Montreal: Car Rental

To and From – Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport

Montreal’s airport (once known as Montreal-Dorval) is found 25 km west of Montreal and can be reached by taking the bus – L'Aerobus, which runs every 20 minutes into the city centre (hotels), Montreal Central Bus Station and Central Train Station. The journey takes about 40 minutes and costs €10 one way. The bus runs from 4:15 am to 11:10 pm each day. Travelers in Montreal can also take public transport. Take a commuter train (Montreal-Dorion line) to the airport from downtown Windsor Station and Vedome Metro Station. The train stops at the Dorval train station and, from there, the #204 West Bus drops you off right on the airport's doorstep. The journey takes about 30 minutes.

Taxis from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International airport

Taxis to downtown Montreal costs the flat rate of 22€ and for a lomousine the flat rate is 30€. Taxis are available outside at ground level.

Montreal By Bus

Montreal's STM has a comprehensive bus system. Buses, trains and the metro can all be paid for under one ticket and run intricately and conveniently in sync. A single trip on a bus is 1.75€ and for a three day tourist card 11€. Montreal's attractions are generally concentrated in the downown area and buses are known for being affordable and reliable. A great way to get around to all parts of the city, buses can take the stress out of walking or the cost out of taxis particularly in unfavourable weather. Seniors, students and children are eligible for reduced rates. Buses run 24 hours with dedicated night buses taking over daytime routes. The central bus station, Station Centrale is the departure and arrival point for most inter-city buses. The station is connected to the Montreal Metro system at the Berri-UQAM Station. Buses connect Montreal with many cities, mostly in Quebec, Ontario, and New York state.

Montreal By Subway

The Montreal subway system is an excellent and safe subway system, know as the "Metro". There are over 60 stations (each is distinctive in design and architecture). The Metro has stops at the major attractions such as the Olympic Stadium, the Botanical Gardens, Old Montreal, Ste-Catherine Street and more. The Metro has has four lines: the orange, blue, green and yellow. The Orange Line forms a deep U shaped path from Cote Vertu in the west to Henri Bourassa in the east, providing the major north south connections in the system. The Blue Line which travels roughly east west through the center of the city from Snowdon, on the western arm of the Orange Line, to Jean Talon on the eastern arm, then onto Saint Michel. The Green Line runs from Angrinon in Lasalle, intersecting the Orange Line at Lionel-Groulx in the west and Berri-UQAM in the east, then on to Honore-Beaugrand. The Yellow Line connects the Berri-Uqam station to Longueil on the south shore. The Metro is currently being extended into Laval. The Metro closes at 12:30 am each day.

Montreal By Car

Renting a car in Montreal from Montreal International airport or any downtown hotel is easy enough but not recommended unless you are planning to drive outside the city to perhaps Quebec City. Montreal is hundreds of years old which makes driving its streets cumbersome. One way streets are frequent. If you are staying in the downtown parking is very expensive, and traffic is a major problem. Public transportation,particularly the Metro is the best option for getting around Montreal. If you are driving in Montreal or Canada for an extended period (more than 3 months) you need an International Driving Permit from your home country. Seatbelts are required, speed limits are in effect and distance/speed is measured in kilometres per hour. The streets in the city are arranged in a grid like pattern and are named and numbered east and west of the boulevard. Canadians drive on the right hand side of the road; Montreal allows cars to turn right on red lights. Some of the major car rental companies include, Hertz, Budget, Avis, and Alamo. Hertz is usually the most expensive while Budget is more economical.


To book car rental in Montreal online, view our Car Hire section for Montreal. We offer Ok Alpha users the latest special offers and best rates available for car hire in Montreal. We advise you book your Montreal hire car in advance so you can pick it up and drop it off directly at the airport.

Hitchhiking in Montreal

In Montreal as in the rest of Canada, it is not permitted to hitchhike.

Cycling in Montreal

Ten years ago Montreal was rated the number one cycling city in North America. Montreal boasts over 300 km of bike routes and paths located on the island and more than double that in the surrounding region. The city offers bikes for rent from self-service Bixi kiosks, modelled on Paris' successful Velib system. Bicycles are permitted on the Metro except during rush hour, or speical event days such as the Tour de l'Ile and Fireworks Festival. The Deux-Montagnes and Rigaud lines of the commuter trains permit bicycles. Bike repair shops can be found throughout the city such as Right to Move which provides assistance for do it yourself repairs at a lower cost. Bicycles can be rented at the Maison des Cyclistes on Rachel Street East, the Old Port, and Parc Jean Drapeau. Maps of cycling paths in Montreal can be found at tourist bureaus.

By Train

Via Rail and Amtrak provide passenger rail service to the city, with connections into Atlantic Canada, the U.S., Ontario and points west. The main train terminus, Gare Central, is located in the downtown area. The station is just south of Rene Levesque Blvd, on La Gauchetiere, between Mansfield and University. It can be accessed from both the Queen Elizabeth or Bonaventure Hotels. The nearest Metro (subway) is Bonaventure which can be found via an underground pedestrian walkway. Montreal also runs several efficient commuter trains in and around the city (ATM), two lines of which arrive/depart at Gare Central.

Montreal by Ferry

Montreal operates a regular ferry service from May to October to both Longueuil and Parc Jean-Drapeau. The journey to Longueuil takes 30 minutes and only 15 minutes to Parc Jean-Drapeau. Advanced reservations are not neccessary.