In Montreal, the OPUS card is essential for taking the metro, the bus and the commuter train. This simple guide explains how to get one, what it costs, and how newcomers and students can access the reduced fare.
What is the OPUS card?
The OPUS is a contactless smart card that stores all your transit fares: metro, STM buses, exo trains and buses across Greater Montreal. Instead of buying paper tickets every trip, you load rides or a monthly pass onto the card and tap it at metro entrances or on the bus.
Two types of OPUS cards
1. Non-photo OPUS card (regular fare). Buy it at metro station counters, certain Jean Coutu pharmacies and convenience stores. Issuance fee: about $6, valid for five years. No ID required.
2. Photo OPUS card (reduced fare). Required for student monthly passes. Get it by appointment at an ARTM ticket office. Bring official photo ID and proof of full-time enrollment at a school or university. Fee: about $15.
Fares and passes (2026, approximate)
• Single fare (metro or bus): about $3.75.
• Regular monthly STM pass: about $94.
• Reduced student fare (under 26, photo card): about $52 per month.
• If you live in the suburbs and take the exo train, you will need an all-modes pass based on your fare zone (AB, ABC or ABCD).
Exact fares are published each year by the ARTM. The prices above are indicative for 2026.
How to top up your card
Three ways: at vending machines in metro stations (cash or bank card), at partner retailers (pharmacies, convenience stores), or online on the ARTM website. Online top-ups activate the next time you tap at a station reader.
Practical tips for newcomers
• From Montreal-Trudeau Airport, the 747 bus takes you downtown with a day pass.
• Download the STM app for real-time schedules and service alerts.
• In winter, add 5 to 15 minutes of buffer: snow slows down the buses.
• Every family member needs their own card: passes are not shareable.
• If you lose your card, register it first in your ARTM account so you can transfer the balance to a replacement.