Suitcase ready and passport in hand, all you have to do is go to the Montreal airport to catch your next flight. However, you know that the place will be crowded and you are already dreading the endless queues that stand between you and your plane.
Also read: 11 tips and well-kept secrets to save money and be a VIP at the Montreal airport
Whether you're the type to arrive several hours early to check in, go through customs and security as quickly as possible before getting to the boarding gate to make sure it really exists, or whether you prefer arriving at the last minute running into the airport, suitcase at your heels, it's always useful to know the best ways to save time.
From your arrival at YUL Montréal-Trudeau International Airport before your departure until your return, here are some tips that will help you avoid waiting and the stress that comes with it.
Reserve your parking in advance
With seven parking lots where you can leave your vehicle during your trip, you may want to know the best option for you. While some offer a valet service, others are further away and have a shuttle that can take you to the terminal. By booking in advance, you can see the number of spaces available in each parking lot, the transfer time as well as the price to pay depending on the length of your stay.
So you can make sure you have a place on your trip and the details will already be taken care of.
Use the express drop-off
If a loved one is just coming to drive you back to the airport, you can ask them to drop you off at one of the two express drop-off points to avoid all the traffic surrounding YUL.
Completely free and open every day from 4 a.m. to 10 p.m., you can say goodbye to your guide and then board the shuttle which will drop you off at the terminal in just five minutes.
Register in advance
The majority of airlines offer online check-in 24 hours before departure. All you have to do is provide your first name, last name and confirmation or reservation number. You can then print your boarding pass or receive it in electronic format on your mobile device.
When you arrive at the airport, you won't have to wait at a check-in counter or self-service kiosk. You can then drop off your checked baggage at the self-service baggage drop-off facility provided for this purpose.
Use Mobile Passport Control
If you are traveling to the United States, the Mobile Passpot Control (MPC) application allows you to submit your passport information and customs declaration in advance to be prioritized for border control when you arrive in the United States.
Use YUL Express
YUL Express allows you to reserve your place in the priority line when you go through security. So, whether for a domestic flight, in the United States or internationally, you can reserve your passage time and then present your appointment confirmation QR code at security checks at the scheduled time.
The service is offered 72 hours before your flight time. You can arrive in the priority line up to fifteen minutes before or after your reservation time. If you arrive outside this deadline, you will be redirected to the regular line.
Be a NEXUS member
The NEXUS program provides faster access to land and air borders between Canada and the United States. As a membership holder, you benefit from priority lines at customs and security checks, which allows you to avoid the usual long lines and speed up your passage upon arrival at one or more the other country. This makes the process much smoother and faster.
The cost of membership is now $120 USD for a period of five years, according to official information from the Canadian government.
NEXUS members can also benefit from the new “Verified Traveler” program, implemented in Canada. This program allows access to dedicated security screening lines at several Canadian airports, offering benefits such as keeping certain items in baggage or on one's person (laptop, permitted liquids, jackets and belts) during inspection . This further simplifies and speeds up the security process for people who frequently travel between Canada and the United States.
If this is your case, this program represents an option to seriously consider, both for travel by land and by air.
Use the Advance Declaration
Travelers entering Canada can also benefit from declaration made in advance via the ArriveCAN application. This free service allows all eligible passengers to complete their customs declaration up to 72 hours before their arrival at certain Canadian airports.
Simply enter the required information into ArriveCAN before your flight. Once you arrive at your destination, you will only have to present your electronic receipt, which allows you to speed up your passage to the inspection terminals or to a border services agent.
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