Transfers to/from Montreal

When you start your trip you will not only need to plan the best things to do in Montreal, you should also know the options to move comfortably, quickly and safely from the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to the city center.

In this air terminal, located approximately 24 kilometers away from Montreal, you will find several transfer alternatives (shared, private, train, bus, cab), with which you can connect. Below, I will tell you about each of these options so that you can analyze them and select the one that best suits your needs, time and budget.

If you do not mind traveling by bus or minibus with strangers from the airport to Montreal, then the shared transfer is for you. This service, despite making a few stops in the city center, will provide you with comfort and a very reasonable price.

To enjoy this shared service you will have to book at least 24 hours in advance. This way, after getting off the plane and going through customs control, you will be able to connect at the arrival area of the airport with the driver assigned for the transfer. He will be waiting for you with a sign with your name on it.

Thanks to this shared service you will enjoy a series of benefits, some of them being the following:

• Availability: Generally, this type of transfer is available 24 hours a day, every day. Therefore, no matter when your flight arrives, any time will be the best time to go to Montreal using this service.
• Comfort: when boarding the bus or minibus, you will have a padded seat, Wi-Fi connection and power sources to charge your devices. You will also be able to store your luggage without having to carry it next to you.
• Reasonable price: you will save a considerable amount of money, since the price of this shared Montreal airport transfer service is below the price of private service and cabs.

Undoubtedly, this is a good alternative to get to the city, which will make you live a different experience. You will be able to meet new people by sharing the transfer and even reduce costs a little, assuming you have a limited budget for your stay of 1 to 5 days in Montreal, or even more.

Interesting details

• Duration of the trip: the shared transfer from the airport to downtown Montreal could take around 70 minutes or a little more. This, depending on the traffic conditions, as the roads are usually busier during rush hour.
• Price: the cost of this transfer service starts at approximately 80€ per person.
• Advantages of using this method: you will not have to worry if your flight arrives very early or late at night, since this service works 24 hours a day.
• How to book this transportation: the booking procedure for this type of transfer from the airport to Montreal is very simple, as you will have to do it via web. You only need to access the official website of the contracted company, provide some information such as an email, contact number, time and date of flight arrival, etc., and confirm the payment of the service.
• Recommended if... you do not mind sharing the transfer with other people.

The private transfer is another option available to travel from the airport to Montreal. Especially if you want to travel comfortably in a car reserved exclusively for you, without having to share it with strangers.

With this option you will not waste time at the airport to start enjoying your trip of at least 2 days in Montreal. And, after getting off the plane and having your bags in your hands, you will only have to go directly to the arrival hall of the airport.

There, the driver assigned to pick you up will be waiting for you. You will quickly identify him because he will be holding a sign with your name on it. You will have to identify yourself to him and, immediately, he will accompany you to the car, which will be for 1 to 3 people, or minivan for up to 7 people.

In this way, you will start your way to the door of your hotel without stops or interruptions, so you can start your itinerary of activities. For example, join one of Montreal's best tours, go exploring on your own, etc.

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: this transfer usually takes about 60 minutes. Of course, this time may vary according to traffic conditions, which worsen during the winter season in Montreal, due to road safety measures implemented because of the snowfall.
• Price: the private transfer service usually costs approximately 135€ per car.
• Advantages of using this method: you will travel on a direct route from the airport to your destination in downtown Montreal. In addition, you will not have to share the car with strangers.
• How to book this transportation: this private transportation service can be booked from the comfort of your laptop or cell phone. You only need to access the official website of the company you wish to hire, select the private transfer option and enter the destination of departure and arrival in the search engine. You will also have to provide the flight time, date, your name, among other information. Finally, you will need to pay electronically about 50% of the service.
• Recommended if... you wish to travel in a comfortable and exclusive way to the selected destination in Montreal.

If you are an environmental enthusiast, then the train transfer from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to Montreal is a good alternative for you. This type of transportation, compared to buses or cars, proves to be an eco-friendly option. However, the duration of this route is a bit longer.

Once you get off the plane and go through customs, you must go to gate 8, which is the public departure area, and wait for the minibus to the VIA Rail station in Dorval, approximately 15 minutes away. There, you can board the train from Dorval, QC to Montreal, QC.

A total of four trains are available daily. Two of them in the morning and the remaining one during the afternoon hours. In addition, you should know that the schedules usually vary each day. Therefore, when you book your ticket, you should make sure that the times are adapted to the arrival of your flight.

Despite how limited this train transfer service can be, it will be a good alternative to start exploring the city. You will enjoy a panoramic trip that will serve as a prelude to the tours and visits planned for your itinerary. Such is the case of guided tours, or the best day trips from Montreal, among others.

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: this transfer starts with a 15 minute minibus ride from the airport to the Dorval VIA Rail station, followed by approximately 1 hour and 11 minutes on board the train to Montreal.
• Price: The minibus from the airport to the Dorval VIA Rail station is free of charge. On the other hand, the ticket to board the train to Montreal usually has an average cost of 21€ per person.
• Advantages of using this method: not only will you save money with this type of transfer, you will also be able to enjoy beautiful panoramic views while the train travels to its destination.
• How to book this transportation: the reservation of this transportation can be done through the Via Rail website. Just look for the schedule of your convenience and click on the reservation or purchase button. You can also go to the ticket offices located inside the airport to purchase tickets.
• Recommended if... you need an economical trip that does not sacrifice your comfort and takes care of the environment.

The shuttle bus is the cheapest option to transfer between the airport and Montreal, being ideal if you plan to stay 1-3 days in Montreal or more, but you are on a tight budget. You can save more than 50% over the cost of other shuttle services. Plus, you'll have the opportunity to travel like a local.

With your luggage in hand, you'll head to gate 28 on the arrivals level. You will immediately see the bus stop for the 747 Express route to Berri-UQAM station in Montreal. This line belongs to the Montreal Transit Company (STM) and is available 24 hours a day.

But first, you must purchase tickets for this service. To do so, you will find some vending machines at the airport, where you can pay in cash, credit card or debit card. Also, if you have the exact change (coins only), you can pay directly at the door of the bus.

You will have to wait at the bus stop for about 30 minutes or even a little longer to board this bus. When you get on, you will only have to place your luggage, which should be a small suitcase, in the indicated place and sit down to enjoy the transfer. Soon you will be in the city, ready to start exploring its streets, tasting its gastronomy, visiting the best museums in Montreal and much more.

Details of interest

• Travel time: The transfer time from the airport to downtown Montreal is about 45 to 70 minutes. Of course, these times may vary according to traffic conditions.
• Price: The ticket for the bus route between the airport and Montreal costs approximately 11€ per person. It is usually valid for 24 hours and can be used on Montreal Transit Company (STM) buses and trains.
• Advantages of using this method: with this type of transportation, you save for each ticket a considerable amount of money (up to 50%), compared to other means of transportation.
• How to book this transportation: this 747 Express route service does not require a reservation, so you can pay for the ticket moments before boarding the bus. Also, inside the airport you will find some STM vending machines, where you can easily purchase tickets.
• Recommended if... you are not in a hurry to get to your destination and want to save money on the transfer.

Cab service is the best option if you need to move quickly to Montreal. You will be able to arrive in record time to your destination and travel comfortably in the back seat of the car without being disturbed. However, you should know that, compared to the bus and train transfer, this is usually the most expensive.

When you get off the plane you will be able to go through customs control and get your luggage without hassle. You will then walk to gate 23, on the arrivals level. There, directly at the Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, you will find a number of cabs immediately available for your transfer.

You can access this cab service between the airport and Montreal at night, in the morning and throughout the day. Therefore, no matter what time your flight arrives, you will find a cab available for you.

You can then arrive in the city to rest at the hotel and start enjoying the tourist activities on offer. For example, walk around the city, enjoy one of the cruises in Montreal to see a different panoramic view of the place, among others.

Details of interest

• Duration of the trip: the transfer time is about 45 minutes, depending on traffic conditions in the city. It becomes the fastest option because it allows you to make a direct transfer without delays at the airport when connecting with the driver, as it happens in shared and private services.
• Price: the transfer service from the airport to the city center is about 32€ (from 5:00 to 23:00 hours) and about 37€ (from 23:00 to 5:00 hours). However, if you are going to another part of the city, then the fare changes because the taximeter starts running.
• Advantages of using this method: if your flight is delayed, you will not have to worry about missing the transfer service, as cabs are available 24 hours a day, every day of the week.
• How to book this transportation: Taxi service is not usually booked in advance. Just go directly to the central exit of the airport, right in front of the baggage claim area. There, you will find cabs available for your immediate transfer to Montreal.
• Recommended if... you want to get from the airport to your destination in Montreal in the shortest time possible.

Outstanding transfers between the airport and Montreal