Montreal Trudeau International Airport; source Wiki Commons
Montreal Transportation
Airport
Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the 2nd busiest airport in Canada and has a United States border pre-clearance. Hence, flights from the USA are considered “Transborder” rather than “International” flights. The airport is named in honor of Pierre Trudeau, the 15th Prime Minister of Canada, and is divided into three concourses. Star Alliance and SkyTeam have large frequent flyer lounges within the airport. Pay-In lounges are available to all passengers, regardless of airline or frequent flyer status. MONTREAL-TRUDEAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT MAP
Check the luggage policy for your airline and confirm your flight at least 24 hours in advance. Make a copy of your passport/flight itinerary/hotel reservations and leave it with someone at home. Pack headache and other medicines in your hand luggage.
About 30 air carriers transport more than 14 million passengers to/from 130 destinations. Runways were lengthened to handle mega-sized Airbus A380 planes. There is free WiFi through YUL Airport.
Taxis and shuttle buses await you at the Arrivals Roadway. The airport is located 13 miles west of downtown Montreal. The 747 Express airport bus runs 24/7 between Montréal-Trudeau Airport and Gare d’Autocars de Montréal bus station at Berri-UQAM Métro station. The 747 Express bus costs $10 (coin only on the bus). Purchase the ticket machine at the airport, which accepts credit/debit cards and bills. Consider purchasing your roundtrip ticket marked for usage later.
Montreal Gare Centrale is a major stone served by Canada’s VIA Rail; source Wiki Commons
Train Station
Gare Centrale is a utilitarian building from the outside, but very functional inside. It handles an average of 49,000 daily patrons and is the second-busiest train station in Canada. The main concourse occupies the block bounded by rue de La Gauchetière, Robert-Bourassa Boulevard, René Lévesque Boulevard, and Mansfield Street. Its street address is on de La Gauchetière. The station is served by Via Rail and Amtrak intercity trains, AMT commuter trains, and Montreal Metro trains.
The architecture of Gare Centrale is an Art Deco-International mix of styles. The large concourse has most ticket counters and kiosks pushed to the edge of the room, leaving more space for crowds. Two large interesting bas-reliefs depict Canadian life, arts, and industry. There are 2 stairwells and 5 escalators for easy access to 14 underground tracks. In 1966, Gare Centrale and Place Bonaventure were connected underground by the Bonaventure Metro station.
From Gare Centrale, Via Rail trains depart to Quebec City, Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor and more destinations. Amtrak Adirondack trains got to New York City.
Busy platforms at Montreal Metro McGill Station; source Wiki Commons
Rapid Transit
By American standards, Montreal Transportation is blessed with a well-patronized Metro Rail system, in part because the city was spared from excessive freeway development. The Metro goes within a few blocks to 75% of places that tourists visit. Opened in 1966, Montreal Metro was the first rapid transit system to run entirely on rubber tires rather than steel wheels. Rubber enables a quieter ride for passengers and buildings above the tracks.
Unlike most Metro systems, it is built entirely underground due to Montreal’s winter conditions, which would make rubber tires impractical.
Montreal Metro is used by 1.3 million patrons each weekday. Despite only 4 Metro lines and 68 stations over 43 miles in Montreal, it attracts over 400,000 more daily passengers than Washington Metro having 6 lines and 91 stations over 117 miles. Its mostly clean stations are very busy. Each Metro station platform has a different layout and esthetic motif. Metro service starts at 5:30 am and ends at 12:30 am. For nightlife convenience, Metro ends at 1:00 am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) runs Montreal Metro and buses. Purchase Metro tickets here.
MONTREAL METRO SYSTEM MAP. As you see from the Metro Map, lines are by color, and trains are named for the last stop on their line.
Anticipate higher traffic at stations that intersect Metro lines or AMT commuter rail lines, such as Bonaventure, Lucien-L’Allier, Jean-Talon, Lionel Groux, Snowden, Berry-UQAM, Parc, Vendome and De La Concorde Metro stations. When approaching each station, the station name is announced in French. If you’ve read your map, you might find it easier to note the electronic display system showing the next station plus connecting metro lines.
http://www.stm.info/en/info/fares>Opus Card Tickets can be bought at any Metro station booth (cash only) or machine (cash, credit/debit card). Transfer means you stay in the station to switch trains. Once you leave the Métro system, you have consumed a ride on your trip ticket. Keep your ticket as proof of purchase. Ticket inspectors with wireless machines often board trains.
Tourists usually purchase Opus cards having 2-trip, 10-trip, daily, weekend, 3-day, or weekly trip capacity. Try the Metro for at least one day, if only to experience this interesting part of Montreal. So plan on spending $6 to $25.50 to use the Metro. Children under 5 ride for free.
Like most Metro Subway systems in America, put the Opus ticket into the slot on the side of the turnstile. It pops out of the top of the turnstile. When the lights turn green, remove it for the turnstile to let you through. If you purchase more than one trip, the Opus ticket will show how many trips you have left. At your destination, no need to put your Opus ticket through the turnstile to leave.
If you miss your stop or head in the wrong direction, no need to pay again. Simply get off, walk up the stairs or escalator without exiting through the turnstile, and walk down the other side of the station to the opposite track platform. Longueuil Station at the end of the Yellow Line, is the only station that does not provide this simple no-cost correction. There, you have to pay for a new ride.
The Green Line covers the downtown shopping area, McGill, Concordia, UQAM universities, Atwater Market, Botanical Gardens, Olympic Stadium, and Château Dufresne. Orange Line covers Old Montreal, Plateau Mont-Royal, St-Denis Street shopping district, Bell Centre, Jean-Talon and Atwater markets, and Care Centrale trains. The Yellow starts at Metro Berri-UQAM and goes to Parc Jean-Drapeau and La Ronde Amusement Park.
A single person can go anywhere on the system in the daytime. At night, there are a few dicey Metro Green Line stations just east of downtown where there have been reports of electronics theft and aggressive panhandling.
Like Metro systems worldwide, prevent being targeted by pickpockets as a vulnerable tourist. If traveling alone, avoid reading paper maps or tourist books on the Metro. Instead, read the larger paper map or the map on your computer/tablet in your hotel room. With that practice, you’ll be quick and confident reviewing the same map inside the train before de-boarding.
The partially open REM System enables commuters and visitors to travel between Gare Centrale and across the St. Lawrence River to Brossard station. This 5-station network is celebrated for its frequent 20-hour daily service using driverless automated trains in upgraded stations. It currently operates between 2 fare zones. Construction is underway extending the system northwest and to YUL Airport by 2027. REM SYSTEM MAP
Cruise Port of Montreal
Cruise Port
Cruise to beautiful cities along the eastern coast of Canada or take longer cruises to Boston, New York, and Miami. Royal Caribbean, Princess, Carnival, Norwegian, Aida, and Holland America all serve this 3-terminal Montreal cruise port next to a greenway promenade, see MAP.
Since Canadian rivers freeze in cold months, the cruise season begins in May. It has new public spaces, and contemporary architecture with a new observation tower, there is a breathtaking view of the city skyline, Old Montreal, and Grand Quay attractions. You can also take high-speed small cruises in the river. For more information visit https://www.cruisecanadanewengland.com/