Canadian Grand Prix ⋅ Getting to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Plan
Your
Canadian
Grand Prix
DESTINATIONS
Getting to the Canadian Grand Prix is straightforward, ranking as one of the easiest Formula 1 races to access. Held on Île Notre-Dame in the St. Lawrence River, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is just a short metro ride from downtown Montreal.
We’ll cover everything from booking flights and airport transfers to metro tips, river shuttles, recommended circuit entrances, and park-and-ride options.
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a returning fan, this guide will help you navigate your way to the track with confidence and make the most of race weekend in Montreal.
International Travel: Flying to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix
Montreal’s Pierre Elliott-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) handles all domestic and international flights, from over 140 direct destinations across Canada, the US, Europe, and the Middle East.
Skyscanner’s powerful search tools help to uncover the cheapest routes and the best flight deals. Set price alerts to get deals when they drop, or use the monthly chart view to find the best time to book.
Tip: Flights during Grand Prix weekend (especially Sunday evening and Monday morning) often sell out or become expensive. Book early if you’re flying to Montreal for F1.
How to Get from Montreal Airport to Downtown: Bus, Taxi & Rideshare
From YUL, you can reach the downtown area in 20–70 minutes by car or bus.
747 Airport Express Bus
This airport shuttle connects you with transport hubs in Montreal, including metro stations. Regular buses depart 24/7 and take about 45–70 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.
- Fare: CA$11.00. Buy at machines in the arrivals hall, or you can pay the driver (cash only).
- Route: Connects YUL to downtown Montreal, with major stops at Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM metro stations. From here you can transfer to a local bus or metro to get to your accommodation.
Tip: For just slightly more, you can buy a multi-day STM transit pass that will cover your metro rides to the Grand Prix as well as your 747 Airport Express Bus ticket. See the boxed text in the metro section below.
Taxi & Rideshare
Getting from Montréal-Trudeau Airport to downtown Montreal by car takes around 20–30 minutes in normal traffic. You can choose between a traditional taxi or app-based rideshare services like Uber, Lyft, and Eva.
- Fare: Taxis charge a fixed rate of CA$49.45 from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and CA$56.70 from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., to downtown Montreal. Rideshare costs from CA$35–CA$50 (can vary with surge pricing).
- Payment: In theory, taxis should accept credit cards as well as cash, but check with the driver before getting in. Rideshare options are app-based only and don’t accept cash.
- Where to find them: There is a taxi rank and a dedicated rideshare zone at the arrivals level.
Car Rental
Major car rental companies operate at YUL, including Alamo, AVIS, Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty.
Note: While renting a car is convenient for exploring areas outside Montreal, it’s not recommended for accessing Circuit Gilles Villeneuve due to limited parking and traffic restrictions during the Grand Prix weekend.
Local Travel: Getting to the Canadian Grand Prix — Metro, Ferry & Recommended Gates
Once you’re in Montreal, getting to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve is easy peasy. Whether you’re taking the metro, a river shuttle, or driving to a park and ride lot, here’s what you need to know about getting to the track and finding your way to your seats once you’re there.
Using the Montreal Metro During Grand Prix Weekend
The Montreal Subway System (STM) is an efficient way to get around the city, whether you’re sightseeing or going to the circuit.
Montreal Metro Tickets and Passes: What to Buy for Race Weekend
You can buy regular tickets and multi-day passes at any metro station, either from a ticket booth or the ticket vending machines. They can also be purchased from many authorised retailers around Montreal.
The regular fare is CA$3.75, though if you’re hanging around in Montreal for the weekend, you’ll probably save money by getting a pass. Pick up the 3-day pass (CA$21.25) or the Unlimited Weekend pass (CA$15.75) and enjoy unlimited travel on Montreal’s metro and bus systems (including the 747 Airport Express Bus).
How to Get to the Canadian Grand Prix by Metro
The metro is by far the most convenient way of getting to the circuit and is the most popular choice for the majority of race fans.
From the station on Ile Ste-Helene, you can walk to your grandstand in about 10–50 minutes, depending on where your seats are (not including ticket and bag checks).
The metro can get crowded, especially on Sunday after the race, but station staff do their best to keep the lines moving and generally things run smoothly.
- Nearest metro station: Jean-Drapeau station (Zone A) on the yellow line is the closest to the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
- Trip duration: It takes between 10 and 40 minutes to get to the station, depending on where you’re staying in the city.
- Frequency: The trains normally run every 4–5 minutes on weekdays and 8–11 minutes on the weekend, but there are extra services on Grand Prix weekend.
- Operating hours: The metro is open from 5:30 am to 1.00 am, so if you have a ticket for unreserved seating and are planning an early start, you have lots of time.
Tip: If you don’t have a pass, get a return ticket in the morning to avoid the queues after the race.
Taking the River Shuttle to the Canadian Grand Prix
If you want a more relaxed and scenic way of getting to the circuit you may consider the Navettes Maritimes river shuttle. Hop off at Ile Ste-Helene. From here it’s a pleasant 10-15 minute walk to the circuit entrance.
Tickets are available through the website or at the port, though booking in advance is recommended. The fare is CA$6 for a one-way crossing and free for children under 11.
Old Port of Montreal
This service operates a special route during the Grand Prix weekend (Line N5). Ferries start at 8.15 am and returning, the last boat is at 10.00 pm.
- Departures: Jacques-Cartier Pier, a few minutes walk from Champ-de-Mars metro station.
- Crossing duration: 5 minutes
- Frequency: every 30 minutes
Longueuil
If coming from east of the St. Lawrence River, you can take the regular river shuttle (Line N4). There are four services that will get you to the circuit in time for the race, starting at 9.30 am. Coming back the last boat is at 10.10 pm.
- Departures: Réal Bouvier Marina, near Parc Marie-Victorin.
- Crossing duration: 15 minutes
- Frequency: every 1 hour
Walking Routes from Metro and Ferry to Your Gate
Whether you take the metro or the ferry, you will need to access the circuit via one of two bridges that connect St Helen’s Island to Ile-Notre-Dame.
For the Cosmos Entrance, veer left after the station and cross the Cosmos bridge. From here, follow the signs to your grandstand. Walking time: 5 minutes.
The Concorde Entrance is a bit further. For the fastest route, take the path to the right, beside the fountains outside the station and cross the Concorde Bridge. Walking time: 15 minutes.
Recommended Gates
Whether you have a GA ticket, Grandstand or Hospitality Suite you can use any entrance to access the circuit but these are the recommended gates.
- Cosmos Entrance: grandstands 15, 21, 34, 46, 47, the Lance Stroll Grandstand and platform 21A.
- Concorde Entrance: Jamaica Pavillion, La Toundra suite, platform 41A, grandstands 1, 2, 11, 12, 31, Platine and the Family Grandstand.
- Casino Entrance: Élite Suite, Podium Suite, Élite Restaurant, Senna Club, Podium Club, Platine Châle, Privilege 12.
Driving to the Canadian Grand Prix
It is not recommended to drive to the circuit since no parking is provided, and there is little parking in the area. If you have to come some of the way by car, park within walking distance of a metro station and hop on a train to the circuit instead.
Montreal Grand Prix Park-and-Ride Options: Where to Book
The Montreal Grand Prix have partnered with clicknpark to provide a park and ride solution for race-goers. There are dozens of parking lots throughout the city, most within 1–10 minutes walk of a metro station.
Spaces cost from about CA$15–30. Most can be booked on the website, though some require you to download the app.
Taking a Taxi to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
In normal conditions, a trip from downtown to the circuit will take about 10–15 minutes and cost CA$20-CA$30, depending on where you’re staying. On a race weekend you could reasonably expect the heavy traffic to double those estimates.
If you plan to take a taxi to and from the circuit, it is strongly advised to arrange the return journey in advance. MTL Taxi lists reputable taxi companies in Montreal.
Ask the driver to take you to the Senna Zone and get dropped off at the Casino de Montréal landing stage. Access is via the Avenue Pierre-Dupuy.
About Me
I’m Danny, an incurable Formula 1 fan for over 35 years and founder of The F1 Spectator. My aim is to inform and inspire, arming you with helpful tips and advice for your next F1 trip.
