Cobblestone streets. Cathedral bells. Café tables tucked beneath glowing string lights. Montreal feels like a transatlantic escape — without crossing the ocean.
As the largest city in Québec, it blends French charm with North American energy. It’s historic and modern, artistic and athletic, refined, and just a little rebellious. And beginning May 1, it’s nonstop from Columbus.
Whether you’re craving culture, cuisine, or using it as a steppingstone to somewhere even farther, Montreal delivers with style.
CMH to YUL: Getting there from Columbus
Flight time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
Airline: Air Canada
Nonstop service from Columbus to Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) launches May 1.
YUL is a major international hub and a convenient gateway to Europe, offering onward connections to cities across France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and beyond.
Historic charm
Few North American cities rival Montreal’s old-world atmosphere.
Wander through Old Montreal, where cobblestone streets and 17th-century architecture feel pulled from a European postcard. Step inside the breathtaking Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, known for its deep blue ceiling and intricate woodwork.
Climb Mount Royal for panoramic skyline views or stroll the Old Port along the St. Lawrence River as street performers and sailboats drift by.
It’s romantic without trying too hard.
Culture and cuisine
Montreal is a feast in every sense.
Start with a wood-fired Montreal bagel. Add a plate of poutine. Linger at a sidewalk café with espresso and people-watching as your only agenda.
The city is also home to world-renowned festivals, including the Montreal International Jazz Festival, which transforms downtown into one giant open-air stage each summer.
French is the official language, but you’ll hear English throughout the city — and hospitality speaks fluently in both.
Art, neighborhoods, and hidden corners
From vibrant murals in the Plateau to the flavors of Jean-Talon Market, Montreal’s neighborhoods each tell their own story.
Browse boutiques. Duck into galleries. Visit markets overflowing with fresh produce, pastries, and flowers. In winter, the city glows under fresh snow; in summer, it spills into parks and patios.
Every season writes a different chapter.
Start your European story
With new nonstop service launching May 1 from Columbus to Montreal, your next adventure just got closer.
Spend a weekend immersed in French-Canadian culture. Or connect onward through YUL to Europe and beyond.
Take the trip. Trust your departure plan. Bonjour is waiting.