Destination
Welcome to Montréal, Canada!
A striking union of European charm and North American attitude, Montréal welcomes visitors with the pairing of the historic and the new, from exquisite architecture to fine dining.
Because of its position in the St. Lawrence River, the island of Montréal was originally a diplomatic trading area for regional First Nations: the Atikamekw to the north, the Anishinaabe (Algonquin) to the west and the Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk), part of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, to the south. This strategic location and fertile soil made Montréal desirable, as archaeological evidence makes clear.
Today, 120 distinct ethnic communities comprise a population of more than 4 million, making Montréal a true mosaic of cultures and traditions. The world’s second-largest Francophone city after Paris, Montréal merits the moniker “international” city, a cosmopolitan centre with proud roots in the past and an enthusiastic embrace of the future.
Conference Venue & Accommodation
CDS 2026 will take place at the iconic Hotel Bonaventure, an urban resort in the heart of downtown Montreal.
The iconic landmark of the city, the Bonaventure offers elegance in a unique setting in Montreal. Winner of several awards for its high level of quality and service, the hotel continues to maintain its distinctive personality and character. Its surprising 2.5 acres of gardens with streams inhabited by ducks and fish as well as a year-round outdoor heated pool make this hotel an ideal place to combine work and pleasure. Nestled on the top two floors of Place Bonaventure, the hotel is at the center of the city surrounded by top attractions, great restaurants and many bars, pubs, and cafes.
Rooms are available at the discounted conference rate for delegates attending the Cognitive Development Society conference until the specific room booking deadline or until the rooms are sold out.
Rates:
Single or Double Occupancy: $229CAD + tax per night
Interested in Roomshare?
Interested in finding fellow delegates to share hotel rooms with during CDS 2026? If so, please fill out our Roomshare form once open in late 2025.
Travel
Getting to Montreal
By Air
Montreal is served by the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL), only 20 minutes from downtown Montreal. With over 32 air carriers offering direct service, and over 130 domestic and international destinations, to Montreal-Trudeau International Airport, finding the right flight can be easy and direct. With nonstop flights from major hubs like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Miami, New York, Washington, Los Angeles, and more, there should be options for most.
Access from Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Hotel Bonaventure
Public transportation, hotel shuttles, cabs and ride sharing options are available for transportation from the airport to downtown Montreal.
The 747 YUL Aeroport Montreal-Trudeau/Centre-ville bus runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week between the airport and Lionel-Groulx and Berri-UQAM/Downtown Metro stations. Delegates staying in downtown Montreal will want the Berri-UQAM station. The trip takes between 45 – 70 minutes depending on traffic volumes and has 11 stops.
The cost of the trip is $11CAD with the ticket being valid for 24 hours after purchase. Tickets can be purchased directly from your phone using the Chrono or Transit mobile apps, or through a vending machine on the international arrivals level, or paid with exact change (coins only) on board the bus.
Ride share apps including Uber offer on demand black car and ride share services from YUL with prices varying depending on the time of day.
Taxis have a set rate depending on the time of day from the airport to downtown Montreal. Prices range from $50 – $57 CAD.
By Car
Montreal is closer than you think! Depending on your originating destination Montreal is easy to get to and is only 75 kilometers (46 miles) from the US border. As Montreal is an island, drivers will arrive in Montreal by crossing one of the major bridges, Champlain, Jacques-Cartier, or Victoria, or the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine bridge tunnel to downtown. As a reminder to drivers, Canada uses the metric system and speeds are indicated in kilometers per hour (100km/h = 62 mph).
Passports & Visas
While visas are not currently required for some nationalities, visitors are required to have a valid passport. Information on nationalities requiring a visa may be obtained from the Canadian Immigration and Citizenship website (hhttps://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html) .
If you do not require a visa, you may require an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to travel to Canada. This is quick and easy to apply for but it must be applied for prior to travelling and is good for up to five years, or until your passport expires.
The CDS Secretariat and Podium Conference Specialists will provide assistance in obtaining visas in the form of support letters. It is recommended that you apply early for a visa. To request a visa support letter once you have registered, or submitted, please email us below. Note, you do not have to wait until your submission has been accepted or you have registered to request a letter of support.
Getting around Montreal
Hotel Bonaventure is in the heart of the city so getting around is easy and safe!
Montreal’s public transit system and pedestrian-friendly streets can take you from a day as a tourist at the museum, to an evening at the best restaurant. Or hop on a BIXI public bike to explore some of the city’s over 750 kilometres of bike paths.
Montreal Transit – Public transportation is an affordable way to get around Montréal. The metro (subway) system is clean, safe and fast. As a bonus, the public transit network is relatively simple, with just four lines connecting the downtown centre to major tourist sites, bus stops and train stations. The metro operates daily from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. (1:30 a.m. on Saturdays). The average wait time between
Taxis – An abundance of taxis can be found in Montreal and the surrounding areas to get you between destinations but in such a walkable city, the need is not great!
Uber & Lyft – Ride sharing is available throughout Montreal.
Local Info
Tipping is expected in Montreal with the standard tip of 15 – 20% of the bill.
The currency in Montreal is the Canadian Dollar. US dollars may be accepted in some locations but please note, the exchange rate may not be favourable and any change will be in Canadian dollars.
Under Montreal, Quebec law smoking is not permitted in all enclosed public places, within 9m of doors, on terraces/patios, and on school grounds or day care centres.
From March to early November, Montreal operates in the Eastern Daylight Time (UTC-5 hours).
July in Montréal can be humid and range from warm to hot with an average template of 22 – 30ºC (72 – 86 ºF). We recommend bringing a light jacket to indoor venues as it may feel cool due to air conditioning.
In case of emergency: 911
Info-Santé: 811
Québec Poison Control Centre: 1 800 463-5060
Canada operates on 110V, 60 cycle electric power, which is the same as in the United States. Non-North American visitors should bring a plug adapter if they wish to use their own small appliances from home (razors, hair dryers, laptops etc.). If you are visiting from countries, such as Australia, that use a higher voltage, you may encounter problems charging your rechargeable batteries. Canadian electrical goods come with either a two-prong plug, which is the same as the US or a three-prong plug; most sockets accommodate both.