Coming to Montreal
WELCOME TO MONTREAL!
Here is some information to help ease your stay.
TRANSPORTATION
MONTREAL AIRPORT: PIERRE-ELLIOT TRUDEAU
From the airport, there are two options to get to downtown Montreal:
- If you wish to take a taxi, it will take about 30 minutes (in off-peak hours) to get to the hotel. Taxis ask for a fixed rate of CAN$40 to take you to a downtown destination.
- You could also take a bus. The 747 shuttle takes about 40 minutes and will drop you off near the hotel (stop: René-Lévesque/Mansfield). A ticket is CAN$10. You can ask the driver to let you know when you've reached the stop.
Airport website: www.admtl.com
Société des Transports de Montréal (STM) website: www.stm.info
TRAIN STATION: CENTRAL STATION
If you arrive by train, you will get off at Central Station, 895 De la Gauchetière West. The train station is located close to the Bonaventure Hotel.
From Canada: www.viarail.ca
From the United States: Amtrak, toll-free number: 1-800-USA-RAIL (1-800-872-7245)
TRANSPORTATION IN MONTREAL
The Bonaventure Hotel and the performance venues (with the odd exception) are all very close to each other. Many places can be easily reached by foot. The CINARS Biennale will also be providing a shuttle service for some official program activities located further away.
Here are the taxi rates in Montreal:
- CAN$3.50 base fare + CAN$1.80 per km + CAN$0.65 per minute waiting.
Uber is also available in Montreal.
To get around by bus and metro:
- 1 trip: CAN$3.50; 1-day pass: CAN$10; 3-day pass: CAN$19.50; weekly pass: CAN$26.75.
For more information about public transit in Montreal:
EAST-WEST ADDRESSES IN MONTREAL:
Certain streets are divided into two parts: East (Est in French) and West (Ouest in French) with two equivalent numbers for each side. For example, there is a 100 Sherbrooke East and a 100 Sherbrooke West, and they are in two different locations. As a point of reference, St-Laurent Boulevard divides the city into East and West.
GENERAL INFORMATION
CURRENCY:
The currency used in Montreal is the Canadian dollar. You can get information on exchange rates by navigating this website. You can change your money into Canadian dollars at foreign exchange offices and in banks.
Most hotels and restaurants accept Visa and Mastercard, however we still recommend having a bit of cash on hand since some smaller bars and restaurants don't accept credit cards.
TIPPING:
In Canada, it is customary to leave 15% to 20% of the total bill as a tip at restaurants, bars, and when you take a taxi.
ELECTRICITY:
In Canada, as in all of North America, the electrical current operates at 110 volts (60 Hz) as opposed to 220 volts (50 Hz) like in Europe and Asia. It might therefore be necessary for you to have an adaptor. You can buy one at the Pierre-Elliot Trudeau airport or in a hardware store.
TEMPERATURE:
The temperature in November usually varies from -2 °C to + 5°C (around 23°F to 37°F) with an average of 93 mm of precipitation.
You can consult local weather conditions on the Météomédia website.
VISAS
Your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date of your departure.
IMPORTANT: Since March 15, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals who fly to or transit through Canada are expected to have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). Exceptions include U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid Canadian visa.
To determine if you need an ETA or a visa to visit or transit through Canada, please click HERE.
Online application for an ETA is quick and easy. You need a valid passport or other accepted travel document, a credit card, and an e-mail address. Applications are usually processed within a few minutes.
If you have to transit through the U.S., visit the U.S. Department of State website to learn about the applicable procedures.
