Montreal cruise port: self-guided game from the ship

Yes, Montréal works well on a cruise stop. Most ships dock at the Grand Quay in the Old Port, right on the edge of Old Montréal. Our scavenger hunt starts downtown at Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde, a gently uphill walk of 1.5-2 km or two metro stops away, and takes about 3 hours. It finishes at La Grande Roue in the Old Port, a short walk from the terminal, so you play your way back towards the ship.

Where ships dockGrand Quay (Grand Quai) in the Old Port, by Old Montréal

From the ship to the start1.5-2 km on foot, or Orange line Place-d'Armes to Bonaventure

Scavenger hunt lengthAbout 3 hours

Walking during the huntAbout 59 min, 4.7 km

Game languagesEnglish, German, French, Spanish, Chinese

Port-day fitEasy on a normal port day

Scavenger huntMontreal Treasure Hunt and Self-Guided TourRiddles at every stopAbout 3 hours · start any time 8 € - 17 €

Outdoor escape gameMontreal Escape GameA puzzle at every stopAbout 2 hours · start any time 8 € - 17 €

Self-guided audio walking tourMontreal Self-Guided Walking Audio TourJust listen and walkAbout 3 hours · listen as you walk 6.50 € - 14 €

City guidesMontreal City Guides by World City TrailPlaces to eat, see and drink

%Cruise pack: save at every port Book games in 3 or more of our cruise port cities in one order and get 15% off automatically, or 20% off from 5 cities. The tickets have no time limit, so you can book your whole itinerary before you sail.

From the Grand Quay to Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde

Leave the ship at the Grand Quay (Terminals 1 and 2, 200 rue de la Commune Ouest). The terminal has washrooms, free Wi-Fi and tourist information, a good place to open the app and enter your booking reference.
To walk, head up through Old Montréal, for example via Square Victoria, to Boulevard René-Lévesque. The cathedral stands next to Central Station and the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel, 1.5-2 km away on a gentle slope.
For the metro, walk a few minutes to Place-d'Armes and take the Orange line two stops to Bonaventure, right by the cathedral. A taxi from the Grand Quay takes about 10 minutes.
If your ship is at Terminal 3 or Mackay Pier, check onboard for a shuttle to Old Montréal first, then continue on foot or by metro.

A Montreal port day, hour by hour

0:00Off the ship at the Grand Quay; use the terminal washrooms and Wi-Fi.
0:15Walk, ride the metro or take a taxi up to the cathedral downtown.
0:45Start the hunt at Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde and solve the first riddle.
1:45Work your way down through Old Montréal: Square Victoria, Pointe-à-Callière and the Basilique Notre-Dame.
3:45Finish at La Grande Roue in the Old Port and take a break nearby.
4:30Stroll back to the Grand Quay, at least 1 hour before all-aboard time.

Tips for Montreal when time is short

Go to the start first and play your way back: the hunt ends at the Old Port Ferris wheel, close to the Grand Quay.
At Terminal 3 or Mackay Pier walking times are longer, so look for a shuttle to Old Montréal arranged by your ship.
Old Montréal streets are cobbled in places, so wear comfortable shoes; the slope between downtown and the river is gentle, and the hunt takes you down it rather than up.
The cruise season runs roughly from May to October; calls from mid-September to mid-October bring autumn colours but can be cool, so pack a layer.
The hunt takes about 3 hours with about an hour of actual walking, so there is time for photos and a coffee on the way without rushing back to the ship.

Why a self-guided game works on a port day

You start when you step off the ship, not at a fixed tour time, and nobody waits for a group.
Everyone in your party can follow on their own phone with one booking reference.
You can stop for lunch or a swim and carry on later, and end the game whenever you need to head back.
Google Maps guides you from stop to stop, and the game needs no entry tickets.

Montreal cruise stop: questions

Is Old Montréal walkable from the cruise terminal?

Yes. The Grand Quay is in the Old Port on the edge of Old Montréal. The city's tourism office puts Old Montréal at about 10 minutes and the downtown core at about 15 minutes on foot.

What is the nearest metro station to the Montréal cruise terminal?

Place-d'Armes on the Orange line. From there it is two stops to Bonaventure, right next to the hunt start at the cathedral.

Are there toilets at the Montréal cruise terminal?

Yes. The Grand Quay terminal has washrooms, free Wi-Fi and tourist information.

Where does the hunt finish?

At La Grande Roue de Montréal, the Ferris wheel in the Old Port, a short walk from the Grand Quay. On the way you pass stops such as the Hôtel de Ville de Montréal and the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours.

Do I need to book a time slot?

No. You book online, receive your booking reference by email straight away and start whenever you are ashore. The ticket has no time limit, so it still works if your ship arrives late or your plans change.

What do we need on the day?

A charged smartphone with mobile data, the World City Trail app from the App Store or Google Play, and your booking reference. A power bank helps on a long port day.

Pick your Montreal game

Port and transport details checked in November 2026. Docking positions and timetables change, so always check your ship’s all-aboard time and your cruise line’s port information before you set off.