The 747 bus is the lowest-cost YUL-to-downtown ride; taxis win for late arrivals, bags, or groups.
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For transportation from Montreal Airport to Downtown Montreal, the best default is the STM 747 airport bus if you are traveling light and want to spend about $8 USD, or a taxi if you want a door-to-door ride for about $35–40 USD. Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) sits west of the city, so traffic, hotel location, luggage, and arrival time matter more than distance alone.
The airport has no direct metro station yet. The 747 bus runs all day and all night, taxis use fixed downtown fares, rideshares use app pricing, and the future REM airport rail link is still not the current airport-to-city option. A rough exchange rate of C$1 to about $0.70 USD is used for the USD estimates below.
Once you know whether your hotel is closer to Lionel-Groulx, Bell Centre, Peel, McGill, Old Montreal, or Berri-UQAM, the choice gets simple. Compare the main bus, taxi, and transfer options here:
Montreal Airport To Downtown Transport: Times, Fares, And Fit
Montreal airport-to-downtown transport comes down to 747 bus versus taxi for most visitors. The bus is the value pick, while a taxi is the smoother choice when the weather is bad, your flight lands late, or your group can split the fixed fare.
The 747 has two useful patterns. The shorter 747-2 route runs between YUL and Lionel-Groulx metro station in about 30–35 minutes, then you continue by metro if needed. The longer 747-1 route continues across downtown toward Berri-UQAM and takes about 45–70 minutes, depending on traffic and stops.
| Option From YUL | Typical Time | Rough Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 747-2 bus to Lionel-Groulx | About 30–35 minutes to the metro | About $8 USD (C$11.25) |
| 747-1 bus to Berri-UQAM area | About 45–70 minutes to eastern downtown | About $8 USD (C$11.25) |
| Taxi to the downtown fare zone, 5 a.m.–11 p.m. | Often 25–45 minutes | About $35 USD (C$49.45) |
| Taxi to the downtown fare zone, 11 p.m.–5 a.m. | Often 20–35 minutes | About $40 USD (C$56.70) |
| Uber or other rideshare | Often 25–50 minutes | App quote varies by demand |
| Private transfer | Often 25–50 minutes after pickup | Prequoted fare, usually above bus cost |
| Rental car | Drive time plus counter and parking time | Rental quote plus downtown parking |
| REM airport rail link | Projected around 25 minutes once open | Not a current YUL airport option |
How Much Does The 747 Bus Cost?
The STM 747 bus costs C$11.25, about $8 USD, and the fare includes 24 hours of transit use on Montreal’s public transit network. The bus is the clear budget choice for solo travelers and couples who can handle luggage on transit.
The official STM page for 747 YUL Montréal-Trudeau Airport service lists the current airport route, fare rules, and stop changes. Buy the fare at the airport vending machine before boarding when you can. On the bus, STM requires the exact cash amount in coins, not paper bills.
The smartest bus strategy depends on your hotel:
- Stay on the 747-2 to Lionel-Groulx for hotels near the Bell Centre, Griffintown, Little Burgundy, or metro-connected downtown stops.
- Use the metro from Lionel-Groulx if your hotel is near Peel, McGill, Place-d’Armes, Champ-de-Mars, or Old Montreal.
- Consider the 747-1 downtown route if you are staying near Berri-UQAM, the Latin Quarter, or the east side of downtown.
Airport bus tip: STM moved the 747-1 downtown terminus to René-Lévesque and Berri in 2026 during Berri-area work, so check the current stop before using the bus back to YUL.
Taxi, Uber, Or Private Transfer From YUL
A taxi is the easiest YUL-to-downtown choice when the destination is a hotel door, not a metro station. Aéroports de Montréal publishes fixed downtown taxi fares of C$49.45 by day and C$56.70 at night, so taxis are often better value than they look when two or three people split the ride.
Taxi stands are signed on the arrivals level. Confirm that your destination is inside the downtown fixed-fare zone before leaving the airport; outside that zone, the meter applies. A standard taxi also avoids the rideshare pickup walk, which matters in winter or after a long immigration line.
Uber and other rideshares can be useful when app pricing is lower than the taxi fare or when you prefer to pay in-app. YUL directs most non-Black Uber pickups toward the P4 Express area via Door 28, while Uber Black pickup uses Door 25 on the arrivals level. Check the app after landing, because airport construction and pickup zones can shift.
Private transfers make sense for families with car seats, travelers arriving after midnight, or groups carrying ski bags, golf clubs, or several checked bags. The downside is simple: prebooked transfers usually cost more than the public bus and can cost more than the taxi unless the vehicle size or meet-and-greet service matters.
Which Option Fits Your Arrival Time?
The right airport ride changes by clock, luggage, and hotel area. The bus is easy in daylight with one suitcase, while a taxi or transfer is cleaner late at night or after a long-haul flight.
| Traveler Situation | Pick This | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Solo traveler landing before evening rush | 747 bus | Lowest fare and simple metro connection |
| Two travelers near a metro station | 747 bus | About $16 USD total, plus 24-hour transit use |
| Three or four travelers | Taxi | Fixed fare split can beat bus-plus-hassle math |
| Hotel in Old Montreal | 747 to Lionel-Groulx, then metro | Often easier than riding the long bus across town |
| Arrival after 11 p.m. with checked bags | Taxi or rideshare | Door-to-door ride avoids late luggage transfers |
| Winter arrival during snow or ice | Taxi | Less walking with bags on sidewalks |
| Family needing a larger vehicle | Private transfer or rideshare XL | Vehicle size is chosen before pickup |
Where To Stay After The Airport Ride
Downtown Montreal is the easiest base after arriving from YUL because the airport bus, taxi fare zone, restaurants, metro lines, and main sights overlap there. Old Montreal is better for atmosphere, while the Bell Centre and McGill areas are easier for fast arrivals and departures.
Choose the Bell Centre or René-Lévesque corridor if you want a short taxi ride and easy metro access. Choose Old Montreal if restaurants, the waterfront, Notre-Dame Basilica, and walkable streets matter more than airport speed. Choose the Latin Quarter or Berri-UQAM area if you want direct access to the 747-1 downtown end and several metro lines.
Use a hotel map before you commit, because “downtown” can mean a very different final walk in February than it does in July:
Your Airport-To-Downtown Verdict
The 747 bus is the right answer for most budget-minded travelers going from Montréal–Trudeau International Airport to central Montreal. A taxi is the right answer when comfort, luggage, weather, or group size matters more than saving about $25–30 USD.
- Lowest cost: take the 747 bus for about $8 USD (C$11.25), with the 24-hour transit benefit.
- Fastest simple ride: take a taxi when traffic is reasonable and your hotel is inside the downtown fare zone.
- Best for Old Montreal: use 747-2 to Lionel-Groulx, then the metro, unless bags or weather make a taxi easier.
- Best after midnight: compare taxi and rideshare prices, then choose the one with the cleaner pickup and fare.
- Worst fit for most visitors: renting a car just to reach downtown, because parking and traffic erase the benefit.
The REM airport station should make this trip easier after the airport branch opens, but for current arrivals the practical choice is still bus for value and taxi for door-to-door ease.
References & Sources
- Société de transport de Montréal.“747 YUL Montréal-Trudeau Airport: Routes, Schedules And Fares.”Supports the current 747 airport bus routes, fare information, and downtown stop details.