Airport
For more information about the Montréal-Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport, we invite you to visit the website at www.admtl.com.
Getting Around Montreal
Public transport is a great way to see the city. Hop on the metro and in just 10 minutes you're at a museum, restaurant or in Old Montréal. Affordable and reliable, the metro can be accessed via the city's Underground Pedestrian Network: two of the four main lines connect downtown to major tourism sites as well as to numerous bus stops and train stations. Weekly passes are available. Métro operating hours are Monday to Friday and Sunday from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Saturday from 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. The average wait time between trains is eight minutes and three minutes during rush hour. If you prefer getting around by taxi, it's easy to flag one down on the street. You'll also find them at one of the city's many taxi stands or in front of most major hotels. A trip to the airport from downtown will cost you a flat rate of CAD 40 - not including tip. Some taxis will also transport bicycles. Renting a BiXi bike is another great and inexpensive alternative.
Banks
Banks are open from Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 17:00 and sometimes on Saturdays. You will find automated teller machines mostly everywhere.
Car Rentals
Cars can be rented in Montréal from local or international companies. Average cost per day for a medium-sized car is CAD 90. All cars are left-hand drive.
Climate & Clothing
May in Montréal can be warm and rainy but is generally pleasant with daytime temperatures ranging between 7ºC (45ºF) and 19ºC (66ºF). We recommend bringing a range of clothing and dressing in layers. It can be warm in the daytime and chilly in the evenings. Also bring a light jacket to the Palais des congrès as it may feel cold due to air conditioning.
Currency
The Canadian dollar is the national currency. Automatic teller machines and exchange offices are readily available. Most hotels, restaurants and shops accept major credit cards.
Electricity
Electrical outlets in Canada provide the same current as in the United States that is 110 volts (60 cycles). If you are traveling from Europe or elsewhere, you will need an adapter to use small appliances designed for a different standard (220/240 V).
Health Insurance & Hospitals
Canadian hospitals and medical services are excellent. The vast majority of hospitals are publicly managed and rates are set by provincial and hospital authorities. Hospital care for non-residents of Canada is charged at a daily rate or on the basis of the medical condition and length of stay. Charges vary from province to province and from hospital to hospital, but generally range from CAD 1,000 to CAD 2,000 a day. It is therefore important to obtain travel health insurance before leaving home, since it is possible your regular health insurance does not include coverage outside your country of residence.
Languages
The official language of the Conference will be English. We do not foresee offering simultaneous translation.
Liability
The Organizing Committee and/or Meeting Organizer shall not be held liable for personal accidents or losses or damage to private property of registered participants of the Conference and all of its related activities. Participants should make their own arrangements with respect to personal insurance.
Sales Taxes
Goods and services
A federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% is charged on most goods and services in Canada. A Québec provincial tax (TVQ) of 9.5% is added to all goods and services purchased in the province of Québec.
Accommodations
There is a tax on the cost of each accommodation unit rented in an establishment located in the Montréal tourism region. The amount of the tax is 3.5% per night if visitors pay for the accommodation themselves.
Shopping
Most shops are open Monday to Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Thursday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday). They are usually closed on legal holidays – and on January 2 in the majority of cases – but some establishments (supermarkets, SAQ outlets, etc.) may still be open. Bars and restaurants serve alcohol from 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. Some restaurants have a BYOW policy, which allows you to bring wine and beer of your choice. You can purchase alcohol at convenience stores (dépanneurs) and grocery stores between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., but for hard liquor and a greater selection of wine and beer, stop by one of the many Société des Alcools du Québec (SAQ) outlets. The legal drinking age in Québec is 18 years old.
Tipping
Service is not included in restaurants and it is customary to add a 15% tip to the total. (A quick way to calculate the appropriate tip amount is to add the two taxes that appear at the bottom of your bill. It works out to roughly 13%). If you are with a group, 15% for service may be automatically added to your bill. Just ask when you are not sure if tip is included. Taxi drivers, hairdressers, etc. are also normally tipped 15%. Bellhops, porters, doormen, etc. generally receive at least CAD 1 per suitcase or per service rendered. Coffee and food counters often have a tip cup next to the cash register; spare change is always appreciated.