Montreal by Train: Language Quirks, Roadblocks, and Hostel Lessons

My first vivid impression of Montreal wasn’t formed from a visit—it came from a voice on the phone. Years ago, while applying for my Canadian student visa, I used the Bank of Montreal’s Chinese-language service. To my surprise, the name was translated as “满地可银行”, or “Mandike Bank.” It sounded nothing like “Montreal” in either English or French.

As I’ve since discovered during my years in Canada, most local Chinese residents and even banking professionals are unfamiliar with this quirky translation. The phrase “满地可” (Mandike) is actually a historical Chinese transliteration of “Montreal,” coined by Qing-dynasty scholar and translator Wang Tao. Though the name has faded from daily use, traces of it still echo through the city. Walk through Montreal’s Chinatown today, and you’ll find signs and landmarks proudly bearing the old name—a quiet nod to the long, layered history between the city and its Chinese community.

This time, I took the VIA Rail train eastbound from Toronto to Montreal—a route I’d only ever taken westward before, all the way to the Rockies. Old Montreal is, in fact, the farthest point east that VIA Rail trains reach directly from Toronto. To venture further into Quebec, such as the historic city of Québec itself, a transfer is required.

The Journey Begins: Disappointments and Pleasant Surprises

A few hours before my departure, my phone suddenly broke down, leaving me without a way to capture photos during the entire trip. However, the many pleasant surprises along the way more than made up for this unfortunate setback.

Unlike the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway that heads west, the eastern railway is much younger, and as a result, faster. The trains are lower, making them more suitable for city railway tracks and platforms. The train and Montreal station are completely aligned, unlike the trains heading west, which require additional steps for boarding and disembarking. Trains between Ottawa and Montreal run frequently throughout the day, making it easy to do day trips to Montreal for business or even for tasks like applying for visas from specific countries.

The train ride from Toronto to Montreal takes about the same amount of time as driving, but the comfort level is far superior. On the train, you can use the restroom at any time, and enjoy a hot cup of coffee. The scenic views along the way, especially as the train travels through Ontario, are absolutely mesmerizing. Moreover, there’s no need to worry about driving fatigue or safety concerns.

Montreal: A Terrible Walking Experience

I had expected some delays with the train, but what I didn’t anticipate was how poor the walking experience would be in Montreal. The Apple Store, which was supposed to be a 5-minute walk from the station according to the map, took me a full 20 minutes to reach. Many people online complain about construction in Montreal during the tourist season, and initially, I thought they might be exaggerating. After all, in Canada, the construction window is limited due to the harsh weather.

However, the traffic situation near Montreal’s train station made me rethink this complaint—roads were blocked off everywhere, and there were no clear signs indicating which way to go. I ended up walking in circles several times before finally arriving at the Apple Store for my appointment.

Unfortunately, my phone couldn’t be repaired. However, I was surprised by the level of bilingualism at the store. Almost every employee could speak both French and English fluently. This was a stark contrast to my experience in Old Quebec City, where many people preferred to speak only French, even refusing to speak English. I remember one time in a souvenir shop, I told the shopkeeper that my English wasn’t very good, and she smiled and said, “Neither is mine.”

In Montreal, though, regardless of whether you’re in a store or talking to staff members, everyone speaks both languages fluidly. I don’t speak French, but I could tell that their English accents were exceptionally clear and pleasant. This was something I hadn’t encountered in Toronto, where the accents can vary so widely that I sometimes struggle to understand specific ones. In Montreal, however, the accents of the staff—including an Indian employee who helped me with my phone—were so neutral and standard that it was almost impossible to tell their ethnic background.

Back to the Hostel: A Second Stay in Montreal

For this trip to Montreal, I chose to stay at a youth hostel again, booking a room at the Saintlo chain’s downtown branch. The hostel is in a great location, right next to a metro station and surrounded by a quiet residential area, making it ideal for a restful night.

I booked a 6-person dorm with personal bed curtains, offering decent privacy, which is a thoughtful design for a hostel. However, compared to the Ottawa branch I stayed in later, Montreal’s hostel had some shortcomings in terms of details. For example, after I moved to the upper bunk, the lower bunk guest complained that the light from the overhead would seep through the gaps in the bed slats, disturbing their rest. On the positive side, every bed at the Montreal hostel is equipped with its own power outlet, which is a better feature than the Ottawa branch.

Despite these issues, this hostel is still one of the best-value options in Montreal. All rooms come with private bathrooms and toilets, and other floors have communal lounges and additional bathroom facilities. The other hostel I stayed at later had a better location and more diverse breakfast options, but it only had a few shared bathrooms, and the space was tight and inconvenient to use.

As for breakfast, the Montreal branch’s dining area is located in the basement, and it’s a bit cramped. The breakfast options were limited and repetitive. I had mentioned in my previous article that the place smelled strongly of fermented bread and had overripe bananas. Overall, it didn’t compare to the bright and varied breakfast offerings at the Ottawa branch.

The service at the Montreal hostel was decent, but the front desk staff was not very proactive or professional in offering travel advice or assistance. The overall atmosphere was somewhat cold. In contrast, the Ottawa staff was much friendlier and provided much better service.

All in all, Auberge Saintlo Montréal is a well-equipped, affordable hostel suitable for budget travelers, though there’s still room for improvement in service and attention to detail.

Montreal’s Journey: A Deep Conversation with the City

The second half of my day allowed me to engage more deeply with Montreal’s history and architecture: the greenery and vibrancy of Dorchester Square, and the solemnity and elegance of the Cathedral of Mary, Queen of the World. Though I only had a brief stop at each place, their charm was enough to leave a lasting impression.

Of course, I will share more detailed experiences of these places, along with some hidden stories from Montreal’s streets and alleys, in the next article. I can give you a sneak peek—they are definitely worth exploring for anyone visiting Montreal.

Stay Experience: Auberge Saintlo Montréal

• Overall Rating: 4/5
  Great location, excellent facilities, but there’s room for improvement in service and atmosphere.
• Breakfast Rating: 3/5
  Repetitive content and limited variety, the experience felt monotonous over multiple stays.
• Price Rating: 5/5
  The cost is about $50-$60 per night, depending on whether it’s prepaid, making it a very affordable option.

Afternoon Journey Summary

• Dorchester Square (Square Dorchester): 5/5
  The relaxed atmosphere and the vibrant urban feel of the square immediately immerse you in the life rhythm of Montreal.
• Cathedral of Mary, Queen of the World (Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde): 5/5
  The cathedral’s majestic design and historical significance leave a deep impression, almost transporting you to another era.

Due to time limitations, more exciting details will be shared in the next article! This day in Montreal made me reconnect with the true meaning of travel: it’s not just about seeing the sights, but about discovering, reflecting, and having conversations with yourself during each stop. I look forward to sharing more stories and beauty of Montreal with you in the next post!