Anyone ever drove to Montreal from Toronto for Interview?

[goldfish 0]

I am contemplating driving to Montreal from Toronto for my interview. I am just wondering if anyone, who has done this before, would be kind enough to share your experience. Since you did it, in hindsight, would you have done it differently?

I have no families in Toronto for pick up or drop off to the Airport. I also plan to return to work the next day. Driving is cheaper, most importantly it gives a lot fexibility in terms of scheduling....I am a little concerned of the long driving and uncertainties on the road...traffic, weather etc...my interview date is towards end of November.

It would be great to hear someone who has done it before and confirms driving to Montreal is manageble.

Many thanks in advance for sharing your stories/thoughts.

[Inky 1,111]

We didn't drive from Toronto but from Ottawa.

Montreal drivers are like from another world... its crazy dangerous driving there. Everytime we go to Montreal to visit my mom she always drives(shes from Montreal) because you cant predict at all what Montreal drivers are going to do! the traffic is horrible unless you know the back streets and tricks to get around busy points etc.

If i had to go to Montreal alone I would fly there and use taxi to get to the airport, then use public transport in Montreal.

[Shirley Ann 6]

We are driving there next week from Niagara. I've heard the traffic is bad and the drivers are worse but he is used to that where he comes from. If I were going alone I would definitely take public transit.. either fly or train!! I'll let you know how the drive was when we get back next weekend.

Just my two cents but I would say that if you are going in late November the weather will be unpredictable for sure. Really anytime in November you run the risk of snow storms North of Toronto.

[SapphireDreams 71]

We contemplated driving but then just ended taking the train since it would take us right into downtown Montreal and would allow us just to relax and not worry about having to get through traffic or be tired.

If you live in downtown Toronto and have access to Union Station, I'd recommend looking into the train!

[ralyse 31]

We drove from Brampton back in August and other than some construction on the 401 it was fine. A little stressful when actually in Montreal, but not as bad as we'd been expecting from what we heard. I think it all comes down to your comfort level with city driving. my husband drove and he's a relatively comfortable city driver so it was fine.

[Udella&Wiz 325]

I am contemplating driving to Montreal from Toronto for my interview. I am just wondering if anyone, who has done this before, would be kind enough to share your experience. Since you did it, in hindsight, would you have done it differently?

I have no families in Toronto for pick up or drop off to the Airport. I also plan to return to work the next day. Driving is cheaper, most importantly it gives a lot fexibility in terms of scheduling....I am a little concerned of the long driving and uncertainties on the road...traffic, weather etc...my interview date is towards end of November.

It would be great to hear someone who has done it before and confirms driving to Montreal is manageble.

Many thanks in advance for sharing your stories/thoughts.

Not sure there's much to share - we drove and then we drove back Actually we left from Kitchener so tack an extra hour onto that. We did it in early Oct.

You drive the 401E for about 6-7 hours - it's a rather dull drive , not much on the landscape. We left in the morning and arrived around 5 pm. Likely you'll hit Montreal's evening rush hour traffic depending on when you leave. The signs are fine - my US Husband had no trouble with the signs (he was worried about French).

Good luck, nothing to be worried about.

[Stuart and Thea 95]

I'm leaving on Thursday, but not driving. I'm taking the bus! There's a coach canada bus line from megabus.com that has LOADS of buses running between the two cities every day at all hours, and the price is incredible, something like 17$!!! My mom, my son and I booked round trip tickets for the three of us for 72$

Yes the train is faster.... but quite a bit more expensive, and let's face it, missing time off work when we already are spending so much to do the medical and interview, animals to the kennel, moving costs.... what's an extra couple of hours?? We just plan to bring a laptop with a movie on it, and a book!

[brooksie 3]

i drove if your from toronto you should be used to the drivers lol, the drivers in montreal are about 10 times worse but its still cheep it took less then a tank of gas each way it took like 5 hours wasnt bad at all. i dont know how much you hate driveing thats always a factor i also drove the 24 hours from toronto to florida lol

[Kimbear 53]

We drove from Windsor to montreal for ours. Drive wasn't too bad. Plan your route around the mississauga traffic..that alone took a few hours to get through, only other bad area was when you get into downtown montreal.

[KTandTommy 31]

I haven't driven there for the interview (yet!) but I have driven to Montreal from Toronto just for fun, in February of 2009. It was a straight, easy drive across the 401. February isn't really the best time for a road trip, but we didn't run into any problems.

Don't turn right on reds. I'm not sure if it's EVERYWHERE in Montreal, or just at certain intersections, but better safe than sorry. Lots of one-way streets, keep an eye out for them.

If you have a GPS, it's useful, but I didn't have one at the time, and I was fine. If you're used to driving in Toronto traffic, you'll be fine

[pocheros 101]

Be prepared for lots of potholes in Montreal! That's the only advice I have

[Kimbear 53]

I haven't driven there for the interview (yet!) but I have driven to Montreal from Toronto just for fun, in February of 2009. It was a straight, easy drive across the 401. February isn't really the best time for a road trip, but we didn't run into any problems.

Don't turn right on reds. I'm not sure if it's EVERYWHERE in Montreal, or just at certain intersections, but better safe than sorry. Lots of one-way streets, keep an eye out for them.

If you have a GPS, it's useful, but I didn't have one at the time, and I was fine. If you're used to driving in Toronto traffic, you'll be fine

no right turns is all over island of montreal and quite a few places in Quebec. just be on the safe side and dont do it lol. usually there are signs stating you can't do it. also if your used to ontario roads. you will absolutely HATE quebec roads..soon as you pass lancaster the roads are craptastic. and if you need gast fill up before the border, quebec is quite a bit more epensive for gas.

[Krikit 1,164]

I picked my husband up at the airport in Buffalo then drove thru New York State and crossed at the Quebec border, then back through Toronto. I don't find driving in Montreal any different than driving in any big city. The downside is that everyone knows their city and you don't, so you'll be hesitant and they won't. I would be a bit concerned about the weather, though. That's a long stretch to be driving if a winter storm comes. The train is super convenient. You can hop on at Union Station (or whichever station you're closest to) and hop off in downtown Montreal.... steps away from the hotels and the Consulate. Let someone else worry about the roads and the drivers.

[pocheros 101]

I took the VIA train from Toronto to Montreal. It only cost $125, which isn't that much compared to a car when you factor in gas and parking. I chose the fastest ones, i.e. it only took 5 hours to get from Toronto to Montreal, and the consulate was about a ten minute walk from the station. There's a bunch of hotels nearby too.