A family of five flying from California to Montreal, Need advise on driving back to US (Boston) without taking a rental car from Montreal(to avoid one way drop off charge from car rental co.) Amtrak suggested a train from Montreal to Plattsburgh, NY and renting a car from Plattsburgh which is 4 miles from train station. Is that safe considering all of our luggages for 2 weeks?

Plattsburgh isn't the most convenient location to drive to Boston, as it is on the west side of Lake Champlain.

You may want to take the Greyhound to Burlington, Vermont instead. Its limited-service stop is at 345 Pine Street - a few blocks south of center of Burlington, but it'd be much less than 4 miles to any car rental place.

I don't understand why you're concerned about a drop-off charge for a rental car, when any alternative transportation for 5 people will be much more expensive and inconvenient. Train service is slow and lousy, and the drive from Montreal, through the Eastern Townships to Vermont, is picturesque. The quickest, most comfortable, and cheapest way to Boston is to drive.

I agree with the others. Go with the car. The bus and/or train will be more hassle and time. Another option is to see about getting one way plane tickets on Air Canada. Probably more expensive than the car though.

thanks rkkwan for the info, so far that's the best way to go, Montreal Avis car rental for about 380 CAD plus 100 USD bus fare from Montreal to Burlington then a Hertz Car rental from Burlington to Newark for 406 USD for a total of around 920 USD. That's a lot of savings compared to a one way rental from Montreal to Newark from Hertz for 2063 CAD. (it's for a 12 day vacation around the 4th of July weekend)

Finally found the best car rental deal from Montreal. One day, one way rate at National car for 173USD (30USD more if I drop it off at Burlington, don't know why), return at Boston Logan Airport, then rent another car from Boston to New Jersey for 388USD (one week). Based from what I've gathered from this site, car is not necessary in Montreal so we'll just take the taxi from Montreal Airport to downtown hotel and buy the 3 day bus pass at Montreal and take the grayline tours to Quebec.

How about any suggestions on where to eat and what to see for about 4 to 5 hours between Montreal and Boston if we take the Burlington/Montpelier route. I'd say we'll be at Burlington around lunchtime on a weekday on the last week of June.