Montréal YUL airport guide: getting in and getting out

Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL) at a glance

Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (IATA code: YUL, ICAO: CYUL) is the main international gateway to Québec. It handles approximately 20 million passengers per year, serving as the primary hub for Air Canada in eastern Canada.

Location: Dorval, approximately 20 km southwest of downtown Montréal via Autoroute 20. Terminal: Single terminal building. One building, multiple zones (Domestic, US Transborder, International). CBSA customs: International arrivals clear at YUL before entering the province.

Arriving at YUL: step by step

Step 1: disembark and reach immigration

International arrivals proceed directly to the CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency) immigration hall. You cannot exit international arrivals without clearing immigration and customs.

ArriveCAN: As of 2026, the mandatory ArriveCAN app requirement has been discontinued. Check the current CBSA requirements at canada.ca before travel — regulations can change.

Declaration card: You will receive or access a declaration form on the plane or at a CBSA kiosk. Declare all food, agricultural products, items worth over CAD 10,000, and anything else required.

CBSA kiosks (automated): Many airports now use automated CBSA kiosks for eligible travellers before reaching a primary inspection officer. Eligible nationalities include US, EU, UK, Australian, and others who have used the system before. The kiosk scans your passport, asks declaration questions, and prints a receipt — you then present it to an officer.

Primary inspection: An officer reviews your passport, eTA status (for visa-exempt travellers arriving by air), and your declaration form. Questions about your visit: purpose, length of stay, where you will stay, funds available. Answer honestly and simply.

Secondary inspection: A small percentage of travellers are directed to secondary inspection — this is routine and does not indicate wrongdoing. It may take 15-45 additional minutes.

Step 2: collect checked luggage

Baggage claim is in the international arrivals hall. Carousel assignments are shown on screens in the hall. If your luggage is missing, file a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) with your airline before leaving the airport.

Step 3: exit customs

After collecting baggage, you pass through the customs declaration check. If your declaration is accepted (green light), you proceed to the public arrivals hall. If selected for inspection (red light or officer direction), your bags may be physically inspected.

Step 4: arrivals hall

You emerge into the international arrivals hall, where:

• Meeting point for private transfers and hotel shuttles (holding name signs)
• ATM machines (RBC and National Bank — use these for cash, not the currency exchange kiosks)
• Ground transport options (see below)
• Information desks
• Car rental desks (ground floor below arrivals — follow signs to “Voitures de location / Car rentals”)

Getting from YUL to downtown Montréal

Option 1: 747 Express STM bus (cheapest)

Cost: CAD 11 (includes one transfer to the STM metro network for a full day) Route: YUL → Lionel-Groulx metro station → Berri-UQAM metro station (or you can exit at Lionel-Groulx and take the metro from there) Travel time: 45-60 minutes to downtown in normal traffic; 60-80 minutes during peak hours Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes (reduced frequency overnight) Hours: Operates 24 hours Ticket: Purchased at the 747 ticket machine in the arrivals hall, or tap your credit card on boarding

Who it suits: Solo travellers, budget travellers, those with manageable luggage. Not ideal with heavy suitcases if you need to use escalators and crowded metro.

Option 2: REM (automated light rail) — new in 2024-2025

The REM (Réseau express métropolitain) is a new automated light rail network that opened progressively from 2023-2025. The YUL (Aéroport) station provides a direct, fast connection to the city.

Cost: CAD 10-15 (fares to be confirmed — check rem.info for current pricing) Travel time: Approximately 23-25 minutes to the Gare Centrale / Bonaventure interchange in downtown Frequency: Every 2.5-4 minutes during peak, every 5-8 minutes off-peak Hours: Check current service hours at rem.info Access: REM station is connected to the terminal — follow signs from arrivals

Who it suits: Those who want speed and efficiency — the REM is significantly faster than the bus. Still requires getting luggage up/down station escalators.

Current status (2026): The REM is operational on the airport branch. Verify current service details at rem.info before your trip, as the network continues to expand.

Option 3: Flat-rate taxi

Cost: CAD 41 regulated flat rate to central Montréal (fixed rate — do not accept anything higher) Travel time: 25-40 minutes (depending on traffic and location) How to use: At the taxi stand outside arrivals (clearly marked). Tell the driver “flat rate to [your address]”. The flat rate applies to addresses within the downtown core. Who it suits: Travellers with heavy luggage, small groups (1-4 people — cost splits well), or those arriving late/early when other options are less frequent.

Important: Do not accept rides from people approaching you in the arrivals hall — these may be unlicensed. Use the official taxi stand.

Option 4: Uber/Lyft

Cost: CAD 35-55 (variable — can be higher during surge pricing or bad weather) Travel time: Similar to taxi Pickup: Follow signs in the airport to “Application-based transportation” — this is the designated pickup area (Level P3 of the parking structure). Open the Uber/Lyft app before exiting customs to have a car ready. Who it suits: Similar to taxi, but slightly cheaper during non-surge periods. App-based booking avoids any language barrier.

Option 5: Car rental

All major car rental companies have desks at YUL on the ground floor (follow signs from the arrivals hall downstairs — “Voitures de location”). The rental car facility is adjacent to the terminal.

Who it suits: Those who plan to drive from the start of their trip. Note: driving in Montréal with a full car of luggage on your first day in a new city is stressful. Consider taking a taxi to your hotel first, then renting a car at a city location for the regional portion of your trip.

Option 6: Private transfer / shuttle

Pre-booked private transfers offer a fixed price and a driver waiting in arrivals. Useful for groups, families with children, or those arriving very late when public transit is reduced.

Getting from downtown to YUL (departing)

Budget option (public transit): 747 Express or REM — reverse of the arrival journey. Allow 1.5-2 hours from downtown to clearing security at peak times (2 hours for early morning international departures).

Taxi: Flat rate of CAD 41 applies in both directions from/to central Montréal addresses.

Uber/Lyft: Book ahead from the app. Can be dropped at departures.

Parking at YUL:

• Indoor parking (PDE): CAD 30-35/day
• Outdoor economy lots (P6, P7): CAD 16-20/day with free shuttle to terminal
• For trips over 4 days, the economy lots save significantly.

Terminal facilities

Arrivals hall

• ATMs (RBC and National Bank — use for cash withdrawal, not the exchange kiosks)
• Currency exchange kiosks (poor rates — avoid)
• Tourist information desk
• Food court (second floor, accessible after clearing customs)
• Pharmacies and convenience stores
• Car rental desks

Departures

• Check-in zones A-D (check your airline’s specific zone)
• Security screening (international and US transborder separate from domestic)
• Duty-free shops (after security)
• Restaurants and cafés (a reasonable selection for a major international airport)
• Lounges: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge (for eligible passengers and Priority Pass members)
• USB/wireless charging stations throughout departures

WiFi

Free WiFi is available throughout the terminal. Connect to “YUL WiFi” — no password required. Speeds are adequate for email and messaging; streaming may be slow during peak hours.

Connections through YUL

If you are connecting through YUL on an international-to-domestic connection:

• International arrivals require clearing CBSA customs before re-checking bags for domestic flights.
• Allow minimum 2 hours for connections through YUL on international-to-domestic routes.
• For international-to-international connections, check whether your airline has “sterile transit” (staying airside) — not always available at YUL.

YUL to Québec City (YQB)

If you are flying Air Canada or another carrier from YUL to Québec City Jean-Lesage Airport (YQB), flights take about 45 minutes. Alternative: Via Rail train Montréal-Québec City is 3 hours and departs from Gare Centrale downtown — often more practical if your hotel is central.

Plan your trip

• Do you need a visa or eTA for Québec? — what to have before boarding
• eTA vs ETIAS — pre-clearance explained
• Canadian dollar tips for Europeans — first ATM withdrawal
• Québec power outlets and plugs — chargers and adapters
• Mobile data and eSIM in Québec — connectivity on arrival
• How to rent a car in Québec — collecting a rental at the airport
• Best time to visit Québec — planning context
• 4 days in Montréal itinerary — what to do once you arrive
• 5-day Montréal + Québec City — first-time visitor loop

Once in Montréal, start with the city’s most-visited neighbourhood:

Top experiences

Bookable activities with verified prices and instant confirmation on GetYourGuide.

The Original Old Montréal Walking Tour

• GetYourGuide

⏱ 2 hours

Private Transfer to YUL International Airport

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⏱ Varies