Parking in downtown Montreal

[wasisname]

As I understand it, it is mission impossible during weekday mornings and afternoons as one would expect.

What is it like during evenings during the week and on weekends. In particular those outside parking lots [I really don't like underground parking and I am guessing meter parking has a limited time frame.

Last time I went to downtown montreal about 3 or 4 years ago on a tuesday night it was hard enough finding parking at the last orange line metro station in Laval. And quite frankly if it is possible I'd rather just drive in.

 

[tiannas]

Metered parking usually has a 2 hour time limit, but only until 9pm, so if you arrive after 7pm you are ok for the evening. The outdoor lots generally have spots available, unless they are near the Bell Centre on an event night.

I always manage to find parking without too much difficulty, although I do use a hotel's underground if there's nothing else super close. I do spend a lot of money on parking downtown though, it's not cheap!

 

[smuler]

If you couldn't find parking at the last metro station in Laval, why don't you try one station closer to Montreal ?

Might be a lot easier to find parking ?

Best Regards

Smuler

 

[wasisname]

If you couldn't find parking at the last metro station in Laval, why don't you try one station closer to Montreal ?

Might be a lot easier to find parking ?

Best Regards

Smuler

Well I did in the end, I just had to go out a bit to find it. I suppose I could have tried a spot closer in but why expect it to be any better. Better to go walksies with a guanteed spot than try a different station. Although the spot I found wasn't offical IIRC at the time there were not sidewalks around and people were marking on the grass all over the place. Further in I doubt that would be an option and I'd been shit out of luck.

But if I had that much trouble back then... I'd hate to make an ahem appointment and not be able to keep it because of parking.

 

[wasisname]

Metered parking usually has a 2 hour time limit, but only until 9pm, so if you arrive after 7pm you are ok for the evening. The outdoor lots generally have spots available, unless they are near the Bell Centre on an event night.

I always manage to find parking without too much difficulty, although I do use a hotel's underground if there's nothing else super close. I do spend a lot of money on parking downtown though, it's not cheap!

Right I never thought to check for events. When you say not too much difficulty does that include above ground lots. I've had bad experiences with underground parking and don't want to bother with valet parking.

 

[greenacres99]

Don't want to go all PLO on this thread, but here's a little "hijack:"

"was hard enough finding parking at the last orange line metro station in Laval"

I've always wondered about how much parking is available at those two Laval Metro stops. Is that the usual case--hard to find parking during weekdays? There's a few hotels that look like walking distance to the metro, but otherwise, if I stayed in Laval I would need some better idea of the parking.

 

[wasisname]

I only have the one data point. The last station was newish then. There was lots of places to put more parking if memory serves so they might have between then and now. IIRC there are 3 stops in Laval I only can speak for the last one.

 

[tiannas]

Are you looking for a specific area of the city? Offhand I can think of street level lots that always seem to have places on Peel, de la Montagne, Stanley...except maybe during hockey night. Often times these lots are like a valet though, they take your car and park it for you, then fetch it for you when you return.

 

[wasisname]

Are you looking for a specific area of the city? Offhand I can think of street level lots that always seem to have places on Peel, de la Montagne, Stanley...except maybe during hockey night. Often times these lots are like a valet though, they take your car and park it for you, then fetch it for you when you return.

This is more for future reference. I'd hate to book an incall and look like a schuck because I couldn't find parking.

I'd rather avoid valet and would rather not explain why.

Ditto for the underground or for that matter above ground but really tight parking. I am not a confident parker and those new car designs where you can't see the hood are nucking futs. I know there was always this place in Downtown TO in the core that always seemed to have a few spots open on weekends although sadly I forget which street it was on. But that is there not here.

 

[Rudolph]

West of Atwater above sherbrooke you'll find some free parking, more available during the evening/night as the college kids take most of them during the day.

If you're looking more towards the core but want to be thrifty, St-Jacques and below around peel/crescent range in terms of east/west has plenty of parking at all times, outside lots tend to be 10$.

Indoor parking further up is more expensive (18/20 $ each respectively daytime, but much less at night), I'd suggest Eaton Center or Place Ville Marie parking lots, both have decent security, it's self-park and spots are spacious enough that you don't really need to worry about your car getting dinged.

Street parking above Sherbooke between Guy and University have a lot of free parking, but also need to search around a bit, more for those looking to save. Keep in mind all those streets are on a steep incline so you should be comfortable parking your car if you go to these.

Other areas too but I'd need to know more specifically where you want to go, and I'd know more within the core or west, I don't know many tricks heading east past St Dominic.

 

[hungry101]

I found a good place to park for 10$/Day by the Holiday Inn on 430 Sherbrooke. Go past the Holiday Inn and the Hilton Garden Inn and take a right and it is the first entrance on the right as you are going towards St Cathrine.

 

[TheDon]

Rene Levesque west of St Mathieu on the weekends and certain times during the weekday.

De La Gauchetiere between Peel and Cathedral across from the Mariott, weekdays after six and weekends free

University north of Sherbrooke on the weekends

 

[pat98]

I found a good place to park for 10$/Day by the Holiday Inn on 430 Sherbrooke. Go past the Holiday Inn and the Hilton Garden Inn and take a right and it is the first entrance on the right as you are going towards St Cathrine.

Located corner Sherbrooke / Bleury. Ya it's Mitch's parking lot. It's old and looks quite dirty especially the basement.
There is 2 levels upstairs. Last level is reserved by Honda Centre Ville. Very nice ppl and the cheapest over there for sure, I parked there for 6-7 months daytime.
Only thing it's a daytime parking, they close at 7pm...

 

[smuler]

Ya it's Mitch's parking lot

I parked there that infamous weekend Pat

Please note that after 6PM on the weekends you will need a clicker to get in after dark..He requires a 50 or 100 dollar deposit ( I don't remember which )

If I recall correctly, it was 20 dollars on the Saturday till Sunday...

Best Regards

Smuler

 

[EagerBeaver]

Try this website and look at the map, you can scroll to whatever location you need on the map:

http://montreal.bestparking.com/

This thread reminds me that many years ago, I am guessing around 2003, I met my cousin in Montreal and he parked his vehicle in an outdoor parking lot that was on St. Laurent near St. Catherine, east side of St. Laurent, near the Metro Station. I am not sure if it is still there, but back then it was about $7.00 for the day. That location was kind of ideal because we then walked all the way up St. Laurent to Schwartz's. It also enables one to hop on the Metro at St. Laurent, the station being right near the parking lot.

Perhaps someone, one of the locals, can take a drive by and see if it is still there? From the map it looks like it, but now it is $12/day, meaning the price has jumped $5 in 10 years.

 

[Rudolph]

Excellent resource beav, that should pretty much sum it up for all!

The parking lots on St Laurent all went up, at this point you're better off driving up the hill as I believe it's the same rate (between Sherbrooke and Prince Arthur). It's also a lot quieter in that area than it used to be on club nights, so no need to worry about cars parked on top of each other so much.

 

[SAQ]

Drive in as close as you can and take a cab, or metro.