Landing in Montreal can be a bit of a shock if you aren’t ready for the layout. You’ve just spent six hours in a cramped seat, your ears are popping, and now you have to navigate the maze that is Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl airport arrivals. Most travelers assume they’ll just follow the crowd and be out in twenty minutes. Honestly? That's rarely the case.
YUL, as the locals call it, is a massive single-terminal hub that handled over 21 million people last year. Because everything—domestic, international, and transborder—funnels into one general area, the "arrivals hall" is basically a high-energy sea of people. If you don't have a plan for customs, baggage, or where your ride is actually parked, you’re going to be frustrated before you even hit the 747 bus.
The Customs bottleneck and how to skip it
The biggest hurdle for anyone coming from outside Canada is the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) checkpoint. If you’re arriving on an international flight, you’ll be directed to the primary inspection kiosks. These things look like giant tablets on pedestals. You scan your passport, take a photo that never looks good, and answer a few questions.
But here is the trick: ArriveCAN.
People think ArriveCAN died with the pandemic restrictions. It didn't. You can still use the "Advance Declaration" feature within the app up to 72 hours before you land. By doing this, you essentially skip the long data-entry process at the kiosk. You just scan your receipt, and you're through. It's the difference between standing in line for 40 minutes and walking past everyone in ten.
If you're coming from the US, the process is similar, though often slightly faster due to the sheer volume of transborder flights. Just remember that even if you've done the paperwork online, a border officer still has the final say. Be honest about that bottle of wine or the $12,000 in cash you're carrying. They will check.
Finding your bags without losing your mind
Once you clear customs, you hit the baggage claim. This area is notoriously busy. Because Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl airport arrivals all converge here, you might find your flight from Paris on Carousel 5 right next to a domestic flight from Toronto on Carousel 6.
- Look up immediately: The screens are your best friends. Don't just follow the person who was sitting in 12C; they might be going to a different carousel for oversized luggage.
- The "Great Wall" of YUL: There is a specific exit for international arrivals that leads into a public waiting area. Once you walk through those sliding doors, you cannot go back in. Make sure you have all your suitcases before you commit to the exit.
- Oversized items: If you brought skis for Mont-Tremblant or a surfboard (for some reason), those usually come out at a separate designated belt near the far end of the hall.
Where is my ride? The pickup chaos
This is where things get "kinda" complicated. If you told your friend to "just meet me at arrivals," you’ve made a mistake. There are specific zones, and the airport security is very aggressive about moving cars along.
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If someone is picking you up in a private car, tell them to wait at CellParc. It’s a free waiting lot where they can sit for two hours. They should only drive to the terminal when you are standing on the curb with your bags.
The Pick-Up Zones
The terminal doors are numbered. Generally, you’ll find:
- Door 23: Taxis. No need to call ahead; there’s a dispatcher who will point you to a car.
- Door 24: Limousines (fixed-rate luxury cars).
- Door 28: Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Eva.
- Post 8 (Arrivals level): Regional shuttles for places like Ottawa or Quebec City (Orléans Express).
Wait, what about the bus? The 747 Express is the gold standard for getting downtown. It’s $11.25, runs 24/7, and takes about 45 to 60 minutes depending on how bad the traffic is on the Décarie Expressway. You can buy a ticket at the kiosks inside the arrivals hall near the international exit. Don't try to pay with a credit card on the bus; it's exact change (coins only) or a pre-purchased ticket/OPUS card.
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Surviving the "Public" side of the terminal
Once you're out of the secure area, the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl airport arrivals hall has a few spots to regroup. There’s a Starbucks if you need a caffeine hit before the drive, and a few currency exchange desks.
Pro tip: The exchange rates at the airport are rarely great. If you just need enough for a bus or a small snack, change a little bit, but wait until you’re in the city for better rates at the local "bureau de change."
If you’re waiting for a long time, there’s an integrated Marriott hotel right at the terminal. It’s expensive, but if your flight got in at 3:00 AM and your connection isn't until noon, it’s a lifesaver.
Actionable steps for a smooth arrival
To make sure your experience at Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl airport arrivals doesn't ruin your trip, follow this checklist:
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- Download ArriveCAN and submit your declaration 24 hours before your flight. This is the single biggest time-saver.
- Confirm your pickup zone. If you’re using Uber, go to Door 28. If it’s a friend, tell them "CellParc" is the only way to go.
- Check the flight status on the ADM (Aéroports de Montréal) website before you land if you have Wi-Fi. It’s more accurate than the third-party trackers.
- Dress for the weather. The walk from the terminal to the parking garage or the bus stop can be freezing. Montreal winters don't care about your "just off the plane" aesthetic.
- Keep your baggage tags. Occasionally, security does a spot check to ensure you're walking off with your own suitcase and not someone else's identical black Samsonite.
Navigating Pierre Elliott Trudeau Intl airport arrivals is basically a rite of passage for anyone visiting Quebec. It’s loud, it’s bilingual, and it’s a little bit chaotic. But if you know which door to exit and have your customs QR code ready, you’ll be eating poutine downtown while everyone else is still staring at the baggage carousel.
Make sure your phone is charged so you can access your transit app or call your driver as soon as you hit the tarmac.