The closed PetroCan is the one on the final road to the airport - didn't know it had closed.

I was referring to the one next to highway 20 across the mall, exiting at "9 oclock" in the roundabout (when arriving from downtown).

JP

Ah, accessing YUL by road using the roundabout at Dorval.....

I challenge anyone to cite a more confusing road access layout to an airport in the developed world!!

Not sure what the big deal is, this was quite a civilized roundabout with multi-levels, the only drawback was construction but still no problems navigating it.


Thanks to all for all the great suggestions.


I ended up renting a car from Hertz. Got a decent deal, $46CAD for two days. Checked it again before departure and rebooked it for $44CAD. Final price after dropping the car off (as shown on receipt) $40CAD. Fuel was $11CAD for the Toyota Yaris that we drove all day the first day, some sightseeing second day and back to the airport on the last day. So ultimately I paid less for the car than the shuttle bus round-trip would cost me.


Best views of the city skyline were to be found near the Biosphere. Went there during the day and at night. Security kicked me out at night but i still got an awesome shot using my new mini-tripod.


Views from the top of Mount Royal were similar to the picture posted above just with more snow. We had a better view of the Olympic stadium from our hotel room. Hotel also had a view of Mount Royal with the Cross. I regret not finding another observation area near the cross that looks more on downtown rather than outskirts of Montreal. I remember seeing people on an observation deck when looking up from the Museum of Fine Arts.


We lucked out finding a French restaurant on the outskirts of town, called "LOCAL" very good portions and not expensive. Another time we went to a tourist trap for lunch, and the waiters did a great job of making sure we don't stick to a prix-fixe menu, ended up getting charged $5 bux for a capuccino that was half full with froth and pretty bad coffee (even though coffee was part of the deal... I actually requested they give us two coffees to go since they charged us for them, and the lady at the counter gave me a typical arrogant French look) whatever!


I was amazed how anybody and everybody took US dollars for payment. From the expected places like museums or souvenir shops, to the unexpected like regular pharmacies or convenience stores. We didn't need to exchange any cash and change was given in Canadian dollars so I brought back souvenir money like I wanted.


It was cold... I mean COLD cold!


We did a very dumb thing on the way back, which was entirely my fault. I decided to leave the hotel late and not rush it thinking how bad could it be on a Sunday morning departure to the US... ugh!


8:15am mailed my final post card from downtown Montreal. 8:35am returned the car at Hertz waited at the counter for 5 minutes to get a receipt (foolishly) 8:45am scolded by the counter rep at United that "You're late!" for the flight.... Sorry! "You must also check in your carry-on..." Oh NOOOO! I took my backpack with my laptop to the first security checkpoint and was told to go check it in, laptop may be carried by itself... DAMN! I suggested that I flew in with this backpack from the US just a few days ago to which I got an amazing reply: "US lets anything on the plans, including Explosives!" WOW... bit my tongue and ran to check the backpack.


9:05a got into a huge line for US immigration clearance. It snaked along 5 deep. Attempted to plea with immigration officers and airport staff to get expedited and they all suggested that the airline should have done that for me. Touche! 9:25am finally made it to duty-free... stupidly bought crap there thinking we're in the clear... nope.... BOMB test next with another huge line. Pleaded again with airport security and were allowed to take the shorter Canadian line and then run back to the US side of things. 9:40am final calls made for the 9:38am flight... we're still behind 5 or 6 people to be searched in front of us.

9:45am we are running full speed to the other side of the terminal. Our gate was literally at the furthest point... I spotted one of those electric car operators sitting doing nothing and asked for a ride.... the man was nice and let us. "Step on it!" Ran to the gate only to be told "Don't rush, there's 2 more couples behind you..." So we joked that we could go back to the souvenir shop to which the gate agent replied, "be sure to get some breakfast" lol


I don't know, but this was an adrenalin rush... obviously I'd be singing a different tune had I missed my flight. Yes! It was stupid. :D

--Russ

You can get some good picture from just past the Habitat 67 area; I think personally better pictures than from the mountain which looks more down on the back end of the city.

It's pretty common to take US$ in Montreal, especially at par when the exchange is, oh, say 20% :D But seeing that it's around 1.05 now it's not a huge difference. (I didn't check recently).

Most store owners will either deposit US$ at the bank (if they get a lot), or exchange it with CDN$ out of their pocket for their next visit to the US.

HTSC

Best view of the city... by far... was from "Le Round" near the Biosphere.

We got day shots there and I came back one evening for night shots as well.

Security won't let you stay long, but a good camera with a tripod will make the argument worth it!

--Russ

The top of the Olympic stadium's tower would no doubt be a great place too...

http://www.rio.gouv.qc.ca/pub/visite....jsp?locale=en

[Mind you it's closed during the time you went there]

HTSC

it was cool, we had a nice view of the tower from our hotel room


all lit up at night