Tips for foreign visitors

A few options to travel from Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to downtown Montréal:

Airport Shuttle (public transportation): The 747 Express Bus is a direct shuttle service that connects the airport to downtown. It operates 24/7 and stops at various key locations in the city. The fare is $10 CAD (exact change required) and includes unlimited travel on the STM (Société de transport de Montréal) network for 24 hours. The 747 bus stop is located just outside the terminal. 

Taxi or ride-sharing: Taxis are readily available at the airport. The approximate cost for a taxi ride to downtown Montréal should be around $40 to $50 CAD, depending on traffic and your exact destination. Alternatively, ride-sharingservices like Uber or Lyft work very well.

Transportation in town: The metro and bus system is efficient and allows easy movement around the city. The underground metro is safe, reliable and highly recommended. You can use Google Maps or your favorite mapping app to find the best route around town.
Montréal is an easy, walkable city but you can also rent BIXI bicycles to ride almost anywhere, wander through Old Montréal, visit Mount Royal, and explore eclectic neighborhoods like Plateau-Mont-Royal. 

Currency and money: The local currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD). Credit cards are widely accepted.
Taxes in Montréal are calculated as follows: a 5% Federal Goods & Services tax and a 9.975% Provincial Goods & Services tax. Only basic groceries (breads, dairy, fruits, vegetables, etc.) are not taxed. Taxes paid by visitors are not reimbursable.
Service is not included in restaurants, so it is customary to add a minimum 15% tip to the total before taxes.  

Electricity: The electric current is 110V and plugs are the same as those in the US. If you come from a country that uses 220V electricity, you will need an adapter (for computers, cell phones, tablets / iPads, cameras etc.) or a converter to transform voltage (for hairdryers, electric shavers, etc.)

Climate: In August, Montréal enjoys pleasant, warm weather but sometimes the hot and humid climate can carry heatwaves. Pack light clothing and sunscreen. 

Language: Montréal is a bilingual city (French and English).