Updated September 19, 2023

Is Montreal safe for travelers? This delightful Canadian city is a spectacular place to visit — and a safe destination. 

Some Montreal locals helped us put together this guide to safety in their hometown. It covers everything from tips for solo travelers to navigating the COVID pandemic. 

Montreal and the COVID pandemic

From the start of the pandemic until late summer 2021, tourists were not allowed to enter Canada, but that restriction is behind us and Canada is welcoming visitors once again.  

Here's the latest: 

• Vaccinations are not required to visit Canada from the US. 
• COVID tests are no longer required to visit Canada. 
• Masks are still recommended.

Ready to take in the view from Mont-Royal and sample some of the best French pastries in North America?

In general, Montreal is very safe for travelers

Despite being among Canada’s largest cities, Montreal has one of the country’s lowest crime rates—a win-win situation for travelers! Overall, to stay safe in Montreal, you just need to take normal travel safety precautions—keep an eye on your surroundings, be polite and respectful of others, and know who to contact in case of emergency. Staying on top of local and national news is also a good rule of thumb. 

Petty theft is the most common crime

Petty theft—pickpocketing or snatching an unguarded bag—is the most common crime, but it’s fairly rare. You can avoid it by keeping an eye on your surroundings, wearing cross-body bags/purses, and not flashing cash. Scams and other such crimes of opportunity are rare in Montreal.

If you feel unsafe or are a target of petty theft, Montreal’s police are responsive and speak both English and French. But odds are you won’t encounter this during your trip to Montreal. 

Montreal is safe for solo and female travelers

Simply put, solo and female travelers love Montreal. As long as you employ common travel sense, like remaining aware of your surroundings, not accepting drinks from strangers, and avoiding bad areas at dark, you should be fine.

Public transportation is reliable and safe at all hours

Montreal’s public transport system, La société de transport de Montreal (STM), is known for its safety, efficiency, and reliability. STM offers two modes of transportation that both travelers and locals frequently use: 

• Le metro—Montreal’s affordable metro (often mislabeled the subway or underground) has 4 color-coded lines and 68 stops, ideal for seeing major attractions as well as getting off the beaten path. The metro is safe at any time of day; however, hours can vary by line. Not every train runs 24/7—on late nights out you might need to find a different mode of transportation. 
• Public buses—Like the metro, Montreal’s public buses are affordable and safe to use, even at night. The buses run 24/7, 365 days a year, and offer 220 stops. Recently the STM introduced a new safety measure for buses called “Between Stops,” geared towards women—using the service, you can request that drivers take you as close to your destination as possible or to a more well-populated drop-off point.

Montreal is safe—but a few places should be avoided after dark 

When it comes to exploring Montreal at night, popular neighborhoods like Plateau Mont-Royal, Ville-Marie, and Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie are safe at all hours. Montreal travel gurus advise staying away from the following streets after dark:

• Notre Dame Quest
• Wellington-St
• Montreal Nord 
• The Red Light district (from St. Laurent Boulevard to the corner of St-Catherine Street)

Montreal sometimes experiences severe winter weather

Montreal essentially becomes a winter wonderland from mid-November to March, with the coldest temperatures well-below -15° C / 5° F. If you travel to Montreal in this time of year, pack winter gear, like parkas, hats, gloves, and well-insulated, waterproof footwear. 

You can also stay safe (and warm) by keeping abreast of winter storms. Montreal frequently experiences heavy snowfall, overnight freezes, and other wintry weather that can complicate travel.

Local tip: When cold temps arrive, Montreal’s Underground City is a fantastic place to explore and get warm. A 20-mile network of footpaths and shopping malls, the Underground City also connects to Montreal’s metro—ideal for a break from the cold.

Know these emergency numbers, just in case

The odds of running into trouble are low, but keep these emergency numbers on hand just in case. It doesn't hurt to be prepared!

• Police—911 or 112
• Ambulance—997
• Fire—998 
• U.S. Consulate General—(514)398-9695 or 416-645-9124 for emergencies