Let's cut straight to the numbers. Montreal-Trudeau Airport (YUL) is 14km from downtown Montreal, and here's what each option actually costs in 2026.
The complete price breakdown
| Transport | Cost (CAD) | Cost (EUR) | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 747 Express Bus | $11 | ~€8 | 45-60 min | Budget travelers |
| Uber/Lyft | $25-40 | ~€17-28 | 20-30 min | Solo/couples |
| Taxi (flat rate) | $41 + tip | ~€28-33 | 20-25 min | Convenience |
| Pre-booked transfer | $55-75 | ~€38-52 | 20-25 min | Families, groups |
| Minivan transfer | $75-95 | ~€52-65 | 20-25 min | Large groups |
The $41 flat rate — what you need to know
Montreal has one of the few truly regulated flat taxi fares in North America. The $41 CAD flat rate 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% ($6), bringing your real total to about $47 CAD
- The rate is per trip, not per person, so splitting with a travel companion makes it very reasonable
Hidden costs people forget
747 Bus: The $11 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 adds another $8-15.
Uber surge pricing: That $25-40 range can spike to $50+ during peak hours (Friday evenings, holiday weekends). Check the app before committing.
Parking: If someone's picking you up, the cell phone lot is free, but the short-term parking garage is $6 CAD for the first 30 minutes.
Cost to popular destinations beyond downtown
| Destination | Distance | Taxi (metered) | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Montreal / Old Port | 16 km | $41 (flat rate zone) | $55-75 CAD |
| Plateau Mont-Royal | 17 km | $45-55 | $60-80 CAD |
| Laval | 25 km | $55-65 | $70-90 CAD |
| South Shore (Longueuil) | 30 km | $60-75 | $80-100 CAD |
| Tremblant | 140 km | ~$200 | $180-250 CAD |
Our honest recommendation
For most travelers heading downtown, the $41 taxi hits the sweet spot of convenience and value. You're paying about $13 more than Uber (on a good day) for zero waiting and zero app fumbling after a long flight.
If you're on a tight budget and traveling light, the 747 bus at $11 is genuinely good — it's clean, reliable, and runs 24/7.
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.