Montreal-Trudeau International Airport: flights from Montreal to the world
Montreal’s airport options generally focus on Canada’s third-busiest airport – Montreal-Trudeau International Airport. Its name is a bit of a misnomer, as the airport is located, not actually in the city of Montreal, but 20 kilometers away in the city of Dorval, Quebec. That’s a short 20 minute ride, which can easily be done by car or public transportation. (More on those options in a minute).
What the Montreal airport offers
First, let’s look at the benefits of booking a flight from Montreal airport.
· Choice of Destination: Montreal-Trudeau Airport is truly an international airport, with approximately 130 destinations served and a long line of airlines. These include giants like Delta, Air France, British Airways, United and Continental, as well as highly regarded regional airlines like Porter. It is also an important hub for Air Canada flights. Each of the airport’s three terminals handles a different group of passengers: domestic, bound for the US, and all other international destinations.
· Mod cons: More than 90 restaurants, shops and boutiques are located on site.
· Public land transport: The Montreal airport has buses, taxis, trains and limousines. It also provides transportation to nearby shopping and tourist centers, including Mont-Tremblant, Trois-Rivieres, Ste-Foy, Quebec City, and Ottawa-Gatineau.
· Car rental: Many well-known car rental companies are available for travelers heading to Montreal, including Avis, Alamo, Budget, Hertz, and Enterprise.
· Hotels: With the city just a 20-minute drive away, the hotel options are virtually limitless. Nearby lodging options include Novotel, Comfort Inn, Hampton Inn, Marriott, Best Western and Wyndham.
Before you book your flight from Montreal airports, you should know …
Montreal-Trudeau may be the largest airport in the region, but it is not the only option for outbound flights. Many Canadians choose to use one of the smaller airports in the South based in the United States; Popular options include New York State Plattsburgh International Airport (code: PBG) and Vermont Burlington International Airport (code: BTV). These offer shorter lines, cheaper parking rates, and even deals for destinations within the US A more compact design and lower volume of customers means less time waiting and walking from one terminal to another.
The Montreal-Trudeau International Airport code is YUL; its French name is Aeroports de Montreal.
As one of the busiest airports in Canada, expect to have long lines to wait, whether it’s for check-in, security, or customs. Like many airports of its size, Montreal-Trudeau has its downsides, from a busy baggage claim area to seemingly understaffed services. Be patient, plan ahead, and give yourself plenty of time to get to your boarding gate. And keep in mind that you may be walking a long way, whether it’s for a connecting flight or your original flight. Seasoned travelers know that this downside comes with the territory of the larger airports.
On the bright side, many improvements have been completed or are in the planning and construction stage. These include extensive facility upgrades as well as an efficient shuttle service to downtown Montreal. In addition, the Montreal airport was repeatedly praised for its cleanliness.
In short, your next flight from Montreal could take you almost anywhere. And a flight to Montreal can be the gateway to a great vacation, no matter if you plan to ski the slopes, hit the shopping district, or enjoy great food and music. Before you go, double check the smaller regional airports; you can find a great deal if you don’t mind a connecting flight down the road in most cases. And finally, when using a large facility like the Montreal airport, plan for extra waiting time and long walks.