The Autorité régionale de transport métropolitain (ARTM) is steering Montrealers away from traffic jams this month and onto the scenic St. Lawrence River with the launch of the 2024 river shuttle season. The water taxis serve as a full-fledged commuter service, designed to make city travel smoother and more enjoyable.
With ongoing construction clogging critical points like the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel, the re-introduction of the shuttles is a timely option for daily travellers looking for a break from the gridlock.
A map showing the Montreal water taxi routes.Courtesy of the ARTM.
Six connections will link various points in the greater Montreal area. The service features connections from Montreal to Boucherville, Longueuil, and Varennes. Strategic docking points link these routes to buses, metros, and BIXI stations, facilitating the switch from land to water (and back).
Dock and ride
Starting May 18, commuters can hop aboard from Boucherville to Montreal's Promenade-Bellerive park and from Varennes to the Old Port via Pointe-aux-Trembles. By June, more routes will join the lineup, expanding access and options.
Each shuttle follows a specific timetable that operates during the busiest commuter times, with added frequencies on weekends and exclusive Saturday and Sunday schedules during the summer.
| Routes | Service Schedule | Days in Service | Travel Time | Operator | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal – Mercier-Boucherville (N1) | May 18 to October 27, 2024 | 7 days a week | 30 min | Navark | 6 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. |
| Old Port – Boucherville (N2) | June 1 to October 14, 2024 | 7 days a week | 30 min | Navark | 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. |
| Old Port – Pointe-aux-Trembles – Varennes (N3) | May 18 to October 27, 2024 | 7 days a week | 50 min | Navark | 6 a.m. to 10:05 p.m. |
| Old Port – Sainte-Hélène Island – Longueuil (N4) | June 1 to October 6, 2024 | 7 days a week | 25 min | AML | 9 a.m. to 10:55 p.m. |
| Express Vieux-Port – Sainte-Hélène Island (N5) | June 7 to September 2, 2024 | Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays | 5 min | AML | 8:15 a.m. to 10:05 p.m. |
| Montreal – Mercier – Charron Island (N6) | June 22 to September 2, 2024 | Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays | 15 min | Navark | 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. |
Trip planning has gone digital, with river shuttle schedules integrated into apps like Chrono and Google Maps. That means you can check shuttle departures and plan a trip with a few taps on your smartphone.
Fares and free rides
Travel on the water taxis costs $6 for a one-way ticket, though the route from Boucherville to east Montreal will remain free so new riders can give the service a try.
Children under 12 ride free with an adult, and commuters with All Modes passes can enjoy unlimited access without extra charges.
Depending on the operator, you can book your ticket in advance with AML and Navark on their specific sites.
Whether you take a quick five-minute zip across to Île Sainte-Hélène or a 50-minute float to Varennes, Montreal's river shuttles may remind you that the best view isn't always from behind the wheel.
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