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Conference Information > Local Information & Travel

Local Information

The City

Montréal is a city rich in history, art, culture, learning, and sports. The city's architecture, too, is an artful mix of old and new, with graceful historic structures lovingly preserved and merged with the cool lines of the 21st century. The visual arts flourish here at the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts, the Musée d'art contemporain, and hundreds of top-notch local galleries. To learn more about Montréal, visit the Greater Montréal Convention and Tourism Bureau web site at http://asa.alamontreal.com/.

Montréal is an international city, accessible from just about anywhere in the world. Connected via major airlines across the globe, Montréal is only an hour and a half from New York City, two hours from Chicago, and six hours from London. Montréal-Trudeau International Airport recently underwent major renovations in order to improve services for travelers and modernize the infrastructure. A new transborder jetty was opened in 2003. Taxis and limousines ensure quick service to and from Montréal's downtown core. There is also shuttle bus service, l'Aérobus, that links the airports to convenient connecting points in Montréal.

Montréal's Gare centrale (Central Station), with rail connections from New York or Washington, DC, is also a major stop for domestic trains from eastern or western Canada. The downtown station is conveniently connected to Bonaventure underground métro station by a pedestrian passageway. Bus travelers arrive downtown at the Montréal Bus Central Station, also connected to the métro (Berri-UQAM station).

Montréal is only 29 miles (47 km) from the New York border. The New York State Thruway (I-87) becomes Route 15, and U.S. I-89 becomes two-lane Route 133, which joins Highway 10 to Montréal. From I-91 in Massachusetts, highways 55 and 10 lead to Montréal. Visitors coming to Montréal from eastern or western Canada may use highways 20 and 40. Québec speed limits are in kilometers (100 kph equals about 62 mph). Gasoline is sold in liters (3 3/4 liters equals 1 gallon).

Time Zone

Montréal is in the Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Zone.

Weather

The weather in Montréal greatly varies with the four seasons, so visitors are encouraged to check the forecast before packing. Web site links providing basic weather information include www.meteo.ec.gc.ca (Meteorological Service of Canada) and www.theweathernetwork.com (The Weather Network).

July/August Averages:
               High: 80° F
               Low: 60° F

Suggested Attire

July and August can be very humid in Montréal. Afternoons should be clear and bright, but evenings can be chilly. Dress in light-weight or business casual clothes and comfortable shoes when walking around the city. Be prepared with a light-weight jacket or sweater for evenings and when attending sessions and meetings, as the convention center and hotels are air-conditioned. It is also advised to bring an umbrella.

Child Care

While JSM will not have organized child care available, services may be organized through your hotel's concierge desk.

Restaurants

To search detailed dining information, click here.

Montréal Attractions

To search area attractions and events while in town, click here.

Gray Line Montreal is offering JSM attendees a 15% discount on all of their Montréal tours. Print your coupon here and then go to www.graylinemontreal.com to learn about their tours.

Sales Tax


Travel Information

Airports and Airlines

Montréal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) is located 20 minutes from downtown. Montréal is accessible from both U.S. and international locations.

Airline Discounts

Air Canada is offering a discount for attendees traveling between July 27 and August 15, 2013, and flying into Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. To make a discounted reservation, go to www.aircanada.com and enter promotion code XF9QXUU1. The discount will be displayed after entering the promotion code.

Public Transportation

The Society in Motion (STM) offers fast and convenient service from the airport to downtown. The 747 Express Bus directly services the airport and downtown area. The Palais des congrès de Montréal (convention center) is located on the Orange Line at the Place-d'Armes metro stop. While all hotels booked through the JSM Housing Bureau are walkable to the Palais, four hotel room rates include one five-day STM pass per room for easier access to the Palais. Please visit the Housing Information webpage for more information about the properties offering these passes.

STM Website: http://www.stm.info/English/a-somm.htm

Métro Schedule

  • Green and Orange lines: Monday-Friday and Sunday, 5:30 a.m.-12:30 a.m.; Saturday, 5:30 a.m.-1 a.m.
  • Yellow line: Monday-Friday and Sunday, 5:30 a.m.-12:50 a.m.; Saturday, 5:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m.
  • Blue line: Daily, 5:30 a.m.-12:15 a.m.

Taxi Service

Many companies provide taxi service from the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. You can find a taxi at the arrivals level near the central exit located in front of the cloakroom. A dispatcher will assist you in finding a taxi.

Car Rentals

The Avis Worldwide Discount (AWD) Number is D016343. Enter the AWD number at www.avis.com to receive the best car rental rates available. You also can contact Todd Alexander at (800) 525-7537, Ext. 35003, or the meetings and convention department at (800) 525-7537. The discount is effective seven days before and after JSM.

Accessibility for Those with Disabilities

If you have a disability that may impede your participation, check the box on the registration form and attach a statement regarding your needs. The ASA Meetings Department will contact you prior to JSM, but appropriate accommodations cannot be ensured without prior notification. The Palais des congrès de Montréal is accessible to patrons with disabilities.

Passport and Visa Information

Don't forget to ensure you have a valid passport at all times, and, in some cases, a visa. American citizens returning home should also be aware that there are new customs requirements in effect. For more information, visit the Citizenship and Immigration Canada and the U.S. Department of State websites.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada: www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit.index.asp

U.S. residents can access the following websites for passport and visa information:
Passport: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Visa: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

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