Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport car hire
Our Avis car rental location is situated on-site at Montreal–Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport, so your hire car is ready to go as soon as you are. When you leave baggage claim, follow the signs to the rent-a-car building - situated outside the terminal itself.Once you’ve picked up your rental car from Avis car hire, it’ll take you around 30 minutes to drive into central Montreal via Autoroute 20.
A quick driving tip
Right turns on a red light are not allowed on the Island of Montreal, which is different from the rest of the state (you can do it in Quebec).
Popular car hire locations in Montreal
Plan your trip from Montreal
Montreal itself is the second largest city in Canada. Named a UNESCO City of Design, there is plenty for you to see and do in this mainly - and proudly - French-speaking city.Make sure you visit the Notre-Dame Basilica in Old Montreal. Well known for its richly decorated interior, the detail apparent in its wood carvings is exquisite. Unusually for a church, the beautifully coloured stained glass windows are not biblical but show scenes from the religious history of Montreal. Elsewhere in Montreal's Old Town you’ll find fine restaurants, shops and street performers.
Little Italy is a great place to explore and to learn about the heritage of Italian Canadians. Sample unique foods and visit the famous Jean Talon Market, the largest in the region. There you can enjoy delectable local cheeses, meats and breads.
Parc du Mont-Royal (Mount Royal Park) is a beautiful inner-city park and a nice place to escape to and relax. The hike through woods up to the top of the mountain will give you an amazing view over Montreal.
If sports are your passion, you'll rarely find a more dedicated fanbase than those who follow the Montreal Canadiens, of the National Hockey League (NHL). You can see the Canadiens take to the ice at the famous Centre Bell arena.
Road trips from Montreal
It will take you around three hours to drive from Montreal to Quebec City, subject to what route you take and where you stop off. Quebec City is mainly French speaking and the Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This is a charming area where you’ll come across horse drawn carriages, street performers, art galleries and cafes.The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré is a short drive from Quebec City and is dedicated to Saint Anne, the grandmother of Jesus. Many artists have contributed stunning masterpieces and you’ll see paintings, stained-glass windows and mosaics which all add to the beauty of the church.
The Saguenay Fjord National Park is around a five-and-a-half hour drive from Montreal. The scenery is breath-taking and there are plenty of things to do in all seasons. Partake in fishing, hiking, sailing, biking or simply, wildlife watching. Parking is free and you can stay over to make the most of your stay. On offer is a night hike where you’ll get to see the park’s nocturnal creatures, including bats and owls.
You can drive to Baie St Paul in under four hours from Montreal. Renowned for being the birthplace of Cirque du Soleil, there is plenty to enjoy in one of Quebec’s oldest towns. Cheese lovers should visit the l’écomusée du fromage, where you can sample numerous cheeses and watch how it’s made. Although Baie St Paul is a small town, it has over 30 art galleries and studios and the musée d’art contemporain has contemporary art on display, and even has exhibits on loan from the National Gallery of Canada.
Driving rules in Canada
Which side of the road?In Canada, please drive on the right side of the road.
Country driving laws
- In some provinces mobile phones may only be used with a headset or hands-free device – you should check the law for any provinces you will be travelling in
- Do not overtake school buses
- If pulled over by police, do not exit your vehicle. Turn the ignition off and sit patiently with your hands visible
Speed limits
Speed limits in Canada are set by each province. Please use this as a guide only, you should check the law for any provinces you will be travelling in.
All speed signs will be in km/h.
For a standard Avis rental vehicle with no trailer:
- School zone: 30-50 km/h (19-31 mph)
- Residential areas: 40-50 km/h (25-31 mph)
- Major roads in urban areas: 60-70 km/h (37-44 mph)
- 2-lane highways: 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Motorways: 110 km/h (68 mph)
Unless indicated by road signs.
Child safety / Seatbelt laws
- It is compulsory for the driver and all passengers to wear a seatbelt
- Each province has its own rules and regulations about child seats - you should check the law for any provinces you will be travelling in
Please note - It is the child’s parent / guardian or vehicle renter’s responsibility to fit the child seat.
This road rules information is for provided for general guidance only. We endeavour to keep the information up to date and accurate, but any reliance you place on this information is at your own risk.