MTL Zipline is the city's urban zipline, set up on the edge of the Old Port at 363 Rue de la Commune Est and run by Tyrolienne MTL Zipline. You climb an 85-foot tower, are clipped into a harness, and make a single flight of about 1,200 feet over the Old Port, with the river, the old town rooftops and the skyline of downtown laid out around you. The ticket covers one flight and the equipment, which means a helmet, a harness and a monitor who checks everything before you leave the platform. A photo of your ride is sent afterwards, and a phone case for filming can be rented on site, though it is not part of the ticket. The whole visit, including a short safety briefing, tends to take 20 to 30 minutes, so it slots easily between a morning in the basilica and a late lunch on Rue Saint-Paul. It suits anyone who likes a quick thrill, groups of friends and teenagers in particular, and it needs no experience at all. Opening days are limited: the schedule on the ticket page shows Friday from late morning to early evening and Saturday and Sunday from midday to late afternoon, closed Monday to Thursday, with last admission 15 minutes before closing. Lines can build on busy days, so go early in the day or book a time slot in advance. Free cancellation and rescheduling is available until 24 hours before your visit, which helps given that an outdoor ride depends on the weather.
What the ride is like
The tower does most of the work of making this feel dramatic. The climb gives you a long look across the Old Port, and the flight itself is fast and short, a few seconds that feel longer than they are. It is a one-way ride, so you finish at ground level a short walk from where you started.
If you are nervous, watch a few flights from the base first; the monitors are used to first-timers and the process is calm and well organised. Age, weight and height limits are set by the operator and are not spelled out in our notes, so check when you book, especially if you are bringing children.
Planning around it
Because the zipline sits in the Old Port, it pairs naturally with the rest of the waterfront. La Grande Roue is a short walk along the quays, the Bonsecours Market and Place Jacques-Cartier are close, and the cobbled streets of Old Montreal are right behind you. A sensible plan is the zipline first thing when it opens, then a walking tour or lunch in the old town.
Wear closed shoes and trousers or shorts you are happy to be clipped into, tie back long hair, and leave loose items with a friend or in your bag, because phones are the usual casualties of a zipline. In windy, wet or very cold weather the operator may pause flights, which is another reason to keep the booking flexible.
Is it worth it? If you want a view of Montreal that you cannot get from the ground, or from the wheel, and you have 30 minutes spare, yes. It is short and exciting rather than a major attraction, and it works best as a counterpoint to the history-heavy parts of an Old Montreal day.
If heights are not for you, the Old Port's riverside paths, the wheel and a boat cruise offer calmer ways to enjoy the same setting. Season and exact operating dates can change, so check the booking page for your travel date before you plan the day around it.
What to expect
The experience
A single zipline flight of about 1,200 feet from an 85-foot tower in the Old Port, with helmet, harness and a monitor included and a ride photo sent afterwards.
Best time
Early in the day on a dry day; the listed schedule runs Friday to Sunday, so plan around those days and check the date when you book.
How long
About 30 minutes including the safety briefing, more if there is a line.
Tips
Wear closed shoes, secure your phone, and book ahead for weekends. Age and size limits are set by the operator, so check when you book.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Thrill-seekers and groups who want a short, memorable burst of adrenaline.
- Families
- Good for confident older children and teenagers; check the operator's age and size rules when you book.
- Couples
- A fun shared challenge before a long lunch in Old Montreal.
- Pair with
- La Grande Roue, the Old Port quays and a walk through Old Montreal.
- Time needed
- About 30 minutes.
Good questions
How long does it take?+
The listed duration is 30 minutes. The ride itself lasts only moments, but the safety briefing and any line mean the full visit usually runs 20 to 30 minutes.
When is it open?+
The schedule on the ticket page shows Friday from late morning to early evening and Saturday and Sunday from midday to late afternoon, closed Monday to Thursday, with last admission 15 minutes before closing. Hours can change, so check when you book.
What is included in the ticket?+
One flight and the equipment: a helmet, a harness and a monitor. You are sent a photo of your ride afterwards. A phone case for filming can be rented on site for an extra charge.
Can I cancel?+
Free cancellation and rescheduling is available until 24 hours before your visit, which is useful if the weather turns.
Where is it?+
At 363 Rue de la Commune Est in the Old Port, a short walk from Place Jacques-Cartier and La Grande Roue.
