CANADA, EH?

Arriving Internationally/from the USA

Since 2016, visitors from other countries who fly to or transit through Canada need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. The application is completed online and costs $7.

Apply now for an eTA!

Everyone arriving via an international flight must pass through border services. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for providing integrated border services in Canada, including customs, immigration, and luggage inspection services. Expect to answer simple questions around the purpose of your travels, where you’ll be staying, and what you’ll be doing in Canada. Depending upon your citizenship and the number of arriving flights, this process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours.

CANADA, EH?

Arriving Internationally/from the USA

Since 2016, visitors from other countries who fly to or transit through Canada need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa. The application is completed online and costs $7.

Everyone arriving via an international flight must pass through border services. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for providing integrated border services in Canada, including customs, immigration, and luggage inspection services. Expect to answer simple questions around the purpose of your travels, where you’ll be staying, and what you’ll be doing in Canada. Depending upon your citizenship and the number of arriving flights, this process can take anywhere from 15 minutes to several hours.

Apply now for an eTA!
Transportation options to/from the airport
Public transit

With 24-hour service, seven days a week, 365 days a year, the 747 shuttle service offers convenient transportation between the airport and downtown, and with ample space for your luggage.

Two route options are available from the airport. The short route is direct, offering a single stop at Lionel-Groulx Métro station. The long route offers 11 stops, including Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM Métro stations, plus stops at hotels on René-Lévesque Boulevard. Ask your driver which route is being served.

Don’t miss this step! Whether you’re leaving the airport or going to the airport, it’s best to get your ticket before boarding. At the airport, buy a ticket at one of the four vending machines in the international arrivals area. If you’re downtown, visit any of the Métro stations. You can pay in cash, by debit card, or with VISA or MasterCard credit card. You will need the 24-hour ticket, which currently costs $11. (Note: it is possible to purchase a ticket on board, but you’ll need exact fare: $11 in coins.)

At the airport, you’ll catch the 747 shuttle bus a few meters from the exit at Door 28. Simply look for the signs.

Taxi

You can nab a taxi at the arrivals level at Door 23, where a dispatcher will assist you. The current flat rate to downtown Montréal is about $48.40. Drivers accept cash or cards.

For travellers with limited mobility (such as wheelchair users), there are also a certain number of adapted taxis that are available. Simply ask the dispatcher.

Uber

The cost of an Uber trip from YUL to downtown depends on factors that include the type of ride you request, the estimated length/duration of the trip, and current demand for rides. You can see an estimate of the price by entering your pickup spot and destination in Uber’s price estimator. When you request a ride, you’ll see your actual price in the app based on real-time factors.

There are two possible locations for passenger pick-up: Door  8 – Departures level, Door  21 – Arrivals level. Follow the instructions provided in the app and it will tell you where to meet your driver.

Limousine

Ready to roll into Montréal in style? For limousine service, head to the terminal located at Door 24 on the Arrivals level. You’ll need to place an order on site by providing your first name, destination, and a valid email address before boarding a vehicle.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to book limousine service prior to arriving at YUL. However, limousines are usually available at the door at all times.

Departing Montreal from YUL

Traffic into the airport can sometimes be quite slow. In addition, if you are flying to the United States, you actually go through US Customs and Immigration in the Montreal Airport. There can be long lines at US Customs and Immigration. It is recommended to arrive three hours before your scheduled flight time. This means when you land in the US, you get off the plane as if it were a domestic flight, having already cleared customs.

Money

Canadian Dollar is worth about 0.75 US.  Alternatively, $1US is worth about $1.33 Canadian.

Canada has no pennies, nor do they have paper $1 dollar or $2 dollar bills.

Loonie

Name of $1 coin, which is gold in colour. Named after the loon which is figured on the coin.

Toonie

Name of $2 coin, which is gold and silver in colour. Otherwise, it is the same with nickels, dimes and quarters.

Metric System

Canada is metric and you’ll notice it mostly in distance and temperature.

Temperature
Celsius Fahrenheit

15 C
18 C
20 C
22 C
24 C
26 C
28 C
30 C
32 C

59 F
64 F
68 F
72 F
75 F
79F
82 F
86 F
90 F

Distance
Kilometres Miles

1 km
10 km
100 km
2.54 cm
30.48 cm
91.44 cm
1 cm
1 metre

0.6 Miles
6 Miles
60 Miles
1 inch
1 foot
1 yard
0.39 inches
39.3 inches

Liquids
Metric American

1 litre (1l)

0.264 US gallons
0.22 Imperial gallons
33.8 ounces

3.8 l
4.54 l
473 ml
29.6 ml

1 gallon US
1 Imperial gallon
1 pint
1 oz

Drinking Age: The legal drinking age is 18.

Canada
Helpful Canadian Slang

Washroom
Bathroom or restroom

Clicks
Kilometres

Cheque
Check

Serviette
Paper napkin

Brown bread
Whole wheat

Elastic
Rubber band

Timmies
Tim Horton’s

The Habs
Canadians hockey team

Timbits
Doughnut holes

Double-double
A coffee with two creams and two sugars

Homo or Skim milk
Homogenized (whole milk) or Non-fat milk

Zed (Z)
Zee (Z). Last letter of the alphabet

Two-four
A case of beer containing 24 bottles

Mickey
Small bottle of liquor, usually about 375 ml per bottle

Dep
Corner store. It comes from the French word Dépanneur

Soft drink
In Quebec, this is the standard reference for pop or soda

Freezie
Ice pop or freeze pop: frozen confection in plastic asing or tube

All dressed
“The works” – you want everything on your hamburger or hotdog or pizza

Bloody Caesar
Popular breakfast drink, like the Bloody Mary but with Clamato juice instead of tomato juice

SQDC
Cannabis stores where you can legally buy cannabis products. Stands for Société québecoise du cannabis.

SAQ
Liquor store. Stands for Société des alcools du Québec. You can buy wine and beer in grocery stores, but anything stronger must be bought at the “liquor commission”.

Helpful Canadian Slang
Washroom

Bathroom or restroom

Clicks

Kilometres

Cheque

Check

Serviette

Paper napkin

Brown bread

Whole wheat

Elastic

Rubber band

Timmies

Tim Horton’s

The Habs

Canadians hockey team

Timbits

Doughnut holes

Double-double

A coffee with two creams and two sugars

Homo or Skim milk

Homogenized (whole milk) or Non-fat milk

Zed (Z)

Zee (Z). Last letter of the alphabet

Two-four

A case of beer containing 24 bottles

Mickey

Small bottle of liquor, usually about 375 ml per bottle

Dep

Corner store.  It comes from the French word Dépanneur

Soft drink

In Quebec, this is the standard reference for pop or soda

Freezie

Ice pop or freeze pop:  frozen confection in plastic asing or tube

All dressed

“The works” – you want everything on your hamburger or hotdog or pizza

Bloody Caesar

Popular breakfast drink, like the Bloody Mary but with Clamato juice instead of tomato juice

SQDC

Cannabis stores where you can legally buy cannabis products. Stands for Société québecoise du cannabis.

SAQ

Liquor store. Stands for Société des alcools du Québec. You can buy wine and beer in grocery stores, but anything stronger must be bought at the “liquor commission”.

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Simple French Phrases
Bonjour

Hello

Bonsoir

Good evening

Bonne Nuit

Good night

Salut

Hello (informal)

Merci

Thanks

De rien

You’re welcome

Bienvenue

Welcome or you are welcome

S’il vous plait

Please