While tourists pay $30 or more for Old Port cruises, we take the public ferry to Boucherville for $6, with our bikes included. Here are tips from locals who ride it every summer.

What Is This River Shuttle, and Why Do So Few Visitors Know About It?

After several Montreal summers, Alice and I learned that some of the city’s best outings never appear in tourism brochures. They hide inside local routines, waiting for someone curious enough to notice.

The Boucherville river shuttle is exactly that.

While visitors pay $30, $50 or $100 for Old Port cruises that return to the same place, we board a commuter ferry for $6. It crosses the Saint Lawrence in 30 minutes, passes beneath Jacques Cartier Bridge with the wind on your face, and reaches one of the river’s most beautiful waterfronts. We take our bikes, and craft beer waits on the other side.

We do this every summer and recommend it without reservation.

Navark river shuttle sailing toward Boucherville on the Saint Lawrence River

Montreal skyline viewed from the Saint Lawrence river shuttle

Passengers aboard Navark’s river shuttle crossing the Saint Lawrence

Bicycles secured aboard the Navark shuttle to Boucherville

This is not a sightseeing cruise. It is regular public transportation operated by Navark and integrated into Greater Montreal mobility through the ARTM. Boucherville residents commute on it. The wonderful experience is almost an unintended bonus.

The relevant route is N2, from Quai Jacques-Cartier in the Old Port to Quai Yvon-Julien in Boucherville on the South Shore. It is a 30-minute crossing with no traffic and no stress.

In 2025, more than 205,000 passengers used the three routes serving Boucherville. N2 alone carried over 109,000. Those are real public-transit numbers, not attraction attendance. You share the boat with commuters, not a tour group following a colorful umbrella.

Each vessel carries up to 45 passengers. It is not a ship but a real launch, open enough to feel the river.

Navark is the only operator serving Boucherville. The wider Montreal river-shuttle network has six routes, split between Navark, which runs N1, N2, N3 and N6, and Croisières AML, which runs N4 and N5.

N1: Promenade Bellerive in Montréal-Mercier to Boucherville. It is currently free as compensation for work on the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine tunnel and works well for eastern Montreal residents.

N2: Quai Jacques-Cartier in the Old Port to Boucherville. This is our regular route and the subject of this guide.

AML’s N4 and N5 go toward Île Sainte-Hélène and Longueuil. I have taken the Île Sainte-Hélène shuttle. It is functional and fast for Parc Jean-Drapeau during large events, but if the ride itself is your objective, Boucherville offers much more at the destination.

River shuttle sailing beneath Jacques Cartier Bridge

Jacques Cartier Bridge steel structure seen from below

Calm Saint Lawrence River during the boat ride

Navark vessel approaching Boucherville’s South Shore dock

For a longer adventure, N3 runs Old Port to Pointe-aux-Trembles and Varennes, matching the cycling circuit discussed below. N6 connects Montréal-Mercier with Île Charron, gateway to Parc national des Îles-de-Boucherville, one of the metropolitan area’s prettiest and least-visited natural parks.

Schedules and bookings:

⚠️ The network remains a pilot project renewed annually. It is confirmed for 2026, but verify current status at artm.quebec before planning.

Navark boats have open stern and bow areas, exposing you to the river from departure: wind, spray, the Saint Lawrence’s smell and the engine cutting against the current. It is physical, not merely visual.

What It Costs, and Why the Value Is Unbeatable

The direct answer: $6 each way through June 30, 2026, and $7 from July 1. A bicycle is included at no extra charge.

For comparison, the classic Old Port Bateau-Mouche starts around $30 per adult for a one-hour loop with no destination. AML brunch cruises begin at $99.99. These are different products, but if you want a superb view of the Saint Lawrence and somewhere new to explore, the shuttle wins the opportunity-cost calculation easily.

Navark river-shuttle boarding sign at Montreal’s Old Port

A round trip costs $12 to $14 and leaves the whole afternoon for Boucherville. Monthly OPUS passes covering All Modes AB, ABC, ABCD or TRAM 4/6 include the shuttle at no extra cost.

⚠️ These are 2026 fares. Confirm current prices at navark.ca.

2026 Season and Schedule

N2 operates May 22 through September 30, 2026, seven days a week. General operating hours stretch from early morning to late evening, approximately 6:45 a.m. to 11 p.m., but individual N2 departures vary. Always confirm the exact timetable.

Operationally, Navark says the boats could run from early April until Christmas. Funding, not logistics, limits the season. Weekdays bring many commuters. Sunny weekends bring cyclists, families and couples, and demand rises sharply.

Buying Tickets: The Warning That Can Save Your Outing

You can buy at boarding with a credit card, but I would not depend on that during weekends, especially with a bike.

Bicycle space is limited. Popular return departures between 6 and 8 p.m. fill quickly. One of our first attempts at the last boat without a reservation ended with us missing the departure we wanted.

💡 Reserve online at least 12 hours ahead, particularly your return, through navark.starboardsuite.com. Every passenger needs a ticket, including OPUS holders whose fare is included. Free does not mean unreserved.

What to Do in Boucherville: Two Versions of the Same Trip

Leave three to four hours between ferries. The waterfront route from Boucherville toward Varennes is extensive and one of Greater Montreal’s most pleasant rides. Smooth pavement, little heavy traffic and constant river views are hard to match on the island.

Tree-lined paved waterfront bike path in Boucherville

Historic homes and quiet streets in old Boucherville

Cyclists riding beside the Saint Lawrence in Boucherville

Green Boucherville waterfront overlooking the Saint Lawrence

Boucherville itself is worth visiting. It is one of Quebec’s oldest cities, with history most tourists miss while queueing for the Old Port Ferris wheel. Dear friends chose it as their second home, and I understand why.

We stopped at Folklore, Brasserie Ludique, locked our bikes beside the terrace, and ordered local beer with fish and chips.

Fish and chips with craft beer at Folklore Brasserie Ludique

Service was attentive, the food looked good, and the relaxed Quebec brasserie atmosphere did not try too hard. My honest rating is 4/5. It will not change your life, but it closes the ride beautifully.

On foot

Two hours is enough for the waterfront, part of the promenade and a relaxed drink. You need no car, highway drive or restaurant booked three weeks ahead. It is an afternoon away from Montreal’s rush without leaving the metropolitan area.

For either version, choose the latest practical return between 6 and 8 p.m. Arriving in Montreal during golden hour, with warm light on the bridges and skyline, is one of the city’s best views. It is a 12/10 experience. Just reserve it early, because everyone wants that departure.

Unexpected Highlights of the Crossing

The first is passing beneath Jacques Cartier Bridge. From river level, its steel frame moves overhead while downtown Montreal opens behind it. It is a familiar landmark from an angle tourism photos rarely show.

Jacques Cartier Bridge at sunset from the river shuttle

Golden evening sky over the Saint Lawrence River

Downtown Montreal skyline in late-afternoon sunlight

Boat crossing the Saint Lawrence during golden hour

The second is approaching the Boucherville islands: green, calm, with weekend boats and water sports. After Montreal’s concrete and movement, the contrast feels cinematic.

Practical Summary

📍 Montreal boarding: Quai Jacques-Cartier, 155 Quai d’accostage, Old Port

📍 Boucherville arrival: Quai Yvon-Julien, 445 Boulevard Marie-Victorin

🕒 2026 season: May 22 to September 30, daily

💰 Fare: $6 each way through June 30; $7 from July 1; bike included

🎫 OPUS All Modes AB or higher: included

⏱️ Crossing: approximately 30 minutes

🚲 Bikes: allowed, with limited space and advance booking recommended

🖥️ Reservations: navark.starboardsuite.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Montreal–Boucherville shuttle cost?

$6 each way through June 30, 2026, then $7 from July 1. Bikes are included. Eligible OPUS passholders pay nothing extra.

Should I reserve?

Walk-up sales are possible, but weekend and sunset departures are busy. Book at least 24 hours ahead when bringing a bike.

Which route leaves the Old Port?

Navark’s N2 from Quai Jacques-Cartier. Do not confuse it with AML’s N4 and N5 toward Longueuil and Île Sainte-Hélène.

Can tourists use it?

Absolutely. It is public transportation open to everyone.

Can children travel?

Yes. Children under five generally ride free, but confirm current route conditions on Navark’s website.

How is this different from an Old Port sightseeing cruise?

Price, destination and feeling. Cruises offer guided loops for $30 to $100 or more. Navark takes you to another city for $6 to $7, and its open design lets you feel the river rather than watch through a window.

Is It Worth It? Our Direct Verdict

Yes. One hundred percent, with no qualification.

I recommend it to cyclists wanting a different route, budget travelers seeking an authentic Montreal boat ride, residents who have never tried it, and visitors who have finished the obvious attractions and want something genuinely local.

I do not recommend it to anyone who requires air conditioning, dinner aboard and a guide with a microphone. Bateau-Mouche or AML serves that market. These are different products.

Panoramic Saint Lawrence sunset viewed from the river shuttle

If you want to cross the Saint Lawrence, feel the wind, arrive somewhere new and enjoy an entire afternoon for less than $15 round trip, Navark is unbeatable. The view is worth at least three times the fare.

🌎 Have a great trip, and see you on the next adventure!

Here at Worth Visiting?, we believe every destination has a unique story to tell, and we want to inspire you to live yours. Keep exploring with curiosity, respect and the touch of planning that turns any trip into an unforgettable experience. See you at the next destination!

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