This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Montreal.
Montreal, French Canada's largest city, is a popular tourist destination and understandably so, since on top of having pleasant neighborhoods, this is the only major French-speaking city in the United States and Canada. The local culture is certainly unique, since the city has evolved under Canadian influence while maintaining its French roots and international connections. The city certainly has a French flair, also culturally, although aesthetically the city is largely Canadian with wide streets and sprawling suburbs. Nonetheless there are certain perks in town that are more common in European cities of a similar size, like the excellent Metro subway system, which you can use to access your Montreal hostel. The local language isn't a huge challenge for visitors, as most locals speak at least conversational English as well as French, though French-speaking people from the rest of the world may have some issues understanding the stronger accents among locals.
As far as hostels in Montreal go, it fair to say that the city is somewhat a mix of the common hostel scenes in Europe and North America. That means that the Montreal hostels tend to be well kept and not attract as many transient people as many other hostels in Canada and the US. Also there is an above-average number of hostels in town, making it easy to find a bed. Nonetheless, you'll want to book ahead during major festivals, as there are many, many people looking for somewhere to stay at these times. The metro is excellent and has wide coverage of the city, so you'll probably want to stay near it. Driving in Montreal isn't hard either, but parking can be challenging and expensive. Most bicyclists will be content with the facilities here, and happy that drivers are used to and aware of bikes.
Written by local enthusiast for Montreal hostels
Carl
