Flights to Montreal: The Complete Guide

Flights to Montreal: The Complete Guide

Montreal is the second-largest city in Canada and a primary gateway for international travel. Most flights to Montreal land at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), located approximately 20 kilometers from the downtown core. It serves as a major hub for Air Canada and Air Transat, handling over 20 million passengers annually. While secondary airports like Saint-Hubert (YHU) exist, they primarily handle regional flights or private charters. Whether you are flying in from New York, London, or Paris, YUL is your destination. This guide covers how to secure the cheapest flights to Montreal and navigate the transit systems upon arrival.

Which airport should you fly into?

Montreal has two main airports, but for commercial international and domestic travel, you have one primary choice.

• Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL): Located 20km (12 miles) west of downtown. This is the only airport for major commercial airlines. Most travelers booking flights to Montreal will land here.
• Montréal-Saint-Hubert Longueuil Airport (YHU): Located 15km (9 miles) east of downtown. This airport mostly handles regional carriers like Porter Airlines (limited routes) and private aviation.
• Mirabel International Airport (YMX): Located 40km (25 miles) north. Mirabel no longer handles passenger flights; it is strictly a cargo and manufacturing hub.

Best time to book flights to Montreal

Timing impacts the price of your ticket more than any other factor. For domestic flights within Canada, book 3 to 5 weeks in advance. For international travel from the US or Europe, the sweet spot is typically 3 to 6 months before your departure date.

Data suggests that booking on a Sunday can save you up to 15% compared to booking on a Friday. For the best prices, aim to fly on a Wednesday. Mid-week departures are consistently cheaper than weekend flights, as Montreal is a popular destination for "weekend getaway" travelers from the US East Coast.

Cheapest months to fly to Montreal

The cheapest month to fly to Montreal is January. Following the holiday rush, demand drops significantly as temperatures fall. February and March also offer lower fares for those who don’t mind the cold.

The most expensive months are July and August. This peak season coincides with major international festivals like the Montreal International Jazz Festival and the Just for Laughs comedy fest. If you want to balance decent weather with affordable fares, target the shoulder seasons: May, June, or September.

Direct flights vs. connecting flights

Montreal is a major North American hub, meaning direct flights are plentiful.

Direct Flights: You can find non-stop flights to Montreal from over 150 destinations worldwide. If you are flying from major cities like New York, Toronto, London, or Paris, a direct flight is usually the most efficient and often competitively priced due to high volume.

Connecting Flights: If you are flying from smaller cities or from the West Coast of South America and Asia, you will likely connect through Toronto (YYZ), New York (JFK/EWR), or Vancouver (YVR). Choosing a flight with one stop can sometimes save you 20-30% on the ticket price, particularly on long-haul routes. However, for short-haul flights (under 3 hours), the price difference is rarely enough to justify the added travel time.

Best airlines flying to Montreal

Several major carriers offer a high frequency of flights to Montreal.

• Air Canada: The primary carrier at YUL, offering the widest range of direct international and domestic routes.
• Air Transat: A Quebec-based airline specializing in leisure travel to Europe, the South, and the US at competitive prices.
• Porter Airlines: Known for regional service within Canada and the US, often serving both YUL and YHU.
• Air France/KLM: Provides extensive connectivity between Montreal and major European hubs via Paris and Amsterdam.
• American Airlines/Delta/United: These US carriers provide multiple daily "shuttle" flights from major American hubs like Chicago, New York, and Atlanta.

Getting from the airport to the city center

Once your flight lands at YUL, you have several options to reach downtown Montreal.

• 747 Express Bus: This is the most cost-effective method. It runs 24/7 and costs $11 CAD. The ticket is valid for 24 hours across the entire Montreal bus and metro network. The trip takes 40–70 minutes depending on traffic.
• Taxi: A flat-rate fare exists for trips between YUL and downtown. The current flat rate is $49.45 CAD (plus tip). For zones outside downtown, the meter applies, with a minimum fare of $20.50.
• Rideshare (Uber/Eva): Usually costs between $40 and $60 CAD depending on surge pricing. Follow signs for the "Affiliated pick-up" zone on the arrivals level.
• REM (Light Rail): Currently under construction. Once completed (expected 2027), this will be the fastest way to get downtown, with a sub-25-minute travel time.
• Regional Trains (VIA Rail): A free shuttle connects the airport terminal to the Dorval VIA Rail station for passengers heading to Ottawa or Toronto.

Flight duration from major cities

Approximate flight times to Montreal (YUL) for direct routes:

• New York (JFK/LGA): 1 hour 30 minutes
• Toronto (YYZ): 1 hour 15 minutes
• London (LHR): 7 hours 15 minutes
• Paris (CDG): 7 hours 25 minutes
• Los Angeles (LAX): 5 hours 30 minutes
• Chicago (ORD): 2 hours 15 minutes
• Vancouver (YVR): 4 hours 45 minutes
• Dubai (DXB): 13 hours 30 minutes (via direct Emirates service)
• Sydney (SYD): 20+ hours (No direct flights; typically involves a stop in Vancouver, LA, or San Francisco)

Tips for finding cheap flights to Montreal

Finding the cheapest flights to Montreal requires a mix of timing and tool usage.

1. Use Price Alerts: Set up alerts on Google Flights or Kayak for your specific dates. Montreal prices fluctuate wildly based on festival schedules, so monitoring the trend for two weeks will help you spot a "good" price.
2. Fly into Burlington (BTV) or Plattsburgh (PBG): If you are traveling from within the US, check flights to Plattsburgh or Burlington, Vermont. Both are within a 1.5 to 2-hour drive of Montreal. Budget airlines often fly into these airports for a fraction of the cost of flying into YUL.
3. Check Saturday Night Stays: Many airlines offer lower fares to Montreal if your itinerary includes a Saturday night stay, as this separates business travelers from leisure travelers.
4. Avoid Grand Prix Weekend: Unless you are attending the Formula 1 race, avoid flying to Montreal in mid-June. Hotel and flight prices triple during this week.
5. Utilize Rewards Points: Since Montreal is an Air Canada hub (Star Alliance), using Aeroplan points can offer significant value, especially for short-haul flights from the US Northeast.