Montreal Flights

ARRIVALS/RECEPTION AREA : GROUND FLOOR

The arrivals-reception area is on the lower level (ground floor) of the terminal building.

International and U.S. passengers arriving at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Int'l airport must first proceed through customs & immigration security control, then pick up their luggage at the baggage recovery console, before exiting to the public rendez-vous area to meet and greet your hosts.

Taxis, limousines and L'Aéroport shuttles are all located on the lower level also, and operate 24hrs a day. They will all take you to the downtown core (about a 20min ride). If your hotel has a complimentary shuttle, it will be waiting here also.

Airport parking is just across the street via a covered walkway.

There are ATM's and currency exchange booths here also.

The nearest hotel is the Dorval HILTON - only 2 minutes via complimentary hotel shuttle.

View Airport Plans: ground floor (lower level) - arrivals/reception

DEPARTURES/DROP-OFF AREA: UPPER LEVEL (1st FLOOR)

Passenger drop-offs, check-in and ticketing all take place here on the upper level of the terminal building.

The passenger check-in area is always a very busy, hectic and sometimes confusing place. ARRIVE EARLY, and be prepared for long line-ups!!

The information booth is located on this level, as are numerous shops, restaurants, cafés, currency exchange, travel insurance offices ATM's, and duty free shops.

There are no business or conference facilities here, but there is a VIP "Maple Leaf" lounge (for 1st class or executive-class ticket holders) that is equipped with fax machines and computer terminals.

There is (supposedly) internet access areas (but I have never been able to find them) located at a kiosk in the lounge/sitting area, and another one past the security checkpoint.

Keep in mind, the airport is has been (and still is) undergoing vast restructuring and renovations (as of summer 2004), and some areas/features may be unavailable or difficult to find.

Upstairs there is another lounge area (much quieter), a kids area, and a small multi-ethnic place of worship (chapel) as well.

View Airport Plans: 1st floor - departures

This is where the public waits for international and U.S. arrivals. This rendez-vous area is where your hosts, friends, and family will be wating, after you pass through the other side of these doors (and after you have gone through customs and immigration) into this waiting/reception area.

MAKE SURE whoever is meeting you brings a cardboard sign, a flag, or SOMETHING to help you find one another. This whole area gets VERY crowded, chaotic, and VERY noisy because everyone is shouting, pushing, jostling for position, yelling, trying to wave over the crowds - all trying to get the attention of their loved ones!

Obviously this picture was taken when there was a lull in the crowds, but believe me, it gets very chaotic upon arrivals - try and make sure you have a back up meeting place in case you miss one another!

Website: Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport

photo©Pascal Gaudreau:
http://www.jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=45404 (thankyou Pascal!)

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Flying to Montreal international brings you to the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL); better known as "Dorval" for the seasoned travellers.

In my opinion the Terminal has been greatly improved in the first decade of the 21th century.
There is far more floorspace and the interior looks and feels modern.

At my last visit roadworks outside the airport were in progress. As far as I could see getting to and from the airport will stay a maze and requires some Quebecian driving skills.

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The Trudeau International Airport is the main airport of Montreal for both international and domestic flights. Overall, I feel that this airport is not very efficient as I had a hard time locating the airlines check-in counter when I was departing from Montreal to Singapore via London. The signages and directions were confusing, and the staff were not sure themselves and not very friendly.

If you can departing from this airport, do go there early so that you have sufficient time to figure out where is your check-in counter.

Also when I arrived late at night, the luggage took very long to unload from the plane, which is not very efficient as well.

I noticed 2 methods to get to your hotel in Montreal. Either by airport bus or taxi.

Airport Bus = Cost is CAD $14.00 as of late 2006. They will take you to a central position in Downtown Montreal, and from there, there is a free shuttle to your hotel door. Give the driver a tip as a sign of appreciation.

Taxi = There is a set fare of CAD $35.00 to anywhere in Downtown Montreal. This fare also applies going from your hotel to the airport. Again, tips are appreciated.

If you'd like to go a class above the rest, try the Limousine for CAD $50.00.

Montreal has 2 international airports, so it's easy to fly over. The airport you'll likely end up in is Montreal Trudeau. If you don't have a ride to or from the airport, the taxi will cost you at least $20.

Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is named after a famous former Prime Minister of Canada. Most people refer to it as Montreal-Trudeau, or the old appelation Dorval. Complicated isn't it? It is the only major passenger airport in Montreal....passenger service at Mirabel airport, north of the city has been moth-balled.
In the recent past visitors arrived at an out-dated, inhospitable airport. It was not a nice way to arrive at Canada's most exciting city. The good news is that Montreal-Trudeau has just finished a major 700 million $ renovation. We are ready to welcome Air France's Airbus A380....woohoo! The new transborder and international jetties and international arrivals complex are really beautiful....but be ready to walk.