3-Hour Layover in Montreal - How Spend the Time?
 

Am traveling Air Canada SFO to YQB, with a 3.5 hr layover going to and a 3 hr layover returning from YUL. I've never done this route before and so am asking for some guidance. Will it take a big chunk of that time to clear customs (going over)? Will have carryon baggage only. Is it worthwhile or even doable to go out of the airport for a touristy-type excursion either on the outbound (a Thursday) or the return (a Sunday)? If so, where do you recommend (e.g., history, airplane museum or the like?). If not, what can I do to occupy my time at the airport? I suppose I could eat something, if there is a decent restaurant in the vicinity, as no doubt I will be very hungry (flying AC on a UA codeshare so not much chance of an upgrade w/ UA miles, I presume). There's no Red Carpet Club and I fell to 2P this year so no gold card entry into the AC lounge, if there is an AC lounge. Or am I just SOL?

Given your relatively sort connection, I'm not sure there is a whole lot for you to do, especially if you are arriving on the direct from SFO (arr YUL 19:20).
Customs shouldn't take much time as the crowds from the TA flights should be gone...certainly <15 minutes.

AC has three MLL lounges (Domestic, Stateside, Int) at YUL. Although way nicer than RCC's, they do indeed require *AG status for entrance. Also, AC does not allow UG using FF points.

Downtown is usually bustling Thursday evening but cab will cost $35CAD and solid 20 minutes OW. You could catch a cab to old Pointe Claire Village (about 10 minutes or so) and meander around town and down by the lake. There are a few nice shops and restaurants but it is not exactly a hive of activity everything will be closed by 9. Assuming UA issues your connecting BP and your departure is around 11, reclearing security will be a breeze.

[QUOTE=YLU FF;7758819] Also, AC does not allow UG using FF points./QUOTE]

That's what I was afraid of. But I cannot seem to find any other means of getting to YQB from SFO; certainly the UA website is not a great help. :rolleyes:

It looks like I am pretty much stuck at YUL for the duration. Well, guess I could bring along the ol' phrase book and brush up on my high school French to pass the time. :)

Thanks for the information, it's appreciated!

If you want to stick *A, YUL or YYZ are your only options. You can also fly NWA (Detroit), Delta (Boston) or Continental (Newark).

Given the distance YQB is outside of town, a lot of people just book into YUL and rent a car as it's only 2.5 hours up to QC. Realize it's a bit late for that now but just FYI in the event you ever return.

Actually, it's not too late, as the trip isn't until July. Driving is an interesting option - less time to get to Quebec than the waiting time stuck at YUL, plus see some of the countryside, etc. Is the driving easy or difficult between the two cities, anything worth stopping for-a-bit en route to check out, other tips you can provide to someone who has never been there?

Thanks again for all your help!

Sorry, signed off for the long weekend here in Canada and haven't looked at FT since.

The route to Quebec City is very easy provided you ignore the agressive Quebec drivers. :rolleyes:

The easiest route is to take Autoroute 540 Est (Cote de Liesse), then Autoroute 40 Est. A slightly faster alternative is to take Autoroute 20 which runs between the two cities on the south side of the St Lawrence River.

Both are 4 lane highways. There is significantly more traffic on the 20 than the 40 as well as more commercial development. I enjoy 40 but it can be a bit more boring if you are traveling by yourself. Going on the ssumption that you arrive in YLU at 7:20, you will still be 10:00 or after getting to QC so you probably wouldn't want to stop enroute.

If you have the time, QC is truly spectacular...the only truly European city in North America with walls which still surround the old city. Montreal also has a distinctly European flavour, although it is much bigger and much more cosmopolitan flavour than QC. I should also note it is much easier to get by in English in Montreal than in QC. You'll be fine in downtown QC but once you get out of the touristed areas, everything is en francais.