Old Montreal, downtown, and the Plateau are walkable and well connected by the STM metro, so a rental car is not necessary for a trip that stays within the city.
Winter Driving Has Its Own Learning Curve
Snow, ice, and Montreal’s sometimes confusing one-way street grid make winter driving here more demanding than in most US cities, and street parking rules change seasonally for snow removal.
When a Car Helps
The Laurentian Mountains, about an hour north, are a major draw for skiing in winter and hiking in summer, and the Eastern Townships wine region southeast of the city is far more practical to explore with your own car than by transit.
Compare rental rates above if the Laurentians or Eastern Townships are part of your plans, or check flight and hotel options if you’re keeping things in the city.