Treasa Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Maybe it's best we have one thread where we can discuss our plans and ask advice re hotels and flights etc. That way we won't be jumping between the two gig threads with the same questions and replies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Copying from the gig thread: If you are coming from Europe and trying to economize I would recommend looking at getting a cheap local flight to London and then booking your transatlantic flight from London. Because it's Montreal Paris may also be a good hub. There are charters from London to Canada that are often 30% less than a scheduled airline like Air Canada or British Airways. Flight time selection is not the best, especially in winter, but otherwise I've found there's not a whole lot to justify the extra cost of regular airlines. There is a charter company in the UK called Canadian Affair and I would recommend signing up for their newsletter and keeping an eye on flights and maybe even packages to Montreal. http://Http://canadianaffair.com/ Also I would recommend booking direct with Air Transat http://airtransat.com/. Flights from other cities might be a bit more expensive than flights from London but worth it to take a direct flight and save the hassle. You don't need to book your flight now whichever airline you choose. You will get better pricing probably 3-6 months before February and in fact you probably can't even book charter flights right now because it's too early. For Montreal I would recommend staying near Old Montreal rather than near the venue because that's where all the action is and you only need to be at the venue for a few hours during your whole trip since there is no queuing. I won't be there but I hope you all have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiibet Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 This is very useful, thanks for the thread and thank you Christine for your advices Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Also just some general travel advice. Do not stay in any accommodation until you've checked the reviews on Tripadvisor. http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlelady Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Thank you, Christine:wink2:- Hints from locals are usually the best Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DutchAnnie Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Thanks for opening this thread Treasa and thanks for the tips Christine. For people flying from the Netherlands (Amsterdam), flying via Boston also seems to be less expensive. I don't know how it is when you're from another country, but it might be an idea to check that route too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyaboutmika Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Thanks for opening this thread Treasa and thanks for the tips Christine. For people flying from the Netherlands (Amsterdam), flying via Boston also seems to be less expensive. I don't know how it is when you're from another country, but it might be an idea to check that route too. I m not going but I popping in to wish all of you a wonderful gig this is going to be such an exceptional event I ll be following as much as I can online ...any idea if it might be recorded for TV or internet? it would be so worth it if they made a DVD and with so many MFCers it s going to be a fabulous international meet up I can t wait to see your pics It would. be nice to make a photo album I m not going but I m sure hyper about it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kath Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Just subscribing. Thanks Theresa and Christine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guylainem123 Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 If you have any questions, i'm local & can help a little I hear compared to many cities in Europe, Montreal's prizes are very good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kath Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 If you have any questions, i'm local & can help a little I hear compared to many cities in Europe, Montreal's prizes are very good Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlelady Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 If you have any questions, i'm local & can help a little I hear compared to many cities in Europe, Montreal's prizes are very good Thank you:huglove: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathouzouf Posted April 26, 2014 Share Posted April 26, 2014 Some hotel suggestions: http://www.montreal.hyatt.ca/fr/hote.../standard.html This is the closest to the venue Here's another one: http://www.courtyardmarriottmontreal.com And another https://m.ihg.com/hotels/holidayinn/...eldetail/yulca There's also a Travelodge in the same area http://www.travelodgemontrealcentre.com/ I also work in this area so I can answer many questions:thumb_yello: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarik31 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Copying from the gig thread: If you are coming from Europe and trying to economize I would recommend looking at getting a cheap local flight to London and then booking your transatlantic flight from London. Because it's Montreal Paris may also be a good hub. There are charters from London to Canada that are often 30% less than a scheduled airline like Air Canada or British Airways. Flight time selection is not the best, especially in winter, but otherwise I've found there's not a whole lot to justify the extra cost of regular airlines. There is a charter company in the UK called Canadian Affair and I would recommend signing up for their newsletter and keeping an eye on flights and maybe even packages to Montreal. http://Http://canadianaffair.com/ Also I would recommend booking direct with Air Transat http://airtransat.com/. Flights from other cities might be a bit more expensive than flights from London but worth it to take a direct flight and save the hassle. You don't need to book your flight now whichever airline you choose. You will get better pricing probably 3-6 months before February and in fact you probably can't even book charter flights right now because it's too early. For Montreal I would recommend staying near Old Montreal rather than near the venue because that's where all the action is and you only need to be at the venue for a few hours during your whole trip since there is no queuing. I won't be there but I hope you all have fun. Many thanks:huglove: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarik31 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Some hotel suggestions: http://www.montreal.hyatt.ca/fr/hote.../standard.html This is the closest to the venue Here's another one: http://www.courtyardmarriottmontreal.com And another https://m.ihg.com/hotels/holidayinn/...eldetail/yulca There's also a Travelodge in the same area http://www.travelodgemontrealcentre.com/ I also work in this area so I can answer many questions:thumb_yello: Many thanks:huglove: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanou Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 When I was there with my sis' a few years ago we've spent 2 nights in this hotel: - http://www.hotelquartierdesspectacles.com/fr/ People were very friendly and helpful and our room was great. The only negative point is that you have to climb some stairs with your luggage when you arrive and breakfast is not in the hotel itself but in a small café right next to it (but it's very close and the café was fine ). I would absolutely recommend it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mine Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 thanks a lot for the advices!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alireine Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Thank you everybody! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guylainem123 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 how to get to Montreal and where to stay may be important.... but so is the weather : http://montreal.about.com/od/Montreal-Weather/ss/montreal-february-weather-climate-temperatures-average.htm The city streets are often covered with slush, which is a mixture of snow/ice/rain Because we put down salt, dirt or a mixture of both to stop cars and people from sliding/falling on slippery sidewalks and streets, the slush is dirty looking. If you do not have proper footwear, your feet will be wet & cold. Do not underestimate our February weather and our windchill factor, even the excitement of a Mika concert won't keep you warm We have a great metro and bus system. In Montreal, the subway or tube is known as the "metro" Travelling by metro and bus is inexpensive (about $3 for single ticket). The ticket you buy for the metro also allows you to ride the bus system if used within 120 min. A new ticket has to be bought for the return Prices change quite often, here is the website: http://www.stm.info/en/info/networks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 The city streets are often covered with slush, which is a mixture of snow/ice/rain Because we put down salt, dirt or a mixture of both to stop cars and people from sliding/falling on slippery sidewalks and streets, the slush is dirty looking. If you do not have proper footwear, your feet will be wet & cold. Yes Guylaine told me one January that there was "no snow" in Montreal and by that I thought she meant there was actually NO SNOW since there was none in Toronto. So they all laughed at me when I showed up in my shoes and was trying unsuccessfully to dodge huge brown puddles everywhere we went. Apparently "no snow" by Montreal standards is "it didn't snow today" I hear people talking about wearing dresses but if you are not wearing winter boots you will likely have to take a cab from door to door. It's not just your shoes that are a problem but dark brown salt staining slush gets splashed up the back of your legs to your knees. I only wear wellies in winter myself, along with a calf length coat because it is the easiest way to protect your clothes. You can wear prettier leather or suede boots but you need to make sure they are protected with cream/spray against the salt or they will get permanently damaged. Anyway I am hearing that they think an El Nino is going to form later this year and if it happens we will have warm air coming up from the tropics next winter instead of the polar vortex nightmare from the Arctic we had this year. But I'll believe it when I see (feel) it. It is still unseasonably cold here. There isn't a bud on a tree or a flower in the ground and it's almost May. It would be very unusual for it to suddenly be one of the warmest winters in 2015. It usually takes a few years to shift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathouzouf Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Guylaine and Christine advices are great but downtown, you can actually go to most places through underground tunnels. There are some info on this site http://www.destinationcentreville.com/en/how-get-there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Treasa Posted April 27, 2014 Author Share Posted April 27, 2014 Guylaine and Christine advices are great but downtown, you can actually go to most places through underground tunnels. There are some info on this site http://www.destinationcentreville.com/en/how-get-there Can we get to the venue via one of these tunnels? Maybe this time of year it would be better to stay at a downtown hotel. Although the Old Town area looks beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guylainem123 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 (edited) Guylaine and Christine advices are great but downtown, you can actually go to most places through underground tunnels. There are some info on this site http://www.destinationcentreville.com/en/how-get-there well, yes, but it doesn't have the same feeling as seeing Montreal Edited April 27, 2014 by guylainem123 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guylainem123 Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Can we get to the venue via one of these tunnels? Maybe this time of year it would be better to stay at a downtown hotel. Although the Old Town area looks beautiful. old Montreal is beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christine Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 well, yes, but it doesn't have the same feeling as seeing Montreal That's it, you know, I would think most people are not coming to Canada to just go to the venue or walk around underground. It's comfortable and convenient but it is not going to be much of a tourist experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathouzouf Posted April 27, 2014 Share Posted April 27, 2014 Can we get to the venue via one of these tunnels? Maybe this time of year it would be better to stay at a downtown hotel. Although the Old Town area looks beautiful. Yes you can. Maison Symphonique is linked with Place des arts metro station. The Hyatt Regency is also. And all this is within 10-15 minutes walk to Old Montreal. Hotels in Old Montreal can be quite expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now