South Shore suburb of Longueuil, passing under the Saint Lawrence River. The line was completed on April 1, 1967, in time for Expo 67. One of the original stations, Île-Sainte-Hélène (Saint Helen's Island), was built on an island that was massively enlarged using material excavated during metro construction.
- Blue Line (Line 5): Serves western areas of Montreal.
Directions on the metro are named after the final stop of each line rather than using cardinal directions. All metro stations are designed with minimal gaps between platform and train, though not all stations are wheelchair accessible; your free metro map indicates which stations provide wheelchair access.
Suburban rail
The Exo commuter rail network serves outlying areas, offering an alternative to the metro for longer suburban journeys.
Buses
The STM operates a 24-hour bus network covering the airport, West Island, and suburban areas. Buses use the same fares as the metro; expect service every 5–30 minutes depending on the route. Winter delays are common after snow. You can board with an Opus card, pre-purchased ticket, or exact coin change (payment methods vary by route).
Bike-sharing
BIXI is Montreal's bike-share system, offering an alternative for short trips. Single trips cost $1.35 unlock plus $0.20–$0.30 per minute, or purchase a monthly pass for $22.
Tickets & fares
The metro and bus network use an integrated fare system. All fares listed below are approximate and subject to change.
Single fares and passes
- Single ride: $3.75 CAD. Includes one free transfer to the bus network; re-entry to the metro requires a new fare.
- Two tickets: $7 CAD
- 24-hour pass: $11 CAD. Unlimited travel on metro and buses.
- Evening pass: $6 CAD. Unlimited travel from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m.
- Weekend pass: $15.25 CAD. Valid from Friday 4 p.m. through Monday 5 a.m.
- Children under 11: Travel free.
Payment methods
- Opus Card: A rechargeable smartcard costing $6 to purchase. Available at all metro station kiosks and through the Chrono app. Tap it at the turnstile to enter the metro or board a bus. Credit cards are accepted at kiosks and via the Chrono app for purchases.
- Cash: Accepted at metro station kiosks only (not on buses). Exact change is required on buses.
- Pre-loaded passes: Day and weekend passes can be purchased as physical tickets at kiosks.
Where to buy
Purchase tickets, passes, and Opus cards at automated kiosks in every metro station. Credit cards and some payment apps are accepted at kiosks. The Chrono app allows you to manage and reload your Opus card digitally.
From the airport
Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL), also known locally as Dorval Airport, is the main gateway. It lies west of the city centre on Autoroute 20, and travel time to downtown can reach an hour during peak traffic.
Public transport options
- 747 Airport Shuttle Bus: Operates between the airport and downtown, costing $11 per person. The bus uses a dedicated lane to bypass traffic and takes approximately 70 minutes during rush hour. Payment is available at STM kiosks in the airport, via the Chrono app, or with exact coin change on board.
- Landline shuttle: For Air Canada passengers only. A non-stop shuttle runs between the airport and Palais des congrès downtown every 15–30 minutes for $9 one way.
Taxis and ride-hailing services (Uber, Teo Taxi) are also available but are typically more expensive than public transport.
Etiquette & customs
- Escalators: Stand on the right side of escalators to allow others to pass on the left.
- Priority and designated seating: Orange and blue seats near doors are reserved for seniors, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. Vacate these seats if occupied and someone in need boards. Audio and visual announcements help identify these seats.
- Queuing: Form orderly queues when boarding during busy times, particularly during rush hour (roughly 7–9 a.m. and 4–6 p.m. on weekdays).
- Eating and drinking: Food and drink consumption is generally discouraged on metro trains and buses; however, water is typically acceptable.
- Rush hour behaviour: Trains run every 3–5 minutes during peak times. Expect crowded conditions, especially on the Green and Orange lines during commute periods. During evening service (9 p.m. onward), trains may arrive every 10 minutes.
- Quiet zones: Keep conversation levels moderate, and use headphones for music and video content.
Official links
Survival terms
- Métro – Metro/subway
- Billet – Ticket
- Ligne – Line
- Entrée – Entrance
- Sortie – Exit
- Correspondance – Transfer
- Tarif simple – Single fare
- Laissez-passer journalier – Day pass
Before your first trip, purchase an Opus card at any metro station kiosk and load it with credit or a pass, as this will be faster and more convenient than buying individual tickets each time you ride.