Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport

Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport (YUL  IATA) (☏ +1 514-633-3333 / ☏ +1-800-465-1213), also known to locals as Dorval Airport, is Canada's third busiest airport. It is located in the West Island area of Montreal. In 2019, the airport served 20.3 million passengers. The airport serves destinations within North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. It is the main airport serving passengers in Montreal.

Understand

Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is commonly also known by its former name, Montreal-Dorval International Airport. The airport was renamed after Pierre Elliot Trudeau, Canada's 15th Prime Minister in 2004, though the old name "Dorval" is still used by most locals in Montreal. Aside from being the airport for the second most populated metropolitan area in Canada it is the main airport to reach the United Nations' International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), as well as the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which both have their headquarters in Montreal.

Prior to the 1970s, this airport served the most passengers in Canada, but it was overtaken by other airports for a number of reasons including population gain in other regions, but in particular due to a decision by the federal government to open Mirabel airport in 1975, which operated until 2004. Mirabel airport, which is much further from downtown Montreal, was intended to replace Montreal-Dorval International Airport, and for over two decades Mirabel was the only airport in the area permitted to handle international flights other than those to the United States. Having the two airports adversely impacted the attractiveness of travel connections through Montreal, as a traveler might fly internationally through Mirabel and then have to transfer to Dorval to fly domestically. In 2004, after Mirabel airport stopped handling passenger flights, all passenger flights resumed taking place at the now named Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. Mirabel is now used exclusively for cargo flights.

Flights

Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport is a single terminal operation with a small satellite terminal building located northeast of the main terminal building. The airport is a hub for Air Canada and the airline's headquarters are in Montreal.

Departures

There is a border pre-clearance facility for flights to the United States of America, where passengers get to complete the immigration and customs process in Canada before boarding their flight. The airport is well-served by international flights to Europe, but connections to Asia are much more limited, the only ones being Air Canada's flights to Tokyo—Narita and Delhi, and Qatar Airways' flight to Doha. For international flights, after going through security, you will need to scan your boarding pass again to access the international departures area.

Arrivals

International arrivals to Canada, including those from the U.S., require clearing passport control and customs at the airport. Passengers scan their passports, have photos taken, and make customs declarations at multi-language self-serve computer kiosks before interacting with a border security agent.

To domestic flights

Connections between domestic flights can be made without leaving the airside area.

When connecting from an international (including U.S.) flight, follow the signs for domestic connections. You will pass through Canadian passport control and (unless coming from the U.S. or EU) airport security. As long as your bags are checked through to their destination though, it is not necessary to pick them up and recheck them.

To U.S.-bound flights

Whether coming from a domestic or international flight, follow the signs for U.S. (not international) connections. You will have to pass through airport security (including when coming from Canada or the EU) and U.S. passport control and customs in Montreal, so make sure to allow enough time to do so during your connection.

Note that passengers connecting from international to U.S.-bound flights generally do not have to pass through Canadian customs. However, those who are not exempt must still have a Canadian transit visa or eTA.

To international (non-U.S.) flights

From a domestic flight, follow the signs to the gate your connection is departing from. You will need to scan your boarding pass to access the international gate area; once you do so you cannot return to the domestic area.

From an international (including U.S.) flight, follow the signs for international connections to reach the transfer area; this is different from the area for international arrivals. There, you will pass through Canadian passport control and (unless coming from the U.S. or EU) airport security before entering the international gate area.

Direct flights from within Canada

Direct flights from the United States of America

Direct flights from elsewhere in North America

Direct flights from South America
  • From Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  • From Bogota, Carthagène, and San Andres (Colombia)

Direct flights from Europe

Direct flights from Africa

Direct flights from Asia

Airlines

Canadian airlines operating to Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport:

Other airlines:

The airport is served by all major airlines from the United States of America.

Ground transportation

Public transit

STM Airport Express bus 747 offers service between the airport and Montreal 24 hours a day. A single fare will cost $11 (exact change in coins only when paid in the bus) and includes unlimited use of the STM bus and metro network for the following 24 hours. There's a machine that takes credit cards inside the arrivals area where you can purchase fares (including a three-day pass for $21.25). To get to the bus stop leave the arrivals area and go to the right. There is an area to line up for the 747 buses. The bus travels non-stop to and from Lionel-Groulx metro station (25-35 minutes from airport) on the Green and Orange metro lines. Some buses continue to various downtown stops (the bus's marquee will state which), including Berri-UQAM metro station (45-70 minutes from airport) on the Green, Orange, and Yellow metro lines.

It is possible to go downtown by the cheaper regular public transit system. Late at night, it is all right, but during peak hours, you will need to complete several transfers with potentially crowded vehicles, so it is really only best to do so only if you are on a very low budget and/or have very light baggage.

Between 05:00 and 01:00, take STM bus 204 east (est) which leaves from outside arrivals every 30 min to Gare Dorval (Dorval Train Station). Check that the driver is not going west (ouest) as both ways are served from almost the same place, and the sign does not say. You can also use the 209 or 460 on weekdays to get to Gare Dorval. Also, be sure to keep the ticket that the driver will give you as it is a transfer which you will need later. From Gare Dorval, use your transfer ticket to catch any one of buses 211, 411, 405, 425, or 485 to Lionel-Groulx metro station. Also make sure it is going east as the same routes go west too. Your transfer will then let you into the metro. Take the Montmorency-bound orange line or the Honoré-Beaugrand-bound green line into downtown on the metro. It costs $3.75 (April 2024), but exact change in coins only must be provided to the first driver.

Between 05:00 and 01:00, for the same price ($3.75, exact change in coins only, April 2024), take bus 356 (again, check that the driver is going east, not west) directly into downtown via Sherbrooke. This bus runs relatively close to most downtown hotels. However, if needed, a transfer can be completed to access the rest of the city. See the STM's trip planner or Google Maps for more details.

At Gare Dorval it is also possible to catch the Exo commuter rail to downtown (Direction Lucien L'Allier), during the day from 06:00 to 20:00, leading to the downtown station of Lucien L'Allier which is also atop the Lucien L'Allier metro station. The train can be taken with a transfer from the bus but comes less frequently than the buses running between Gare Dorval and Lionel-Groulx station.

By train

🌍 VIA Rail Canada, 755 Montréal-Toronto Blvd, Dorval, ☏ +1 514-989-2626, toll-free: +1-888-842-7245. Free shuttle connects the airport with Dorval station, which is 2.5 km away. Shuttle runs approx. 10 minutes each way. The shuttle is small, and you might wait for as much as an hour if there are many people going to the airport. Allow plenty of time for connection. It may be faster to take public transportation; from the train platform, head east and cross the overpass to reach the bus station. Intercity train routes between Montreal and the following terminus stations stop at this station: Ottawa, Jonquière, Senneterre, and Toronto. (updated Jun 2023)

By taxi

The taxi fare to and from downtown is a fixed price of $49.45 (a sticker on the window behind the driver gives the boundaries of the zone where the flat fare applies; if you are going from or to places outside this zone, you will have to pay a metered fare with a minimum rate of $21.65).

By ride hailing

Ride hailing rides are only permitted by booking the ride on an app, and pick ups are only permitted at Door 6 on the Departures level and Door 20 on the Arrivals level. Ride hailing is available from:

  • Uber. (updated Aug 2022)

By car

Travel time to the airport from the city centre can be as much as an hour, depending on traffic. Is west of the city centre on Expressway (Autoroute) 20.

By car rental

The following car rental companies serve this airport:

Wait

Lounges

Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport has the following airport lounges:

Eat and drink

Below is a partial list of places to eat and drink at the airport.

Pre-security departures area

The restaurants share a seating area just before security.

  • St-Hubert Express, ☏ +1 514-633-9972. Daily 11:00-20:00. A regional chain of restaurants based in Quebec, primarily serving roasted chicken. $21-28. (updated Jun 2023)
  • Paramount Fine Foods. open 24 hours. Ontario-based Lebanese restaurant chain. Shawarma, baklavas, pizza, croissants, muffins. Halal. $16-29. (updated Jun 2023)

Domestic departures
  • YUL Pizza, Near Gate 51, ☏ +1 514-631-6134. Daily 11:00-21:00. (updated Aug 2022)
  • Archibald, Near Gate 51, ☏ +1 514-687-9977. Daily 05:00-21:00. Microbrewery offering craft beers and restaurant meals. (updated Jan 2024)

US transborder departures

International departures

Once you enter the International departures area, you cannot return to domestic departures.

  • L'Auberge Saint-Gabriel, near Gate 52, ☏ +1 514-633-9972. 04:00-22:00. (updated Aug 2022)
  • U Bar, near Gate 53, ☏ +1 514-631-6134. Daily 04:00-23:00. A bar serving alcohol. (updated Aug 2022)

Buy

Below is a partial list of stores in the airport.

Domestic departures
  • The Source, near Gate 49, ☏ +1 514-631-2832. Daily 3-9PM. A retail chain across Canada that sells electronics, such as smartphones and headphones. (updated Aug 2022)

US transborder departures
  • Maison de la Presse, near Gate 82. Daily 05:30-18:30. Sells newspapers, magazines, books, and travel essentials. (updated Aug 2022)

International departures
  • Duty Free - The Loop, near Gate 52, ☏ +1 514-636-1227. Daily 04:00-23:00. Duty free shop, selling products such as fragrances, cosmetics, chocolate, alcohol, and sunglasses. You must pass through the shop to get to your gates, and you are not allowed to return to the domestic departure area. (updated Aug 2022)

Connect

Free Wi-Fi is available in the terminal using the hotspot name YUL Wi-Fi. The connection lasts for 60 minutes, but you continue having internet access by starting a new session.

Cope

Smoking is only permitted at designated outdoor areas in front of the terminal. Cannabis consumption is not permitted on site.

Luggage carts are free to use and are available at parking lots, at airport drop off areas, and in baggage claim.

Cloakroom, ☏ +1 514-633-2076. Daily 06:00-20:00 (Lost and found M- 09:00-17:00 ). Luggage storage is available, charged on a per day rate. Luggage charge ranges from $7 to $10 per day, depending on the size of the bag. Shrink wrapped luggage storage is not permitted. This is also the site where lost and found is located with lost items stored for up to 60 days. (updated Aug 2022)

Sleep

In the airport
  • 🌍 Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel, 800 Place Leigh Capreol (at the south end of the airport terminal, just before traffic traveling along side the airport terminal leaves the airport), ☏ +1 514-636-6700. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. The only in-terminal hotel at the airport. (updated Aug 2022)

Near the airport
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