7 Free Apps You Need When Studying in Montréal

The world’s #1 student city according to the QS Best Student Cities 2017, Montréal is a fantastic place to study abroad. But, like all cities, it takes some getting used to…

If you’re lucky enough to be studying in Montréal, check out these seven free apps to make your life easier. From receiving live travel updates for your train or bus, to locating the nearest food truck in your vicinity, these free apps could significantly improve your day-to-day life in Montréal.  

1. Transit

Available on Android and iOS, Transit is the ultimate transportation app. It lets you receive live updates on departures times, plan a journey and compare all the options (including car/bikeshare), and receive live notifications about your trip from GO, the app’s built-in ‘personal robot’-cum-‘friendly transit companion’. Ideal for those of you feeling a little lost in Montréal!

2. Streetfood MTL

When the snow clears up, food trucks and cyclists both tend to invade Montréal en masse. Worried about missing out on the best street food delicacies Montréal has to offer?  Not to worry, this free app can help you find the best restaurants on wheels in town.

3. Duolingo for Android and IOS                                                                                              

Learn how to speak, write and listen in French at all levels with this handy free app. Set yourself daily reminders on your phone to practice French and learn through play! Other languages that you can learn using this app include (but are not limited to) Spanish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Swahili.

4. Biximo  

Locate the nearest bike or dock stations in your city, including Montréal’s BIXI bikes, with this free app. It’s also compatible with other cities’ bike-sharing systems, including Toronto’s Bike Share, Boston’s Hubway, New York’s CitiBike, London’s Santandar Cycles (popularly known as “Boris Bikes”) and many more. Read more about this free app on its website.

5. Bike Watch on Android and IOS

This social bike app for Montréal’s cycling community lets you report stolen bikes, sell your bike or bike parts, and email fellow cyclists living in your city.

6. Montréal en Histoires on Android and IOS

Enhance your Montréal sightseeing experience with this slick free travel app, designed to help you explore your city’s historic settings and hidden points of interest through geolocalized, annotated maps and augmented reality segments. 100% free and available in French, English, Spanish and Mandarin!

7. Montréal Just in Case on Android

This free app for Android lets you find your nearest fire station, police station, health services, heatwave measures and emergency hostels “just in case” you ever need them in a hurry.

To all Montreal students: which apps feature on your home screen? Comment below to share your answer!