Summer at Montréal-Trudeau can be extremely busy. YUL recorded the fastest passenger traffic growth of any major Canadian airport, edging past the 22 million passenger mark earlier than any other in its league in the post-pandemic times.
The number would balloon to a staggering 35 million passengers by 2035. An infrastructure modernisation program, Flight Plan 2028–2035, is already underway at Aéroports de Montréal (ADM) to absorb the growing volume.
The terminal you remember from a few years ago is busier than ever. ADM Aéroports de Montréal has just released its official 2026 summer travel advisory, and it includes a genuinely useful new transit option Montrealers will want to know about.
Getting to YUL is now easier with a new bus link
Starting June 17, the new 815 bus service connects YUL directly to the Des Sources REM station in under 20 minutes. Passengers can expect frequent service during peak periods. For anyone frustrated with unpredictable traffic on the Met or the 20, this is a good alternative. And it plugs straight into the broader REM network, which covers the West Island and downtown.
Before you leave home, it is worth running your route through the YUL Transit Planner and checking Québec 511 or your usual navigation app for current road conditions. A two-minute check can save you an hour of stress.
Getting dropped off without the headache
If someone is driving you to the airport, skip the chaotic main terminal curb entirely. The Express drop-off zones at P4 and P10 are free, open seven days a week, and connected to the terminal by a frequent shuttle that takes just a few minutes. It is, frankly, the easiest way to avoid a nerve-wracking summer congestion at YUL.
Once you arrive, plan to be at the airport three hours before departure, regardless of where you are flying. With the volume YUL is handling this season, you won’t regret that buffer.
Use YUL’s free digital tools
Cut down those long waiting times. A few free tools can shave real time off your airport experience:
Mobile Passport Control
It’s for US-bound flights. Using it expedites your entry/customs process at over 50 major U.S. airports and preclearance locations. And YUL is one of them. Use it.
YUL Express
Handy for any departure from YUL. Why not take a guaranteed faster trip to the gate? It helps you reserve your spot at the priority security checkpoint lane at least 72 hours before your flight. Just show the airport staff the reservation QR code, and it’s done.
Enhanced Passenger Processing (EPP)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s automated “Simplified Arrival”. Use it for US flights. Simplifies identification verification by automating and streamlining the inspection process, saving you a lot of time.
All are free services. Make sure you’re using it before you leave home.
Picking someone up at YUL
For solo travellers without a ride, Uber and Lyft pick-ups will move to a dedicated site by the end of June, making the perennially congested curbside look much better.
If you are picking up a loved one, use the same P4 and P10 Express drop-off zones, but only head there once your passenger has actually landed and is ready. While you wait, the CellParc lot offers free parking for up to two hours, so you are not circling the terminal road network, burning gas and time.
Full details on parking and transportation are available on the YUL website.
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