7(ish) hours to kill in YUL. Any suggestions
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: NEXUS, Aeroplan, SkyMiles, WestJet, IHG Platinum, IC Ambassador
Posts: 93
7(ish) hours to kill in YUL. Any suggestions
I'll have a 7 hour layover in YUL on an April Saturday between 10:00 and 15:00. I've never been to Montreal. Any suggestions on some quick and/or easy things to check out in that time? Or should I just chill in the MLL at the airport?
#2
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: YUL
Posts: 990
It is not a huge amount of time, depending where you are flying to afterwards. You are close to an hour from downtown, after clearing customs and immigration, which can take a while, and you could be selected for random testing. To add to that returning and going back through security, and maybe US immigration. It is really the worst amount of layover time, too much and not enough. I would stick to the lounge.
#3
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, BA-S HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Plt, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,795
Whether or not you have in-bound immigration or out-bound immigration (to the US) will impact your planning.
On a Saturday, it should not take more than 30-40 mins in a cab or Uber.
If it's sunny, go to Place Jacques-Cartier or Notre-Dame Basilica. Walk around Old Montreal and soak in the atmosphere.
If it's raining, go to Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History.
All three places are near each other and are perfect for a first-time visitor.
--
13F
On a Saturday, it should not take more than 30-40 mins in a cab or Uber.
If it's sunny, go to Place Jacques-Cartier or Notre-Dame Basilica. Walk around Old Montreal and soak in the atmosphere.
If it's raining, go to Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History.
All three places are near each other and are perfect for a first-time visitor.
--
13F
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: NEXUS, Aeroplan, SkyMiles, WestJet, IHG Platinum, IC Ambassador
Posts: 93
Thank you both for the responses. My flights in and out are domestic so I shouldn't have to worry about immigration wait times. I also, however, realised that I failed my grade 3 maths here in that I reported a layover from 10:00 to 15:00 as 7 hours when in reality it's only 5. What can I say? I'm a moron.
Thanks again for the suggested sights. The museum sounds very interesting. I'll google it for more information.
Thanks again for the suggested sights. The museum sounds very interesting. I'll google it for more information.
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: YUL
Posts: 990
https://pacmusee.qc.ca/en/ Museum is known locally as the Pointe-a-Calliere museum, based on it's location. It is indeed fabulous.
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: NEXUS, Aeroplan, SkyMiles, WestJet, IHG Platinum, IC Ambassador
Posts: 93
#8
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,618
I had two 4-ish hour layovers in YUL last weekend. I used the first one to go to Schwartz's for some smoked meat and the second to go to Banquise for some poutine. Although I also lived there for four years, so no particular need for sightseeing, just a desire to enjoy my favourite Montreal foods
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: NEXUS, Aeroplan, SkyMiles, WestJet, IHG Platinum, IC Ambassador
Posts: 93
#10
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto
Posts: 484
#11
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 764
If you are going to Schwartz's, you might also want to pick up some bagels nearby https://fairmountbagel.com/
5min walk from Schwartz's.
Thats what I call Montreal on a clock
Edit: and in between Schwartz's and Fairmont bagel.
Last edited by Stil; Mar 25, 2022 at 6:37 am
#12
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,286
I walked from Fairmount Bagel to Schwartz's a few weeks ago. The hard part was to resist the scent of bagels from my bag while waiting in the ~45min line outside Schwartz... this was for take-out, the dining in was still closed at the time.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: NEXUS, Aeroplan, SkyMiles, WestJet, IHG Platinum, IC Ambassador
Posts: 93
I'm reasonably sure I won't get bagels through security for the outbound flight. And I _really_ want some poutine. So I'm seriously leaning towards La Banquise at the moment.
#14
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 5,104
FYI I brought 4 dozen bagels home last trip with no checked luggage. Security let me keep all the bagels but confiscated my cream cheese spreads.