Montreal’s tunnel network isn’t just a way to stay warm during winter — it’s a whole underground city. Beyond the well-known paths, there are lesser-known passageways, historic remnants, and hidden connectors awaiting exploration.
Here’s a list of 15 tunnels and underground spaces worth wandering.
RÉSO (Underground City)
Spanning over 20 miles, RÉSO connects metro stations, shopping centers, and office buildings. It’s climate-controlled, brightly lit, and filled with shops and art installations.
Locals use it daily, especially in winter. It’s more than a tunnel — it’s an entire layer of life.
Montreal Central Station Passageways
These tunnels connect the station to adjacent buildings like the Queen Elizabeth Hotel and Place Ville Marie. During rush hour, they’re packed with commuters.
The tiled walls and occasional public art give it more character than you’d expect. It feels like the city’s nervous system.
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McGill Metro to Eaton Centre
This pedestrian tunnel links a major university to one of the city’s biggest shopping centers. Students walk this route daily, darting past food courts and window displays.
It’s well-lit and clean, with steady foot traffic. Think of it as a hallway between two very different worlds.
Square-Victoria to World Trade Centre
The passage here is often overlooked but incredibly convenient. It blends modern design with classic Montreal stonework.
Offices empty into this tunnel during lunch breaks, creating a burst of life underground. It’s subtle but efficient.
Guy-Concordia Link to Concordia University
This campus connector buzzes with student chatter and late-night coffee runs. Posters for events and club meetings line the walls.
It’s more than a walkway — it’s a bulletin board for student life. Rainy days don’t slow anyone down here.
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Bonaventure Metro to 1000 de la Gauchetière
This section blends a sleek corporate design with warm lighting. Office workers mostly use it, but tourists wander through, too.
Its quiet atmosphere makes it feel more like a modern airport terminal than a city tunnel. But it’s pure Montreal.
De Maisonneuve Passage Beneath UQAM
Few realize this stretch exists until they stumble into it. It connects university buildings and offers a dry route through downtown.
The lighting is dimmer than elsewhere but still safe and functional. Great for avoiding snow and slush.
Place-des-Arts to Complexe Desjardins
Used by theatergoers and shoppers alike, this tunnel is one of the more lively stretches of the underground. Musicians occasionally set up near the intersections.
It brings a little performance to your commute. Especially on winter nights, it’s a welcome shortcut.
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Peel Metro to Promenades Cathédrale
Tucked beneath St. Catherine Street, this stretch mixes retail space with direct metro access. Escalators lead up into stores, and people move in waves at lunchtime.
It feels more like a vertical mall than a horizontal tunnel. And it works.
Viger Passage Beneath Palais des Congrès
This route, which is typically used during conferences and events, is frequently disregarded by tourists. It has contemporary finishes and occasional pieces of public art.
In inclement weather, it’s a lifeline for convention attendees. It’s a shortcut worth keeping in mind for locals.
Windsor Station Lower Levels
Once a hub for Canadian Pacific Rail, Windsor Station’s lower tunnels now offer quiet corridors and historic touches.
Stone arches, faded signs, and long shadows give it a vintage feel. It’s where the past still breathes.
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Eaton Centre Sub-basement Levels
Below the busy shopping floors, there’s a quieter set of service tunnels and employee corridors.
Occasionally open during renovations, these areas give a rare glimpse into the mall’s skeleton. It’s not flashy — but fascinating.
Bell Centre Underground Access
Events at the Bell Centre often rely on this underground entrance to move fans in and out efficiently. It feels like a subway tunnel with stadium energy.
The walls shake when the Canadiens score. It’s functional but full of character.
Cité Internationale Walkway
This modern tunnel links several international organizations and consulates. Sleek flooring, clean lines, and gentle lighting give it a polished feel.
It’s where diplomacy and design meet. Quiet, cool, and efficient.
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Chinatown Access Tunnels
These lesser-known service passages link some of the older buildings in Chinatown to nearby commercial centers. They’re not glamorous, but they’re well-used.
Often filled with the smell of nearby kitchens, they have their charm.
A City Beneath the Streets
Montreal’s underground world is far more than a way to dodge snowstorms — it’s a reflection of the city’s layered history, daily rhythm, and creative spirit. Whether you’re navigating the bustling arteries of RÉSO, stumbling upon a quiet corridor beneath a historic station, or following the subtle hum of a student tunnel, each passageway tells a story of how this city moves beneath the surface.
So next time you’re in Montreal, take a detour underground, and you will discover a side of the city most visitors never see.
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