Currency
Canadian currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollar bills. One and 2 dollar bills have been replaced by coins. While 50 and 100 dollar bills are available, some stores do not accept them.
Banking services, ATMs, and currency exchange offices are available near the conference center.
Electricity
Electrical outlets in Canada provide the same current as in the United States, i.e., 120 volts (60 cycles). They are of two types: type A (2 pins) and type B (3 pins). If your appliances are designed for a different standard, you will need to use an adapter.
Weather
Normal temperature in Montreal for July is around 25 °C (77 °F), but it can easily rise to 30 °C (86 °F) due to high humidity. To check weather conditions for Montreal, see The Meteorological Service of Canada or the Weather Network.
Getting around Montreal
Public transportation
Montreal has a subway system which allows one to get around quickly and easily. The four lines run Monday to Friday and Sunday from 05:30 (first departure) to 00:39 (final departure) as well as Saturday from 05:30 (first departure) to 01:09 (final departure). The average time between trains is 3 minutes during peak hours and 8 minutes at other times.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) bus network covers the entire Island of Montreal. Several after-hours bus routes service night owls.
Not sure how to get somewhere? Consult the STM's online trip planner.
For more information on public transit consult the web site for the Société de transport de Montréal.
Bicycle
Ride with BIXI: BIXI is Montreal’s public bike system. It is accessible to everyone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, three seasons of the year, from April to November. Montreal has over 500 kilometres of bike lanes making it a safe, inviting city to explore on 2 wheels.
BIXI was created for short trips: usage fees encourage frequent utilization for short periods of time. First, you have to subscribe or acquire a 24- ($5) or 72-hour ($12) access to use the service. Take out a bike as many times as you want for 30 minutes or less with no additional fees (up to 45 minutes for subscribers); usage fees for longer trips apply. For more information, see https://montreal.bixi.com/ride-with-bixi/functioning.
Taxi
The price of a fare, to which a rate per kilometre is added, is displayed on the taxi metre. Rates do not differ on evenings and weekends. Receipts are available upon request. Tipping is customary but not mandatory.
Taximeter rates including taxes are $3.45 at the time of hiring by the client and $1.70 per kilometer thereafter.
The client may request a taxi on the street. When the sign on the top of the cab is lit, the taxi is available for a client.
Car
Road signs and speed limit: Quebec uses the metric system, so speeds are indicated in kilometres and gas is sold in litres. Although road signs are in French, most of them use international symbols so you shouldn't have any difficulty.
Right turn: Although turning right on a red light is authorized across the province of Quebec (except at intersections where a sign indicates otherwise), right-hand turns on a red light are strictly prohibited on the Island of Montreal.
Cell phone and driving: Since April 1, 2008, the use of a hand-held cell phone that does not have a "hands-free" function is prohibited by law while driving.
Parking
Downtown you can find many parking lots as well as parking meters, which are not free of charge after business hours (Mind your meter: they're checked often!). Most parking meters have been replaced by automatic pay stations. Numbered blue and white signs indicate where parking spaces are available. Simply park your automobile and take note of the number of the parking spot. Next, go to the nearest automated pay station to pay the desired parking duration and take your ticket with you. There is no need to leave it in your vehicle.
Parking is available in the multi-level indoor parking facility accessible at 2055 Metcalfe St., just behind the Centre Mont-Royal.
Telephone
A local call at a Quebec pay-phone costs $0.50. Prepaid phone cards are being offered in different denominations and are sold in most convenience stores (dépanneurs in French), newsstands, or pharmacies.
Useful numbers:
Directory assistance: 411
Operator: 0
Emergency: 911
Health hotline: 811
Québec Poison Control Centre: 1 800 463-5060
Wireless Internet
Internet access is available for free at over 150 locations in Montréal through Île sans fil.
Restaurants
Downtown Montreal features several popular restaurant areas: Bishop and Crescent streets to the west, St-Denis St. and the Latin Quarter to the east. In the adjacent Plateau Mont Royal you will find intellectuals and artists gathered in bars and cafés which serve foods of the world at affordable prices. A bit further north, Little Italy, where the first Italian immigrants settled, is now one of the liveliest areas of the city, with espresso bars, boutiques, and authentic Italian cuisine.
Typical prices
Movie ticket: $13.00
Public transportation: $3.00
Cup of coffee: $3.00
Glass of beer: $6.00
Glass of wine: $9.00
Breakfast: $7.00
Dinner (without alcohol): between $15.00 and $30.00
Tips
Service is not included in restaurants. It is customary to give restaurant waiters a tip representing 15% of the total before taxes. Taxi drivers and hairdressers are also generally tipped 15%. Hotel porters generally receive $2 per bag.
Smoking
The anti-tobacco law took effect on May 31, 2006. It prohibits smoking in all public establishments, including bars and restaurants.
Accessibility for people with restricted physical ability
Establishments have been assessed accessible according to criteria set by Kéroul and approved by the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec. Kéroul provides information on tourism and culture for people with restricted physical ability.
Montreal Museums Pass
The Montreal Museums Pass gives easy access to 38 museums. The Pass is sold in several points of sale.
Postage
You can send packages and buy stamps at any Canada Post Office. There are also numerous postal outlets which are located within other businesses, such as pharmacies and convenience stores ("dépanneurs" in French). To find post offices near the conference center, consult the Canada Post web site.
Stamp prices for first class mail and postcards:
Canada: $0.61
United States: $1.05
Other countries (by air): $1.80
Taxes
There are two applicable taxes in Quebec: a federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% and a Quebec provincial tax (TVQ) of 9.5%, which is also charged on goods and services. No tax refund is granted to leisure travellers.