From Chicago to Montréal, with a French kiss
The charm of French Canada awaits, with a flight from Chicago to Montréal.
Named for its central peak, Mont Royal, Montréal is a city as scenic as it is historic. You’ll be met with amazing sights no matter where your feet take you. Whether you’re enjoying the outdoors indoors at the Montréal Biodome or strolling through the historic cobblestone streets of Vieux Montréal, the oldest area of the city.
Like Chicago, Montréal is renowned for its architecture. Buildings like the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal and the Moshe Safdie designed Habitat 67 turn every street into a structural feature. At the Canadian Centre for Architecture, you can follow the path of Montréal’s past through its buildings.
Montréal’s eye for design turns inward on the walls of its art galleries. Also partially designed by Safdie, the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal has a collection to match its impressive exterior. For more modern art, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal holds works from the city’s recently renowned artists.
Beneath the Musée d’art contemporain, you’ll find Montréal’s underground village, La Ville Souterraine. Stroll through the stores of this concourse, without having to worry about the weather stopping your shopping. Back on the city’s above ground streets, Montréal’s shopping scene is both chic and boutique, with small shops down hidden away on winding streets.
Once you’ve finished your shopping, head down to the city’s waterfront in the Vieux-Port de Montréal. Walk by the St. Lawrence River, or stroll further south to the Lachine Canal, where the Lachine Canal bike path will take you to Montréal’s Griffintown and La Petite-Bourgogne.
The charming neighbourhoods along the canal are sure to be the highlight of your trip from Chicago.
La Petite-Patrie
A little taste of Montréal
While its geographical boundaries aren’t entirely clear, there’s no doubt that La Petite Patrie is the perfect stop after your flight to Montréal from Chicago.
This neighbourhood in the Rosemont borough, for all its uncertain borders, contains three distinct parts. Mile-Ex, Little Italy and Rue Beaubien make up this up-and-coming neighbourhood.
Mile-Ex takes advantage of the textile factories left behind from its industrial past in a creative way. These hollowed out historic buildings now house artists studios and galleries, beautifully mixing the old with the new. You can see Mile-Ex’s artistic influence on La Petite Patrie in the Cinéma Beaubien. Art house films and Canadian indie movies air in this French-language theatre, which has been entertaining residents since 1937.
If you don’t fill up on popcorn, head to Little Italy for a snack. Nestled between an Italian restaurant and the beloved grocery store Milano Fruiterie, Caffè Italia has an address that is at the very heart of Little Italy. This family-run coffee shop has been serving the best cappuccino in Montréal for three generations, beginning in 1956.
When the sun goes down, make your way to Rue Beaubien to enjoy La Petite Patrie’s nightlife. The variety of bars can score your evening with a range of music from thrash metal to Simon and Garfunkel tunes. Trendy and cozy, the bars along Rue Beaubien always mix it up.
Once you’ve had a few drinks, heed the call of Montréal’s favourite late night snack, poutine. Like Chicago’s deep-dish pizza, poutine is both a comfort food and battleground for local competition. Go where potatoes meet meat, at Le Roi du Smoked Meat, a comfy diner style favourite. A taste of this decadent treat is a great way to end your amazing day in La Petite Patrie.
Le Plateau
Flat out cool
See one of Montréal’s chicest neighbourhoods on your trip from Chicago, with a visit to Le Plateau.
This hip neighbourhood is an artistic haven. Fashionably dressed and creatively minded, the residents here have created a neighbourhood in which urban art and cool cafés await on every street.
A dense collection of theatres throughout Le Plateau sets the stage for a rich performing arts scene. Housing plays, films, and music, these venues are packed into the area. From the century-old La Tulipe, to the open-air Théâtre de Verdure, the spotlight is always on Le Plateau’s stages.
Surrounding Théâtre de Verdure, you’ll find Parc la Fontaine. The second largest park in Montréal, after Parc Mont Royal, la Fontaine attracts residents year-round. Walk or cycle through this green space, stopping to relax by the ponds or pop into the park’s chalet for cultural events with a side of refreshments.
Once you’ve left Parc la Fontaine, wander through some of Le Plateau’s quiet streets. Stone houses lead to wrought-iron staircases, and picturesque terraces, making the residential roads of Le Plateau one of the highlights of Montréal’s architecture. On the the larger streets, like Boulevard St. Laurent, cultural events liven up Le Plateau.
Along Boulevard St. Laurent, keep your eyes peeled for one of Montréal’s most delicious establishments. Schwartz's Deli is a meat lover's paradise, with Montréal smoked meat piled high and topped with mustard.
If you’re still hungry, get ready for the battle of the bagels. St. Viateur and Fairmount Bagels are both contenders for the best in Montréal. Settle this dispute before your return to Chicago, with a taste of these two famous bagels.
Getting to Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in concourse A.
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW) is about 9 km / 6 mi from downtown Chicago.
Transportation
The Go Airport Express shuttle bus provides service to the airport from downtown. The fare is $27 USD.
Taxis from downtown cost about $20 USD per person. Car service is available.
Take the Chicago Transit Authority orange line train from the Midway stop. The fare is $2.50 USD.
Car rental services are available at Chicago Midway Airport (MDW). Take the shuttle to the rental car area from the pick-up location at door 3 of the lower level, near the baggage claim area.
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Uber and Lyft pickup is available at Chicago Midway Airport. To find your ride, exit at the baggage claims level, exit through door 4, and cross the street. Fares from MDW to downtown Chicago start at $23.
Chicago Midway International Airport Parking
Driving to Chicago Midway International Airport? There are many parking options at Chicago Airport. There are two economy parking lots with a rate of $2 USD for 30 minutes, $5 USD for 30 minutes to an hour, and a maximum of $15 USD for 24 hours. Or, choose the terminal garage, which offers hourly or daily rates. The daily lot has a 24-hour rate of $30 USD and is a long-term lot. You may also reserve a parking space ahead of time for a fee of $10 USD per space, per day.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Landing in Montréal
There are many options for transportation to downtown Montréal from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
The trip is about 20 km / 12 mi from downtown Montréal.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport to Downtown
Car rental services are available at the kiosks on the ground floor of the multi-level parking complex, located in front of the passenger terminal building of Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
Taxis to downtown cost about $40 CAD. Car service costs about $50 CAD.
Uber pickup is available at Montréal Airport. To find your ride, exit through door 6 on the Departures level. Fares from YUL to downtown Montréal start at $36.
The 747 P-E-Trudeau Airport / Downtown shuttle bus provides service from the airport to downtown. The fare is $10 CAD.
Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) Parking
There are many parking options at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Montréal. Choose from Terminal, Economy, or Indoor parking, with rates starting at $7 for 20 minutes and at $20 for 24 hours. The airport also offers the convenience of ValetParc parking for $42 for 24 hours.
The information and figures above are for reference only, and may not be current. Please visit each airport's website for up-to-date details.
Flights may be operated by Porter Airlines (Canada) Ltd or Porter Airlines Inc.
