Let's cut straight to the numbers. Montreal-Trudeau Airport (YUL) is 14km from downtown Montreal, and here's what each option actually costs.
The complete price breakdown
| Transport | Cost (CAD) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 747 Express Bus | $11.25 (STM, includes 24h unlimited transit) | 45-60 min | Budget travelers |
| Uber/Lyft | Variable, demand-based — check the app | 20-30 min | Solo/couples |
| Taxi (flat rate) | $49.45 day / $56.70 night + tip | 20-25 min | Convenience |
| Pre-booked transfer | Price confirmed at booking | 20-25 min | Families, groups |
| Minivan transfer | Price confirmed at booking | 20-25 min | Large groups |
Fixed-price private transfer
YUL Montreal City Center
From€71for 2 passengers
4 passengers: €83 per vehicle, about €21 per person
- Fixed price, no meter
- Flight tracked
- 60 min free waiting
- Driver meets you at arrivals
- Free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup
Other destinations
The flat rate — what you need to know
Montreal has one of the few truly regulated flat taxi fares in North America. The flat rate — $49.45 CAD by day (5am-11pm), $56.70 CAD by night (11pm-5am), set by Quebec's taxi regulator — covers trips between YUL and the downtown zone. This is government-mandated — your driver can't charge more. However:
- The flat rate only applies to the defined downtown area (roughly bounded by Atwater, Sherbrooke, Papineau, and the river)
- Outside this zone, the meter runs and it'll cost more
- Tip is not included — add 15% on top
- The rate is per trip, not per person, so splitting with a travel companion makes it very reasonable
- Regulated rates are revised periodically, so confirm the current one is still in force before you travel
Hidden costs people forget
747 Bus: The fare seems great, but remember you need exact change or a contactless payment card. No change given. Also, if you take a taxi from the final bus stop (Berri-UQAM) to your hotel, that's an extra metered fare on top.
Uber surge pricing: Ride-share fares can rise sharply during peak hours (Friday evenings, holiday weekends). Always check the price in the app before confirming.
Parking: If someone's picking you up, ask about the cell phone waiting lot versus the short-term parking garage — pricing for each is posted at the airport and can change, so check current rates on-site or on the airport's website.
Cost to popular destinations beyond downtown
| Destination | Distance | Taxi | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Montreal / Old Port | 16 km | $49.45 day / $56.70 night (flat rate zone) | Price confirmed at booking |
| Plateau Mont-Royal | 17 km | Metered — ask the driver for an estimate | Price confirmed at booking |
| Laval | 25 km | Metered — ask the driver for an estimate | Price confirmed at booking |
| South Shore (Longueuil) | 30 km | Metered — ask the driver for an estimate | Price confirmed at booking |
| Tremblant | 140 km | Not a standard metered run — agree the fare in advance | Price confirmed at booking |
Our honest recommendation
For most travelers heading downtown, the flat-rate taxi hits the sweet spot of convenience and value, since the price is fixed and known before you get in. Uber can sometimes be cheaper, but the price is not fixed, so check the app.
If you're on a tight budget and traveling light, the 747 bus at $11.25 is genuinely good — it's clean, reliable, runs 24/7, and doubles as a 24-hour transit pass.
Pre-booked transfers make sense when you're a family of 4 with luggage, arriving late, or heading somewhere outside downtown where you'd rather have a fixed price than watch a meter tick.
When a private transfer from YUL is the right choice
- Three or more people: a 4-seat car to Montreal City Center is from €83, about €21 per person, usually level with or below separate public-transport tickets once you count the walk, the wait and the last mile with bags.
- Going to a specific address rather than the main station: the car goes to the door, so the public-transport fare is not the whole cost of the trip.
- Arriving tired or late: the driver waits at arrivals with your name, included for 60 minutes after landing.
YUL → Montreal City Center from €71Fixed price, flight tracked, free cancellation up to 24 h before pickup.