Montreal Transportation Tips by appaloosy

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Montreal's Dorval International Airport has a new name: Pierre Elliot Trudeau International - effective January 1st, 2004.

Montreal is a gateway city, and our airport is the hub for all international travel to-and-from our city!!

Pierre Elliot Trudeau International (formerly named DORVAL) Airport is located close to downtown Montreal (only 20mins!), just 18km west from the downtown city core. It is our main airport for handling domestic and international travel.

Taxi fare from downtown Montreal to Dorval International Airport is 25$ (fixed tariff).

Arrivals and passenger pick-ups are on the lower level.
Check-in and departures are located on the upper level.

Getting to and from the airport is highly convoluted and not particularly user friendly! Our roads, highways, traffic (and drivers!!) can be very intimidating. I strongly recommend NOT renting a car - leave the driving to your taxi, L'Aeroport bus, or hotel shuttle driver!

Dorval (Montreal) International Airport
Website: http://www.admtl.com/

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'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: 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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Website: http://www.admtl.com/admmaintext.jsp?idbin=21G000

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: 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

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Website: http://www.admtl.com/admmaintext.jsp?idbin=211G00&pagetitle=Airport_Maps

'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: 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

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Website: http://www.admtl.com/admmaintext.jsp?idbin=211G00&pagetitle=Airport_Maps