driving to Montreal

[tewlip 1]

Has anyone driven to Montreal the day of their interview and not had to stay in a hotel? If so, can you tell me where you parked your car ? At 7:00 in the morning, I don't want to have to deal with the traffic there AND look for parking or I'll go NUTS. I don't know Montreal at all, and am afraid of getting lost if I have to drive the streets looking for parking. thanks :-)

[wally 0]

wow, can't help you on the parking but what I would strongly suggest is you get a good map that shows you the "one way" streets. We got messed up by them. I believe there is public parking near the embassy. Give yourself extra time...driving is crazy there though it won't be as bad that early in the morning.

Good luck on your interview.

[Tuneses 0]

I just drove in for the day (then again the next day to get my visa ). There is a parking lot that charges a decent price and it's one street over from the consulate. I cant remember the direction but if you are comming from the highway it will be one past the consulate road.

[Cygnet 0]

Yes, there are parking lots in the area... quite a bit of them. You can also park at St. Patrick's Basilica. I think the entrance to the parking lot is on Beaver Hall Hill. I don't know what they charge, though. If you park there, all you'll need to do is cross Rene-Levesque.

Good luck with the interview!

Edited July 6, 2006 by Cygnet

[no one 0]

wow, can't help you on the parking but what I would strongly suggest is you get a good map that shows you the "one way" streets. We got messed up by them. I believe there is public parking near the embassy. Give yourself extra time...driving is crazy there though it won't be as bad that early in the morning.

Good luck on your interview.

Can't help with the parking as I'll be taking Coach Canada, but as for maps that show one-way streets... Google Maps show them if you don't mind printing out your own map

[JEDI 0]

• Ok, so I took a little walk on my lunch hour.
  (I work a couple of blocks away.)
  The St. Patrick's Bassilica which Cygnet mentioned is indeed right across the street, but I forgot to check how much they charge.
  I had always been under the impression that parking there was reserved for tourists coming to see the beautiful woodwork of the ancient church, so it's good to know as a viable alternative.
  But, there is a public outdoor parking lot right next to the embassy, on St. Alexandre street.
  (I do NOT think this is the same parking lot of Freda's

bad Montreal Experience infamy.)
To get there, you should come from Ste. Catherine street, which only goes East.
(From the embassy, take Rene-Levesque west to Union, which you take north to Ste. Catherine.)
If coming from the west, you will pass a "The Bay" store building on the left, then a "Burger King", "Future Shop" and "Pharmaprix" all on the right, in quick succession.
Turn right onto St. Alexandre, immediately after the "Pharmaprix", which is on the corner.
You will see the parking lot on the left, about halfway down the block.
Just pull in and park, then go pay at the terminal. (There is no parking lot attendant.)
You can pay with Canadian change or a major Credit Card.
(Remember to go back to your car and put the stub on your dashboard.)
The lot officially opens at 7 in the morning, but it's not like there are any barriers preventing entry.
I assume they would tow anyone parking overnight, though.
It should be relatively empty before 8 in the morning, I imagine. (But by 9, it could be full.)
I believe the sign said that it cost $2.25 an hour for an $11 daily maximum.
I would put in at least enough for 4 hours, or even the whole $11, to be safe.
After that, well, the embassy is the building right there at the south side of the parking lot.
You could even wait in your car if it is cold or rainy, since you can see the front doors from there.

(P.S. Today, when I passed by, the bulletproof glass next to the doors looked like someone had punched it or thrown something at it, because it was cracked and will have to be replaced. I wonder what happened there.)

[KiminON 0]

• Ok, so I took a little walk on my lunch hour.
  (I work a couple of blocks away.)
  The St. Patrick's Bassilica which Cygnet mentioned is indeed right across the street, but I forgot to check how much they charge.
  I had always been under the impression that parking there was reserved for tourists coming to see the beautiful woodwork of the ancient church, so it's good to know as a viable alternative.
  But, there is a public outdoor parking lot right next to the embassy, on St. Alexandre street.
  (I do NOT think this is the same parking lot of Freda's

bad Montreal Experience infamy.)
To get there, you should come from Ste. Catherine street, which only goes East.
(From the embassy, take Rene-Levesque west to Union, which you take north to Ste. Catherine.)
If coming from the west, you will pass a "The Bay" store building on the left, then a "Burger King", "Future Shop" and "Pharmaprix" all on the right, in quick succession.
Turn right onto St. Alexandre, immediately after the "Pharmaprix", which is on the corner.
You will see the parking lot on the left, about halfway down the block.
Just pull in and park, then go pay at the terminal. (There is no parking lot attendant.)
You can pay with Canadian change or a major Credit Card.
(Remember to go back to your car and put the stub on your dashboard.)
The lot officially opens at 7 in the morning, but it's not like there are any barriers preventing entry.
I assume they would tow anyone parking overnight, though.
It should be relatively empty before 8 in the morning, I imagine. (But by 9, it could be full.)
I believe the sign said that it cost $2.25 an hour for an $11 daily maximum.
I would put in at least enough for 4 hours, or even the whole $11, to be safe.
After that, well, the embassy is the building right there at the south side of the parking lot.
You could even wait in your car if it is cold or rainy, since you can see the front doors from there.

(P.S. Today, when I passed by, the bulletproof glass next to the doors looked like someone had punched it or thrown something at it, because it was cracked and will have to be replaced. I wonder what happened there.)

i was there this morning and saw the broken glass. i think not everyone likes americans.

i left my car in the 'infamous freda bad experience lot' as it was only a 10min walk from there and i didn't want to bother with it. no problems & the hotel (days inn) let me keep their parking pass until 1pm. didn't need it though as i was back at my car at 9:18 am!

k

[tewlip 1]

you guys are great !!!!! Jedi.....you walked on your lunch to get me this information??? you're amazing, thank you so much. These days everything stresses me out, so its great that at least I don't have to search for parking :-) Now, all I have to do is make it through following MapQuests directions. thanks again.