Are you heading to Montreal for a quick, fun vacation or a business trip? Then you need to know how much everything will cost, starting with the taxi trips! Hereโs an overview of services for a Montreal airport taxi to downtown Montreal as well as a guide to taxi fares for your next trip.
How Much Does a Taxi Cost from YUL Montreal Airport?
Luckily for you, the taxi fare from Montreal airport to downtown isnโt that much, depending in where you are going, if you compare it to other cities, although some may find it steep.
It costs $48.40 CAD during the day and $55.65 between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. without needing a taximeter to tell you the answer, as itโs a flat rate for airport-downtown runs.
However, most other locations will need the taximeter to calculate the price, with the minimum rate being over $20.60 during the day and $23.70 at night. Basically, Montreal taxi prices start at 4.10/4.70, add 2.05/2.35 per km and 0.77/0.89 per minute during the day/night.
You can pay cash with Canadian dollars or by credit card. Just make sure when you get in that the machine is working correctly if you only have cards to pay. Visa, MasterCard and American Express are common, but other cards, like Dinerโs Club and such are not accepted.
Regardless, thatโs not all you need to know, right?
Read on to discover how to grab a Montreal Airport taxi to Downtown and all the tricks that come with it!
How to Get a Taxi from YUL to Downtown Montreal
Now that you know how much youโll pay, itโs time to figure out how to get that taxi that will take you to your B&B, hotel or hostel!
Typically, youโll deal with one of the following Montreal taxi companies:
Official Taxi Providers
Because of how bustling YUL airport is, youโll find official taxi providers offering their services by the arrivals floor near the central exit in a very organized matter. These companies include the following:
- Tรฉo Taxis: +1 514 273-0733.
- Taxi Champlain: +1 514 273-2435.
- Taxi Atlas: +1 514 485-8585.
Youโll find the current waiting times on this page of the airportโs website.
Youโll find dispatchers around that can help you with all your needs. For instance, if you need a limo or a car thatโs equipped for passengers with special needs. Please note that such accommodation differs significantly from the regular taxi fare. Taking a limo, for example, will generally cost you over $100 CAD.
Alternative Options Like Uber or Lyft
If you donโt feel comfortable relying on traditional taxi companies, you can always go with transportation apps.
You can download Uber or more recently Lyft, to get your taxi ride.
The best thing about these apps is that they offer an estimated fare before you even start the ride and real-time tracking of the drive. Do keep in mind that the costs can vary when compared to regular taxis.
The app will let you know exactly at which door to meet your Uber driver.
Personally, this is what I prefer, as it often comes out cheaper since they are not subjected to the fixed rate. However, I understand that some people do not want to encourage these types of companies and I respect that.
Other Options to Get Around Montreal
Not really liking what you are reading or wanting a more direct hassle-free option? There are other ways too to treat yourself or get someone to pick you up with a sign at the exit! Check these options out:
- Private Arrival Transfer from Montreal Airport YUL
- Round Trip Montrรฉal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- Montreal: Arrival Transfer from International Airport
- One Way Private Transport Service in Montreal Area
- Half Day Private City Tour
Must-knows for Tourists
Navigating a new city can be challenging, especially when dealing with language barriers, unfamiliar customs, and lots of baggage! For those of you arriving at YUL soon, here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Tipping Taxis in Quebec
Tipping in Canada, like the USA, is customary, and taxi drivers are no exception. Tipping anywhere about 10% of the fare is typical, depending on the quality. Of course, for excellent services, you can tip more than that, but 10% is normal. For other types of tipping, itโs around 15-18%.
- Regular Practice and Etiquette
For your and the cabโs safety, please ensure always to enter the taxi from the curbside. Also, while most cab drivers in Montreal are bilingual, itโs always a good idea to note down the address of your destination on your phone or a piece of paper, in case.
One thing I highly recommend is GoogleMapsing your itinerary before leaving home and grabbing screenshots, or downloading the map offline if you donโt have a SIM card.
- Peak Times from the Airport
Like any major city, Montreal has rush hours you canโt escape. These are usually from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
During these times, itโll be longer to find a taxi as theyโll be high in demand, so you will have to queue until they arrive. The problem isnโt really the taxis, itโs the traffic that prevents them from arriving rapidly within the airport pickup zones.
Reaching your destination on time will also be challenging, so plan accordingly.
Now that you know how to catch a Montreal airport taxi to downtown, start planning your trip to Quebecโs metropolis with these guides, trips and tricks:
- Quebec Road Conditions โ Everything You Need to Know to Drive Here
- Best Montreal Ice Cream Spots
- Montreal to Mont Tremblant: Bus, Train or Which Transportation?
- A Dreamy 2 Days in Montreal Itinerary
- Best Things to Do in Montreal in the Summer
- How to Get From Montreal to Quebec City
- Best Things to Do in Montreal in Winter
- Best Hiking Near Montreal: Where to Go Outdoors
Looking for a cheap flight to Montreal? Have a look on Cheapoair I use regularly. Once you’re there, rent a car to roam free with AutoEurope or RentalCars or hop on a bus around Montreal and surrounding cities with Busbud.
Keep this saved for later in one of your Pinterest boards!
3 Comments
Ko
July 9, 2024 at 11:17 PMThanks! It would be helpful if you put a date on thisโ taxis in the past have been $41 flat airport to downtown but I canโt tell how recent your info is
Ko
July 9, 2024 at 11:19 PMWhoops! Just found the date! Apologies!
Ko
July 10, 2024 at 12:06 AMSorry! One more comment! I take cash for taxis because (1) a taxi driver switched cards on my son once (late at night, he was tired) and used his card $$$$ so I have zero trust, and (2) I had difficulty choosing a different tip amount than those pre-selected (for a terrible driver) and the machine was set up to make it impossible and after numerous tries gave up and gave him a tip he absolutely did not deserve
(I worked in the service industry and tip very generously but also hold the line at poorโ in this case dangerous even by Montreal drivers standardsโ service)
FWIW!