Car in Montreal? Subway from Airport?
 

We are two young couples going to Montreal for a three days. We are staying in the city (Sofitel) and plan on remaining in the city. My assumption is that one does not need to rent a car if staying within the city? Is this correct? How good is the subway system (Metro)? Does anyone know if you can ride the subway from the airport (Duval) to downtown? If not, any suggestions on airport to city transport?

With four people sharing, the best and cheapest way from the airport to downtown would be a taxi. The metro does not go to the airport. But yes, it is a good way to get around in the city.

You are right that you do not need a car for three days in Montreal. Taxi is the best way from the airport. By the way the Montreal airport has been renamed from Dorval to Trudeau after a former Prime Minister who lived in Montreal.

The taxi is not that expensive from the airport, either. There is a reasonable shuttle bus, but it is less convenient.

It was in 2000 that I last visited Montreal, and at that time a taxi from the airport was $25 Canadian, which I thought was a very reasonable fare, especially since I was sharing with 2 other people. For getting around the city, we had no problems using the public transport.

That's interesting about re-naming the airport, thanks for that info.

Cab fare between the airport and downtown is now $31 (as of August).

The Aeroport express bus is about $12 into the city, although with four of you a taxi probably makes more sense. The subway in Montreal is quite fine and will get you to pretty much everywhere you'll want to go, with buses filling in the gaps. You can't take the subway directly to the airport, but I believe you can take it to a certain station and switch to a bus that goes to the airport (and vice versa).