Cheap tickets to Montreal

Montreal, one of Canada’s most intriguing cities, boasts North American and French culture as well as an astounding range of architecture and sights. Learning about this side of Canada makes Montreal city breaks rewarding. A Montreal flight and hotel package is the ideal way to make the most of this charming and unique city.

Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), commonly shortened to Montréal-Trudeau, is just 20 minutes from downtown Montreal by taxi. Check flights from Dublin and Cork. The local currency is the Canadian dollar, and the time is five hours behind Dublin and London. The official language of the province of Quebec, which Montreal is part of, is French. That said, there aren’t many Montrealers who don’t speak English. You’ll usually find that a quick ‘bonjour’ followed by a request in English will get you a warm reception when shopping or ordering food on Montreal city breaks.

There’s never a bad time to visit the modern and beautiful city of Montreal, and package holidays make a planning a trip easy. While the city is famous for its cold winters, its amazing network of heated underground passageways and abundance of taxis mean that, as long as you dress properly, you can make the most of the snow. If you prefer to stroll around with a light jacket or jeans and a T-shirt, visit from May to September. See the Montreal Snow Festival, a family-friendly series of events in January and February, or the amazing Montreal International Fireworks Competition in summer.

• Enjoy the changing seasons at Mount Royal Park, beautiful whether covered in powdery snow or filled with picnickers in summer.
• Get your camera ready to capture shots of the beautiful architecture in charming Old Montreal.
• Go ice skating at any time of year at rue de la Gauchetière.
• Experience kayaking in summer in Lasalle Park.
• Cycle around Lachine Canal near the Old Port.

• Learn about and see four different ecosystems at the stunning Montreal Biodome.
• Admire the superb works of topiary art at the Montreal Botanical Garden.
• Appreciate Montreal’s old architecture at the 18th-century Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel.
• See the live exhibits at the enormous Montreal Insectarium.
• Learn about archaeology at the Pointe-à-Callière Museum.
• Take the family for a day of thrills at La Ronde theme park.
• Feel chic at the stunning, 24-hour Montreal Casino, famous the world over.

What to eat in Montreal

The food you’ll typically find on Montreal package holidays is a delightful mix of North America and French influences. Perhaps the most famous Canadian dish, poutine, made of fries, gravy and cheese curds, is well known for its decadence. Poutine with foie gras adds a fancy French twist to it. Bagels, especially with smoked meat fillings, are also popular in Montreal, while the steamé, a steamed hot dog on a steamed bun, exemplifies the marrying of French and English language that you'll hear often here.

Pâté chinois, a kind of shepherd’s pie made with corn, is a hearty and traditional choice for warming up on snowy Montreal nights. Fast food and international favourites such as Italian and Mexican cuisine are also easy to find on Montreal weekends.

What souvenirs can you bring home from Montreal?

With your flight to and hotel in Montreal sorted, you can think about unique things to buy on a trip here. For foodies, local cheeses such as Saint-Benoît and Oka are delicious goods to bring home. Winter clothing such as furry boots, hats, jumpers and coats are also easy to come across and are often of very high quality. No one would say no to a nice bottle of maple syrup – as this is Canada, you’ll find it in most food shops and markets.

Speaking of which, check out Jean-Talon farmers’ market throughout the week and pick up some top local produce. Canada also produces superb ice wine, and a bottle will make for an uncommon present for loved ones who enjoy a tipple. Shopping centres such as Place Montreal Trust and the Eaton Centre offer more great opportunities for finding gifts during weekends in Montreal.