Small-Group Walk, Max 10
2 hours · MTL Detours
Small-group tour with a local treat.
from $42.71 per person Check availability →
Small-Group RESO And Downtown Walk
Montreal Reso Underground City + Downtown Tour by MTL Detours
from $35.47 per person
Check Price & Availability →Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Meeting point
- 1204 Av. McGill College
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Run by
- MTL Detours
Overview
Two hours, one guide, no more than ten guests: this MTL Detours walk splits its time between Downtown Montréal at street level and the RÉSO, the underground pedestrian network that links big chunks of the city centre. The route starts on the sidewalk at 1204 McGill College Avenue and finishes at the Centre de commerce mondial near Square-Victoria, covering roughly 4 km at a steady city pace, with stairs and escalators along the way. Guides hold the mandatory City of Montréal permit, and the company is local, independent and woman-owned.
Above ground the tour passes through core Downtown landmarks and public spaces at street level. Below ground, the focus is the RÉSO itself: how it developed, how it connects with the metro, and how to keep using it on your own afterwards. Reviewers frequently praise the guides' knowledge of both the tunnels and the city's recent history, and many describe the walk as informative and easy-going.
| Guide | Included |
|---|---|
| Group size | Up to 10 travellers |
| Minimum age | 12 years |
The minimum age is 12 and all participants need a paid ticket. Wear clothes suited to the outdoor weather, since the tour runs inside and outside regardless. Gratuities are optional, and there is no hotel transport, so travellers make their own way to the meeting point.
What's Included
Included
- Balanced indoor and outdoor route exploring both Downtown streets and the RÉSO network
- Certified, licensed guide with the mandatory City of Montréal permit (not just a “local”)
- Small group (maximum 10 guests) for a personal, conversational experience
- Exploration of key Downtown Montréal landmarks and ares, at street level
- Guided walk through the RÉSO, the world's largest underground pedestrian network
- The MTL Detours printed local recommendations list: favourite spots to eat, drink, and explore
- Minimum age is 12+ years old. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
- MTL Detours is a 100% local, independent, and proudly woman-owned tour company
Not Included
- Gratuities. Optional, but always appreciated by your guide.
- Hotel pick up + drop off. Guests must make their own way to out meeting location.
| Rating | 4.9 from 337 reviews |
|---|---|
| Weather | Indoor and outdoor route; dress for the outdoor weather. |
Itinerary
- Meet at McGill CollegeMeet your guide on the sidewalk at 1204 McGill College Avenue, arriving 10 to 15 minutes early. The tour does not wait for latecomers.
- Downtown walkA guided pass through Centre-Ville at street level, taking in key Downtown landmarks and surrounding areas.
- The RÉSO undergroundA guided walk through the Underground City, the world's largest underground pedestrian network, with context on its history and its links to the metro system.
- End at World Trade CenterThe tour finishes at the Centre de commerce mondial on Rue du Square-Victoria, where the guide hands out a printed list of local recommendations.
- Original Guidatour Walking Tour$25.33
- 16/42 Old Montreal Walk$26.78
- Mural Arts Walking Tour$28.95
- Underground City Walk$29
- Small-Group RESO and Downtown Walk (this tour)$35.47
- Small-Group Walk, Max 10$42.71
- Non-Touristy 101 Walk$54.29
What To Expect From The Tour
A few practical points will shape whether this walk suits you and how to prepare for it.
- Pace and fitness. The tour covers about 4 km in 2 hours at a steady walking pace, with several sets of stairs or escalators. It is not suitable for guests with a slow pace, mobility issues or serious medical conditions.
- Dress for both. The route moves between outdoor streets and indoor tunnels, so dress for the outdoor weather. Layers are the sensible approach given the mix of conditions.
- Small group feel. Groups are capped at 10 travellers, which reviewers describe as conversational, with guides chatting individually and keeping the group together. Expect a personal, chatty atmosphere rather than a megaphone-style walk.
- Take-home tips. Every guest receives the MTL Detours printed list of favourite places to eat, drink and explore. It is a practical souvenir for the rest of your stay in the city.
- Learn the network. Reviewers say the tour doubles as a lesson on how the underground and the subway system fit together. Several mention leaving with practical directions they could follow afterwards.
- Age and tickets. The minimum age is 12, minors must come with an adult, and every participant needs a paid ticket. Confirmation arrives at the time of booking.
Common issues. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and requires a moderate fitness level, so it does not suit travellers with mobility issues. A minimum number of travellers is required or the tour may be cancelled. One reviewer felt the two hours were padded with minor detail, and another disagreed with a guide's take on the city's role in the underground network. Gratuities and hotel transport are not covered, and poor weather can also force a cancellation with a new date or refund offered.
Common Questions
Is Hotel Pickup Included?
No. Guests must make their own way to the meeting point at 1204 McGill College Avenue, where the guide greets you on the sidewalk. Aim to arrive 10 to 15 minutes ahead, since the tour does not wait for latecomers.
How Long Is The Tour And How Far Do We Walk?
It runs 2 hours and covers approximately 4 km at a steady city pace, including several sets of stairs or escalators. A moderate fitness level is suggested.
What Is Included In The Price?
A certified, licensed guide with the City of Montréal permit, a route through Downtown and the RÉSO, a small group of at most 10 guests, and a printed list of local recommendations. Gratuities are optional and not included.
Can Children Join?
The minimum age is 12 years old, and minors must be accompanied by an adult. Every participant needs a paid ticket.
Is The Tour Accessible For Wheelchairs Or Slow Walkers?
No, it is not wheelchair accessible and is not suitable for guests with a slow walking pace, mobility issues, impairments or serious medical conditions. The meeting point is near public transportation.
What Is The Cancellation Policy?
Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window, no refund or changes are accepted. If the tour is cancelled for weather or low traveller numbers, you are offered a different date, a different experience or a full refund.
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