Information & Travel Guide for Montreal Trudeau Airport
Montreal - Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

The Montreal - Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport is located 12 miles west of the downtown area. Serving mostly the greater part of Montreal as well as New York and Vermont, it is the third busiest Canadian airport. Currently this airport takes on over 13 million passengers annually and offers travellers state-of-the-art facilities.

History

Originally named the Dorval Airport, it was created in 1940 to take over for the Saint-Hubert Airport which could no longer meet the travel demands of the Montreal area. The Minister of Transport purchased land directly next to the Dorval Race Track, which was why the airport originally came to be named Dorval Airport. On September 11th, the Dorval Airport participated in Operation Yellow Ribbon by taking on seven diverted flights. The airport also took part in Operation Hestia, where the airport served as an official gateway for flights leaving the 2010 Haiti earthquake site. 

It was not until January 1, 2004 that the airport was renamed to the Montreal - Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport after the death of the Right Honourable Pierre Elliot Trudeau.

Amenities and Services

The Montreal International Airport is known for its state-of-the-art facilities and amenities, including banks, currency exchange offices and numerous business services. Porter and luggage wrapping services are available at the terminals and endless shopping possibilities are also available. Overall, the airport offers the largest selection of amenities for Canadian airports including, but not limited to:

• Free Wi-Fi
• First aid services
• Florists
• Prayer facilities
• Duty-free shops
• Retail shops
• Fast-food, sit-down and coffee bars
• Children's gaming area
• Tour operators
• Travel agencies
• Breastfeeding rooms
  
  

Parking

Montreal International Airport offers a variety of parking services that include an Express Parc located on the ground level as well as drop-off centers for departing passengers. Long and short-term parking facilities are available as well as economy lots. All lots have shuttle services that will take passengers to their vehicles.

Surrounding Area

Though Montreal International has great amenities, a common complaint from travellers is about their long, very slow queue times. Some travellers have stated that the customs division within the airport is very unorganized and their lack of staffing has made a considerable wait for those trying to get through the security checkpoints.

The best ways to get from the airport to downtown Montreal are by using the Rail Canada, which operates daily or through the local bus. For those who rent cars in Canada it is important to remember that Montreal operates like a busy metropolis; therefore, travellers will experience wait times and difficulty finding parking on busier days.

Hotels are located throughout the city as well as right outside the airport. There are a number of national chains that include Hyatt, Hilton and Sheraton hotels. Travellers can find locally owned hotel chains in the downtown area that may offer cheaper stays than nationwide chains.

Contact Information:

Address: Montréal-Trudeau Airport, 975 Roméo-Vachon Boulevard North, Suite 317, Montréal, Québec H4Y 1H1, Canada 
Number of Terminals: 1
Telephone: +1 514 394 7377
Fax: +1 514 633 3068
E-mail: Via the airport's website
Website: www.admtl.com
Time Zone: GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday in October)
Location: The airport is located 25km (16 miles) west of Montréal
IATA Code: YUL