Montréal on a budget: 18 ways to save money on your trip

Montréal has long been known as Canada’s most affordable big city, and that's partly a result of residents' laid-back perspective on life. Montréalers tend to go slowly and enjoy the little things rather than hustling for money and material possessions.

However, since the pandemic, prices have started to creep higher, especially when it comes to hotels and vacation rentals. The good news is there are still deals for travelers on a budget and plenty of free concerts and events where you can immerse yourself in Montréal culture without the cost. Here are the best ways to save money on a trip to Montréal.

Daily costs

• Hostel room: $50–80

• Basic room for two: $150–350

• Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): $130–350

• Public transport ticket: $3.75

• Coffee: $3–5

• Sandwich: $10–15

• Dinner for two: $40+

• Pint of beer at the bar: $8–10

1. Brave the brrr and visit in winter

Montréal is at its busiest and most expensive in summer, but if you can handle the cold, the city has a particularly special atmosphere in the winter. Snow blankets the streets, parks and surrounding countryside – perfect for cross-country skiing on Mont-Royal or in Parc Maisonneuve. Winter is also great for cozying up with a flavored coffee (Canadians go big for flavors such as hazelnut, caramel or maple syrup) or a comforting hot chocolate.

Do your best impression of famed Montréal Canadiens hockey player Maurice 'Rocket' Richard and rent ice skates to glide around at Lac aux Castors, or Esplanade Tranquille in the arts-and-entertainment district of Quartier des Spectacles.

2. Swap a taxi for the airport bus

A taxi or Uber from the airport is expensive, so take the bus instead (either straight to town or to the closest metro station, a five-minute ride away). STM bus 747 goes from the airport to Lionel-Groulx metro station and the main downtown bus station, Gare d’Autocars de Montréal. A single-fare Zone A ticket will cover you for travel on both buses and metros.

3. Stroll around the city

The best way to explore Montréal is on foot, and it doesn’t cost a thing. Wander around welcoming neighborhoods such as Le Plateau, take in the sights and people-watch for free. Behind Le Plateau’s charming homes are many ruelles vertes – pedestrian-friendly alleys with lush greenery that offer a great, somewhat secret way to explore the city.

There are plenty of other terrific neighborhoods to walk around as well, including the Old Port, Petite-Italie, St-Henri and the districts along the Lachine Canal. And no visit to Montréal would be complete without taking a walk up “the mountain” (Mont-Royal) for the best views over the city.

4. Ride a Bixi

Montréal is as bike-friendly as it gets in North America, and using the local bikeshare program Bixi is a very affordable way to get around. Simple one-way trips cost $1.35 plus $0.20 per minute ($0.35 for an electric bike). A $22 monthly membership with unlimited rides up to 45 minutes is a worthwhile investment if you plan to stay for a few weeks.

5. Take the metro

Montreál’s metro (subway) system has been Canada’s best ever since it opened in the 1960s, with three lines that cover much of the island. A one-way ticket on Zone A is $3.75, or you can save money by getting a 10-ride pass. Unlimited 24-hour, 3-day, evening, weekend and weekly passes are sold too. A rechargeable Opus card will make life easier, but it’s not essential.

6. See a show in the park

Every summer, the beautiful Théâtre de Verdure in Parc La Fontaine hosts free concerts, film screenings and performances from orchestras and ballet companies. Local theater group Repercussion Theatre performs popular Shakespeare in the Park shows in various parks around the city in July and August.

7. Go to a free festival

Not only does Montréal have festival after festival all summer long (and less frequent events throughout the year), but many are free to enjoy. This could mean a live concert at Festival International de Jazz (Aretha Franklin and Anderson Paak have performed for free in years past) or an amazing circus performance with acrobats performing daring feats at Montréal Complètement Cirque.

Throughout the summer, Village au Pied-du-Courant hosts a fun weekend festival on a man-made beach that showcases different cultures’ music and food.

8. Join a free walking tour

As in many major cities, Montréal has free walking tours where visitors pay the guides with tips at the end rather than buying a ticket in advance. Free Tours Montréal is a good option, but remember this is the guides' livelihood, so think of it as a low-cost tour rather than something totally free.

9. Consider a tourist or museum pass

The Passeport Montréal tourist pass lets you choose three or five different attractions or tours for one discounted price. Or if you’re a culture lover, it might be worth getting a three-day Carte Excursion pass from Musées de Montréal, which allows entry to all member museums.

10. Avoid staying and eating in the Old Port

The historic Vieux-Port (Old Port) district is more than 400 years old and a must-see when visiting Montréal, but this heritage zone will eat through money. Accommodations and restaurants in the Old Port area are pricey, and the food often isn’t all that great. Stay and eat elsewhere to save money – Le Plateau, Mile End and St-Henri are all good alternatives, though hotels are less abundant in these districts.

11. Apartment rentals are good value

One way to save on hotel prices, which can be quite dear all over Canada, is to rent an apartment through Airbnb or another vacation rental operator. Having a kitchen will slash your eating costs, particularly for breakfast and lunches. If you go for an Airbnb, ensure they have a CITQ city registration number – it's a legal requirement. 

12. Procure your own picnic

Save money and eat delicious food by procuring a picnic from the Marché Atwater and Marché Jean-Talon food markets. Once your tote bags are full of fresh fruit, baguettes, cheese and a bottle of wine, join locals at one of Montréal’s picturesque public parks. Drinking alcohol is only allowed in parks only if you’re seated at a picnic table and eating a meal.

13. Eat for less than $5

Restaurant prices have shot up in Montréal lately, but there are still some inflation-busting bites for budget travelers. Drogheria Fine in the Mile End area sells boxes of ooey-gooey gnocchi in tomato sauce for $5–7, and Patati Patata has burgers and poutine portions that might be slightly smaller than the competition but will save you a few bucks. If you’re partying late on Blvd St-Laurent, join the students and chow down on $2 peanut butter-coated noodles at Chez Mein.

14. Look for a 5 à 7

Montréal’s version of Happy Hour is the "5 à 7" – referring to after-work drinks from 5pm to 7pm. Look out for bars with signs advertising discounted drink prices during this cost-effective socializing window, or grab beers at the Helm Microbrasserie, Bar de Courcelle or pocket-friendly oysters at Le Majestique.

15. Learn about the city’s history on an app-led self-guided tour

One of the coolest, most innovative ways to experience Montréal is with the free Cité Memoire app. You scan QR codes and projections telling the city's story are cast onto buildings and trees.

16. Shop second-hand

As you’ll undoubtedly see, Montréalers are stylish folk, but that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily wearing expensive designer clothes. Locals will spend hours sifting through the racks at local thrift shops such as Renaissance or Eva B, and you can find bargain outfits by following their lead. Shops that advertise their wares as "vintage" will have a posher selection at higher prices.

17. Stroll around a park

Montréal is blessed with loads of lovely green spaces where you can unwind without spending a cent, from well-known spots such as Parc La Fontaine to locals' hangouts such as Parc Angrignon and Parc Maisonneuve. Fall is a particularly rewarding season for a park stroll.

Consider crossing the St Lawrence River by metro or bike to Parc Jean-Drapeau, where the Expo 67 (1967) World Fair took place. These partially man-made islands offer peaceful strolls along the water and biking around the Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix racetrack, and you can take a dip at appealing Jean-Doré Beach. The view of downtown from this side of the water is breathtaking.

18. Take your wheels on a road trip

If you’ve got your own wheels, go for a scenic drive from Montréal up to the Laurentians, a jumble of forested hills filled with dozens of attractive lakes and waterways. Alternatively, drive east to the Eastern Townships for a winery, brewery and gourmet food crawl.