Montreal is a vibrant, exciting city famed for its fantastic parks, summer festivals, and of course, poutine. However, it is Canada’s second-largest city in terms of population, so like other major cities, you may wonder, is Montreal safe?
In this article, we’ll discuss what (if anything) you should be concerned about in Montreal and how to ensure you have a safe and stress-free vacation. So, if you’re considering a trip to Canada’s most delightful city, read on.
Is Montreal Safe For Tourists?
Yes, Montreal is considered a very safe city for travelers and has a low risk of danger overall.
However, it is not the safest city in Canada, and other large cities, like Toronto, have slightly lower crime rates. Even so, most tourists feel totally secure when visiting Montreal and do not encounter any dangers.
Is Montreal Safe To Travel Now?
As of early 2023, Canada and Montreal are totally safe to visit. The country’s once strict Covid restrictions are now a thing of the past, and Canada is fully open to international tourists again.
Also, note there is no major concern about terrorist attacks in Montreal, and the city has an overall low terrorism risk as of 2023.
Why Is Montreal “Dangerous”?
Montreal is certainly not dangerous, but if you compare it to other Canadian towns and cities, you may feel it could be safer. The good news is that Montreal is safer than it was in the past, with crime rates steadily declining.
Still, as a big city, Montreal has several concerns, such as pickpocketing. Severe violent crimes are low in Montreal, especially toward tourists, but there are a few places you may want to avoid.
Regarding natural disasters, the main concern is snow storms in the winter, which make the roads and sidewalks dangerous. This is why avoiding visiting Montreal between January and March is best.
The Safest Areas In Montreal
Certain areas in Montreal have slightly more elevated crime rates than other areas, such as Saint Henry and the East End.
Moreover, you may want to avoid Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, which has some mugging reports, and Montreal-North, where gang activity occurs, particularly after dark.
However, these neighborhoods are not popular with tourists and are not home to any major attractions, so you would be unlikely to visit anyway.
The entire Greater Montreal Area is pretty safe, and this is where most tourists tend to stay.
However, it is best to avoid walking alone through the red light district at night, which spans from St. Laurent Boulevard to St. Catherine Street. This area is rife with prostitution and drug dealing.
Here are three safe and pleasant neighborhoods close to the attractions:
- Le Plateau-Mont-Royal – A vibrant, central location full of shopping, dining, and wonderful green spaces like Parc La Fontaine and Jeanne-Mance Park.
- South Shore – This quiet, picturesque neighborhood on the south side of the river is perfect if you want to avoid staying in the middle of the city’s hustle and bustle but still close to many attractions.
- Notre-Dame-de-Grace – A residential area on the city’s west side, known for its vast selection of long-running restaurants and takeout spots.
Things To Avoid In Montreal
As a very safe city, Montreal has little to avoid. As a civilized western country, scams are not so common here compared to other parts of the world, but this doesn’t mean they never happen.
For example, it is known that some taxi drivers try to scam tourists by not turning on the meter or taking longer routes.
Still, this is easily avoided by only accepting rides with the meter on and checking the course on your phone beforehand so you know roughly how long the journey should take.
The most crucial thing I recommend you avoid doing in Montreal is leaving your belongings unattended.
Pickpocketing is common at busy tourist attractions, so do not put down your bag to take a photo. Likewise, pickpockets frequent the bars at night, where people tend to be less vigilant.
Another place you will want to remain extra vigilant is when traveling on public transport, especially at night.
While Montreal’s underground metro is generally safe, it can appear dodgy at night.
This is due to the many homeless people hanging around in the tunnels. In most cases, these people are totally harmless, but it’s best to keep your distance just in case.
Driving In Montreal
As a tourist, I don’t recommend you hire a car and drive in Montreal. Navigating your way around can be a challenge as the city has many one-way streets, so it is easy to get caught out.
Parking can also be expensive and hard to find, and the traffic can generally be very hectic in the summer, which is peak season. Moreover, the roads become very icy and dangerous in the wintertime.
Traveling via Montreal’s extensive public transport network makes much more sense. It consists of the underground metro, above-ground buses, and railways, all offering a quick and efficient way to get around.
The transport network is easy to navigate and covers all major areas, so you can easily travel between attractions. What’s more, many buses and trains run 24/7 too.
Of course, another way to get around the city is by taxi or Uber. If choosing this option, I recommend Uber as it is considerably cheaper than taxis.
Montreal For Solo Travelers
Do you want to visit Montreal but have no one to go with? No worries, as Montreal, is a very safe city for solo travelers, and in general, being alone does not put you at any additional risk.
That being said, like everywhere in the world, it is best to avoid walking home late at night, ensure you do not get too drunk, and don’t leave your drink unattended.
Montreal has plenty of great social hostels if you want to meet people during your trip. Joining a group of other solo travelers can be an excellent way to improve your travel experience.
For example, Auberge Saintlo has a spacious, lively social area, and the hostel is just 5 minutes from tons of cool bars, where you can head once you make a few friends.
Montreal For Female Travelers
Whether traveling with a friend or alone, Montreal is a very safe destination for women. One reason this Canadian city is a top choice for female travelers is because of the ‘between stops’ service the STM offers.
If you’re on a bus at night and worried about walking alone from the bus stop to your hotel, you can ask the driver to be dropped off between two stops so you don’t have to walk so far.
Moreover, a Post-Pandemic Women Solo Travel Index by Holidu rated Montreal as the number one safest city worldwide, with a 71% score of female safety at night.
Montreal For Digital Nomads And Expats
Like most other major cities, Montreal has a significant expat community.
In fact, according to the 2019 Expat City Ranking, it was rated the best city for expats in Canada and the U.S. and 5th best in the world! In this study, Montreal ranked high in quality of living, ease of settling in, working life, and cost of housing.
Montreal is also an appealing destination for digital nomads and remote workers. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and you’ll find abundant coffee shops and coworking spaces there.
Moreover, the internet connection is fast and stable most of the time.
There is plenty to do during your free time in the summer, from hiking to festivals to strolling the vibrant streets.
However, due to the lousy weather, Montreal can become boring in the winter, so for a better experience, spend the summer months here instead.
Extra Safety Tips
Here are a few other things you can do to ensure your Montreal trip is as safe and problem-free as can be:
- Familiarize yourself with the emergency numbers – The main number you will need is the general emergency number, 911. This covers police, fire, and ambulance services. Also, ensure you have your embassy number on hand should you run into any trouble.
- Pack for the season – Montreal’s winters get extremely cold, dropping below -15° C/5° F. So if you decide to visit between November and March, be sure to come prepared. You’ll need plenty of thermal layers, a warm coat, winter accessories, and well-insulated, waterproof footwear.
- Opt for cross-body bags or rucksacks with safety locks to avoid being a victim of pickpocketing.
Montreal Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential to ensure you stay safe when visiting Montreal.
If your trip is insured, you’ll have peace of mind, knowing you’ll be financially covered should you get ill or be involved in an accident on your vacation.
Travel insurance also covers loss of belongings, including pickpocketing and lost baggage, along with other annoyances like flight cancellations.
I recommend getting insurance with SafetyWing as they offer the most comprehensive coverage, and you can also sign up from anywhere worldwide.
Final Thoughts On Safety In Montreal
So, is Montreal safe? Yes, despite being a big and busy city, Montreal is a very safe place to visit with low crime rates. The touristy areas are all generally secure, and there are no specific dangers for solo or female travelers.
Still, like everywhere else, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and always keep your belongings on you.
