1. What is the STM?
The STM is the Société de transport de Montréal. It runs the metro and the bus network on the island of Montreal. To use its services, you need an OPUS card loaded with a valid transit pass.
2. The OPUS card
The OPUS card is a rechargeable smart chip card. It comes in two versions:
- The basic card — for the regular adult fare; it costs $6 and is valid for 4 years
- The photo OPUS card — required for reduced fares (ages 6 to 17, students 18 and over, 65 and over)
People aged 65 and over who live in the Montreal agglomeration ride free in Zone A with the Free 65+ fare, loaded on a photo OPUS card. According to the Free travel for children page, up to five children aged 11 and under ride free when accompanied by someone aged 14 or over who holds a valid fare; a child travelling alone pays the fare.
3. Where to get your OPUS card
For the basic card: buy it at automatic ticketing machines in metro stations, or from a station agent.
For the photo card: students order it online through their school portal when the school offers it, or go to the STM Photo Studio (1755 Berri Street, by appointment); people 65 and over go to a station agent or the Photo Studio. Bring the completed form and photo ID.
4. Transit passes
Several passes exist based on how often you ride:
- 1 trip — a single ride, valid for 120 minutes with transfers
- 2 trips or 10 trips — for occasional use
- 24 hours — unlimited travel for 24 hours, handy for visitors
- 3 days — unlimited for three consecutive days, for a short stay or tourist weekend
- Weekly — from Monday to Sunday 23:59
- Monthly — from the 1st to the last day of the month, the best fare if you ride every day
- 4 months — four consecutive months, available only to people eligible for the reduced fare (photo OPUS card)
The current fare schedule took effect on July 1, 2026. Check the official fare grid on stm.info for exact amounts.
5. Compare passes at a glance
Here is a summary of the main passes for Zone A (Montreal agglomeration):
All the passes above are valid in Zone A, i.e. the entire Montreal agglomeration. If you travel to Laval, Longueuil or the suburbs, you'll need a pass from the Réseau métropolitain (ARTM) — a separate system.
The current fares took effect on July 1, 2026; check stm.info for current amounts.
| Pass | For whom / when | Particularity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 trip | One-off trip | Valid 120 minutes with transfers |
| 2 trips or 10 trips | Occasional use | Grouped purchase, each trip valid 120 minutes |
| 24 hours | Visitors / one-day outing | Unlimited travel for 24 hours |
| 3 days | Short stay or tourist weekend | Ideal for visitors |
| Weekly | Monday 0:00 to Sunday 23:59 | Good fit for daily commuters |
| Monthly | Full calendar month | Best fare if you ride every day |
| 4 months | Reduced fare only (ages 6–17, students 18 and over, 65 and over) | Four consecutive months, photo OPUS card |
| OPUS à l'année | Annual subscription | Regular-fare monthly pass only, managed by exo |
| Reduced fare | Ages 6–17, students 18 and over, 65 and over | Photo OPUS card required |
| Free fare | Children 11 and under; 65 and over living in the Montreal agglomeration | Children: up to 5, accompanied by someone 14 or over; 65+: Free 65+ fare on a photo OPUS card |
6. How to reload your card
You can reload your OPUS card:
- At the automatic ticketing machines and reloading terminals in metro stations
- At authorized retailers across the Montreal area
- On your smartphone, in the ARTM's Chrono app
7. Zone A and beyond
STM passes are valid in Zone A, i.e. the entire Montreal agglomeration.
If you travel to Laval, Longueuil, or the suburbs, you'll need a Réseau métropolitain (ARTM) pass such as All Modes AB or ABC. It's a separate system.
8. Frequently asked questions
The most common questions from new Montreal residents about the STM: where to buy your first OPUS card, whether you can pay cash on the metro or bus, when the monthly pass becomes worth it, and what to do if you lose your OPUS card.
Where should I buy my first OPUS card?
For the basic OPUS card (no photo, $6), buy it directly at the automatic ticketing machines in any metro station, then load at least one fare on it at the same machine.
For the photo OPUS card — required for reduced fares (ages 6–17, students 18 and over, 65 and over) — students order it online through their school portal or at the STM Photo Studio (by appointment); people 65 and over go to a station agent or the Photo Studio. Bring the completed form and photo ID (driver's licence, health insurance card, passport, permanent resident card).
Can I pay cash on the metro or the bus?
On the metro, no — to get through the turnstile you need an OPUS card with a valid pass loaded, a ticket bought at the ticketing machines, or a virtual fare in the Chrono app on Android.
On the bus, you can pay cash to the driver, but you must have the exact amount — drivers do not make change. The 1-trip fare, the only one sold on the bus, costs $3.75. Simplest: buy an OPUS card or a 1-trip ticket at the metro machine before your first ride.
How many trips do I need before the monthly pass pays off?
The general rule: from about 29 to 30 trips per month, the monthly pass becomes more economical than per-trip fares (as of 2026, a single fare is $3.75 and the monthly pass is $110 — $110 ÷ $3.75 ≈ 29). A round trip counts as 2 trips: if you commute to work or school and back every weekday, that's roughly 40 to 44 trips a month, well past the break-even (about $150 to $165 at the single fare, versus $110 for the monthly pass). For a daily commute, the monthly pass is the cheaper choice.
Math: about 29 trips × single fare ≈ price of the monthly pass — beyond that, every extra trip is essentially free. Fares change when a new fare schedule takes effect (the current one since July 1, 2026), so this break-even point can shift — check current prices on stm.info. If you only take transit a few times a week, stick with single trips, the 10-trip fare, or the Weekly pass depending on your rhythm.
What should I do if I lose my OPUS card?
The OPUS card costs money to replace, so keep it in a safe place. If you lose it, the response depends on the type:
- Basic OPUS card (no photo): if you registered it, go to any metro station with photo ID and you get a new card loaded with your fares (you only pay the card fee); an unregistered card's fares cannot be recovered.
- Photo OPUS card: it is registered automatically; go to a station agent or the STM Photo Studio with photo ID to get a new card with your fares.
Customer service: 514 786-4636 (514 STM-INFO).
9. See also
To go further on daily life in Montreal:
- Read Your first 48 hours in Montreal to organize SIN, bank and OPUS in the right order.
- Consult Finding housing in Montreal to choose a neighbourhood well-served by metro and bus lines.
- Prepare your move-in with Signing a lease in Quebec before committing for 12 months.
- Public transit in Quebec — the general guide to bus, metro and train networks.
10. Official sources
For official, up-to-date information, see these sites:
- Société de transport de Montréal (STM)
You can also reach STM customer service at 514 786-4636 (514 STM-INFO).
Author's Note: In Montreal, public transit is fast and reliable. Get an OPUS card in your very first week — you'll use it daily, summer and winter.
