City in Quebec, Canada
Montreal for solo travelers
Is Montreal good for solo travel?
French-speaking island city of festivals, great food, cheap-by-Canadian-standards rents and European street life. French helps, winters are brutal and summer is crowded with events.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 5/5 · Excellent for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Widely spoken |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Generally comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks in bars, use rideshare late and sit near the driver on night buses. |
How to meet people in Montreal
Hostels in the Plateau, language exchanges, festival volunteering, run clubs, board-game cafés and jam sessions in Mile End and Old Montreal.
Good things to do alone
- Walk Mount Royal at sunrise
- Eat bagels at St-Viateur and Fairmount
- Browse Jean-Talon Market
- Cycle the Lachine Canal path
- Catch jazz in the Quartier des Spectacles
Where to stay in Montreal
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Plateau-Mont-Royal | Cafés, bagels, parks; classic first stay |
| Old Montreal | Cobbled streets, historic hotels, near the port |
| Mile End | Artists, coffee and long stays; quiet streets |
| Downtown (Ville-Marie) | Metro hub, universities, malls, nightlife |
| Gay Village | Nightlife, central location, close to Old Montreal |
Solo travel across Canada
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Vancouver | 5/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Montreal | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Toronto | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Banff | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Quebec City | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Whistler | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Ottawa | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Calgary | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Victoria | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Jasper | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Halifax | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Tofino | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Kelowna | 4/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Niagara Falls | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Edmonton | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Yellowknife | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
| Mont-Tremblant | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Prince Edward Island | 3/5 | Spoken almost everywhere |
Quick answers
Is Montreal good for solo travelers?
Excellent for solo travel (5/5). French-speaking island city of festivals, great food, cheap-by-Canadian-standards rents and European street life.
How do you meet people in Montreal?
Hostels in the Plateau, language exchanges, festival volunteering, run clubs, board-game cafés and jam sessions in Mile End and Old Montreal. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Montreal?
Widely spoken.
Is Montreal safe for solo female travelers?
Generally comfortable for solo women. Watch drinks in bars, use rideshare late and sit near the driver on night buses.
More about Montreal
Going to Montreal solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Montreal meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.