Montreal Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

Canada's second largest city, Montreal, is located in the province of Quebec, Canada. On 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 sightseeing 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 scenic ride with narration included, and you can hop on and off as many times as you wish at the designated stops.

Whether you're planning 1-2 days in Montreal or even longer, the sightseeing bus will prove to be your best ally to explore the city hassle-free and at your own pace. You can take a panoramic guided tour through the main streets of this city, getting off at any of the 10 stops assigned, visiting the destinations of your choice and then getting back on another bus to continue the tour.

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

With this Montreal hop-on hop-off bus tour, you'll stroll through the city and from the comfort of the first floor of the bus you'll enjoy the cityscape. You'll see building facades lining the streets, monuments, parks and more. You can stop at 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.

The designated stops on the bus route include the following:

• Stop 1 (1001 Rue du Square Dorchester): where the Montreal Tourist Information Centre 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): here you will find the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History, housed in one of the city's historic buildings.
• 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 you will have access to are usually these:

• Stop 6 (Avenue du Président-Kennedy & Rue de Bleury): you will access the city's cultural district, Quartier des Spectacles.
• Stop 7 (Rue Sherbrooke Ouest / Avenue du Musée): here 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 Montréal sightseeing bus is the best option for touring the city in comfort 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, where you do the whole circuit on board the bus, or you can take a tour with free stops, visiting the attractions at your own pace.

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

• You will save money on transport, as 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 find your way around the city easily, as you will know the exact location of the streets and intersections that connect with the attractions.
• You will get amazing panoramic views from the first floor of the bus, so you can not only enjoy the view, but also take lots of pictures.
• You'll learn the history of the city and learn some interesting facts about the sights, thanks to the live narration by the bilingual driver.

The full Montreal sightseeing bus tour lasts approximately two hours. Of course, this time may vary depending on 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 is entirely up to 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 first floor of the bus.

Otherwise, if time is not a constraint for you to explore the city at a leisurely pace, you can hop on and off at the designated stops to visit the attractions that catch your eye. 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. When you're done, just hop on another bus to continue your tour.

Once you are on board the Montreal tourist bus you will start to move around the main streets of the city, observing the different urban and natural sceneries of this Canadian city.

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

Along this circuit you will see the emblematic façade of the Notre Dame Basilica, 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 cafés.

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. Plus, you'll get a distant view of the calm blue waters surrounding the Old Port, among other hidden corners of the city.

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

Children between 5 and 11 years of age enjoy a reduced price on the total cost of the tourist bus ticket, paying around 28€ each. Meanwhile, children under the age of 4 are free.

This option is ideal for your 2-3 day trip to Montreal, as you'll have plenty of time to hop on and off the bus at your leisure. You'll be able to visit as many of the sights as possible on your own and learn to navigate 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 little tight, but is actually planned to coincide with the opening and closing times of the city's main tourist destinations.

You can catch the tour bus at any of the 10 designated stops, bearing in mind that the bus runs approximately every 15 to 30 minutes. However, occasionally the bus may be slightly delayed. This is due to traffic conditions.

Ideally, you should make the most of the time on the route and be at your desired stop by 10:00 am. This way, you can do the full circuit or get on and off the bus as you explore the city and visit 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 Montreal airport, arriving at your hotel at 8:00 am. Afterwards, get some rest 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 don't have to worry about it. You will need to purchase a ticket or QR code for the service and validate it when you get on the bus. 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 mobile phone or in physical form. You will be able to get on and off as many times as you wish at the 10 stops assigned to the tourist bus. All this, over two days and at no extra cost.

You will be able to explore Montreal at your own pace. For example, you can hop on the bus and embark on a full 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.

You can also take advantage of the free stops and get off at 5002 Chem. de la Côte des Neiges, to get close to the Saint-Joseph Oratory. This is a minor Catholic basilica. 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 around the main sights of the city and picks you up directly from your downtown hotel. The best part? You'll be accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you all the stories about the sights and attractions of the Canadian city. This tour has prearranged stops, so you won't be able to hop on and off like with tour buses, but it's also an ideal option for your first immersion in Montreal.