Will the cold winter weather affect your travels to Mtl this year?

[talkinghead]

I've taken the train dozens of times. North of Springfield (MA) it's never crowded and is a beautiful trip. There's talk of extending it to Montreal, where it used to go, but that seems unlikely in the near future. There may be connecting Amtrak bus service from St. Albans to Montreal. I may be wrong but I don't think there's a convenient car rental place in St. Albans, so it's not that easy to get from St. Albans to Montreal. The train also arrives fairly late at night.
As someone said, the train up the Hudson is beautiful but it takes forever because of the border crossing. For that matter, the Vermonter is slow as well.

 

[minutemenX]

I've taken the train dozens of times. North of Springfield (MA) it's never crowded and is a beautiful trip. There's talk of extending it to Montreal, where it used to go, but that seems unlikely in the near future. There may be connecting Amtrak bus service from St. Albans to Montreal. I may be wrong but I don't think there's a convenient car rental place in St. Albans, so it's not that easy to get from St. Albans to Montreal. The train also arrives fairly late at night.
As someone said, the train up the Hudson is beautiful but it takes forever because of the border crossing. For that matter, the Vermonter is slow as well.

I believe there is Enterprise rental place in St Albans, though you have to make special arrangements because of the train late arrival time. Another option is to get off the train in Burlington. I have friend who usually meets me at station in St Albans so I have never rented.

 

[Garotalover]

EB= The AMTRAK 69 Adirondack leaves Penn St. at 8:15am and arrives in Montreal at 7:11pm. I took it in Oct. of 2015. It's a beautiful trip - reportedly one of the top scenic passages on Amtrak in the U.S.
You should be able to get one way for under $100 but bring plenty to read. The Wi-Fi was so-so when I went. It's true about the border stop. It took about an hour, as I recall. You stop at the Gare Central station in Montreal, next to the Queen Elizabeth. In the summer I would rather have my car to get around, but if I go in January I will most likely take Amtrak.

 

[talkinghead]

I believe there is Enterprise rental place in St Albans, though you have to make special arrangements because of the train late arrival time. Another option is to get off the train in Burlington. I have friend who usually meets me at station in St Albans so I have never rented.

I think you're right. I think that the Enterprise place is a mile or so away, but maybe those arrangements can be made--as you say. Of course it's also tricky because Amtrak often runs late. I haven't looked at the Burlington (Essex Junction) options; obviously one could take a cab to the airport and rent there. But then the trip gets really long.

 

[IamNY]

EB= The AMTRAK 69 Adirondack leaves Penn St. at 8:15am and arrives in Montreal at 7:11pm. I took it in Oct. of 2015. It's a beautiful trip - reportedly one of the top scenic passages on Amtrak in the U.S.
You should be able to get one way for under $100 but bring plenty to read. The Wi-Fi was so-so when I went. It's true about the border stop. It took about an hour, as I recall. You stop at the Gare Central station in Montreal, next to the Queen Elizabeth. In the summer I would rather have my car to get around, but if I go in January I will most likely take Amtrak.

I had a totally different experience. I arrived at 9:30 in Montreal after we sat at the border for almost two hours. The train creeps at a really slow pace which makes it fee even longer of a trip. It was absolute torture, a snails pace, tremendous amounts of stops, and I felt it was just easier driving or taking a plane even if the cost factor was more. Driving can be done in just over 6 hours from NYC and a flight is an hour and a half to Montreal or Burlington. Out of the many different ways I've traveled to Montreal, the Adirondack train is by far the worst travel experience I've ever had. I cannot stress this enough.

As far as scenery, yes, you will have some great sights. Price, yes, it is an inexpensive way to go. But if I leave NYC at 8:15 am I can potentially be in Montreal by 2:30 weather permitting by car. I will take my chances driving or fly into Burlington and rent a car.

Just my honest opinion.

 

[minutemenX]

I had a totally different experience. I arrived at 9:30 in Montreal after we sat at the border for almost two hours. The train creeps at a really slow pace which makes it fee

As far as scenery, yes, you will have some great sights. Price, yes, it is an inexpensive way to go. But if I leave NYC at 8:15 am I can potentially be in Montreal by 2:30 weather permitting by car. I will take my chances driving or fly into Burlington and rent a car.


Just my honest opinion.

What is amazing a hundred years ago one can travel from NYC to Montreal by train in less than 8 hours. Now it takes 12

 

[hungry101]

12 hours? Holy shit I could be in Sao Pulo in 10. For 200$ you can get there in 1 hour by air:
https://www.cheapoair.com/fpnext/Air/Listing/s/1
I would rather not have a car. It cost me about 30$ just to park it at the hotel. Drive somewhere and pay to park it again.
More and more, I use the public transportation bus, subway, and now Uber.

 

[CLOUD 500]

More and more, I use the public transportation bus, subway, and now Uber.

This is what I do... I live in downtown... Much lower cost of living and much more easier life. Owning a car is VERY expensive and a big pain in the butt.

 

[transatlantic]

If one takes I-91 north to I-89, the same rules apply, pretty much throw out the forecast and anything goes from White River Junction north until Burlington - this is the Vermont "anything goes" zone. The land become flat again as you arrive towards Burlington. I have advised some California hobbyists travelling to Montreal to fly to Burlington and then rent a car and drive to Montreal, which means vastly cheaper domestic air fare and a drive that misses the mountains as Burlington is already north of them. Theoretically you can do the same trip by flying in to Plattsurgh on the I-87 side, which puts you north of the Adirondacks, and then drive from Plattsburgh to Montreal.

I guess it depending on fare difference but flying to BTV seems more expensive as the rental car to Montreal will cost at least $100USD before fuel (one way drop-off at Montreal downtown). If you do a roundtrip rental to/from BTV, the parking blows the math out in favor of flying into YUL. I was actively looking at flying to BTV this summer. With BTV car rental in mind, YUL always came in cheaper unless you were taking a last minute trip in which case the walk up fares to BTV plus car rental might be cheaper than walk up fares for YUL.

It is Amtrak 56 Vermonter and it crosses Connecticut and partially Massachusetts

Thanks for the suggestion but more than 9 hours from Penn Station just to get to St. Albans followed by another 90 minute drive. That's like taking a flight delay in the winter. I might as well take Porter Air out of EWR. At least you have hobby options if you are stuck in Toronto. . I suppose if you have a last minute itch, the train might be an option since airfare would be outrageously expensive.

I am confused also. I just pulled up a random date using American Airlines in February going from LaGuardia to Montreal leaving on a Friday and returning either Sunday or so early on Monday morning that a guy could be in the office Monday morning with a smile on his face, and it ranged from $180-$200 round trip. Or 15,000 frequent flier miles plus taxes.

I always thought Laguardia was cheap to fly into and out of. The NYC airporter is $15 to get to Laguardia and the similar but cleaner and more polite 747 bus service is $9 Canadian to get to/from YUL and downtown. Seems a lot better than a long train ride. If seeing snow is important, hiking Mont Royal will allow the viewing of snow in between girls

I would search both LGA and JFK (unless you want to make the trek out of EWR). Delta and American seem to be running some cheap fares for the winter. My last couple of trips were done as two separate tickets (Delta to YUL and American return). I usually do the 747 or Uber from Montreal depending on mood/schedule.

 

[Numerati]

Unless the exchange rate goes to $1.60 CAD and nothing is panning out with the two prospects in my yoga class, it would be quite a challenge for me to head to Montreal from now to March. I HATE winters in Montreal.

 

[EagerBeaver]

I guess it depending on fare difference but flying to BTV seems more expensive as the rental car to Montreal will cost at least $100USD before fuel (one way drop-off at Montreal downtown). If you do a roundtrip rental to/from BTV, the parking blows the math out in favor of flying into YUL. I was actively looking at flying to BTV this summer. With BTV car rental in mind, YUL always came in cheaper unless you were taking a last minute trip in which case the walk up fares to BTV plus car rental might be cheaper than walk up fares

I know someone on the west coast who is doing it in January, told me he got very cheap air fare to Burlington and then reserved a rental a car to Montreal.

This is why I suck it up and drive. Unfortunately my personal vehicle has neither all wheel drive nor winter tires, so it is very problematic and I have to pick my spots carefully. Usually the biggest problems I have are in the Vermont Mountains, and it's like 80% I will hit something in the mountains and 50/50 that what I hit is bad and will slow me down significantly.

 

[talkinghead]

This is why I suck it up and drive. Unfortunately my personal vehicle has neither all wheel drive nor winter tires, so it is very problematic and I have to pick my spots carefully. Usually the biggest problems I have are in the Vermont Mountains, and it's like 80% I will hit something in the mountains and 50/50 that what I hit is bad and will slow me down significantly.

I know these roads well and you're right that the spine of the Greens, from Randolph to Montpelier, can be treacherous--and there's often some mountain weather happening. Even with AWD and winter tires I'm cautious. Have you looked into renting an AWD or 4WD vehicle, ideally with snow tires? If the weather report is clear the day before your trip, you could always cancel the rental.

 

[hungry101]

This is what I do... I live in downtown... Much lower cost of living and much more easier life. Owning a car is VERY expensive and a big pain in the butt.

I agree with you (I think this may be the 2nd or third time?) If you live downtown, why would you want to own car? If you need a car because you are leaving the city. Then take the 747 to the airport and rent one.

To me, the public transportation and all the transportation options and the fact you can use it and not fear for your life makes it a unique city in NA. And t he babes at the other end of that train or bus ride are to die for? Hmmmm, maybe I will get back there yet this winter?

 

[transatlantic]

For those flying in the winter (or summer), I suggest buying airfare with a card with trip delay protection such as Citi Prestige, Citi Premiere, or Chase Sapphire Reserve (to name a few).

Had last flight cancelled during this past summer due to thunderstorm/air traffic and was rebooked by airline for next day. Took Uber back to downtown, booked a room at the W, texted James and resume partying an extra day in with hotel/meals/transportation covered thanks to Citibank. Looking forward to my next flight cancellation. LOL

 

[EagerBeaver]

I know these roads well and you're right that the spine of the Greens, from Randolph to Montpelier, can be treacherous--and there's often some mountain weather happening. Even with AWD and winter tires I'm cautious. Have you looked into renting an AWD or 4WD vehicle, ideally with snow tires? If the weather report is clear the day before your trip, you could always cancel the rental.

I had a Subaru Outback and then a BMW which were both AWD vehicles. Since then I have been leasing new Hondas every 3 years because they made me an offer I couldn't refuse which is a story for another thread. The problem is Honda doesn't make an AWD sedan, just the CRV which I don't like and can't use because in my job I need to get into tight spaces in Court and public parking lots all the time. I keep complaining to Honda about their lack of an AWD sedan choice and they keep not listening to me. With my next lease which will be in another 6-8 months I think it likely I will get an AWD vehicle.

 

[Sol Tee Nutz]

I am guessing this thread is mostly for non Canadians as most of us are brought up with Canadian winters, also guessing that most fly here and either rent a car or take a taxi. Would I travel to Montreal just to hobby in the winter, no. Plane landed last night at midnight, in Ft.McMurray we has -30 to 38 and with the humidity here even at -18 it feels colder, bites into the bone.

 

[Maria Divina]

Related to this topic, I met recently someone who is living in Miami, and he appreciated very much my "arctic look" when I enter in his room. He told me "You look so Canadian!" with my very warm snow coat and snow boots :lol:

That's part of the charm of the visit of Montreal during winter and be warmed by a local lady after been a bit late because of the weather. And this weather is not always giving headache, don't worry. We are having an average of 20 to 22 snow fallings from end of October/November/December (last year, we had snow mostly after Christmas) until March, and the majority of those are just a few centimeters/inches, and some are just melting few hours later. Just count the ratio, it's not very high.

You don't have to be so terrified, believe me. I am living in the country, not in Montreal, and I am opening my driveway all by myself with a big shovel, and I am driving more than an hour to come to meet you in Montreal all year around. And I am a little small lady able to face "all that" ound: So you see, you don't have to worry that much for real. :tea:

 

[talkinghead]

Winter is by far my favorite time to be in Montreal, partly for that "arctic look." Hotel rates are much lower (and sometimes there are good "specials" out here) and things in general feel less crowded and frantic.

 

[transatlantic]

Hotel rates are definitely attractive. For Americans with the AMEX Platinum card, the Vogue participates in the Fine Hotels & Resorts program (FHR). Rates are as low as $199CAD. With a FHR booking (one a one night stay), you get $100USD in hotel credit, free breakfast and suite upgrade if available. If you can use up the $100 USD credit at La Société for lunch/dinner, the room itself is about $60CAD before tax (on the $199). Back in Feb, I entertained an outcall in a Luxury King Suite at that rate.

 

[Doc Holliday]

At around this time of the year, the Hotel de la Montagne used to have a promotion during the holiday season where you'd pay the last two numbers of your birth year. For example, if you were born in 1957, you'd pay only $57/day for your room.

But as we all know, that great hotel is no more.

By the way, i hate Montreal during the cold weather months. The humidity level in the city is so high that -15 C feels like -30 C. The cold seems to be going right through your bones!

This is why i usually avoid travelling there during the colder months. Roads are too hazardeous and the weather too unpredictable. It's not worth my life. I'd also like to add that not having winter tires for anyone driving to Montreal is extremely careless and foolish in my opinion. By the way, i believe winter tires are mandatory in Quebec, just like they are in Ontario. For once the government was smart.