Canada : Safety by City
- Abbotsford
- Brampton
- Burnaby
- Calgary
- Coquitlam
- Edmonton
- Halifax
- Hamilton
- Kelowna
- Kitchener
- Mississauga
- Montreal
- Nanaimo
- Niagara Falls
- Oshawa
- Ottawa
- Quebec City
- Red Deer
- Regina
- Saskatoon
- Thunder Bay
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Windsor
- Winnipeg
Montreal is a gem of a city.
The largest city in Quebec, and the second-largest in the country of Canada, Montreal offers a seamless combination of old-world, homey charm and modern convenience.
This is a mainly French-speaking city with some English and plenty to see and do.
The city is full of parks and museums, shopping malls, theaters, art galleries, and the underground passages that help protect residents and travelers from the weather.
The food scene is diverse and delicious, from fine dining to the signature Montreal-style bagels at St-Viateur or Fairmount Bagel Bakery.
The U.S. Department of State has no current warnings about Canada; the entire country is only at Level 1, or normal precautions.
Montreal itself is known for its relative safety, too, and knowing what to expect in the city will help you plan a safe and fun visit.
Warnings & Dangers in Montreal
OVERALL RISK: LOW
Montreal has its share of property theft problems and scams, and you need to be prepared for weather-related risks. Be smart about how you present yourself and how you carry your belongings to ward off those looking for easy marks. The city is overall safe for travelers, however, and most people are helpful. Learning some basic Quebecois French will help, although as a tourist, people will understand that you might not speak a lot.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Public transit is fairly safe, although pickpockets are a concern. Don't take your eyes off your belongings, and keep valuables in a secure money belt. Strikes do occasionally occur, so check with your hotel about alternate transportation. Taxis are generally safe, but there are illegal taxi companies operating in the city, especially at the airport. Reports say that sometimes the illegal/unpermitted taxi drivers will try to take people's luggage immediately, so you may want to check with information desk attendants about where exactly to go to find legitimate taxi services. Other taxi problems can include overcharging.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpockets are present, often in restaurants, markets, and crowded areas, like on public transit. You really do need to watch out for pickpockets and petty thieves in Montreal.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
There's a substantial seismic risk in the area. The city is also prone to weather-related problems, including heat and drought, along with wildfires. Flooding from heavy rain and overflowing rivers is a problem, especially in winter and spring when ice jams and snowmelt are present. Air quality can be a concern, although the city monitors it carefully. Extreme cold is possible in winter.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Montreal's robbery rate is generally low, but it's not unheard of. Areas like Montreal North, the Village (east of the Plateau), and the downtown areas have worse reputations. There is an increasing perception that downtown is getting worse. The bigger concern for many people is property theft, along with petty theft and pickpocketing. Staying alert, not appearing to flash wealth, and not leaving belongings unattended or visible in a car all help to reduce the risk of something happening.
TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
Canada's country-wide threat level has been set at Medium since 2014, meaning an attack is possible. The Integrated Terrorism Assessment Centre released a report in December 2025 stating that the Jewish community in Canada was at heightened risk of terrorist attacks. Montreal has a sizable Jewish community, and Montreal police are keeping a closer watch after the December 2025 shootings in Australia.
SCAMS RISK: HIGH
Unfortunately, deepfake scams, grandparent scams, fake QR codes, government impersonation scams, fake tickets, counterfeit items, taxi overcharges, credit card skimming, unlicensed tour guides, and more scams are prevalent. The usual advice applies: Don't give in to pressure to pay "fines" right now on calls that claim to be from the police or government, don't scan public QR codes, be wary of emergency calls from people who sound like your family, and so on. If you think you've been scammed, contact the police immediately. Montreal uses 911 as its emergency number, and the police have non-emergency lines, too.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Montreal is amazingly safe compared to some other cities, especially if you're used to cities in the U.S. Over the past few years, Montreal has won spots at or near the top of lists of safe places to travel for women. However, no place is perfect. Even in Montreal, women need to be aware of their surroundings and avoid deserted streets with little light. Don't cut through parks at night, and if you're in a bar or restaurant, always watch your drink like a hawk. When using buses at night, women can use a program called "Between Two Stops," or "Entre Deux Arrêts." You request that the driver let you off between two stops so that you don't have to walk far to your destination. With common sense and a general level of alertness, you can ward off a lot of potential trouble. That doesn't mean that crime never happens there or that no violent crimes ever take place. But the risks are low in Montreal.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water in Montreal is usually safe to drink and of good quality. The two issues to look out for are potential contamination of supplies (as you'd find in any major metro with normally safe water) and older buildings with lead pipes. The city is actively replacing these lines, but be aware that if you stay in a smaller building built in 1970 or earlier, ask about lead pipes before drinking the tap water.
Safest Places to Visit in Montreal
The Plateau Mont-Royal is generally safe, although you should watch out for pickpockets and theft.
Mile End is a nice neighborhood to visit, though again, watch out for theft.
This is really the issue in most areas of Montreal, as is exercising more caution at night around the city.
Places to Avoid in Montreal
There aren’t too many places to actually avoid in Montreal; it’s more that you want to avoid some areas at night and be more cautious in them during the day.
A survey published in October 2024 gives a list of places within Montreal that residents think are unsafe.
The areas listed include the Village neighborhood (northeast of downtown and east of the Plateau); Sainte-Catherine, specifically between Atateken Street and Berri Street (near downtown); Place Émilie-Gamelin (north of downtown); and the Beaudry metro station (near downtown — you can see a pattern forming).
In general, the downtown area and Montreal North are areas in which you want to exercise more caution.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Montreal
- Watch your belongings and valuables everywhere you go. Use anti-theft devices and bags.
- Watch your drinks and don’t accept random drinks from people you don’t know or barely know.
- Avoid dark, unlit, or poorly lit streets and parks at night.
- Check with your hotel concierge or front desk team about which areas they recommend avoiding.
- Hold purses, backpacks, and other bags close to your body so that no one can grab them or open them.
- Use the Entre Deux Arrêts service if you’re female and taking a bus at night. This allows the bus driver to stop between stops to reduce your walking distance. When you get on the bus, ask the driver about stopping between two specific stops, and the driver will choose the safest place to let you out.
- Do learn some emergency phrases in Quebecois French. Yes, many people speak some English, but you’ll find more who understand you if you can give a basic emergency explanation in French.
- Bug spray or lotion. You need it. Montreal has mosquitoes in warmer weather.
- Obey the law! No alcohol in parks unless you’re at a city event where alcohol is allowed, watch your speed if driving, and don’t try to skip fares on public transportation.
- Register for STEP. This is the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, which issues alerts about the countries you sign up for. It also helps you connect with local consulates or embassies in emergencies.
So... How Safe Is Montreal Really?
Montreal is among the safest cities you could visit.
You have to remember that no place is entirely safe, and you face risks wherever you go.
Even in Montreal, there have been serious issues; several phone thefts were reported at an event in January 2025, the number of assaults rose in 2024, and Montreal police got almost 6,000 reports of break-ins during 2025.
But the city still ranks as one of the best to visit.
Many problems are either those of opportunity, such as pickpockets, or those you can’t do much about, like earthquakes.
Exercise general caution as you would in any major city.
How Does Montreal Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Montreal |
81 |
| Halifax |
79 |
| Mississauga |
85 |
| Victoria |
82 |
| Burnaby |
65 |
| Calgary |
82 |
| Hamilton |
76 |
 Kirkuk | 47 |
 Ogden | 72 |
 Brasov | 80 |
 Montevideo | 44 |
 Krakow | 68 |
| Sundance | 80 |
Useful Information
Visas
U.S. citizens and green card holders won't need a visa or travel authorization for Canada and Montreal if the stay is for less than 180 days. That includes both tourism and business travel, where the traveler won't actually be employed within the Canadian labor market. Longer stays or stays in which the traveler is supposed to work within the Canadian labor market would require visas that were approved in advance. Those visas do require fees; for example, as of January 2026, a long-term visitor visa (temporary resident visa) costs CAN$100, while a work permit visa costs CAN$155. There's an additional fee for the collection of biometric data. Regardless of visa type, U.S. visitors to Canada do need passports, and it's recommended that they sign up for the NEXUS trusted traveler program.
Currency
Montreal, like the rest of Canada, uses the Canadian dollar. The exchange rate for the U.S. dollar is at about US$1 = CAN$1.37 or so, as of January 2026. Obviously, this may change. The best exchange rates are often through ATMs. You'll also find an exchange office at the airport. Don't fall for scams in which random people claim they can offer you a better rate; stick to official exchange offices and ATMs to ensure you get real money.
Weather
The weather in Montreal changes drastically between winter and summer. Winters are cold and often snowy, with highs (in Fahrenheit) averaging in the mid-20s. Lows average in the single digits, albeit above zero. In summer, the highs average around 80°F, but the humidity also tends to be uncomfortably high. Lows drop into the low 60s on average. Dress accordingly. Layers are always best; in summer, you'll want light clothing that keeps the humidity off your skin and that offers protection from mosquitoes. (If you forget to bring bug spray, be sure to purchase some once you get to Quebec.) In winter, you'll need warm clothing and protective items like scarves and gloves, as well as winter boots with good traction.
Airports
Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the main airport for international flights. The city has another airport, Montreal Metropolitan Airport (MET; formerly Montreal Saint-Hubert), and it's been undergoing expansion to accommodate more Canadian flights. Depending on when you travel, if you fly to Montreal from another Canadian city, you may have MET as an option. Transportation from YUL to the city is fairly easy, with options ranging from car rental, taxis, and Uber to buses, hotel shuttles, the train (via a shuttle from the airport), and even bike-rental services.
Travel Insurance
It's always a great idea to have a travel insurance policy, even in Canada. Montreal doesn't require visitors to have one, but keep in mind that your U.S. health insurance policy might not cover a lot of medical costs (if any) in Canada. Your credit cards might not reimburse you for trip cancellations. Even your auto policy in the U.S. might not offer coverage for Canada, even if you drive your own car across the border. You're much better off purchasing a policy to cover each of these issues, and more. Speak with your insurance agent to start, but also investigate travel insurance companies.
Montreal Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
-4 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 18 | 23 | 26 | 25 | 20 | 14 | 6 | -1 |
| Low °C |
-11 | -7 | 0 | 6 | 13 | 18 | 21 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 0 | -7 |
| High °F |
25 | 32 | 43 | 55 | 64 | 73 | 79 | 77 | 68 | 57 | 43 | 30 |
| Low °F |
12 | 19 | 32 | 43 | 55 | 64 | 70 | 66 | 57 | 41 | 32 | 19 |
Canada - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Abbotsford | 83 |
| Brampton | 82 |
| Burnaby | 65 |
| Calgary | 82 |
| Coquitlam | 86 |
| Edmonton | 86 |
| Halifax | 79 |
| Hamilton | 76 |
| Kelowna | 76 |
| Kitchener | 75 |
| Mississauga | 85 |
| Montreal | 81 |
| Nanaimo | 32 |
| Niagara Falls | 87 |
| Oshawa | 42 |
| Ottawa | 83 |
| Quebec City | 85 |
| Red Deer | 32 |
| Regina | 74 |
| Saskatoon | 73 |
| Thunder Bay | 65 |
| Toronto | 81 |
| Vancouver | 82 |
| Victoria | 82 |
| Windsor | 81 |
| Winnipeg | 77 |
Notre dame west and Wellington street do not have gangs
Never heard that Notre Dame and or Wellington street were gang hot spots. Both are vibrant with shops and restaurants. Always felt safe in those areas.
Would you please add timestamp for this article ? Things always change.
Where did you get your info
“The citizens are well prepared in case of an earthquake which is possible to happen here.” That one is wrong but be careful about snow storm
“the possible risk of kidnapping and mugging exists, so tourists are advised not to walk through certain risky zones, especially after midnight.”
Kidnapping ? Really? Who?
Surely Richard Cross but no one since … it’s full of errors! Earthquakes lol
Elegant (and safe) Montreal
I think a greater danger to tourists than the “gangs’ of Montreal is the appalling grammar used by the creators of this site. So, in addition to a fact checker, you need an editor!
The only real areas where crime happens are in Saint Henry and the East End, both of which are boing and rather useless places to go to as a tourist. Other than that, the Greater Montreal Area as a whole is pretty safe. As for tourist areas I would definetly recommend the usuall places you hear of such as Mount Royal, the Olympic Park, the Old Port, Jean Drapeau Park and La Ronde, etc., as well as a few lesser known places such as Cap-Saint Jacques and Saint-Anne-de-Bellevue.
As a montrealer, Montreal is a really safe city.
The worst thing if you stay close to tourists places that risk to happen is noisy homeless peoples, but most of them, even if they make look like troublemakers, aren’t really looking for trouble. There is also less of them in my opinion and from my travels than in Vancouver and in Toronto.
Neiborhoods to avoid alone at night (at least in the east) are Hochelaga-Maisoneuve (knowed for some rare mugging) and Montreal-North, that had a raise in gang activity and shootings in the past decade due to gang wars.
Risk of kidnapping?? I’ve never heard of tourists being kidnapped in Montréal, this is completely ridiculous.
Great safe city
I’ve been living in Montreal for 5 years (I’m from a small town 2 hours away) and I always feel safe. It’s a great city with all 4 seasons. Winters are cold and too long but you get used to it. The only real natural risk here in my opinion is snow storms (like in all of Quebec). They happen every winter and make the roads and sidewalks dangerous.
Great city
I am an American who lives 1.5 hours from Montreal. I have visited frequently over the past 40 years and have never had a negative experience. The people are friendly, helpful and accommodating. I love Montreal and look forward to returning once travel restrictions are lifted.
Safe place, avoid winter
We don’t have earthquakes more than the equivalent of a passing truck on the street and we aren’t “prepared” for them as such. The city is full of festivals and activities in the summer which are fun and safe. The winter months are challenging but we are prepared for 20cm+ snow storms – don’t come here in January-March, go skiiing in the Laurentians nearby. Sidewalks can be very skippy and dangerous in icy weather. Traffic is hard in the summer due to tons of roadwork and detours, so take the metro as much as you can.
I visited Montreal back in 2008. My brother went into a night club. I refused to stand in line for an hour so I walked around for about 2 hours. That was before I retired as a Police Officer (Virginia, USA). Even as an Officer, I walked everywhere and never, never felt uncomfortable. I found it strange that I didn’t have any safety concerns AT ALL. So I walked down alleys, dark streets. Nothing. I was amazed. Probably due to the violence that is common in the USA. During the day, the people were unbelievably nice. I’m a bigger than average man of color. Every time I entered my hotel elevator, people smiled and engaged me in conversation. One day I entered the elevator and a very petite elderly lady was standing there. I smiled so as not to make her feel uncomfortable. That happens a lot in the States. I was happily surprised when she smiled back and initiated a conversation. I fell in love with Montreal. The people. The culture. If I could I would move there permanently.
An Adventure For The Young in Mind or Body
Montreal was always clean, aesthetically pleasing, with a grid system of streets that made navigating much easier-intuitively.. Considered a “ jewel” among North American cities. Then the real estate boom hit. It’s noisy with the sound of construction and the ease of navigation is confused by closed streets and detours that confuse. It’s hard to enjoy the city landscape without construction towers and machinery marring your view.
Nonetheless, an exciting city with all the entertainment – and vices!- of a larger city, and without the threat associated with larger cities. I definitely
Recommend it for the 50 yo and under crowd, more than a retirement age crowd, unless you have a professional guide organizing your trip.
We had our car stolen at the paid parking lot recommended by the hotel nearby Notre Dame.
A professional and tech-savvy gang has been operating a scheme that is stealing SUVs and Pickups. Even the police were hopeless in finding our car.
Montreal is not safe to travel AT ALL!
Use Caution when visiting La Ronde
Similar experience in 2015. Rental car broken into at La Ronde Amusement park. Nothing of great value was taken from the car, but the thieves found the hotel key for the room my daughter and her college friend were sharing, went to the hotel entered the room and stole computers, passports and jewelry. Although the there was hotel security footage of the two scumbags, the Montreal police did very little to pursue the issue. Consider the satellite parking lots around as La Ronde as poorly monitored, high risk break in targets. These guys are very organized and are watching.