Montreal Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

In the province of Quebec, Canada, is the second largest city in the country, Montreal. During your visit to this city you will find many indoor and outdoor tourist destinations that are simply not to be missed. Such is the case of the Notre Dame Basilica, the Old Port, Mount Royal Park, Chinatown, among others.

You can take the city's tourist bus during the day, considered one of the best things to do in Montreal, because it allows you to discover and visit the attractions at your own pace. You will have the opportunity to take a panoramic tour with narration included, being able to get on and off as many times as you wish at the assigned stops.

Whether you plan 1 to 2 days in Montreal or even longer, the sightseeing bus will prove to be your best ally to explore the city without complications and at your own pace. You will be able to take a guided panoramic tour through the main streets of this city, getting off at any of the 10 assigned stops, so you can visit the destinations of your choice and then get back on another bus to continue the tour.

The ticket for this tour is valid for two consecutive days, that is 48 hours, is carried out only during the day and is operated by the company Coach Canada and Gray Line Montreal. In addition, the experience incorporates a bilingual guide-driver (English and French), who will provide a live narration along the route. In this way, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of the attractions and the city in general.

With this tour on the Montreal free-stop bus, you will stroll through the city and from the comfort of the second floor of the bus you will enjoy the urban panorama. You will see the facades of the buildings lining the streets, monuments, parks and more. You can stop at the Notre Dame Basilica, Chinatown, the Montreal Science Centre, among other attractions.

The Montreal sightseeing bus has a unique route, consisting of a total of 10 stops, where you can hop on and off as many times as you wish.

Among the stops designated for this bus tour are the following:

• Stop 1 (1001 Rue du Square Dorchester): where the Montreal Tourist Information Center is located.
• Stop 2 (Rue Saint-Antoine Ouest / Côte de la Place d'Armes): you will see the Parc de La Presse or Paris Garden. This is a green area with public access.
• Stop 3 (Hangar 16): you will quickly connect to the Bonsecours market and terraces, the Old Port and the Montreal Ferris wheel.
• Stop 4 (350 Place Royale): there you will find the Museum of Archaeology and History of Montreal, installed in one of the historic buildings of the city.
• Stop 5 (Atateken / Sainte-Catherine): this is the main commercial artery of downtown, it has parks, monuments and connects to the Old Port of Montreal.

Other stops that you will have access to are usually these:

• Stop 6 (Avenue du Président-Kennedy & Rue de Bleury): you will access the cultural district of the city, Quartier des Spectacles.
• Stop 7 (Rue Sherbrooke Ouest / Avenue du Musée): there you will find the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, considered one of the oldest art institutions in Canada.
• Stop 8 (5002 Chem. de la Côte des Neiges): from this stop you will reach St. Joseph's Oratory. This is a national shrine that boasts one of the largest domes in the world.
• Stop 9 (Parc Mont-Royal): this is a green area known as the mountain, home to amazing fauna and flora.
• Stop 10 (Camillien-Houde Way): you can go down and enjoy the Belvédère Camillien viewpoint with its beautiful trails.

Through this tour, considered among the best tours in Montreal, you will get to know the streets of downtown Montreal, discovering the most popular destinations during your stay.

The Montreal sightseeing bus is the best option for touring the city comfortably without having to take long walks. This is convenient if you want to save time or visit Montreal with children. You can take a panoramic tour, in which you make the complete circuit aboard the bus, or make a tour with free stops, to visit the attractions at your own pace.

Whichever way you want to take this tour, you will get a number of advantages:

• You will save money on transportation, since the ticket for this bus is valid for 48 consecutive hours and the route allows you to reach the busiest destinations.
• You will be able to easily find your way around the city, since you will know the exact location of the streets and intersections that connect with the attractions.
• You will get amazing panoramic views from the second floor of the bus, being able not only to enjoy the view, but also to take lots of pictures.
• You will learn the history of the city and get to know some interesting facts related to the places of interest, thanks to the live narration of the bilingual driver.

The full Montreal sightseeing bus tour lasts approximately two hours. Of course, this time may vary according to traffic conditions in the city. In addition, if you decide to make some stops along the circuit to visit the attractions along the way, then the tour could be extended to a whole day.

In short, the duration of this route will depend exclusively on you. For example, if you have little time in your itinerary, but still want to get a glimpse of the city, you can embark on a panoramic tour. You will see the streets, buildings and monuments from the second floor of the bus.

Otherwise, if time is not a constraint for you to explore the city at your leisure, you can hop on and off at the assigned stops to visit the attractions that catch your attention . You can stop at the stop near the Old Port to enjoy the lively atmosphere of this place and, why not, join one of the Montreal cruises. At the end of the tour, just hop on another bus to continue the tour.

Once you are on board the Montreal tourist bus you will begin to move through the main streets of the city, observing the different urban and natural scenery that welcomes this Canadian city.

You will be amazed with the panoramic views obtained from the second floor of the bus that, during the summer season in Montreal, become more attractive. This thanks to the magical atmosphere created by the sun's rays that cover each of the scenarios contemplated.

Along this circuit you will see the emblematic facade of the Basilica of Notre Dame, the small natural lung of Parc de La Presse and the majestic Parc Mont-Royal. You will also pass through the entertainment district, dotted with bars, restaurants and cafes.

The tour will also allow you to see the exterior of two of Montreal's top 10 museums: the Museum of Archaeology and History and the Museum of Fine Arts. In addition, you will have a distant view of the calm blue waters surrounding the Old Port, among other hidden corners of the city.

The ticket for the Montreal sightseeing bus usually has an average price of 43€ per person. It is a pass valid for a period of 48 consecutive hours, starting from the moment you first scan it to board the bus.

Children from 5 to 11 years old enjoy a reduced price on the total cost of the tourist bus ticket, paying around 28€ each. Meanwhile, children under 4 years of age can enter for free.

This option is ideal for your 2 to 3 day trip in Montreal, as you will have enough time to get on and off the bus at your convenience. This way, you will be able to visit on your own the greatest number of tourist attractions and learn how to move around the streets like a local.

The Montreal sightseeing bus starts its route every day from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm. This is a schedule that at first glance might seem a bit short, but it is actually planned to coincide with the opening and closing time of the main tourist destinations in the city.

You can catch the tourist bus at any of the 10 assigned stops, always taking into consideration that it runs approximately every 15 to 30 minutes. However, occasionally the bus may be slightly delayed. This is due to traffic conditions.

The ideal then is that you make the most of the time of the route and get to the desired stop at 10:00 am. This way, you can make the complete circuit or get off and on the bus while exploring the city and visiting the places on your itinerary.

This is certainly a very convenient time since, for example, you can get off your flight and connect with the shuttle service to the airport in Montreal, arriving at your hotel at 8:00 am. Afterwards, rest a bit and take advantage of the bus tour to have a first look at the city.

The operation of the Montreal sightseeing bus turns out to be a fairly intuitive process, so you won't have to worry about it. You will have to purchase the ticket or QR code corresponding to the service and validate it when you get on the bus. In this way, you will activate the pass, which lasts for 48 consecutive hours from that moment.

Every time you get on the bus the driver will scan your ticket, whether you have it in digital format from the screen of your cell phone or physically. You will be able to get on and off as many times as you wish at the 10 stops assigned for the tourist bus. All this, over two days and at no extra cost.

You will have the possibility to explore Montreal at your own pace. For example, you can hop on the bus and take a complete panoramic tour, letting yourself be dazzled by the architectural and natural contrasts of the city. In the distance, the old port and the famous Montreal Ferris wheel, among others.

In addition, you can take advantage of the free stops and get off at 5002 Chem. de la Côte des Neiges, to approach the Oratory of St. Joseph. This is a minor basilica of Catholic worship. At the end, return to the previous stop, wait for a new bus and hop on to continue exploring and stopping at your convenience.

There is an alternative to the tourist bus that is also highly recommended. This is the guided bus tour of Montreal, which takes about 3.5 hours and takes you through the main points of the city and picks you up directly at your downtown hotel. The best part? You will go with an expert guide who accompanies you throughout the route to tell you all the stories about the monuments and attractions of the Canadian city. This tour has pre-established stops, so you won't be able to hop on and off like with the tourist buses, but it is also an ideal option for your first immersion in Montreal.