Flights to and from Montreal:  Choosing Your Airport

If you are planning a vacation and shopping around for flights from Montreal, you may think that Trudeau Airport is your only option.  While it is the largest and best-known of the area’s airports, you may find a better deal by heading south, particularly if you don’t mind a connecting flight here or there on your way to your destination.

Below are the salient facts for three Montreal airports (or, in French, that’s aeroports de Montreal).  So many Canadian clients have elected to usethe smaller regional airports listed on this page that one of them bills itself as “Montreal’s U.S. Airport.”  Read on to learn why.

Flights from Montreal:  Your Options

• Montreal-Trudeau International Airport

Code:  YUL

Carriers:  Many, including Air Canada, Air France, Continental, and United

Location:  Dorval, Quebec – 20 kilometers / 20 minutes from Montreal

Lodging Nearby: Many, including Comfort Inn, Best Western, Hampton Inn, Novotel, Marriott, and Wyndham

Shuttles and Ground Transportation:  taxis, limos, city buses; also regional shuttles to several cities: Trois-Rivieres, Ste-Foy, Quebec City, and Ottawa - Gatineau

Car Rentals: Thrifty, Alamo, National, Dollar, Avis, Hertz, more

Travellers Liked:  Montreal-Trudeau Airport was generally commended for its cleanliness.

Travellers Disliked:  Limited staffing caused long lines, particularly in security and customs.  The baggage claim area was noted for its clog-prone design, and a cumbersome process of retrieving bags and re-checking them was mentioned for international connecting flights.  Expect long walks.

• Plattsburgh International Airport

“Montreal’s U.S. Airport”

Code:  PBG

Carriers:  Spirit, Allegiant Air, Direct Air, US Airways

Location:  Plattsburgh, NY (near Lake Placid); 100 kilometers / 1 hour south of Montreal

Lodging Nearby: Hampton Inn; plus Best Western, Comfort Inn, Courtyard by Marriot, and others in the area.

Shuttles and Ground Transportation: Bus, Taxi, Limo

Car Rentals: Hertz (onsite)

• Burlington International Airport

Code:  BTV

Carriers:  Continental, United, Northwest, JetBlue, US Airways

Location:  Burlington, VT; 156 kilometers / 2 hours from Montreal

Lodging Nearby: Hilton, La Quinta, Sheraton, Days Inn, Courtyard by Marriott, Best Western, DoubleTree by Hilton, Holiday Inn, more

Shuttles and Ground Transportation: Bus, Taxi

Car Rentals: Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, National, Alamo

If you are flying to or from Montreal Airports, you certainly have a choice.  If distance and the number of flights mean a lot in your travel plans, Montreal Trudeau Airport is a mere 20 minutes from the city.  It offers a huge number of carriers and over 125 destinations.  Like other large airports, take into consideration long lines and far trudges to reach your gate.  Smaller regional airports are a good choice if you don’t mind a connecting flight or two.  They may also give you a better deal on a direct flight to a U.S. destination, and parking fees are as cheap as $3 (US) per day.