IGCS Annual Global Meeting

About Montréal

Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest in Canada, and the eighth-largest city in North America. Founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, or "City of Mary", it now takes its name from Mount Royal, the triple-peaked mountain around which the early settlement was built. The city is centred on the Island of Montreal and a few, much smaller, peripheral islands, the largest of which is Île Bizard. It lies 196 kilometres (122 mi) east of the national capital, Ottawa, and 258 kilometres (160 mi) southwest of the provincial capital, Quebec City.

Getting There

• Montréal is easily accessible by air through Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), the city's primary gateway and one of Canada's busiest hubs. Most international flights arrive here, with convenient ground transportation options available. From the airport, you can reach the city center via taxi, rideshare services, or public transit. The Montréal transit system includes buses and the metro (subway), which provide reliable and affordable ways to navigate the city and reach your venue. For those driving, car rental services are available at the airport, though public transportation is often more convenient for city travel. Plan for approximately 20-30 minutes travel time from the airport to downtown Montréal depending on your chosen transport method and traffic conditions.