We are US citizens planning a trip to Amsterdam this summer. On our return to the US we have a 20 hour layover in Montreal. We would like to go into the city for dinner and a hotel for the night. What are the potential headaches of leaving the airport on our return trip?

Welcome to Fodors. No real headaches. Are both flights on the same ticket so they will check your bags all the way through? If not, the only real issue is the second airline may not accept checked bags 20 hours before the flight and you'd have to leave your bags at the Cloakroom . . . but then you might want to do that with your carry-ons anyway so it wouldn't add nay time. Just be back at the airport in plenty of time to retrieve your luggage and/or carry-ons.

The flights are on the same ticket. My concern was with US/Canadian Customs and security.

Upon arrival in Montreal you’ll have to clear Canadian Immigration & Customs. When you return to the airport the following morning you’ll pre-clear US Immigration & Customs before boarding your flight to the US. When you arrive in the US you’ll simply deplane, claim any checked luggage and exit the airport.

You''d have to clear Immigration / customs in any case since there are no hotels airside at YUL. There is one Marriott attached to the airport but it is landside so you'd have to 'enter' Canada no matter what . . .

I think the whole process will be a lot easier than you expect. I would be very happy to have time in Montreal, even if it's just one night. As others have mentioned, you will pre-clear US customs when you leave Montreal, so make sure to get to the airport early.

Thank you for all of the responses! It sounds much simpler than what I had imagined. We'll likely get a room at the Marriott in the airport so the next morning isn't such a rush.

Thanks again!