Take a bite out of Montréal
Fly from New York to Montréal and say ‘bonjour’ to one of the largest French-speaking cities in the world. Rich with French-Canadian history, modern Montréal is a mash-up of diverse communities, cultures, arts, cuisine, and European charm.
Getting out and about in Montréal is easy via public transit. Bike share services and over 660 km of bike paths also make cycling the city a breeze. During the day, discover some less than typical city escapes by taking in the tranquility of le Jardin Botanique or the wonders of the Biodôme.
Le Jardin Botanique is Montréal’s Botanical Garden, a lush oasis within the city with gorgeous gardens and pretty pavilions. Meanwhile, guided tours through the ultra-modern Biodôme are perfect for all ages. This unique indoor space is home to five different ecosystems, over 4,500 animals and hundreds of plant species.
By night, drink in Montréal’s nightlife on rue St Denis. Try Le Saint Sulpice Café-Bar, a two-storey St Denis mainstay and favourite of students and travellers. The casual atmosphere, cheap drinks, karaoke nights, multiple terraces and dance floors keep the crowds coming back for more.
If upscale is more your style, delight your palette and sip fancy cocktails on Boulevard St Laurent. This street, also known as The Main, is where the city’s English and French-speaking communities truly converge. Head to St Laurent for a hearty meal in the heart of Montréal’s Little Italy, or scope out the array of high-end lounges and restaurants.
After all those adventures, take a big Canadian bite out of Montréal, and indulge in an authentic poutine. This delicious dish originated in the province of Québec and features rich gravy and locally-made cheese curds over French fries. This savoury treat alone will make you want to book another flight from New York to Montréal tout suite!
Vieux-Montréal
Stay gold, Old Montréal
Once your flight from New York to Montréal touches down, you’ll want to land on your feet in Old Montréal. This tourist hotspot gets major praise for its European atmosphere. You’ll see cobblestone streets and maybe a few horse-drawn carriages, but the area also bustles with a modern vibrancy.
With skating, cycling, cruises, guided tours and other outdoor activities, this pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood attracts visitors all year round.
Lots of cafés, bars, galleries and boutiques, offer plenty to do, but also room to relax. Schedule a massage or immerse yourself in the Nordic baths at one of Old Montréal’s stylish spas.
Here, you’ll also find popular attractions including the Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal in all its gothic revival glory, and the Pointe-à-Callière Museum of Archaeology and History. A national historical site founded in 1992, the museum features multimedia exhibits and a simulated archaeological site that kids will really dig.
In the summer, take the whole family for a ride on a colourful mini electric train around old Montréal Quay or let the little ones run wild through kid-friendly indoor and outdoor activities.
Stroll along the café and tree-lined rue de la Commune. Then, venture a little farther east for the even more scenic Vieux Port. Before you fly back to New York from Montréal, take advantage of its spacious concourse and riverside views. Vieux Port has scenery you won’t want to miss.
La Petite-Bourgogne
Music to your ears
La Petite-Bourgogne or Little Burgundy has a huge history. Its name comes from the area where the first French settlers arrived in the region. Today, the neighbourhood, which sits on the Lachine Canal, is easy to navigate by foot and boat.
Like Griffintown on its northern border, La Petite-Bourgogne grew into an industrial working-class area in the 19th century. Some of those industrial buildings are still standing, but much has changed since then. What many may not know is that La Petite-Bourgogne is big in the jazz world.
It’s the birthplace of famous jazz musicians Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones. It was also the home of famous jazz venue Rockhead’s Paradise. Although the venue was sold and demolished in the 1980s, its spirit lives on during the annual Festival International de Jazz de Montréal in the Quartier des Spectacles, a few neighbourhoods north.
No notable Montréal neighbourhood would be complete without amazing food options. For gourmet and world famous restaurants including Joe Beef, head to rue Notre-Dame. Just don’t forget to make a reservation.
Opened in the mid-2000s, the famous Joe Beef - Liverpool House gets its name from Charles “Joe Beef” McKiernan, who served in the British military and earned his nickname through his incredible ability to find food rations for his regiment. He later opened his own popular tavern in Montréal.
Joe Beef - Liverpool House serves as a modern homage to the 19th-century hero. Known for its rustic and inviting atmosphere, this restaurant serves up exceptional food and service.
Throughout the area, you’ll also find an array of cafés, trendy bars, antique shops and clothing boutiques. A number of these independent establishments stand out by specializing in locally made, eco-friendly and innovative Canadian designs. Away from the chain stores of downtown, there’s a community feeling and a sense of an authentic Montréal experience.
You won’t want to miss the chance to jazz up your trip from New York to Montréal and explore La Petite-Bourgogne’s eclectic offerings.
How to get to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Porter’s check-in desk is located in Terminal B, on the second floor.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) is about 27 km / 16 mi from midtown Manhattan.
Transportation to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Please allow sufficient time to drop off your car rental before your departing flight.
Several NJ Transit buses run to Newark Liberty International Airport. For more information, visit the NJ Transit website.
Ride-hailing apps Uber and Lyft offer services to Newark Liberty International Airport.
Taxis and car service from Manhattan cost about $75 USD.
Take a NJ Transit train to the EWR (Newark Airport) terminal. The airport's free Air Train will then take you to Terminal B for your Porter flight..
The Newark Airport Express shuttle bus provides service from the airport to several stops in New York City. The fare is $16 USD.
Newark Liberty International Airport Parking
If you’re driving to Newark Liberty International Airport, you have a few parking options. For short-term parking, lots are located in the Terminal C garage and directly across from Terminals A and B. Rates range from $4 USD for half an hour to $39 USD for a 24-hour maximum. The daily lots in garage P4 have a $34 USD per day maximum rate, and the economy lot has a rate of $18 USD for the first 24 hours, plus an additional $6 USD for each 8-hour period after.
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.
