Getting from YUL: Taxi vs Bus vs Car Rental

You've just landed at Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL) and you're wondering how to reach your destination? You're not alone. It's the most common question from travelers arriving in Montreal. In this comprehensive comparison, we analyze each transportation option in detail: cost, duration, comfort, reliability and convenience. Spoiler: the taxi comes out on top in almost every category.

Taxi: The All-Around Champion

The taxi is the most popular transportation from YUL, and for good reason. The taxi zone is located right outside arrivals, on the lower level of the terminal. Vehicles are available 24/7, no reservation required (though booking is recommended to ensure a clean vehicle and a dedicated driver).

• Price: ~$41 regulated fare to downtown (plus taxes and tip, total ~$50)
• Duration: 20-35 minutes depending on traffic
• Comfort: excellent, heated/air-conditioned vehicle, luggage handled for you
• Availability: 24/7, immediate at the exit
• Convenience: door-to-door, no transfers or walking
• For 2+ passengers: the taxi is the most economical option per person

The 747 Bus: The Budget Option

The STM's 747 bus is the cheapest option for getting from YUL to downtown Montreal. It runs 24/7, with departures every 15-30 minutes depending on the time of day. The bus makes several stops along the way and ends its route at the Bus Terminal (Berri-UQAM station).

• Price: $11 per person (payable by card or exact change)
• Duration: 45-70 minutes depending on traffic and stops
• Comfort: basic, seats not guaranteed, handle luggage yourself
• Availability: every 15-30 min, 24/7
• Convenience: limited, you then need to take the metro or a taxi to your final destination

The downsides of the 747 bus are significant: you have to carry your own luggage (not always easy with large suitcases on a crowded bus), seats are not guaranteed during rush hour, and the trip is significantly longer than by taxi. Plus, if your final destination isn't downtown, you'll need a second mode of transportation.

The REM: The Newcomer

The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) serves the airport with the YUL-Aéroport-Montréal-Trudeau station. It's an automated light metro system that connects the airport to Central Station in about 25 minutes. Trains run every 5-10 minutes during rush hour.

• Price: approximately $10 per trip
• Duration: 25 minutes to Central Station
• Comfort: modern, clean, air-conditioned, but no luggage service
• Availability: 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM, 5-10 min frequency during rush hour
• Convenience: limited to REM stations, transfer required for other destinations

The REM is a good option if your hotel is near Central Station or a station on the network. However, with bulky luggage, navigating the corridors, escalators and train cars can be exhausting. And if you arrive outside operating hours (after 1 AM), the REM isn't an option.

Uber and Lyft: Variable Pricing

Rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available at YUL. The pickup zone is marked at the arrivals level. The price varies with demand: during quiet periods, a ride to downtown can cost $25-30, but during high demand (multiple flights arriving simultaneously, bad weather, rush hour), the price can spike to $50-80 with surge pricing.

• Price: $25-80 depending on demand (surge pricing)
• Duration: 20-35 minutes (similar to taxi)
• Comfort: varies by vehicle and driver
• Availability: depends on number of available drivers
• Convenience: door-to-door, but variable wait time (5-20 min)

The main downside of Uber and Lyft is the unpredictability of pricing. Unlike a taxi with its regulated and estimable fare, you never know how much you'll pay until the moment you order. Plus, during high demand, the wait can be long and frustrating after a long flight.

Car Rental: Freedom at a Price

Several car rental companies are present at YUL (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, National). The free shuttle to the rental center departs every 10 minutes from the terminal. Renting a car makes sense if you plan to explore the areas around Montreal (Laurentians, Eastern Townships, Quebec City).

• Price: $40-80/day + gas + insurance + parking ($15-25/day in the city)
• Duration: variable, 30-45 min after rental paperwork
• Comfort: excellent, you're in full control
• Convenience: perfect for exploring outside the city, but parking is expensive downtown
• Note: winter driving is demanding, winter tires are mandatory

The Verdict: Why Taxi Wins

For the vast majority of travelers, the taxi is objectively the best transportation option from YUL. It offers the best balance of price, speed, comfort and convenience. With a regulated fare of approximately $41 to downtown, it's even cheaper than Uber during high demand. For two or more people, the taxi is the most economical option per person, beating even the 747 bus.

The taxi is also the only transportation that offers true door-to-door service, with luggage handling, a heated or air-conditioned vehicle, and a local driver who knows the city. After a long flight, it's the comfort you deserve.

“I've tried the bus, Uber and taxi from YUL. The taxi with advance booking is by far the best experience. Clear fare from the start, friendly driver. I don't take anything else anymore.”