Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is the busiest airport in the province of Quebec and the third-busiest airport in Canada by passenger traffic. It handled more than 22 million passengers in 2024.
The airport is located in Dorval, Quebec, approximately 20 km (~12 miles) west of downtown Montréal.
YUL sees a very high proportion of international flights - around 71% of its traffic is non-domestic. The airport has earned a 4-Star rating from Skytrax for its facilities and services, which you can learn more about in this guide.
Major Airlines - Air Canada, Air Transat, Air Creebec
YUL is a major hub for Air Canada, the country’s flag carrier. The airline operates upwards of 3300 flights per month, serving more than 120 destinations around the world.
Some of Air Canada’s routes are operated by its regional feeder flight subsidiary, Air Canada Express, and its low-cost leisure flights subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge.
Canada’s fourth-largest airline, Air Transat, also uses Montréal Airport as a hub for its operations. It flies to over 60 destinations, providing around 400 monthly flights from YUL.
The last airline to use Montréal as a hub is Air Creebec - a Quebecois airline that operates scheduled and charter services to 16 destinations in Quebec and Ontario.
Montréal Airport is a focus city for the other two large Canadian airlines - Porter Airlines and WestJet, and an operating base for two smaller regional carriers, namely Air Inuit and PAL Airlines.
While most of the cross-border connections with the USA are provided by Air Canada, the major US carriers, American, Delta, and United, have at least 1 permanent route connecting Montréal to their hubs in the States.
Montréal Airport has a strategic location between Europe and the Americas, so it naturally supports long-haul services, including transatlantic routes. For example, Montréal to Paris is Canada’s busiest international route. Major international airlines that connect Montréal to the world at large include Air France, British Airways, Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, and others.
Explore the routes of more than 30 airlines at YUL.
Terminal Layout and Gates
YUL operates a single terminal building, divided into four sections, or jetties:
Public Area (landside)
Domestic Jetty: Consists of a satellite connected to the main terminal via a tunnel and a wing attached to the main terminal. Has 16 gates in total.
Transborder Jetty: Had 18 gates, entirely for flights to the USA. Montréal Airport has US pre-clearance facilities, so flights to the US are treated as if they were domestic. You will go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection right after the security check.
International Jetty: Holds 18 gates.
The airport has 3 runways and remains open 24/7.
Those bound for domestic and international destinations pass through Security Checkpoint A, whereas US-bound passengers use Security Checkpoint C.
A notable facility is the “Connection Centre” - a two-storey elevated structure opened in phases to streamline connecting passengers between international/transborder flights.
Connecting Flights & Transit Experience
With just a single terminal and the dedicated Connection Centre, transfers are relatively easy and efficient.
Transfers between two Canadian cities (domestic-to-domestic) do not require that you leave the restricted area, nor any additional security checks. Your luggage will likely be checked through to your final destination.
When your second flight is to the US, you have to complete US pre-clearance at YUL. Follow the signs to “Connections to USA”.
The other way around, i.e., if arriving from the USA and proceeding on a domestic or international flight, is just as easy, but you may have to re-check your luggage if your airline does not offer automatic luggage transfers.
Border control in Montréal is mandatory for all passengers, and some nationalities need a transit visa, even if not leaving the airport. You may need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) if you’re visa-exempt (unless you are a U.S. citizen). The application is completed online and costs $7.
International-to-international transfers use the Connection Center. Depending on the airline, you may have to re-check your luggage. Depending on your origin, you may have to go through an additional security check.
In all cases, if you do not have your second boarding pass after landing at YUL, you have to get one at the check-in counter for your airline or at the self-service kiosks.
Free WiFi at Montréal Airport
YUL offers free WiFi throughout the terminal. Connect to the “YUL Wi-Fi” network, then open your browser (if it doesn’t open automatically) and agree to the terms and conditions.
Each session lasts 60 minutes, but you can reconnect without limitations.
Lounges at YUL
Montréal Airport offers several lounges, including airline official lounges and pay-per-use lounges.
A notable one is the revamped Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge between gates 52/53 in the International Jetty.
Air Canada maintains two more such lounges, one in the Domestic Jetty, near Gate 5, and one in the USA Transborder Jetty, near Gate 73.
The Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges are reserved exclusively for business class passengers and members of eligible programs.
The Air Canada Café near Gate 5 of the Domestic Jetty is similarly reserved only for business-class and other eligible travelers and makes an ideal place to work, relax, or simply grab a snack, drink, or a meal before your flight.
The only other airline-specific lounge at YUL is the Air France/KLM Lounge (SkyTeam) located between Gates 55 and 57 of the International Jetty. It welcomes Air France Business and Flying Blue Elite Plus members, as well as Plaza Premium Group members, and offers a spacious and elegant seating area, buffet food, a wine bar, including champagne, other alcoholic drinks, free Wi-Fi, and shower facilities.
If you’re not flying with Air Canada or Air France, you can still enjoy the perks of a lounge by paying for a day pass at one of the independent lounges at Montréal Airport. These are:
Aspire American Express Lounge: In the Domestic Jetty, near Gate 1.
Aspire International Lounge: near Gate 53 in the International Jetty.
Desjardins Odyssey Lounge: In the International Jetty, near Gate 63.
Salon Odyssée Desjardins - Plaza Premium Lounge: in the USA Transborder Jetty, near Gate 76.
National Bank Lounge: in the International Jetty, near Gate 53.
A few non-standard lounges exist, too. For example, the Cyber Station located near Gate 53 in the International Jetty offers PlayStation 5 consoles with over 25 games.
Another one is BALNEA Spa Voyage, where you can enjoy a massage from certified specialists. It has three locations: near Gate 1 (Domestic), near Gate 53 (International), and near Gate 81 (USA Transborder).
Dining Options at Montréal Airport
At YUL, you will have access to a variety of cafés, fast-food and sit-down restaurants, as well as local Quebec-flavored options and outlets in all four areas of the airport.
Highlights include:
Paramount: Have a taste of the Middle East in this Lebanese restaurant with shawarma, falafel, and salads on the menu. Located in the public area, on the Departures Level.
St-Hubert Express: Famous rotisserie chicken place on the Departures Level, landside.
Pork & Pickle: Specialists in Southern barbecue like ribs and brisket, plus burgers and mac and cheese. Find it near Gate 3 in the Domestic Jetty.
Ryú: A popular local eatery serving healthy foods, including smoothies and poke bowls, near Gate 49 of the Domestic Jetty.
Archibald: On an early flight and looking for a typical Canadian breakfast place? Look no further than Archibald’s famous breakfast poutine. Throughout the day, the restaurant also served burgers and local beers. Located near Gate 51 of the Domestic Jetty.
Hurley’s: The best Irish pub experience in the International Jetty. Find it near Gate 52.
L’Auberge St-Gabriel: An upscale dining experience near Gate 52 of the International jetty.
Houston Avenue Bar & Grill: Serves steaks, burgers, ribs, and other southern grill options. Located in the USA Transborder Jetty, near Gate 77.
Lesters Deli Express: Try Montréal’s famous smoked meat near Gate 79 of the USA Transborder Jetty.
The usual fast food chains, such as Subway and Burger King, have outlets in the Public Area of the airport.
If the only thing you’re lacking is coffee, Starbucks and Java U Café have locations both before and after Security.
Lastly, for dessert, you can check out La Biscuitery near Gate 50 of the Domestic Jetty.
Transport to and from the airport
Ground access to Montréal Airport is well established, and the airport is one of the best-connected on the continent.
YUL is served by Autoroute 20, linking it directly to Downtown Montréal.
Public transport includes the STM 747 bus service, which operates 24/7 to major bus and railway stations in the city, including Montréal Central Station and Gare d'autocars. Tickets cost $11.25, valid for 24 hours.
The other bus lines that serve YUL are:
Line 204 runs between Fairview and Dorval Station, stopping at the airport in between.
Line 209 runs to Pierrefonds-Roxboro via Dorval Station.
Line 460 runs to Galeries d'Anjou and Crémazie.
Line 356 (nighttime) links Sunnybrook Station with Downtown Montréal via the airport.
Line 378 (nighttime) goes to Saint-Laurent via Côte-Vertu, Montpellier, and Sauvé.
While the airport does not have a dedicated railway station, the nearest, Dorval Station, is just 2 km away. There is an airport shuttle bus that links it to YUL, free of charge for Via Rail passengers. It departs from in front of Door 8 every hour.
The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) train station is under construction to connect downtown Montréal with YUL in the future.
Taxis are the failsafe option. The taxi ranks are in front of Door 23. The rates to downtown Montréal are flat: $49.45 between 5 AM and 11 PM and $56.70 overnight. Other destinations may have set rates too, or metered fares.
Door 28 is the pick-up location for Uber, the only ride-sharing option at Montréal Airport. Use to app to get a ride and confirm the price before you accept.
Click here for private transfers from YUL.
Car Rental at Montréal Airport
The car rental counters are located in the P4 parking lot. A free shuttle bus links P4 to the terminal - take it in front of Door 11.
Most car rental companies operate between 7 AM and 10 PM daily.
These include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
Official parking at YUL
Montréal Airport provides multiple parking options for short-term, longer stays, or a quick drop-off.
HotelParc Parking Garage is the short-term option, as it’s directly connected to the terminal, underground. It’s also heated and air-conditioned. The parking rate is $8 per 20 minutes, capped at $50 per day.
For a parking lot with a gratis period, park at P4 Parking, where the first 40 minutes are free. After that, the rate is $8 per 20 minutes, $34 per day, or $238 per week.
EconoParc P9 also has a gratis period of 40 minutes. It’s a bit further but connected to the terminal via a complimentary bus service (~15 minutes). The daily rate is $30, whereas the weekly rate is $160.
If you’re only picking up arriving passengers at the airport, there is no need to do circles - just park at CellParc on 928 Cardinal Ave. You must remain inside your vehicle, but parking is free for up to 2 hours.
Lastly, the premium option at YUL is ValetParc, located on level SS2 of the HotelParc. Just hand your keys, and a valet on-site will do the parking for you. The daily rate is $50.
Hotels near Montréal-Trudeau Airport
The only hotel inside the airport terminal is Montréal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel.
More concretely, it is directly connected to the USA Transborder Jetty via a walkway. This Marriott offers soundproof rooms, a spa, a pool, a 24-hour fitness facility, and two on-site dining options - the Café Illy and the Bijou Resto Bar.
Outside but still near the airport are three other hotels:
Sheraton Montréal Airport Hotel: The highlights of this 4-star hotel are its landscaped gardens and 2 gourmet on-site restaurants.
Aloft Montréal Airport: A pet-friendly 4-star hotel that offers a complimentary 24/7 shuttle to and from the terminal.
DoubleTree by Hilton Montréal Airport: Features a fitness center, private parking, and a restaurant on site.
Additional hotels are available in the surrounding Dorval & West Island area. Downtown Montréal, being just a 20-minute drive away, is not a bad option either.
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