Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is Canada’s third-busiest airport and Quebec’s primary international gateway. If you’re visiting this Eastern island known for its European heritage, prepare to hear plenty of French and see it on most signs too. But don’t worry, English is equally prevalent, especially at the airport. Use these expert tips for flying through YUL with ease.
Getting to and from YUL
First things first, you’ve got to get there. Whether you’re watching your wallet or just want the quickest route, YUL has a few solid options.
Getting to and from YUL by public transportation
Bus 747 is the most affordable option between YUL and downtown, running 24/7 from just beyond door 28 in baggage claim. There are multiple stops downtown, including the central bus station, but the ride can take up to 70 minutes and is often packed. I’ve had to stand with my luggage the whole way, which can get tiresome.
Still, it’s the most affordable option by a long shot. If you’re not in a rush, I’d say head to the stop and scope out the crowd. Depending on the time of day, you might find it’s not too busy and totally worth it.
You can also take coach buses directly from YUL to other cities, including Ottawa, Québec, and Trois-Rivières. In most cities, you’d need to travel from the airport to a central bus station before heading to another destination, but here you can do so right from door 28, where the other city buses are.
You can also venture onward by train, and there’s a free shuttle from the airport to the Dorval train station running every 45 to 60 minutes. Learn from my mistakes: don’t wander around looking for signs to the train station. The shuttle pickup is at door 8 on the departures level, not in baggage claim like you might expect.
Getting to and from YUL by car
Taxis are a convenient option from Montréal-Trudeau to the downtown area for a couple of reasons. First, I love that rates are fixed, so you know exactly what you’ll pay, as long as your destination is within the downtown border. Second, airport attendants arrange taxis for you (no reservation required), so you’ll always get an official taxi and pay the official fixed rate.
To find a taxi, exit the baggage claim area between doors 23-28. That said, I recommend checking rideshare apps first. Because cab fares are fixed, it’s easy to compare, and rideshares have been cheaper in my experience. Find rideshare pickups at doors 20 or 28. Either option takes 20 to 30 minutes to downtown.
Security lines at YUL
Security lines at Montréal-Trudeau tend to move pretty quickly. While you should plan to arrive at least 3 hours before your flight (that’s what the airport recommends for all destinations), wait times vary throughout the day. A heads-up for American travelers: programs like TSA PreCheck don’t apply here since it’s a Canadian security authority (CATSA handles screening instead).
However, one of my favorite bonuses of some Canadian airports is that you can use Global Entry for expedited security – and YUL is one of those airports. The only catch is that you need to bring your physical Global Entry card with you to show the agent. You never need your card for air border control, the primary use of Global Entry, but you do need it for this, so take note and pack it.
Flying to the US from Montréal
Anyone flying to the US from Montréal-Trudeau should pay special attention to this important point. Montréal is one of a handful of cities that has a US Customs and Border Protection checkpoint for pre-clearance to the States. In other words, you’ll complete US customs and immigration in Canada before your flight. You’ll land in the US as a domestic passenger, but the trade-off is needing extra time at YUL before your flight.
If you’re traveling with a US passport, this process is typically pretty quick. You can expect to wait around 20-30 minutes here on a normal day, but I recommend budgeting an extra 45 minutes, just to be safe, and more during holidays. There are many places in an airport where passengers running late can usually cut lines, but border control is rarely one of them.
US citizens with Global Entry and Canadians with NEXUS can use special kiosks that make the process a whole lot faster. I’m usually through US Customs and Border Protection at YUL in around three minutes with Global Entry. Membership requires a slightly cumbersome application process (well in advance of travel), but it’s worth the effort if it’s in your budget.
Even if you don’t have Global Entry or NEXUS, both US and Canadian citizens can download the free Mobile Passport Control app to speed things up. I particularly love this pro-tip when traveling with friends who don’t have Global Entry. It means I’m not waiting forever on the other side. You can even download it while you’re in line, then hop over to the expedited lane.
Airline lounges at YUL
There are several lounges throughout YUL. Air Canada has a Maple Leaf Lounge in all three zones: Domestic (between gates 1 and 3), international (near gate 52), and the US transborder area (near gate 75). If you’re flying to the US like I usually am, you’ve got two lounge options: the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge and the Desjardins Odyssey – Plaza Premium Lounge. For the Maple Leaf Lounge, you’ll need to be flying Business Class on Air Canada or a Star Alliance carrier, be a Maple Leaf Club member, or have certain premium Aeroplan credit cards.
If you’re flying internationally, a Priority Pass membership gets you into the National Bank Lounge (near gate 53), with other lounges varying by membership policy.
Things to do during a layover at YUL
If you’re connecting on a domestic or international flight, stop by my favorite YUL restaurant, Bistrot Montréal-Trudeau, near gate 48 or gate 59 in the international area. This little bistro is all about French and Quebecois comfort food, like poutine and croque monsieur. The options are a bit more limited in the US departures area, but I like the French pastries at Brioche Dorée and you can get a nice cup of coffee here too.
Because YUL is so close to Atwater Market (about a 15-20-minute drive), this is also a great option for a fun bite if you have time to leave the airport. I love snacking on local charcuterie and Quebecoise cheeses here, but I only recommend doing this if you’re not traveling to the States, in case there are any delays with border control (unless your layover is at least four hours).
It’s also possible to visit Old Montréal with a long enough layover. Budget plenty of time for travel, as traffic can vary. But the European charm of this neighborhood’s historic architecture and cobblestone streets is worth the visit if you can make it. Again, I wouldn’t risk this if you’re heading to the US unless you have over four hours to spare for a quick tour.
Lockers and storage at YUL
Unlike most airports today, I love that Montréal-Trudeau still offers a storage option. There are no lockers, but there’s a cloakroom service on the arrivals level between doors 21 and 23. You can leave anything from a small envelope to a large suitcase for a fee. Just remember, you’ll need to show a valid photo ID and a departure boarding pass or flight confirmation to check any items.
Weather delays at YUL
Montréal is known for harsh winters and heavy snowfalls, so it’s wise to be mindful of scheduling connections here in the colder months. While they’re well-equipped to handle their local conditions, there are still a fair share of delays and cancellations related to winter weather. I try to avoid connecting through here in colder months if airports in less snow-severe cities are available.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
