Because we’re the walking tour specialists in Montreal.
MTL Detours is a 100% locally owned and operated small business that offers fun, informative, small-group walking tours through Montreal’s most fascinating neighbourhoods.
Here’s what makes us the best choice:
✅ Certified, legal, professional guides
All of our MTL Detours guides have completed the specialized Montreal Tourist Guide training at the prestigious Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) and hold the mandatory City of Montreal guiding permit, required by law. Many other companies skip this and hire amateur or even unlicensed guides — we don’t and never will.
Our guides are among the best in the city, and we’re proud to pay the highest wages in the industry for their sought-after knowledge, expertise, and skill. We do not support the “free tour” gimmick model — it’s exploitative, it undervalues the guiding profession, and it undercuts the entire industry.
✅ Truly small groups & better access
MTL Detours tours are intentionally capped at just 10 guests (12 on our RESO Underground City + Downtown Montreal tour), creating a more personal, intimate experience where you can actually interact with your guide and fellow guests. Smaller groups also allow us to visit off-the-beaten-path locations that larger groups can’t access — whether that’s a tucked-away courtyard, a hidden alley, or a quieter historical site.
They also support our commitment to sustainable tourism by reducing our impact on the streets and communities we walk through. We firmly believe in responsible tourism that respects both visitors and locals.
✅ Curated, content-rich tours
We don’t follow generic scripts or rush from landmark to landmark. Our tours are carefully designed to go deeper into Montreal’s stories — from hidden gems and surprising local lore to the city’s architecture, history, and cultural quirks.
Each MTL Detours experience is built to offer meaningful context, layered storytelling, and lesser-known insights that help you actually connect with the real Montreal — not just check it off a list. If you value authenticity and substance, our tours are designed for you.
✅ Local, ethical, independent and community-focused
MTL Detours is a proudly independent company founded in and based in Montreal — not a corporate franchise or multi-city conglomerate headquartered in another country. We live here, we work here, and we’re passionate about sharing our city with care and respect.
We believe in supporting local, hiring locally, and reinvesting in the quality of the guest experience. We prioritize quality over quantity every step of the way — and we advocate for ethical, sustainable tourism that benefits both visitors and the communities we explore.
Booking directly with us — instead of through third-party marketplaces like Viator, Tripadvisor, Expedia, GetYourGuide, Airbnb, etc… — helps keep your money in the local economy, strengthens independent businesses like ours and supports the long-term sustainability of Montreal tourism.
You’re on vacation. You’re our special guest. And we’re here to make sure you have a fantastic time discovering the real Montreal.
When you book directly with MTL Detours, you’re supporting a 100% locally owned and operated small business — not a multinational tour aggregator or third-party reseller.
Direct bookings help:
Keep your money in the Montreal economy
Support fair wages for certified local guides
Reduce reliance on platforms that take 20–35% in commissions
Sustain the quality, authenticity, and independence of our tours
We’re proud to be part of Montreal’s vibrant community — and your support makes a real difference.
Thank you for booking local and spreading the word!
Comfortable clothing and footwear are essential! These are walking tours, so be extra nice to your feet by wearing your comfiest shoes.
In summer, a hat could be a good idea to protect you from the sun. An umbrella/poncho is a great idea if rain is in the forecast.
For tours that go into the Underground City – you will be walking indoors for the majority of the tour, so no need for that winter hat or winter jacket while inside. You can remove your winter items and carry them, or perhaps bring a bag or backpack to transport them. We recommend that you dress in layers in wintertime, so you can remove heavier garments while indoors and replace them when you go back outside.
For tours during the winter season – please dress appropriately for a true Canadian winter (aka COLD). Be sure to have a proper winter coat, winter boots, a winter hat, winter gloves/mittens, a scarf or neck warmer, and wool socks. Avoid cotton and try to dress in layers, with your base layer being a wicking material. Winter tours are tailored to be a mix of indoor and outdoor stops – you are not constantly outside. If you have questions about what to wear in the winter, please contact us!
Also bring:
We operate in all weather conditions. Our tours are held rain, shine, or snow. We are very quick to adapt the tour should the outdoor elements warrant it. Please check the weather forecast and dress/prepare accordingly. Be sure to have an umbrella/poncho for rain, hat + sunscreen for hot sunny days, winter clothing for winter tours etc… Only very extreme weather conditions (i.e. violent or dangerous) will warrant the cancellation or rescheduling of a tour, at our discretion. If we need to cancel due to weather, you will receive a full refund.
Yes, children 12 years old and up can participate (same standard rate as adults) Our walking tours consist of 2–3 hours of walking and cover a lot of ground. You are the best person to judge if your child will enjoy an active walking tour or not. If you have a younger youngster (under 12), please contact us to see if we can accommodate you/them. You can always book a private tour with us for a personalized family experience.
We love animals! But please check with us first before showing up with your furry friend! Contact us beforehand, and we’ll see if we can accommodate you (restrictions may apply).
A tip/gratuity is a customary way to show your guide that you enjoyed your tour and their hard work. Although optional, they are greatly appreciated! The standard gratuity in the Canadian service industry is 15%-20% (+/- $10 per person). Lesley and her fellow guides thank you in advance for your generosity 🙂
Yes, at least one bathroom break is scheduled during the tour. However, it’s always a good idea to take care of business before the start of the tour.
Please refer to the Our Tours section. Select your tour and consult the Logistics tab. Kindly arrive 10 minutes in advance and note that our tours always start on time (we do not wait for latecomers).
Maybe? We very strongly encourage guests to take public transportation to get to the tour start location. Precise location details are provided in the tour description. We have an excellent public transit system, and Metro (subway) and bus are great ways to get around Montreal. Taxi or Uber is another option. Street parking may be available, but be sure to check for parking meters or restrictions. If you need to find a pay parking lot, check out Parkopedia online.
MTL Detours is committed to offering a safe and pleasant experience to all participants. Any government-mandated rules or restrictions will be respected by the guide and the group. Guests are bound to and agree to follow any regulations that are in place at the time of their tour. Currently, wearing a mask is optional, but is highly recommended for entering any indoor public space.
Cancellation, Change & Refund Policy
Our small-group tours are fully refundable up to 24 hours before the scheduled start time. As we operate with very limited capacity, we kindly ask that you give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel—late cancellations make it very difficult for us to rebook those spots.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the tour, as well as no-shows, are non-refundable. We are unable to accommodate last-minute changes, including those due to weather/illness/delays. Refunds are not available for incorrect bookings (wrong date/time/language), late arrivals, double-bookings or missed tours due to flight delays or cancellations (please contact your travel insurance provider in such cases). If you notify us in advance, we’ll do our best to offer an alternate tour slot, pending last-minute availability, but this cannot be guaranteed. Participating in the tour renders a booking non-refundable.
If you booked through a third-party platform (e.g. Viator, Tripadvisor, GetYourGuide), any changes or cancellations must be made directly with them. We don’t have access to their systems and are unable to make adjustments on your behalf. You’ll find their contact information in your booking confirmation email.
A Note from MTL Detours
MTL Detours is a proudly local, independently owned tour company based in Montreal. Whenever possible, we encourage guests to book directly through our official website. Booking direct helps support small businesses, keeps your money in the local economy, and reduces the high commission fees (25–35%) taken by large platforms. Your direct support allows us to continue offering high-quality, intimate tour experiences—thank you for making a difference and helping us thrive!
Private & Custom Tours
For private or custom tours, our cancellation window is 72 hours. Specific terms will be clearly outlined at the time of booking.
We have carefully hand-picked all of our guides for their passion for Montreal, their fun and engaging personalities and their high level of knowledge and expertise. All of our guides have passed the mandatory tour guide training program at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec, possess their City of Montreal guide permit license and are members of the Montréal Professional Tourist Guide Association (APGT). To learn more about our amazing local ambassadors, check out the Meet the Team part of the About Us section. Illegal tour guides are a serious problem in Montreal. If you are doing tours with other operators, please be diligent in verifying their credentials and refuse the service of illegal, unlicensed guides.
Our tours are sadly not wheelchair accessible. Guests with mobility restrictions, impairments or serious health issues should inquire about the possibility of booking a private tour. Our regular tour routes involve a lot of walking at a decent pace. Depending on the tour/season, there may be cobblestones, stairs, escalators, snow, ice etc… Please contact us to discuss your situation and see if we can set up a private tour that can accommodate your special needs.
Yes! You definitely want to be a special guest on one of our small-group tours. We cap our tours at a maximum of 10–12 people depending on the tour to ensure that it is a more personal experience. Our tour size is a huge bonus due to the high level of interaction between guide and guests. You are not part of a larger anonymous herd as is the case with other tour companies. We generally require a minimum of 2 people to operate a tour. Should there be an issue with the date/time that you have booked, you will be contacted as soon as possible and offered either a full refund or a chance to rebook a different tour. (Kindly note that due to logistical reasons, we may occasionally have to increase the tour size by one or two participants. This is very rare and usually only occurs if we have two concurrent tours with an odd number of guests ex. a group of 9 and a group of 11. Thank you for your understanding)
No, not necessarily. Check each individual tour description Logistics tab for more details on the route and end point.
Our walking tours generally consist of 2 to 3 hours of walking. We cover a lot of ground on our tours, so you can see as much as possible. There is usually a quick stop or two to rest your feet, if needed, but most of the tour is either walking or standing. Benches are occasionally available along the routes to sit down for a moment.
Yes, advance ticket purchase is required. Tours typically sell out quickly. To maximize your chances of getting the date, time, and number of tickets you prefer, please book well in advance. We do not accept walk-up bookings. If you are unable to book online, it means the tour is full and we cannot take more guests.
All tours are currently offered in English. Other languages might be available as a private tour. Please inquire and we’ll see if we can set you up!
Yes! We will be more than happy to customize a private tour for you according to your requirements. Please contact us to discuss your needs.
Taking some photos is permitted but please be mindful to not disturb your guide or other guests (aka don’t be paparazzi!) Filming video and recording audio is strictly forbidden at all times.
