Travel to Montreal
From the airport
Montreal's major airport is the Trudeau International Airport to the west of the city. From there, you can take a flat-rate taxi (fare information), Uber, or bus to get downtown. The 747 bus runs 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and goes directly from the airport to several stops in the city center. A fare of $11 (unlimited 24-hour transit pass) pays for your trip (~30-40 mins). You will see the ticket vending machines in the airport once you exit baggage claim. You can also pay with exact change (coins only) on the bus. To go straight to McGill, get off at Union Street (stop #6).
By train
Montreal's main train station, Gare Centrale, is located below the Queen Elizabeth Hotel on the corner of René-Lévesque and Mansfield. It also has an entrance at 895 rue de la Gauchetière ouest. The station is the major terminus for Canada's VIA Rail trains from Halifax, Toronto, Ottawa, Québec and the Gaspé, as well as U.S. Amtrak trains from Washington and New York. It also provides easy access to the city's subway (the Metro), as it is situated at the Bonaventure station (on the Orange Line of the Metro).
From the train station, a 5-minute taxi ride $10+ will take you to McGill University. To walk to the campus:
- Head north through the underground shopping concourse of Place Ville Marie;
- Exit at Cathcart and McGill College Avenue;
- Follow McGill College Avenue north three blocks to Sherbrooke Street;
- Cross the street at McGill's Roddick Gates;
- Turn right and walk a block and a half to arrive at the Schulich School of Music.
By bus
The terminal for major bus lines is the Gare d'autocars de Montréal, located at 505 boulevard de Maisonneuve est, corner of Berri.
From the Gare d'autocars de Montréal you can take a taxi to the University (approximately 10-15$ CDN, plus tip) or take the Metro (subway), as the Berri-UQAM station is connected to the bus terminal. McGill University is located at McGill metro station on the Green Line.
Megabus services a bus stop at 997 rue St-Antoine Ouest H3C 4T7. This also the location of Metro station Bonaventure on the orange line of the Montreal Metro.
By car
There is no on-site parking for the public at McGill's Schulich School of Music. Metered street parking is available in the downtown core. For information about getting a McGill University parking permit, visit the McGill Parking website. However, it may be best to leave your car at home if you can avoid it. Montreal has many one way streets and traffic customs you may be unfamiliar with. All street signs will be in French.
Lodging around McGill University
Nearby hotels
We hope you enjoy your stay in Montreal and we can recommend the following hotels within a few blocks of the conference:
- Hilton
- L'Appartement Hotel (rooms with kitchenettes)
- Parc Suites (rooms with kitchenettes)
- Delta
- Le Cantlie Suites
McGill guest rates from affiliated hotels can be found here.
Other options
For the adventurous and gregarious, Montreal has hundreds of potential AirBnB hosts, hostels, and a strong couchsurfing community.
Transport in the city
Bike Share
Bixi is a public bicycle-sharing program originating in Montreal. One can rent bicycles per ride at any docking station and don’t have to make an account to access the bike share program. Each rental is $1.25 plus $0.11 a minute. Bikes can be returned to any of the hundreds of parking spots in the city. After returning, you can pick up another bike in a few minutes.
Metro
Public transportation in the city is handled by the Société de transport de Montréal (STM). You will need a "Zone A" fare for travelling throughout the city. Fares types:
- $3.55 for one trip; $6.60 for two.
- Unlimited evening pass (6:00pm-5:00am): $5.75.
- Day pass (24/hr): $11.00.
- 3-day pass: $21.25.
- Unlimited weekend pass: $14.75.
If you are arriving from the airport on the 747 bus, you will already possess a 24 hour day pass.
Conference venue
The conference will take place on the downtown campus of McGill University, at the Schulich School of Music. The School is located on Sherbrooke St. West, between Aylmer and University streets. The primary venue is Tanna Schulich Hall, in the Elizabeth Wirth Music Building (527 Sherbrooke St. West). The Saturday evening keynote presentation will take place nearby at Lola Rosa restaurant (276 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest) after the conference dinner.
The Elizabeth Wirth Music Building is wheelchair accessible.