YUL transborder connection questions [merged thread]
Apr 7, 2024 | 2:22 pm
#17
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,269
YUL - Re-entry into Canada after entering Transborder Area?
If I enter the transborder area at YUL for a departing flight to the US, am I able to exit the area and re-enter Canada if I don't take the flight?
I am a US citizen with NEXUS if it matters.
Thanks!
I am a US citizen with NEXUS if it matters.
Thanks!
Apr 7, 2024 | 7:24 pm
#19
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 6,491
I have lots of experience with this at YYZ at both T1 and T3. Totally different. Not sure how YUL is setup. At T1 YYZ they allow people to enter the transborder area who have come off international flights and not formally entered Canada (i.e. Europe>YYZ>USA). As such to leave the transborder area at T1 for any reason you must (re)clear Canada Customs. Thats why a cancelled T1 flight late in the day is awful.
At T3 YYZ you can simply ask the gate agent to have someone meet you at the top of the transborder area (by the food court) and they will simply escort you out to the landside area through an exit door if you decide not to take the flight.
At T3 YYZ you can simply ask the gate agent to have someone meet you at the top of the transborder area (by the food court) and they will simply escort you out to the landside area through an exit door if you decide not to take the flight.
Apr 12, 2024 | 9:55 am
#20
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Gold
Posts: 15,009
Easily done. Just let the gate agent know you no longer want to travel. They will open the gate's departure and arrivals sliding doors (typically only one of these door are open during normal operations) so that you can walk into the arrivals section. You go up the escalator and it will lead you to CBSA arrivals hall.
Apr 16, 2024 | 11:42 pm
#21
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: YYZ/YHM
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Platinum, Air Canada 50K, United Silver, Accor Platinum, Others on Rotation
Posts: 405
Yes. You end up back with CBSA and do have to "apply" to re-enter same as if you just arrived internationally.
If you have a good reason to have gone nowhere no issue. Common occurrences are canceled flights.
I'm not sure what a bad reason would be . . . maybe if you were denied entry originally and were sent back to the US but were trying your luck again.
If you have a good reason to have gone nowhere no issue. Common occurrences are canceled flights.
I'm not sure what a bad reason would be . . . maybe if you were denied entry originally and were sent back to the US but were trying your luck again.
YUL transborder nexus hours
Aug 18, 2024 | 12:58 am
#23
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 348
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/preclearance
Montreal Preclearance
Montreal Trudeau International Airport
975 Romeo Vachon Boulevard North Dorval, QC, H4Y 1H1
4:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(514) 636-3875
Montreal Preclearance
Montreal Trudeau International Airport
975 Romeo Vachon Boulevard North Dorval, QC, H4Y 1H1
4:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
(514) 636-3875
Jun 13, 2025 | 4:09 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,269
Do you have global entry? That will help some, but 57 minutes realistically is a lot shorter than that because you have to take into account time for getting off the plane and then the departing flight closes 15 minutes before scheduled departure, so youre really looking at 30 minutes or so to get across the airport and through customs and security.
Also, if you have any checked bags, I dont know if those will automatically transfer. If not, then the timing certainly wont work because youd have to pick up and check the bag again.
Jun 14, 2025 | 12:23 am
#26
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Gold
Posts: 15,009
That sounds very tight. You have to go from the domestic area to the transborder area.
Do you have global entry? That will help some, but 57 minutes realistically is a lot shorter than that because you have to take into account time for getting off the plane and then the departing flight closes 15 minutes before scheduled departure, so youre really looking at 30 minutes or so to get across the airport and through customs and security.
Also, if you have any checked bags, I dont know if those will automatically transfer. If not, then the timing certainly wont work because youd have to pick up and check the bag again.
Do you have global entry? That will help some, but 57 minutes realistically is a lot shorter than that because you have to take into account time for getting off the plane and then the departing flight closes 15 minutes before scheduled departure, so youre really looking at 30 minutes or so to get across the airport and through customs and security.
Also, if you have any checked bags, I dont know if those will automatically transfer. If not, then the timing certainly wont work because youd have to pick up and check the bag again.
Jun 17, 2025 | 8:41 am
#27
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Brooklyn
Programs: Bolt Bus Rewards
Posts: 1,925
Just flew YUL > LGA on AA yesterday 3:30pm. With caveats that it was the day after the Grande-Prix, and that I came from landside, my observations;
Pre-Check was a significantly longer wait than normal security. 25 min vs 10 min.
TSA for US passport holders took maybe 2 min. Picture taken, waved through. Global entry looked to be about the same.
They preferred that we didn't use MPC.
Another 5 - 10 walk to gate. Long waits for food and restrooms, but...race cars.
57 min is too tight for my tastes, but if both flights are on Air Canada, you're protected.
Pre-Check was a significantly longer wait than normal security. 25 min vs 10 min.
TSA for US passport holders took maybe 2 min. Picture taken, waved through. Global entry looked to be about the same.
They preferred that we didn't use MPC.
Another 5 - 10 walk to gate. Long waits for food and restrooms, but...race cars.
57 min is too tight for my tastes, but if both flights are on Air Canada, you're protected.
Jun 17, 2025 | 8:45 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,269
Would be nice if you could connect airside to a transborder flight. Anyone know if thats possible?
Jun 17, 2025 | 10:22 am
#29
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 14
Unsure if theres a separate US customs desk for connecting passengers, but assuming there isnt, coming from a domestic Canada flight, you would have to go landside and enter the US transborder area.
Would be nice if you could connect airside to a transborder flight. Anyone know if thats possible?
Would be nice if you could connect airside to a transborder flight. Anyone know if thats possible?
Jun 17, 2025 | 11:01 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA EXP; Avis PC; Hertz PC; Marriott LT Gold; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 1,269
Thats great to know. Thank you. Any thoughts on OPs transit time question in post 24 above?