Current Time in Montreal, Canada
Montréal
Exact time synced with atomic clocks (IANA + NTP)
Country
Dialling: +1
City Details
Montreal
Montréal
Lat: 45.5017° N
Long: 73.5673° W
Population: 1,780,000
Time Zone
America/Montreal
EDT
Public Holidays
National Aboriginal Day
Jun 21in 32dDiscovery Day
Jun 24in 35dNational Holiday
Jun 24in 35d
Time Difference
Business Hours
Daylight Cycle
Data via sunrisesunset.io
Current Weather
Data via Open-Meteo · Updates every 30 min
Overview
Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and the second largest in Canada, with 2.1 million in the city proper and 4.4 million in Greater Montreal as of 2025. It is the world's second largest Francophone city after Paris, the undisputed cultural capital of Canada's French-speaking population, and home to four Formula 1 race-winning circuits — the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve has hosted the Canadian Grand Prix since 1978.
Administrative Region
Quebec
CA-QC
Local Currency
CA$
Technical Assets
- Web Domain.ca
- ISO CodeCA-QC
Secure Identifier Profile
Culture & Daily Life
📜 History & Origins
The site on the Island of Montreal — at the confluence of the St. Lawrence and Ottawa rivers — was home to the Hochelaga Iroquoian village when Jacques Cartier visited in 1535. The permanent French settlement of Ville-Marie was founded by Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve and Jeanne Mance on 17 May 1642. The city was ceded to Britain after the Seven Years' War in 1763, and renamed Montreal from the peak Mount Royal (Mont Réal), which Jacques Cartier named on his first visit.
🗣️ Languages
👥 Demographics
✨ Leisure Highlights
- /Mount Royal Park and the cross — panoramic city views
- /Old Montreal (Vieux-Montréal) and the Old Port
- /Montreal Museum of Fine Arts (MMFA)
- /Jean-Talon and Atwater markets
- /Mile End neighbourhood — lively arts and dining scene
🎒 Visitor Tip
The STM Opus card covers the Metro and buses — a daily or weekly pass is great value. The Metro is entirely underground, which is crucial in winter when temperatures drop to -20°C. The RÉSO (Underground City) — 33km of heated underground walkways connecting 80 buildings — is one of the world's great pieces of urban infrastructure and essential in winter. Montreal's food scene is excellent; try poutine, bagels from St-Viateur or Fairmount, and smoked meat from Schwartz's.
Geography & Climate
Land & Terrain
Surface area and physical characteristics
Built on the Island of Montreal in the St. Lawrence River, with smaller nearby islands. The most prominent topographical feature is Mount Royal — an 233m extinct volcanic intrusion that gives the city its name and provides its central park. The rest of the island is relatively flat at 20–50m elevation. The St. Lawrence River to the south and east, and the Rivière des Prairies to the north, define the island's boundaries.
Climate Stats
Humid continental (Köppen Dfb)
Avg Summer
22°C
Avg Winter
-10°C
Annual Rainfall
980 mm
Best Months (Sunshine)
Travel & Connectivity
✈️ Nearby AirportsIATA / DISTANCE
🚄 Rail ConnectionsCITY / DISTANCE
Regional Satellites
Other times compared to Montreal
Frequently Asked Questions about time in Montreal
What timezone is Montreal in?↓
Montreal is in the America/Montreal time zone (America/Montreal), currently UTCEDT.
Does Canada observe daylight saving time?↓
No. Canada does not observe daylight saving time. Montreal stays on EST/EDT (UTCEDT) year-round, so the clocks never change.
What is EST/EDT?↓
EST/EDT stands for America/Montreal. It is UTCEDT and is the standard time used in Canada.
What is the time difference between Montreal and New York?↓
Montreal is 5 hours ahead of New York (EST). When New York switches to EDT in summer, the difference decreases by 1 hour.
How accurate is the time shown for Montreal?↓
The time displayed for Montreal is synced with atomic clock sources via NTP (Network Time Protocol) and uses IANA timezone data to ensure accuracy to the second. It automatically reflects any daylight saving time changes.
What does UTCEDT mean for Montreal?↓
UTCEDT means Montreal is aligned with Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), the global standard for timekeeping.
What are the business hours in Montreal?↓
Standard business hours in Montreal are typically Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM EST/EDT (UTCEDT). Many businesses also operate Saturday mornings. Public holidays follow the Canada national calendar.
Is there much time difference between Montreal and London?↓
Montreal is within a few hours of London, so scheduling calls is usually straightforward. Always confirm the current local time in both cities, especially around daylight saving time changes.