Difference between revisions of "Montreal"

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==Hitching Out==
 
==Hitching Out==
 
===Going South, [[New York]], through highway [[Quebec highways|A-15]]===
 
===Going South, [[New York]], through highway [[Quebec highways|A-15]]===
You can walk North from the metro station '''Longueuil''' and find the bridge crossing the highway to join the [[Quebec highways|A-15]] in direction of the [[New York state|New-York State]]/[[United States|USA]]. It's probably not 100% legal to stand on the good spot there, but you will probably quickly get a ride. Be careful at the [[New York state|New-York State]] border.
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You can walk North from the metro station '''Longueuil''' and find the bridge crossing the highway to join the [[Quebec highways|A-15]] in direction of the [[New York state|New-York State]]/[[United States|USA]]. It's probably not 100% legal to stand on the good spot there, but you will probably quickly get a ride.  
  
==== Border Crossing Lacolle ====
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A legal alternative is to catch the southbound A-15 traffic coming off the Pont Champlain (bridge). Theoretically, you can take Bus #14 from the Longueuil bus station to the Brossard area. Tell the driver you want to get off at Boulevard Marie-Victorin. For a reference point, look up the intersection of Place Turenne and Boulevard Marie-Victorin.
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Because of the speed of traffic, you will want to hold a large, visible sign. Some suggestions: "NEW YORK" or "PLATTSBURGH, N.Y."
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On the U.S. side, A-15 becomes Interstate-87 or "The Northway" as it is known in northern New York State. South of Albany, I-87 is known as "The Thruway".
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===Crossing the Border===
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Don't panic! Just because a border guard treats you like a scumbag doesn't mean you are one. Armed with this attitude try and maintain your dignity and self-confidence throughout the encounter and the guard will more likely respect you (even if he or she doesn't show it). Trust me, things will go more smoothly. If you're passing the border inside a car, don't volunteer the fact that you are a hitchhiker. But if it becomes obvious, don't try and deny it, either. Remember, there's no shame in hitching.
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==Passports for U.S. and Canadian citizens==
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U.S. and Canadian citizens are NOT required to show a passport. At least not yet. That doesn't mean a border guard won't ask to see one, though. But, a border guard is not supposed to deny you just because you don't have a passport. Until 2008, border guards are supposed to accept "oral declarations of citizenship" which basically means, "you have to believe me because I told you so."
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If you are a U.S. citizen going into Canada or a Canadian going into the U.S., they have the right to deny you entry for a number of reasons (usually because of a criminal record or you don't look like you have enough money for lunch at a fast-food restaurant). But don't think that just 'cause you don't own a passport you can't cross. You can.
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==Champlain-Lacolle==
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A note about the main crossing at A-15 known as "Champlain-Lacolle". It's technically illegal to hitch south from the main crossing as it is an Interstate highway on which pedestrians (including, er, especially hitchhikers) are forbidden. So unless you get a through ride across the border, there are some alternative border crossings to consider other than the main Champlain-Lacolle crossing on A-15 (I-87 on the U.S. side).
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==Alternative Border Crossings==
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Overton Corners (US), 6 km south of the village of Lacolle, is a small crossing mostly used by locals and by those in the know. It connects the Quebec route 221 with NY-276 and is about 2 miles east of the main Champlain-Lacolle border crossing that connects A-15 and I-87. Obviously, it's only useful if you can get a lift near there, but is sometimes worth saving the hassle as border guards from both countries are generally more laid-back here.
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Other alternatives include Rouses Point, N.Y. and a crossing that links Hemmingford, Quebec and Mooers, N.Y. Both are a bit off the beaten path, but you can get a lift on US-11 back to I-87 pretty easily and you're well on your way. All of these places can easily be found on a map.
  
 
=== Going South-East, toward [[Burlington]], [[Vermont]] along [[Quebec highways|provincial 133]] and [[Sherbrooke]] through highway [[Quebec highways|A-10]] ===
 
=== Going South-East, toward [[Burlington]], [[Vermont]] along [[Quebec highways|provincial 133]] and [[Sherbrooke]] through highway [[Quebec highways|A-10]] ===

Revision as of 03:49, 17 October 2007

Montreal is the biggest city in Quebec, and being the second metropole of Canada in term of population. It is also a well sprawled city with suburbs sprawling on about 100km in several direction from its Downtown.

Montreal is also an incontrovertible city for every travellers as all the highways and main routes goes through its urban centre, which is an island and one of the rare crossing point of the St-Lawrence. With a population over 3 millions and only few bridges, traffic jam are pretty common. It usually takes up to about an hour to cross the city from one point to another when the traffic flow is smooth and obviously certain industrial spots (especially along 'Boulevard Metropolitain' in Dorval Airport Area and along the A-40 in 'Montreal-Est') are to avoid being stucked.

Certain specific spots in the urban area, mainly nearby the metro station are well known for car-sharer and would be a perfect starts to leave the city. A sign marking the city you are heading to will always lower your waiting time, and will more surely help you getting a lift out of the island by a commuter faster.

Hitching Out

Going South, New York, through highway A-15

You can walk North from the metro station Longueuil and find the bridge crossing the highway to join the A-15 in direction of the New-York State/USA. It's probably not 100% legal to stand on the good spot there, but you will probably quickly get a ride.

A legal alternative is to catch the southbound A-15 traffic coming off the Pont Champlain (bridge). Theoretically, you can take Bus #14 from the Longueuil bus station to the Brossard area. Tell the driver you want to get off at Boulevard Marie-Victorin. For a reference point, look up the intersection of Place Turenne and Boulevard Marie-Victorin.

Because of the speed of traffic, you will want to hold a large, visible sign. Some suggestions: "NEW YORK" or "PLATTSBURGH, N.Y."

On the U.S. side, A-15 becomes Interstate-87 or "The Northway" as it is known in northern New York State. South of Albany, I-87 is known as "The Thruway".

Crossing the Border

Don't panic! Just because a border guard treats you like a scumbag doesn't mean you are one. Armed with this attitude try and maintain your dignity and self-confidence throughout the encounter and the guard will more likely respect you (even if he or she doesn't show it). Trust me, things will go more smoothly. If you're passing the border inside a car, don't volunteer the fact that you are a hitchhiker. But if it becomes obvious, don't try and deny it, either. Remember, there's no shame in hitching.

Passports for U.S. and Canadian citizens

U.S. and Canadian citizens are NOT required to show a passport. At least not yet. That doesn't mean a border guard won't ask to see one, though. But, a border guard is not supposed to deny you just because you don't have a passport. Until 2008, border guards are supposed to accept "oral declarations of citizenship" which basically means, "you have to believe me because I told you so."

If you are a U.S. citizen going into Canada or a Canadian going into the U.S., they have the right to deny you entry for a number of reasons (usually because of a criminal record or you don't look like you have enough money for lunch at a fast-food restaurant). But don't think that just 'cause you don't own a passport you can't cross. You can.

Champlain-Lacolle

A note about the main crossing at A-15 known as "Champlain-Lacolle". It's technically illegal to hitch south from the main crossing as it is an Interstate highway on which pedestrians (including, er, especially hitchhikers) are forbidden. So unless you get a through ride across the border, there are some alternative border crossings to consider other than the main Champlain-Lacolle crossing on A-15 (I-87 on the U.S. side).

Alternative Border Crossings

Overton Corners (US), 6 km south of the village of Lacolle, is a small crossing mostly used by locals and by those in the know. It connects the Quebec route 221 with NY-276 and is about 2 miles east of the main Champlain-Lacolle border crossing that connects A-15 and I-87. Obviously, it's only useful if you can get a lift near there, but is sometimes worth saving the hassle as border guards from both countries are generally more laid-back here.

Other alternatives include Rouses Point, N.Y. and a crossing that links Hemmingford, Quebec and Mooers, N.Y. Both are a bit off the beaten path, but you can get a lift on US-11 back to I-87 pretty easily and you're well on your way. All of these places can easily be found on a map.

Going South-East, toward Burlington, Vermont along provincial 133 and Sherbrooke through highway A-10

If you want to get to the Border at St-Armand, Quebec and the state of Vermont, you will have to get a bit outside of the island of Montreal, first, since most of the highways within Montreal directly lead into the highway that goes to the border of New York State. Crossing the border with New York, by hitchhiking, but especially on foot, is not recommended.

The best way to get onto the correct highway for the Vermont border is to take the St-Jean sur Richelieu bus 96 from the Bonaventure Metro Station (Le 1000 de La Gauchetière Terminus, follow the signs from within the Metro Station), all the way to the last stop, Carrefour Terminus, St-Jean sur Richelieu. The bus will cost about $8 CAN, and you must pay the exact fare in cash. The bus runs 7 days a week, and a schedule in PDF format is here, if you click on the link "Circuits 96...".

The Carrefour Terminus, where you will end up, is located in a large parking lot, on Rue Douglas, and there are a few entrances to the A 35 & 104 (Sud & Est, the directions you need), but the closer highway onramps are large, with too much traffic going in various directions, and they are not recommended as a starting point. Rather, from Rue Douglas, make a right onto Rue Pierre-Caisse, walk about one kilometer along it, and make another right onto Blvd du Seminaire Nord, cross under the first overpass, and the highway entrance you need (to A 35 & 104, which turn into 133 just before Sabrevois, Quebec) will be on your right side.

Going East, Quebec city, through highway A-40

Going East, through highway A-20

Go to Longueuil Metro station and then take bus 81 or 82[1]. Get out at the highway A-20 (Right after Lafrance street). You can hitch in one of the ramps right there or go to the next entrance by crossing the railroad and get walk near the industrial area (about 200m, corner of de la Province Street and Transcanadian Highway service lane).

If you're not going to Quebec city but further East, you might want to check the Quebec city article.

Going West, Ontario and Toronto

Going North, to the Laurentides or Ottawa

Take the metropolitan train to the Vaudreuil Station (6,50$). Exiting the train station turn left on Felix-Leclerc St. Then walk (1.5 km) to the truck stop at the Cite-des-Jeunes Blvr.

Laval

Laval is a suburban city within the Montreal Metropolitan Area and a island located north of Montreal in Quebec. It follows the rule of being actually the only entity being it's own city, island, county and administrative region. This, even if its existence is pretty much dependent of the Metropole.

wikitravel:Montreal cswiki:Montreal