Montreal Airport - Clearing Customs

[jeffd101]

Hi All,

We leave soon for WDW. This is our first time connecting from Halifax through Montreal. Our connection time is approximately 1.5 hours, but I'm not sure how busy or confusing the airport is on a Thursday morning for clearing customs.

Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Practically_Perfect]

You should be fine - an hour and half should give you plenty of time. I'm pretty sure I connected through there with only 45 mins once. I got through in plenty of time and had a bit of a wait at the gate, but I didn't have checked luggage either.

The airport in Montreal is shaped kind of like a croissant (just go with me on this...). Your flight from Halifax will land at the bottom end of the croissant in section A. I doubt they'll check your luggage right through since you'll have to clear customs, so you'll pick that up on the lower level.

You'll come back up to the main level, and go to the top end of the croissant in Section C for US travel and to clear customs. I've always found Montreal airport to be fairly well organized and easy enough to get around.

Oh, and in case you were curious, the middle part of the croissant, Section B, is for other international flights.

 

[glendalais]

Actually, with the recent renovations to Trudeau Airport, passangers connecting from a Domestic flight to a Transborder flight no longer need to collect their luggage. The USCIS officer will confirm your baggages upon your arrival at the Customs Pre-Clearance facility; and if the authorities feel there's a need to inspect your luggage, they'll be able to recall it remotely without your needing to do anything. You will need to collect your luggage upon your return to Canada, however.

When I last flew up to see my family, I flew out of Montreal on a Thursday Morning. It was absolutely dead - took all of 10 minutes from being dropped off at the curb to sitting at the gate, and that was with a less-than-pleasant experience at the Pre-Clearnace booth. Then again, I was boarding at Montreal, rather than connecting, so YMMD.

 

[blairjen]

The only thing you should be wary of is the long walk (assuming your Halifax flight lands at the lower numbered gates) to the US customs. You won't see your bags in Montreal.

Have fun

 

[dave 2]

Part of our party of 6 almost missed their connection last December with 45 minutes because customs recalled their luggage. They finally boarded after 10 minute wait but luggage got to Orlando 2 days later. They really don't care if you miss your connection but at this time of year should be fine.

 

[Practically_Perfect]

Actually, with the recent renovations to Trudeau Airport, passangers connecting from a Domestic flight to a Transborder flight no longer need to collect their luggage. The USCIS officer will confirm your baggages upon your arrival at the Customs Pre-Clearance facility; and if the authorities feel there's a need to inspect your luggage, they'll be able to recall it remotely without your needing to do anything. You will need to collect your luggage upon your return to Canada, however.

Oops - sorry about the mistake earlier. Haven't connected through Trudeau with checked bags since the renos - only carry-ons.

 

[Dimples1973ca]

Hi All,

We leave soon for WDW. This is our first time connecting from Halifax through Montreal. Our connection time is approximately 1.5 hours, but I'm not sure how busy or confusing the airport is on a Thursday morning for clearing customs.

Any experience or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks

We are taking the same flight but the day before. On the way back on Friday the 27th we are flying through Pearson. I am glad to hear that we don't need to pick up our luggage in Montreal. 2 girls will be enough to keep track off.