Montreal is a fairly easy city to navigate and, with an extensive transportation system, it’s manageable even in the depths of winter. There are over 300 kilometres of bike paths crossing the city, and bus, commuter trains and metro lines covering most of the island and beyond. STM (formerly STCUM) The Société de transport de Montréal, our bus and metro system, now offers a Monday-to-Sunday pass at $14. A strip of six tickets ($9) is still the budget option, but if you commute every other day or more, a $50 monthly pass works out cheapest. If you’re lucky enough to be under 18 and a student, you can use public transit for about half the regular adult fares if you have the appropriate STM ID. If you’re a full-time student between the ages of 18 and 25 and a Montreal resident, you can take advantage of the privirri-UQÀM metro). Card-issuing sessions will also be taking place at various schools this fall; you can check out the STM Web site for details. For other information, dial A-U-T-O-B-U-S (288-6287), and to know when a bus is coming before running out to catch it, dial the number on your bus stop sign. The phone service is often subject to agonizingly long delays, so a better bet for route and schedule information is their Web site: www.stm.info.

The two international airports serving Montreal are operated by Aeroports de Montreal (tel.: 394-7377 or 1-800/465-1213, www.admtl.com). The main one, Aeroport de Dorval, 22km southwest of the city, is the arrival point for international and Canadian flights.

The Aerobus airport shuttle service (tel.: 931-9002) runs every 20 minutes from 7am to 1am daily, linking Dorval Airport with the Station Centrale d'Autobus Montreal and the Gare de l'Aeroport, adjacent to the train station. Passengers can take the complimentary shuttle service to major downtown hotels from the latter; some hotels also have vans that pick up guests directly from the airport – ask on making a reservation.

Montreal's second airport, Aeroport de Mirabel, 55km northwest of the city, is used solely for charter flights. From Mirabel to the same locations downtown takes just over an hour by bus.

Montreal's main train station, Gare Centrale, is below the Queen Elizabeth Hotel on the corner of boul Rene-Levesque and rue Mansfield, and is entered at 895 rue de la Gauchetière ouest. The station is the major terminus for Canada's VIA Rail trains from Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec and the Gaspe as well as US Amtrak trains from Washington and New York. The Bonaventure Metro station links it with the rest of the city. An international student card (ISIC) gets 40 percent off regular train fares; but even if you don't have one you can still get a discount by booking six days in advance to get 30 percent off return-trip fares and 20 percent off one-way tickets.

Long-distance buses arrive and depart from Station Centrale d'Autobus Montreal at 505 boul de Maisonneuve est. The Berri-UQAM Metro is right below the station. Orleans Express (tel.: 842-2281, www.orleansexpress.com) is the province's main coach company. Students and senior citizens receive a 25 percent discount with proper identification.

The public transport system is one of the city's greatest assets, linking the 65-station Metro to 150 bus routes. The clean, speedy, convenient, reliable and cheap Metro system has four colour-coded lines, the major interconnecting stations being Berri-UQAM (which links the orange, green and yellow lines), Lionel-Groulx (green and orange), Snowdon and Jean-Talon (blue and orange). Coloured signs indicate the direction of each line by showing the name of the terminus; maps of the system can be picked up at stations and information centres.

A correspondance, available from machines beyond the turnstiles at the Metro stations, allows you to complete your journey by bus at no extra cost, but you must get one at the beginning of your journey, not as you get off the Metro. The transfer system also works in reverse, from buses to Metro – ask the driver for one as you board. Most buses stop running at 12.30am, shortly before the Metro, though some run all through the night and cover different routes; they have the same fare system as the Metro, but exact change is required.

One-way fares are a flat $2,50 and a book of six tickets – a carnet – costs $11,00. Better suited to visitors, the STCUM tourist pass allows unlimited travel on the Metro and bus routes: it costs $8 a day or $16 for three consecutive days and is available from the information centres, Berri–UQAM Metro station and, from April to October, at all downtown Metro stations.

It is rarely necessary to take a taxi, and they're not that expensive if you're in a group; they cost $2.80 plus $1.13 per kilometer and an additional ten to fifteen percent tip is normal. Taxis can be boarded at ranks outside hotels and transport terminals, and by simply flagging them down. They can also be ordered by phone: Taxi Diamond (tel.: 273-6331) and Taxi Co-op (tel.: 725-9885) are two reliable services.

Buses

Bus lines are less expensive than taking a plane or train out of the city, but not necessarily by as much as you might like. Student fares are available for many return fare tickets, though a round-trip ticket to T.O. costs a bit under $100 even with the standard student discount of 25 per cent (ISIC card not required). A 25 per cent discount is also available for many trips to the U.S. and Western Canada. Buses leave from the Station Centrale at 505 de Maisonneuve E., (metro Berri-UQÀM). Call 842-2281 for schedules and prices.

Trains

Via Rail An international student identification card (ISIC) will get you a 35 per cent discount off regular prices for destinations in Canada. A regular student ID will not get you any discount on Via Rail. However, anybody can get 30 per cent off economy fares for a return trip and 20 per cent off a one-way trip if they book at least five days in advance, provided economy seats are still available. If you’re organized enough to book 10 days in advance you can save 35 per cent off a round trip fare. If you travel to one destination a lot, you might consider the VIA Six Pack. Purchase three round-trip tickets to the same destination up-front and you’ll save around 50 per cent off the full price-par exemple, a Six Pack to T.O. will set you back $350. Central Station (metro Bonaventure), 989-2626, www.viarail.ca

Planes

Dorval and Mirabel Airports If you are beginning your journey from downtown Montreal, airport shuttle buses cost much less than a taxi, which can cost $30 to Dorval or $50+ to Mirabel. For Dorval, buses leave every 30 mins from 7am–11pm from the Berri bus station (Station Centrale, see Buses) and 10 minutes after the Station Centrale departure from 777 de la Gauchetière (394-7369). The trip to Dorval costs $11 one way or $19.75 for the round-trip; the Mirabel bus-which leaves only from the Station Centrale-costs $20 one way or $30 for the round-trip. Mirabel schedules are complicated so call for info.

Automobiles

Many car rental agencies require that you have a credit card, be 21 to 25 years of age, and they might also freeze anywhere from $500–$1,000 on your credit card depending on your age. However, there are a few other options. Driveaway Call three or four days before you want to leave for a distant destination and they just might have someone else’s car for you to drive. The trips are usually one-way and destinations are more often westward. But all you pay is a refundable deposit and gas, which differs depending on the car. Know when you want to go before you call. You must be 21 or older. 345 Victoria, 489-3861

Allô Stop A carpool organization that matches riders with drivers at cheap rates. It costs $6 a year to become a member as a rider plus a small variable fee for each trip, which is paid to the driver. Joining as a driver costs $7. The service now offers trips only within Quebec and the maritime provinces. They also have a classifieds posting on their Web site where you can check for others looking for long-distance travelling companions and even house-swapping in other cities. Allô Stop assumes no responsibility for contacts made via their classified section. 4317 St-Denis, 985-3032, www.allostop.com

CommunAuto This car-sharing service can help if you’re the type who can’t afford a car, but needs one now and again at lower-than-rental rates. Based in the Plateau, they have about 60 cars to share for errands, day trips or short holidays. A $500 deposit-refundable after one year if you opt out-is the daunting initial expense, but you’re charged just $1.50–$2 per hour for trips within the city (max $15–$20 per day) plus a few cents per kilometre. Gas, insurance and other perks are included. Call 842-4545 or try www.communauto.com for more info.

Cycling

If you have a bike, chances are you’ll find it one of the handier modes of transportation in Montreal. For one, it’ll save you bus/metro fare and cut your walking time by hours. Below are some of the places to go for new or used bikes, and you’ll find a few places that do cheap tune-ups and even store your bike for the winter months. Beware that Montreal is notorious for bike thievery, so do everything in your power to protect your wheels.

• ABC Cycle and Sports Upscale shop that’s been around since 1932. Pricey, but they do have top-of-the-line equipment. 5584 du Parc (corner St-Viateur), 276-1305
• Bicycletterie JR Cyclery Offers repairs, parts and accessories. They provide storage space for your bike for $5/month. Specials for students. 151 Rachel E., 843-6989
• Cycle Pop The people’s bike shop Buys and sells used bikes (at Recycle Pop). Cheap repairs (maximum $24/hour) and 10 per cent student discounts. For $39.95 you get a complete tune-up. Also offers bike storage and sessions in “spinning”-or indoor bicycling with your bike on special rollers-for $10 a session. 1000 Rachel E. (by Lafontaine Park), 526-2525
• D’un sport à l’autre A Mile-End treasure chest of used sporting goods including bikes, biking gear and accessories. Regular tune-ups are $24.95. 173 Bernard W., 278-1909
• Lazy Walker Bicycle Company A bicycle recycling store with tons of used and vintage bikes. Also has scooters and much paraphernalia. 5526 Sherbrooke W., 481-5159
• Right to Move (La Voie Libre) A working group of Concordia QPIRG, RTM offers bike repair workshops to the general public. Workshops are free, but the organization will gratefully accept donations. Volunteers are on hand to help you fix your bike on the spot. They also recycle bikes. Located at Concordia’s downtown campus, call 848-7585/999-4885 or go to http://concordia.pirg.ca/~rtm for more info
• Techno Cycle The ultimate in girl pedalling power, this small shop near the Atwater market was founded and is run by two women. Prices are competitive, and they teach a range of courses on bike mechanics and repair. Spring tune-ups start at $30. Winter storage is available. 2713 Notre-Dame W., 937-3626