Hotel Ruby Foo's
Montréal, ca
7.85,076 reviews
US$136
per night
Destination guide
Montreal
Canada · North America
Search all hotels in Montreal 2026-08-28 → 2026-08-31 · 2 · 1
About Montreal
Montreal is North America's most European city — francophone by default, English by convenience, French bistros beside Portuguese chicken and Vietnamese pho. Vieux-Montréal has cobblestone streets and 17th-century warehouses converted to boutique hotels; Plateau Mont-Royal has spiral staircases and bagel bakeries running 24/7; Mount Royal Park (designed by the same architect as Central Park) crowns the city. Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs and Cirque du Soleil were all born here.
At a glance
- Bilingual (French-first) European-flavour city — Old Montreal cobblestone + Plateau bistros + festivals every summer weekend.
- 747 bus from YUL to Downtown 45–60 min for CA$11 (24/7); REM light rail opening in phases through 2027.
- US passport-only entry; visa-exempt need eTA CA$7 before boarding.
- June–August festival season + patio life; December–March cold requires proper coat (–20°C possible).
- Currency CAD; Type A/B 120V plugs; tap water excellent.
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Prices are live from our licensed booking partner and may change.
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When to visit
June–September is peak — 20–28°C, festival season (Jazz Fest late June, Just for Laughs mid-July, Osheaga early August), packed terrasses. October is foliage magic in the Laurentians (2h north). November–March is very cold (–10°C to –5°C, RÉSO underground city becomes essential). April/May thaw is muddy shoulder. December for Christmas markets + Old Montreal snow atmosphere.
Getting around
Metro (4 lines, CA$3.75 per ride) reaches YUL airport via new REM light rail (opening in phases through 2027; 747 bus CA$11 the current fallback). BIXI bike-share CA$12 day pass. Uber + Lyft everywhere. Vieux-Montréal, Downtown, Plateau + Mile End are all walkable to each other. RÉSO (Underground City) connects 32 km of Downtown climate-controlled walkway.
Where to stay
Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal)
Cobblestone, boutique hotels in 200-year-old warehouses — Hotel Nelligan, Auberge du Vieux-Port, William Gray, Le Petit.
Downtown / Ville-Marie
Business core, shopping (Sainte-Catherine), RÉSO gateway — Fairmont Queen Elizabeth (Lennon/Ono Bed-In), Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons.
Plateau Mont-Royal
Spiral-staircase Victorians, bagels (St-Viateur, Fairmount), smoked meat (Schwartz's), Mile End cafés.
Mile End
Bohemian arts quarter, Ubisoft HQ, indie boutiques, best coffee scene.
Griffintown / Old Port
Converted industrial waterfront, gastropubs, cycling to Lachine Canal — William Gray, Hotel Alt.
Little Italy / Little Portugal
Espresso bars + churrasqueira grills, Jean-Talon Market — food-scene day trips.
Your Marhaba Trip Plan
Montreal at a glance
- Recommended trip
- 3–5 days
- Best time to visit
- June–September is peak — 20–28°C, festival season (Jazz Fest late June, Just for Laughs mid-July, Osheaga early August), packed terrasses.
- Getting around
- Metro (4 lines, CA$3.
- Recommended areas
- Vieux-Montréal (Old Montreal) · Downtown / Ville-Marie · Plateau Mont-Royal
Top experiences
- Vieux-Montréal + Notre-Dame Basilica — 17th-century cobblestone quarter + Notre-Dame's blue vault + AURA sound-and-light show (CA$32).
- Mount Royal Park — Frederick Law Olmsted-designed park — Kondiaronk Belvedere skyline view + Sunday Tam-Tams drum circle.
- Jean-Talon Market — Largest open-air market in North America — Little Italy quarter, year-round, farm-to-table classic.
- Biodôme + Insectarium + Botanical Garden — Olympic Park cluster — four ecosystems inside the old velodrome; CA$25 combo.
Book your trip
Do I need a visa for Montreal?
- Policy
- Varies by nationality
- Typical stay
- 180 days
Same Canadian rules as Vancouver/Toronto — US with passport, visa-exempt need eTA CA$7, others need TRV.
Official government sourceHow do I get to Montreal?
Airports
- YUL · Montréal-Trudeau International · 20 km
747 bus direct to Berri-UQAM/Downtown 45–60 min CA$11 (24/7); Uber CA$40–55; taxi flat CA$41. REM light rail from YUL launching in 2027 phases (20 min).
By rail
VIA Rail to Toronto (5h scenic corridor), Ottawa (2h), Quebec City (3h). Amtrak Adirondack to New York (10h scenic Lake Champlain).
CBSA immigration + often faster than Toronto; French language default, English available.
How do I get around Montreal?
- Metro (STM, 4 lines) — Green, Orange, Yellow, Blue lines cover core; CA$3.75 per ride.
- Bus — Same STM fare; extensive network including night buses.
- BIXI bike share — CA$12/day pass; Lachine Canal + Mount Royal are the two great rides.
- RÉSO Underground City — 32 km climate-controlled indoor walkway — essential Nov–March.
Passes & tickets
OPUS card CA$6 + credit; day pass CA$11.50 unlimited metro + bus. Contactless credit card tap coming to metro through 2026.
Uber + Lyft available. Vieux-Montréal, Downtown, Plateau + Mile End all walkable to each other in 20–30 min.
What should I eat and know about food culture in Montreal?
Signature dishes
- Bagels at St-Viateur / Fairmount — Boiled in honey water + wood-fired — 60¢ each, 24/7. Not NYC bagels — sweeter, chewier.
- Smoked meat at Schwartz's — Since 1928 — order 'medium fat' sandwich CA$12 with pickle + cherry Coke.
- Poutine at La Banquise — 24/7 — fries + cheese curds + gravy CA$10; 30+ variations.
- French bistro at Joe Beef / Toqué! / Au Pied de Cochon — Joe Beef is Anthony Bourdain's Canadian pick; Au Pied de Cochon is foie gras + duck heaven.
Etiquette
- Tipping 15–20% at restaurants; 5% GST + 9.975% QST added at register.
- Start with 'bonjour' — even if you switch to English immediately, the greeting matters.
- Terrasse (patio) season May–September is sacred; book weekend dinners 1–2 weeks ahead.
Tap water excellent. Craft beer scene strong (Dieu du Ciel!, Brasserie Harricana, Vices & Versa). Ice cider (cidre de glace) is a Quebec specialty. Cafés — Café Olimpico + Myriade + Pikolo the classics.
Is Montreal safe for travelers?
Overall risk: LowEmergency: 911
- One of North America's safest large cities — Downtown, Old Montreal, Plateau, Mile End safe day + night.
- Metro safe late; ridership thins after midnight.
- Winter (Dec–Feb) requires –20°C-rated coat + insulated boots + hat + gloves.
- Emergency 911 (French + English).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Montreal?
Same Canadian rules as Vancouver/Toronto: US citizens with passport, visa-exempt nationals need eTA CA$7 at canada.ca/eta before boarding, others need Temporary Resident Visa (TRV).
Do I need to speak French in Montreal?
No — English is widely spoken in Downtown and Vieux-Montréal. In Plateau, Mile End and outer neighbourhoods a 'bonjour' + 'merci' opens every conversation warmly. Menus are often bilingual; staff switch to English at your first English word.
Is Montreal good for a family trip?
Yes — Biodôme, Insectarium, Planétarium, Montreal Science Centre, La Ronde amusement park, Notre-Dame Basilica light show, Mount Royal chalet with skyline view. Old Port has free splash pads + zipline + Ferris wheel in summer, skating rink in winter.
What's the best luxury stay in Montreal?
Ritz-Carlton Montreal (grande dame since 1912), Four Seasons Montreal (Golden Square Mile), Fairmont Queen Elizabeth (Lennon suite 1742), Hotel Nelligan (Old Montreal romantic), St-Sulpice (garden courtyard), William Gray (rooftop terrasse), Auberge du Vieux-Port.
Can I visit Montreal on a budget?
Yes — Mount Royal free, Old Port free, Notre-Dame Basilica CA$16, Jazz Fest outdoor stages free, Just for Laughs outdoor free. Bagels 60¢, smoked meat sandwich CA$12, poutine CA$10, hostels CA$35 (M Montreal, HI Downtown). Metro day pass CA$11.50.
How do I get from YUL airport to Downtown?
747 bus direct to Berri-UQAM in 45–60 min for CA$11 (24/7). Uber CA$40–55 in 25–40 min. Taxi flat CA$41 to Downtown. REM light rail from airport opening in 2027 phases will drop this to 20 min.
Is Montreal safe for tourists?
One of North America's safest large cities — Downtown, Vieux-Montréal, Plateau, Mile End safe day + night. Emergency 911 (French + English).
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
June–August for festival season + patio life. September–October for foliage + shoulder pricing + comfortable weather. December for Christmas markets + snowy Old Port. Avoid March–April slush unless you like grey. February Igloofest is a bucket-list winter rave.
You may also like
More ways to extend or combine your Montreal trip.
Montreal ↔ Toronto
1h15 direct or VIA Rail 5h scenic corridor train.
Montreal ↔ New York
1h30 direct or Amtrak Adirondack 10h scenic Lake Champlain route.
French cultural pair
7h direct — Air France, Air Canada, Air Transat seasonal.
