USEFUL TIPS ABOUT MONTREAL What Language is spoken in Montréal French is Québec’s official language but English is widely spoken in Montréal. The city has more than 120 cultural groups and over 20% of the population speaks three languages. Banks and Currency Exchange Canadian currency is the dollar, which is divided into 100 cents. There are 5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 dollar bills. One and two dollar bills have been replaced by coins, sometimes referred to as "Loonies" (the bird on the $1 is a loon) and "Toonies" ($2). There are numerous currency exchange offices for visitors to exchange money into Canadian currency. Most exchange offices are open during regular business hours (9am-6pm) and Saturday from 10am-5pm. Credit cards are also widely accepted in restaurants, stores, taxis, etc. Electricity The electric current is 110V and the plugs are the same as what is found in the US. If you come from a country that uses 220V electricity, you will need a converter for any appliances you bring that require power (computers, charges, etc.). What is the rule for tipping in Montréal Service is not included in restaurants, so it is customary to add a 15% tip to the total before taxes (if you’re with a group, 15% for service may be automatically added to your bill). Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least $1 per suitcase or per service rendered. Time Zones Montréal switches to Eastern Daylight Time (summer time zone) on the second Sunday of March and returns to Eastern Standard Time (winter time zone) on the first Sunday of November. The time difference between Montréal time and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) is less than 5 hours in the winter. Shopping in Montréal Most shops are open Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are usually closed on legal holidays – and on January 2 in the majority of cases – but some establishments (supermarkets, SAQ outlets, etc.) may still be open. For more information, consult the Tourisme Montréal website at: Shopping in Montréal Dining Out Montréal has the highest concentration of eateries on the continent with 92 restaurants per square kilometer, in touristic neighborhoods and representing various types of cuisine inspired by 120 countries and regions. There is something for every palate and budget. Browse the Tourisme Montréal website for more information: Montréal Restaurants Using your mobile phone There are many wifi connections available in the city. If you do not turn off your roaming or 3g connection charges to your mobile phone bill can climb high depending on whether or not you have a package that includes Canada. You can also find out more information and wifi locations by clicking on the following link: http://www.ilesansfil.org/welcome/ Getting Around – From the airport in around the city …By Metro and bus Montréal is a very walkable and safe city. However, if you require to travel further distances, the public transportation system is very fast and convenient. The Metro (underground subway) typically operates between 5:30am to 1:00am. The bus route is also very extensive and could also be an option. There is also an express bus that services the airport (747 Express Bus). A one-way fare card, which is valid for 24 hours costs $10.00CDN. For more information on the public transportation system, please visit www.stm.com …by taxi Taxis are readily available outside hotels, but it is also to simply flag one down on the street. A trip from the airport to downtown Montréal will cost you a flat rate of $40.00. …by bike Montrealers are avid cyclists, and proud of it. The city has 350 kilometres of bike paths criss- crossing its territory, including natural parks and suburbs. Use a Bixi bike to get around. This public bike sharing system can be a great way to get around the city. The cost of 24 hours is $5.00. Users must be careful not to use the bike for more than 30 minutes at a time to avoid being charged extra time. For more information visit their website at www.bixi.com What to do in Montréal There is never a shortage of activities and events taking place in the city. To find out what is happening while you are in town, visit the Tourisme Website and their calendar of events at: What to do in Montréal ARRIVING IN MONTRÉAL Practical Information / Airport Transportation 747 Shuttle Bus The 747 shuttle bus service is the most cost effective and efficient way to travel between the airport and the centre of Montréal and runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once you leave the customs hall, follow the signs for shuttle bus/navettes just outside the terminal. Travel time may vary between 30 to 45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions. Wi-Fi service is available on most 747 buses. The fare is $10 (CDN) for unlimited travel throughout the STM bus and metro networks during 24 consecutive hours. The fare card can be purchased at the airport from the automated dispensers which accept cash, debit and credit cards. If paying on-board, only COINS ARE ACCEPTED – NO BANK BILLS. The automated dispensers are identified with the following STM logo: For more information, please visit the official 747 Website. By Taxi: Taxi rates are fixed at C$40 to downtown, one-way, and there is always a minimum charge of C$17. It is customary to tip the driver anywhere from 10% to 20%, with 15% being the average. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are often, although not always, accepted; therefore it is strongly suggested to advise the taxi dispatcher of your desired method of payment. MEETING DISCOUNT COUPONS ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS Approximative value of $400 January 1, 2016 to January 5, 2017 INDEX WEST ISLAND OLD MONTRÉAL AND OLD PORT PARC JEAN-DRAPEAU 1 Ecomuseum Zoo 12 Centre d’histoire de Montréal 23 Casino de Montréal 13 Guidatour - Guided Tours 24 Stewart Museum MOUNT ROYAL, OUTREMONT AND 14 Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum 25 La Ronde WESTMOUNT of Archaeology and History 2 Museum of Saint Joseph’s Oratory 15 Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal HOCHELAGA-MAISONNEUVE of Mount Royal 16 ImpresArts 26 Montréal Space for Life: Biodôme, 17 Montréal Science Centre Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium, DOWNTOWN 18 Decalade.com Botanical Garden, Insectarium 3 Montreal Forum 19 Délices Érable & cie 27 The Montréal Tower - Olympic Park 4 The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts 20 Bateau-Mouche (cruises) at the Old Port 5 Atrium Le 1000 - Indoor Skating Rink of Montréal 6 Au Sommet Place Ville Marie 21 MTL ZIPLINE 7 Grévin Montreal Museum 22 SOS Labyrinthe 8 The Montreal Eaton Centre 9 McCord Museum 10 Brisket Montréal 11 LaVitrine.com, your cultural hub WELCOME TO MONTRÉAL ! To help you make the most of your visit, we’re pleased to blog buzzmtl.com offer you these money-saving coupons. To take advantage of a deal, simply show the attraction the printed coupon /tourismemontreal as well as your passport or convention name badge. /visitmontreal Follow us to stay in the know and live the city like a local. And don’t forget to share all about the wonderful time /montreal you’re having in Montréal! #MTLMOMENTS. @monmontreal Discover Montréal on mtl.org @montreal 2016 Montréal is bursting with festivals and events. Make sure not to miss them! Merry Montréal Art Souterrain MUTEK Festival International Nuits Montréal Pride December 3, 2015 to February 27 to March 13, 2016 June 1 to 5, 2016 d’Afrique August 8 to 14, 2016 January1, 2016 July 12 to 24, 2016 International Festival of Films Montreal Beer Fest POP Montreal International Investigating Agatha Christie on Art (FIFA) June 8 to 12, 2016 Just For Laughs Festival Music Festival December 8, 2015 to March 10 to 20, 2016 July 16 to 31, 2016 In September April 17, 2016 Les FrancoFolies de Montréal Montreal Digital Spring June 9 to 18, 2016 MEG Montréal Festival Gardens of Light Luminothérapie at Quartier March 21 to June 21, 2016 July 21 to 31, 2016 In September des Spectacles Festival International de Jazz December 10, 2015 to Blue Metropolis Festival de Montréal Rogers Cup presented by Le Mois de la Photo January 31, 2016 April 11 to 17, 2016 June 29 to July 9, 2016 National Bank à Montréal July 22 to 31, 2016 In September Igloofest Piknic Électronik L’International des Feux January 14 to February 6, 2016 May 22 to September 25, 2016 Loto-Québec Osheaga, Music and Arts Festival du nouveau cinéma In July Festival In October Pompeii - A Roman City Festival TransAmériques July 29 to 31, 2016 February 6 to September 5, 2016 May 26 to June 9, 2016 MONTRÉAL COMPLÈTEMENT MTL à TABLE - Montréal’s CiRQUE Fashion & Design Festival Restaurant Week MONTRÉAL EN LUMIÈRE Go Bike Montréal Festival July 7 to 17, 2016 In August In November February 18 to March 5, 2016 May 29 to June 5, 2016 îleSoniq Montréal M for Montréal MURAL Festival In August In November In June MEETING The Ecomuseum Zoo has over 115 animal species native to Québec. Just 30 minutes Ecomuseum Zoo from downtown Montréal, this site offers you an escape into nature all year long! Contact information: 2 FOR 1 21125 Chemin Sainte-Marie West Island 514 457-9449 zooecomuseum.ca Get a free admission with the purchase of a regular admission ticket.