Getting to Montreal
Montreal is well connected by air, rail, and road. Here is what works and what to expect.
By air
Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is 20 km west of downtown. Direct flights from most major North American and European cities. The 747 express bus runs 24/7 from the airport to Gare d'autocars (downtown bus terminal) for about $11. A taxi to downtown is a flat rate of $45.50.
The REM light rail now connects YUL to Gare Centrale in about 25 minutes for $7. Fastest option if you are heading downtown.
By train
VIA Rail runs frequent service from Toronto (about 5 hours), Ottawa (2 hours), and Quebec City (3 hours). All trains arrive at Gare Centrale, connected to the metro. From New York, Amtrak's Adirondack runs daily along the Hudson Valley and Lake Champlain. It takes about 11 hours, but the scenery is worth it.
By bus
FlixBus and Megabus run frequent routes from New York (about 7 hours), Toronto (6 hours), and Boston (5.5 hours). Buses arrive at the Gare d'autocars de Montréal at Berri-UQAM, right on the metro. Cheap and reliable for weekend trips.
By car
From New York, take I-87 North through the Adirondacks to the Canadian border, then Autoroute 15 into Montreal. About 6 hours. From Toronto, Highway 401 East to Autoroute 20. About 5.5 hours. From Boston, I-93 to I-89 to Autoroute 55. About 5 hours.
Parking downtown is expensive and unnecessary. Montreal's metro and bike network are better for getting around the city. If you need a car for day trips, standard international agencies have downtown outlets.
Getting around once you are here
The STM metro has 4 lines and covers most of the city. A single fare is $3.75, a 3-day pass is $22.25. BIXI bike-share stations are everywhere from April to November, with a $6 day pass. Between the metro and BIXI, you can reach every spot in this guide without a car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to get from the airport to downtown Montreal?
The 747 bus runs 24/7 between Trudeau Airport (YUL) and downtown. It costs about eleven dollars, takes forty-five minutes to an hour depending on traffic, and drops you at a chain of downtown stops. Taxis are flat-rate downtown around forty-six dollars. Uber is available and usually similar. Skip airport car rentals unless you are driving out of the city.
Do I need a car in Montreal?
No, and you probably will not want one. Downtown parking is expensive, traffic is worse than the city's size suggests, and winter parking rules will absolutely tow your rental. The metro, buses, and BIXI bikes cover everywhere a visitor wants to go. Rent a car only for day trips outside the city.
How does the Montreal metro work?
One flat fare per trip, currently around four dollars. Buy single tickets at the machine in any station, or a day pass if you are making three or more trips. No zones, free transfers between metro and bus within a couple of hours. The system has four lines and reaches every neighbourhood on our list.
Is Montreal walkable for tourists?
The downtown core, Old Montreal, and the Plateau are extremely walkable, with most of what you will want to see within a thirty-minute walk along Saint-Laurent Boulevard. Further out neighbourhoods like Saint-Henri, Rosemont, and Little Italy are best reached by metro or BIXI bike.
Can I take the train to Montreal from Toronto, New York, or Ottawa?
Yes. VIA Rail runs frequent trains from Toronto (about five hours) and Ottawa (about two hours). Amtrak's Adirondack connects New York City to Montreal but is slow, around ten to eleven hours. All trains arrive at Central Station downtown, directly connected to the metro.