Located a mere 20-minute drive from downtown Montréal, Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is one of Canada’s most important transportation hubs, with year-round, non-stop service to nearly 150 destinations across Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. YUL recently renewed its prestigious 4-Star Skytrax World Airport Star Rating, ensuring it provides its approximately 20 million passengers a year with top notch service. Learn how to navigate it like a pro.
Landing at YUL
International travellers who fly to or transit through Canada require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). (Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa.) The eTA is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for 5 years or until your passport expires. Applying for an eTA is a simple and inexpensive online process ($7) that will take just a few minutes. Most eTA-eligible applicants will get their authorization within minutes of submitting the online form. You can apply here.
All passengers arriving via an international flight must pass through border services, manned by the Canada Border Services Agency. Expect to answer simple questions around the purpose of your travels, where you’ll be staying, and what you’ll be doing in Canada. Depending upon your citizenship and the number of arriving flights, this process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours. Stay on top of wait times by checking them regularly on the YUL website.
Domestic travellers will find the arrivals process seamless: it’s a quick stroll from the gate to baggage carrousel to the exit. Simply follow the signage.
Transportation options from the airport are plentiful, from taxi to public transport to private car hire. Find out all about them in this designated post.
Departing from YUL
When departing from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, travellers to both domestic and international destinations pass through the same security area: Checkpoint A. Head to the departures level and access any of the entrances between 1 and 6. If you’re flying directly to the USA, you’ll head to Checkpoint C and use entrances 7 to 12.
Keep in mind that you’ll pass through border control before boarding your flight, so budget enough time for this process. For international flights, including to the USA, it is recommended to arrive 3 hours before your scheduled flight time. For domestic flights, 2 hours usually suffice.
Prepare for your departure ahead of time with the YUL Express service, the height of convenience that allows you and a group of up to 10 people to set a specific time to access security checkpoints (up to 72 hours before your flight departure time). It will allow you access to a priority line through customs, all for free. Learn more here.
While you’re at YUL
Skytrax ranked the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport’s staff as the second best in North America, in recognition of the combined quality of staff service (attitude, friendliness, efficiency) delivered across front-line positions at an airport. Skytrax also named YUL one of the top airports in North America, attesting to the fact that not only is it an efficient place to transit through, it’s a pleasant spot to spend time in as well.
YUL’s only in-terminal hotel is Montréal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel, conveniently located beside the USA departures terminal. From its spa to its pool and its 24-hour fitness facility, this is a hotel that knows what weary travellers need — and the rooms, complete with soundproof windows, promise an impeccable sleep.
There are many other hotels in the vicinity of the airport, however, which also make for the perfect location for a pre-flight pit-stop or in-and-out meetings. Discover them in this designated post.
For airport downtime, YUL includes unique boutiques, cafés, a spa, a bagel bakery and many restaurants that are infused with Montréal’s unique flavour. Got souvenirs to buy? Look no further! Other services in the departures level include foreign currency exchange, VIP lounges, a post office, a prayer area, nursing spaces and free Wi-Fi.
Keep your eyes peeled throughout the airport for art installations that are part of the Aérogalerie Art program, designed to support Montréal’s artistic and cultural development. Seek out Eric Wesselow’s 10 leadless glass panels located in the passage between the Domestic and USA terminals. Find all sorts of other fun ways to kill time at YUL here.
And for even more information about the airport, visit the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport guide page. Bon voyage!
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