Canadian Grand Prix, Where to stay?

Buffalo is about 12 hours away driving....makes no sense to do this!!!!!

Fly into Montreal or, if you want to save money, look into landing at Plattsburgh airport but then you'll be about 90 minutes away by car. However, the savings have to be significant.

Now is a great time to visit Canada because the exchange rate has gone from 10% unfavourable to 40% favorable in a couple of years so you'll get 1.40$ for every US dollar you exchange.

Hotels are very expensive....I suggest using airbnb.com and book yourself a nice condo near griffintown or even uptown Montreal. You can then use Uber or the metro to get to the racetrack.

 

The last Canadian GP I attended was in the 90s, so I don't know if it is the same. We stayed in a hotel near a Metro stop. Parked at the hotel for free, left the car and took the Metro everywhere. I believe you might want to credit card and ATM for cash. At the time we saved all our receipts, and at the border at the duty free store if you stayed in Canada less than 30 days they refunded your VAT tax. Like I said, I don't what it like today. Distance from Buffalo to Montreal 396 miles, 6 hours.

 

The first time I went to Montreal I flew into Burlington, VT. All the other times i flew into Montreal. The nice thing about flying out of Montreal is you preclear US customs. When I drove across the border customs were a pain in the butt including my car being searched and a pat down search entering Canada.

As for hotels there are plenty of hotels outside of Montreal if you want to get away from the city and the prices are lower. Just do some searching around. For the race I parked at the metro station east of the track. Smaller crowds after the race over heading west towards downtown to get back on the metro.

 

Stay at home if the raving is as boring as 2014/2015, save your money till there's actual competition!

 

Buffalo is indeed 6 hours away....somehow I got confused between pittsburgh and Buffalo.

 

I economize by staying at a motel on the south shore in Brossard or Greenfield Park. I drive to the Longueuil Metro station, park there and take the train to the islands. It's not fancy, but it's practical, and a lot less crowded than downtown!

Incidentally, if Montreal is too expensive to fly into, I once flew into Ottawa, which is about 2 hours away by car. I stayed in Hawkesville, which is about midway between the two cities. (Be forewarned - Hawkesville is in Ontario, but I heard more French than in Montreal!)

 

I stayed at the downtown Sheraton back in 2000, 2001. It was convenient to take the Metro to the race track.

 

Fly into Montreal or Burlington VT (about 90 min). If you fly into VT, border crossing is not a big deal. Yes, hotels are expensive that weekend. Hotels downtown run around $400+/night. You can stay out by the airport (20 min outside the city) for about half the price. Personally I say it's all about location... Spend the extra money and stay as close to the downtown experience as possible. Montreal is a great city and there is a lot going on for the F1 weekend. They have downtown streets blocked off with car events, shows, displays, etc. it's just a great overall experience...so much more to offer in addition to the track.
I live just outside of Burlington VT and have been going to the Canadian GP for almost 30 years... It's a great event!

 

I did the same thing when I went. Downtown is a party and lots of fun. I'd do it again.

 

One of the coolest things about the Grand Prix of Canada is all the action going on downtown montreal.

I think it is a MUST to stay in the city to experience all the events and craziness. Also very easy to get to the track by metro or taxi from downtown.

Driving and parking is chaos because they close the main bridge to the track and there is a lot of walking.

Hotel rates tend to go up, so if budget is an issue, you can stay at a holiday inn or something like that right in the city and that should suffice.

Be sure to book now though!

 

I've done the Montreal GP 10 times. It's a great weekend.

1) depending on when you want to fly, flight prices and convenience between Montreal Trudeau vs. (Ottawa, Burlington, et al) are not that significant. Sunday night tends to be the hardest/priciest flights to get.

2) best alternate airports are Ottawa, Burlington and Albany, NY (Albany is a 4 hour ride, but you go thru Adirondack State Park and it's a nice drive). The border is tighter and the worst thing you'll find are long lines. Have a passport. FWIW since the Patriot Act, Canada has access to US criminal justice records....we found out one of our friends had a prior DUI and they would not admit him!

3) all the off-track action occurs downtown, other than a few parties (eg. at FoQ dealership on Friday, and a few Ferrari Club parties). Walking around downtown in the evenings is great. Plan ahead on dinner reservations.

3) downtown hotels are simply pricey, and many require 4 night minimum stays. airport is a great option, cheaper and more flexible. You can sort of plan on taxis and Uber to get around, but be prepared for long waits, as everyone has the same idea. Ideally, find a hotel near a Metro stop, park at your hotel and you can get to the track and downtown easily (just follow the crowds).

4) sort of a "at your own risk" approach, for probably the last 4 years, I've had a friend who literally booked his hotel room while driving up....there are a number of corporate hospitality reservations that get cancelled last minute, I would not advise it but it's an option.

 

You can stay downtown in a McGill residence that is like an upscale dorm for about 170 a night....

 

I have stayed at Le St. Martin in downtown area. Great boutique hotel. Last year I stayed at Westin in old Montreal. Great hotel as well.

 

Room rates & reservations

Highly recommended. Dorm living with showers etc. No TV as a rule but who needs TV when you are downtown Montreal, 5 min walk from Crescent St and the subway. Parking right on site in a secure area. Worth a try. Great sandwiches made up for race day across the street at the Polish convenience store.

 

Not a bad idea. I'll have to consider that the next time I go to the GP.

 

I'm new here but have done Montreal a few times. Be sure to make your way down crescent st. They usually close it off and have different theme nights. They have great patios overlooking the street although they do fill up.


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I went to the Canadian GP last year and had a wonderful stay at Holiday Inn Montreal Centreville Downtown. It's not necessarily the most luxurious hotel, but had great amenities, nice local bar/restaurant, walk/car accessible to the main downtown street with all the F1 action..

However MOST importantly, it is next to the metro station and only about 3 stops away from the racetrack. It was super convenient and only took us about 10 minutes to get there. Priced from around $300-$350 per night.

I'd say its a good compromise between getting the entire downtown experience and being close to the track. One bit of warning, the parking here is a bit sketchy in an unattended underground lot. My friend and I intend to bring our exotics (2 lambos) across the border this year and will likely leave them at the local dealer for parking. From there taxis and uber are a great way to get around the downtown area. Good luck!

 

We've stayed here quite a bit. Large rooms which are nice and they have a kitchen in each. Is basically a redone warehouse. We go to the grocery store down the street and load up for the weekend since you can bring food and drink to the track. Nice way to offset some of the cash you end up blowing at night!

Square Phillips Hotel and Suites Montreal hotel downtown