Montreal Cruises Tickets

This incredible coastal city has a wide range of cruises for you to enjoy during your holidays. Would you like to join one of them? Would you like to know which ones are not to be missed?

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

Montreal Cruises Tickets

Embarcación en el rio |©Eike Henning

Montreal is a Canadian city of great urban and scenic beauty that you can't help but want to discover during your stay. Because the city is located on an island along the St. Lawrence River, you'll have the opportunity to take a number of river tours.

In fact, some of the best things to do in Montreal include a wide range of cruises, which will give you a different experience and allow you to get a different perspective of the city. For example, a boat trip combined with a walking or van tour of the city, a cruise with fishing or penguin watching, among other options that I'll tell you about in a moment.

1. Join a cruise around Montreal with a walking tour and a visit to the Big Wheel

Morning Arrival|©Mark Langdon
Morning Arrival|©Mark Langdon

During your stay of at least 1 to 3 days in Montreal, you can join one of the St Lawrence River cruises. This experience will allow you to discover a different view of the city and enjoy a walking tour in the company of a local guide.

The adventure begins in downtown Montreal. There, you will meet your guide at a pre-arranged location and then walk with him to the Notre Dame Basilica. There, you will have free time to explore the interior and admire the stained glass windows and Gothic architectural details.

Afterwards, you will visit the Big Wheel, located in Old Montreal. From a height of approximately 60 metres, you will have a privileged view of the city and its surroundings.

When you get off the Ferris wheel, your guide will escort you to a boat in the Old Port, located at the foot of the wheel, for a scenic ride on the St. Lawrence River. With this Montreal cruise ticket, you'll not only see the calm blue waters, the sky and the city in the distance, you'll also hear live historical commentary.

Details of interest

  • Price: the price of the cruise starts at 135€ per person.
  • Duration: the activity lasts about 3 hours.
  • Means of transport: on foot and by boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to discover Montreal by land and by sea, thus getting a series of different panoramic views of this Canadian city.
  • Disadvantages of this option: no food or drink is usually included.

Book tickets for the La Grande Roue Ferris wheel

2. Part of a sightseeing cruise on the St Lawrence River in Montreal

Saint Laurent River, Montreal|©Paco (Off for a while)
Saint Laurent River, Montreal|©Paco (Off for a while)

Any time of the year is the best time to go to Montreal and enjoy a sightseeing cruise on the St. Lawrence River. You'll have the opportunity to relax on the boat's deck as you breathe in the fresh air, take in breathtaking panoramas and learn about the historical context of the city.

You'll set sail from Montreal' s Old Port and enjoy live commentary as you cruise along the waterfront. A local, certified guide will tell you about the history of the city and the places you pass through.

Some of the destinations you'll see on this tour, considered one of the best tours in Montreal, include the following:

  • Downtown, with its modern buildings and Canada's largest Ferris wheel.
  • The Jacques-Cartier Bridge, which stands out with its imposing steel structure and connects Montreal to the city of Longueuil.
  • ** Bellerive Park**, which stretches about two kilometres along the St. Lawrence River.
  • The Boucherville Islands, a national park made up of a total of five islands.

Details of interest

  • Price: the cost of the activity is approximately €50.
  • Duration: the St. Lawrence River tour usually lasts about 90 minutes.
  • Means of transport: boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you can do this tour at any time of the year, as the boats have a covered area that allows you to keep out of the rain.
  • Disadvantages of this option: generally, the transfer to and from the hotel is not included.

Book a cruise on the St Lawrence River in Montreal

3. Take a cruise on the St. Lawrence River in Montreal and sample some traditional dishes in the cabin

Afternoon cruise on the St-Laurent|©Leatitia
Afternoon cruise on the St-Laurent|©Leatitia

Taking a boat ride on the St Lawrence River is another option to incorporate into your 2-day itinerary in Montreal or longer. You'll get a privileged view of some of the city's iconic sights while sampling some of the local cuisine.

You'll arrive at Montreal' s Old Port on your own, where you'll connect with the host-guide. You will board the boat and enjoy a brunch prepared with fresh ingredients. For example, you can try a plate of toast, egg, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and bacon. All this, accompanied by coffee or natural juice.

After you've had your fill, you'll set sail along part of the St. Lawrence River. On this river tour, you' ll see the picturesque city of Montreal from a different perspective, as the sea breeze and sunshine brush against your skin. You'll see the calm waters, the Great Ferris Wheel, the Parc Olympique, the imposing Jacques Cartie Bridge and much more.

After the cruise, you'll have plenty of time to continue discovering the city: monuments, pedestrian streets, natural spaces and Montreal's best museums, among other destinations.

Interesting details

  • Price: the price of this cruise starts at approximately 70€ per person.
  • Duration: the cruise lasts on average 2 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Means of transport: boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a privileged view from the San Lorenzo river and taste some local dishes.
  • Disadvantages of this option: if you are travelling with your pets, you should know that they are not usually allowed on this type of activity.

Book a cruise on the St Lawrence River in Montreal

4. Discover Montreal's Old Port on a private boat ride

Old Port of Montreal|©lezumbalaberenjena
Old Port of Montreal|©lezumbalaberenjena

If you want to spend a different time during your stay in the city, then you should take a boat tour of Montreal's Old Port. On this private activity you can bring your own food and drink, listen to your own selection of music and enjoy yourself at your own pace.

You will board the boat and the captain will immediately set off, taking you along the St. Lawrence River. You will have the opportunity to sit back and relax, while looking out over the old town. You will get amazing panoramic views, thanks to the natural illumination of the sun, which during the summer in Montreal usually offers vibrant colours.

At the end of the cruise you can continue exploring the city. To do so, you have the option of the Montreal free shuttle bus, which happens to have a stop in the vicinity of the harbour.

Interesting details

  • Price: the price for this activity is approximately 599€, for groups of 1 to 8 people.
  • Duration: the cruise generally lasts a couple of hours.
  • Means of transport: boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will sail on the St. Lawrence River and discover the Montreal coastline.
  • Disadvantages of this option: this cruise is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Book a cruise on the St. Lawrence River in Montréal

5. Take a night cruise in Montreal and live a different experience

Aida Diva in Montreal|©Daniel Villeneuve
Aida Diva in Montreal|©Daniel Villeneuve

Among the top 10 things to do in Montreal at night you'll find night cruises on the St. Lawrence River. This is a river cruise that incorporates alcoholic drinks, live DJs and a breathtaking view of the city.

The activity usually starts after sunset at Grad Quay in Montreal's Old Port. There, you will board a boat and sail for a few hours, discovering different perspectives of the city and its surroundings, which gradually light up in front of you.

During the tour you will see the city's famous Ferris wheel and Montreal's Olympic Stadium. You will pass under the imposing Jacques Cartier Bridge and through the Parc des Iles de Boucherville. All this while enjoying the celebratory atmosphere.

At the end of the cruise you can continue exploring the nightlife in the bars and restaurants surrounding the Old Port. Or, in case it's your last day in the city, you could return to the hotel to connect with the shuttle service to Montreal airport.

Details of interest

  • Price: the evening experience costs around €55 per person.
  • Duration: the cruise usually lasts about 3 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Means of transport: boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a live show by a professional DJ.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the activity does not usually include transfer to and from the hotel.

Book a cruise on Montreal's St. Lawrence River

6. Take a river cruise on the St. Lawrence River with the option of a bus tour of Montreal

The Saint Lawrence|©JD and Beastlet
The Saint Lawrence|©JD and Beastlet

Montreal is a city that invites you to explore the whole city, so a combined bus and boat tour is a good idea. You'll have the opportunity to discover the highlights of the city and then get amazing views from the calm waters of the St Lawrence River.

Once you meet your guide at your hotel door or at a pre-arranged location in downtown Montreal, you'll board a van and head to Mont-Royal. There, you will stop and, from the top, you will get an overview of the city and its surroundings.

You will then visit old Montreal where you will find some places of historical and cultural interest. Such is the case of St. Joseph's Oratory and Notre Dame Basilica. In the latter, you will be able to enter to observe its Gothic architecture and discover its hidden gems.

Afterwards, your guide will take you to the Old Port to embark on a cruise on the St Lawrence River. You will be amazed by the view of the city and the tranquillity of these crystal-clear waters. You will relax, breathe fresh air and take amazing pictures.

Interesting details

  • Price: the average price of the cruise and excursion is about 147€ per person.
  • Duration: the approximate duration of this activity is 5 hours.
  • Means of transport: van and boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a combined adventure in a van and boat, which will allow you to explore different parts of the city.
  • Disadvantages of this option: door-to-door pick-up is usually only incorporated when the hotel is located in the city centre.

Book a cruise on Montreal's St Lawrence River

7. Join a guided fishing cruise in Montréal

people fishing|©karen carbonnet
people fishing|©karen carbonnet

If you are a fishing enthusiast, you should take advantage of your time in Montreal and join a cruise that incorporates this activity. You will sail down the St. Lawrence River to the foot of the Lachine Rapids, considered a suitable area for fishing at any time of the year.

You will depart from the Montreal Marina in the company of an experienced guide, who will teach you the basics to start fishing. He will also tell you about the history of the city and some interesting anecdotes.

Although you can do this activity any time of the year, you should know that if you visit Montreal in September and until mid-December, you will enjoy more fish, cooler breezes and a picturesque landscape due to the autumn.

Details of interest

  • Price: the price of the activity starts from 500€, for groups of 1 to 4 people.
  • Duration: the activity can last from 4 to 7 hours, depending on the option you choose (half or full day).
  • Means of transport: boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you will enjoy a day of guided fishing in a natural setting with privileged views.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the experience does not include food and drink, so you will need to take some provisions with you.

8. Take a penguin-watching cruise around the L'Isle-aux-Coudres Archipelago in Montreal

penguins in Montreal|©Humanoide
penguins in Montreal|©Humanoide

You may plan to spend 2 to 5 days in Montreal, or even more. Therefore, you might have enough time in your itinerary to join a full day cruise to the L'Isle-aux-Coudres Archipelago to observe penguin behaviour in their habitat.

This is one of the best day trips from Montreal, combining a van ride with a driver-guide to the town of Quebec, approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes away. Specifically, to the Berthier-sur-Mer Marina.

There, you'll board a boat and sail down the St. Lawrence River. From the deck you will enjoy the fresh breeze and the different panoramic views. You can sit back and relax while enjoying a drink. When you arrive at the L'Isle-aux-Coudres Archipelago, you will spot the white-winged penguin species, better known as Razorbills.

Interesting details

  • Price: the experience costs approximately €63 per person.
  • Duration: the estimated duration of this activity is one day.
  • Means of transport: boat.
  • Advantages of this option: you won't have to worry about getting to Quebec from Montreal and connecting with the cruise to observe an important penguin species, as with this activity the whole tour is organised.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the cruise doesn't make any stops on the island to protect the island's wildlife, so you'll be watching from the boat.

Book an excursion to Quebec and Montmorency Falls

Tips for cruising in Montreal

Montreal on a cruise|©airdude75
Montreal on a cruise|©airdude75

When embarking on a cruise to discover Montreal and its surroundings, you will want to put into practice a few tips to make the most of the experience.

For example:

  • Don't forget your identification documents, as you will not be able to board the cruises without them.
  • If the experience does not include food and drink, remember to bring a bottle of water and snacks for the journey.
  • Wear sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or cap, especially during the hot season.
  • Carry cash, so you won't be inconvenienced by tipping.

Why take a cruise in Montreal?

Bateau Mouche, Montréal|©proacguy1
Bateau Mouche, Montréal|©proacguy1

During your visit to Montreal it is recommended to take one of the cruises along the St. Lawrence River, to contemplate the scenic beauty of this magical place and its surroundings.

You can get away from the bustle of downtown Montreal, discover different panoramas that will surprise you, breathe fresh air, see penguins, do guided fishing activities, taste the local cuisine. You will also have the opportunity to enjoy combined experiences such as a guided walking tour or a bus + cruise.

Book a cruise on Montreal's St. Lawrence River