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YUL · Montreal, QC, Canada · International Hub

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport Guide

Terminals, minimum connection times, ground transport, parking, lounges, and layover advice for Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), sourced from the airport or the operator that runs each service, with minimums from OAG data.

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On this page
  1. Map
  2. Terminals & connections
  3. Layover helper
  4. Security & TSA
  5. Lounges
  6. Amenities
  7. Ground transport
  8. Parking
  9. Can I leave?
  10. FAQ

Quick answer

  • Terminals: 1 terminal
  • Minimum connection time: 30 min domestic, 1 hr 30 min international to domestic
  • Arrive: 3 hr before domestic, 3 hr before international (airport's advice)
  • To Montreal: about 1 hr 10 min one-way
  • Free WiFi: Yes · Showers: Yes

Map

Open in OpenStreetMap

Terminals & connections

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport has 1 terminal. Transfer system: Single integrated terminal with Domestic, International and US Transborder jetties. Domestic and international connections stay within the building; US-bound passengers clear US preclearance (CBP) before departure, and international arrivals clear Canadian border control at the connections centre (re-screened at security unless arriving from the EU). OAG floors run 30 domestic, 60 domestic-to-international, and 90 for international-to-domestic and international-to-international. Air Canada is the dominant carrier (a Star Alliance European-partner hub) and files faster same-airline figures, roughly 45 minutes domestic, 50 to 60 for transborder and international, and as little as 40 minutes onto Lufthansa, SWISS, SAS or Austrian. WestJet files about 25 minutes domestic, Porter about 35. US-bound connections route through US preclearance, so plan them like an international departure even though the flight is short-haul.

Single terminal (Domestic, International and Transborder jetties)

3 airlines: Air Canada, Air France, Lufthansa

One integrated terminal operated by Aeroports de Montreal (ADM), split into three jetties: a Domestic jetty (security checkpoint A), an International jetty, and a US Transborder jetty reached through US preclearance (pre-boarding checkpoint C). US-bound passengers clear US Customs and Border Protection before departure. International arrivals clear Canadian border control through a connections centre; passengers arriving from outside the European Union are re-screened at security before a domestic or international onward flight.

Minimum connection times

Domestic to domestic
30 min
Domestic to international
1 hr
International to domestic
1 hr 30 min
International to international
1 hr 30 min
Transfer system
Single integrated terminal with Domestic, International and US Transborder jetties. Domestic and international connections stay within the building; US-bound passengers clear US preclearance (CBP) before departure, and international arrivals clear Canadian border control at the connections centre (re-screened at security unless arriving from the EU).
Airside connected
Not published
Check your connection time at YUL

Layover helper

Find how long to plan for a connection at YUL: the official minimum connection time, plus a comfortable time of 30 minutes more, or 60 more when you clear customs or go through security again after a terminal change. Adjust trip type, terminal change, and checked-bag assumptions to match your itinerary.

Minimum connection at YUL

30min

Comfortable

60+ min

The shortest connection airlines usually sell here. Includes the walk between gates. Source: OAG

Comfortable is our guidance, not a rule.

Flying Air Canada both ways?Air Canada is a hub carrier here, with its own same-airline minimums
Both flights on Air Canada?
ConnectionAir CanadaAirportvs airport
Domestic → Domestic45'30'+15'
Domestic → International55'60'-5'
International → Domestic60'90'-30'
International → International60'90'-30'

Air Canada's same-airline minimums (OAG). Mixed-airline connections use the airport standard.

Based on:
Connection times are estimates. Verify with your airline.Powered by Travel VientTerms

Writing about YUL? Embed this connection time calculator on your site

Security & TSA

Security waits at YUL vary by time of day and checkpoint. Montreal-Trudeau International Airport recommends arriving at least 3 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight.

TSA PreCheck
Not available
CLEAR
Not available
Global Entry
Available

US Preclearance for US-bound passengers, who clear US CBP before departure (pre-boarding checkpoint C, then US Customs). NEXUS and Global Entry available; Mobile Passport Control offered. No EU EES (Canada is outside Schengen).

Lounges

2 notable lounges at YUL, including airline-branded clubs and third-party options accessible via Priority Pass or day-pass. Check your credit card benefits (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X) before paying a day-pass fee.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge

International and Transborder jetties

Air Canada / Star Alliance

Access: Business, Aeroplan Super Elite, Star Gold

Amenities: Buffet, Bar, Wi-Fi

National Bank World Mastercard Lounge

International jetty

Contract / card-access

Access: Priority Pass, eligible cards, paid day pass

Amenities: Buffet, Bar, Wi-Fi

Amenities

6 of 7 core amenities available at YUL: showers, free WiFi, nursing rooms, chapel, pharmacy, pet relief. Free WiFi quality is rated good. Dining options span 1 terminal.

Showers

Available

Premium lounges

Sleep pods

Not available

WiFi

Free (good)

Free wifi throughout the terminal

Nursing rooms

Available

Throughout the terminal

Chapel

Available

Multi-faith prayer room

Pet relief areas

Available

Pet relief areas

Dining highlights

Single terminal: Archibald Microbrasserie, Maison du Premier Citoyen

Ground transport to Montreal

YUL is about 1 hr 10 min from downtown Montreal by the fastest transit option.

OptionCostTime
747 Express Bus (STM)
Bus
STM 747 runs 24/7 between the airport and downtown (Berri-UQAM) in about 45 to 70 minutes; a shorter route runs to Lionel-Groulx metro station. Fare CAD 11.25 (about $8) for a 24-hour pass valid on the bus, metro, exo trains and REM in Zone A.
$845-70 min
Taxi (fixed downtown rate)
Taxi
Fixed fare to downtown Montreal: CAD 49.45 from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., CAD 56.70 overnight (about $36 to $41), before tip.
$36-$41Varies

Parking

YUL does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; on-airport parking is priced dynamically by date and lot. Foreign airport; parking rates not independently verified. Canada prices in CAD via admtl.com.

Short-term
Varies
Long-term
Varies
Economy
Not published
Valet
Not published

Can I leave YUL during a layover?

With a 3-hour layover, stay inside YUL. With 6+ hours, you have time to see part of Montreal. Round-trip to the city center is about 2 hr 20 min plus re-screening on return.

Downtown Montreal is about 45 to 70 minutes on the 747 bus, so a layover of a few hours can only just reach the city. A direct REM light-rail station beneath the airport is under construction, expected to open around 2027; until then use the 747 or a taxi. Non-Canadians need an eTA to transit; US-bound passengers clear US preclearance.

Overnight layover hotels

  • Marriott Montreal Airport In-Terminal Hotel
    On-airport
    $$$

Frequently asked questions

How early should I arrive at YUL?

Montreal-Trudeau International Airport recommends arriving at least 3 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours before an international flight. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint, so add buffer at busy times.

What is the minimum connection time at YUL?

YUL requires at least 30 minutes for domestic-to-domestic connections and 90 minutes for international-to-domestic connections. Transfer system: Single integrated terminal with Domestic, International and US Transborder jetties. Domestic and international connections stay within the building; US-bound passengers clear US preclearance (CBP) before departure, and international arrivals clear Canadian border control at the connections centre (re-screened at security unless arriving from the EU).

Can I leave YUL during a 6-hour layover?

With 3 hours you should stay inside YUL. A 6-hour layover is enough to leave the airport briefly. Round-trip to the city center is about 140 minutes plus re-screening. Downtown Montreal is about 45 to 70 minutes on the 747 bus, so a layover of a few hours can only just reach the city. A direct REM light-rail station beneath the airport is under construction, expected to open around 2027; until then use the 747 or a taxi. Non-Canadians need an eTA to transit; US-bound passengers clear US preclearance.

Does YUL have showers?

Yes, YUL has showers at Premium lounges.

Does YUL have sleep pods?

YUL does not have dedicated sleep pods. Check premium airline lounges for quiet rooms.

Is WiFi free at YUL?

Yes. YUL offers free WiFi throughout the airport. Free wifi throughout the terminal

What is the cheapest way to get from YUL to Montreal?

The cheapest option is typically 747 Express Bus (STM) at $8, taking 45-70 minutes. STM 747 runs 24/7 between the airport and downtown (Berri-UQAM) in about 45 to 70 minutes; a shorter route runs to Lionel-Groulx metro station. Fare CAD 11.25 (about $8) for a 24-hour pass valid on the bus, metro, exo trains and REM in Zone A.

Is there TSA PreCheck and CLEAR at YUL?

YUL does not support TSA PreCheck and does not have CLEAR. Global Entry kiosks are available for returning international travelers. Security waits vary by time of day and checkpoint. US Preclearance for US-bound passengers, who clear US CBP before departure (pre-boarding checkpoint C, then US Customs). NEXUS and Global Entry available; Mobile Passport Control offered. No EU EES (Canada is outside Schengen).

Where should I eat at YUL during a layover?

Notable dining at YUL includes Archibald Microbrasserie (Single terminal), Maison du Premier Citoyen (Single terminal).

How much does parking cost at YUL?

YUL does not publish a fixed daily parking rate; rates are set dynamically by date and lot. Foreign airport; parking rates not independently verified. Canada prices in CAD via admtl.com.

Is there a hotel at YUL for overnight layovers?

Yes. Marriott Montreal Airport In-Terminal Hotel is on-airport (On-airport) in the $$$ price band. This is the easiest option for overnight layovers or early-morning departures since you can reach the terminal on foot without a shuttle or rideshare.

Are there pet relief areas at YUL?

Yes. Pet relief areas.

Is there a chapel or prayer room at YUL?

Yes. Multi-faith prayer room.

Compare YUL to other airports

See how YUL ranks against the other 111 airports in our dataset.

Best for layoversYUL is workable for 6h+ layoversWith sleep podsSee which airports offer capsule hotels and nap roomsShortest MCTYUL dom-to-dom: 30 min · intl-to-dom: 1 hr 30 min

More on Montreal and YUL

Go deeper on connecting through YUL and on visiting Montreal.

Airlines operating at YUL

Look up baggage policies for any airline flying out of YUL.

Compare other airports

Sources & verification

Connection times, security and ground transport verified Oct 2026 against the sources above. Parking, amenities, lounges and nearby hotels without a listed source are not yet verified. Always confirm with Montreal-Trudeau International Airport before flying.

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