Border crossing & route logistics
Montreal sits just 95 miles north of Burlington, making it one of the most accessible international day trips in North America. The drive runs I-89 north for 35 miles to the Highgate Springs and St-Armand crossing, then 60 miles via Autoroute 35 north and Autoroute 10 west over the Pont Samuel-De Champlain into downtown.
By car it is about two hours each way and the most flexible option. Intercity express buses also run between Burlington and the Gare d’autocars de Montréal for roughly 30 to 40 dollars each way, which books out on weekends.
Documents and timing
Crossing the US-Canada border requires proper documentation and a little planning.
Travel documents — a valid passport, passport card or NEXUS card for every traveller.
Driving documents — valid licence, vehicle registration and proof of auto insurance. Check that your policy extends into Canada; most standard US policies do.
Currency — credit cards are universally accepted, but keep 40 to 50 Canadian dollars in cash for small bakeries and street vendors.
Best time to cross north — before 8:00am, avoiding commuter queues.
Best time to return south — before 4:00pm or after 7:30pm.
Primary crossing — Highgate Springs, Vermont to St-Armand, Quebec.
Morning: Old Montreal
Depart Burlington at 7:00am and arrive in Vieux-Montréal by 9:00, parking in an underground garage near Place d’Armes or the Old Port.
Notre-Dame Basilica is the anchor: dramatic Gothic Revival architecture, deep blue vaulted ceilings decorated with gold stars, and intricate wood carving. Rue Saint-Paul, Montreal’s oldest paved street, is lined with stone buildings housing art galleries, boutiques and French cafes — the place for a croissant and a café au lait. Then walk the Old Port boardwalk along the St. Lawrence for views of the historic grain silos, the Montreal Observation Wheel and the skyline.
Midday: the classic Montreal lunch
Montreal is world-famous for two very different lunches, and you have to choose.
Option A is Montreal smoked meat at Schwartz’s Hebrew Delicatessen — brisket cured in herbs and spices, served hot on rye with yellow mustard and a dill pickle. Option B is a classic French bistro such as L’Express or Mon Lapin: steak frites, natural wines, fresh oysters and European-style sidewalk seating.
Afternoon: Mount Royal & Mile End
After lunch, head northwest to Parc du Mont-Royal, the mountain park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, co-designer of New York’s Central Park. Drive up, or park near the base and take the wooden staircase climb. The Kondiaronk Belvedere gives a sweeping panorama: the downtown skyscraper core in the foreground, the St. Lawrence River and its bridges in the middle distance, and the rolling Montérégie hills behind.
Descend the mountain into Mile End, Montreal’s artistic and creative neighbourhood, and settle the great bagel war for yourself at St-Viateur Bagel or Fairmount Bagel. Unlike New York bagels, Montreal bagels are poached in honey-infused water and baked in wood-fired ovens, producing a denser, chewier texture with a sweet crust.
Evening: dinner and the return crossing
End with an early dinner in the Plateau or Mile End before driving back. Try classic poutine loaded with fresh cheese curds and dark gravy at La Banquise, or seasonal French-Québécois dishes at L’Express on Rue Saint-Denis.
Head south on Autoroute 10 west to Autoroute 35 south, reaching the US port of entry at Highgate Springs. Have passports out before you reach the booth.
Quick reference
The essentials in one place.
Distance and drive — 95 miles each way, about two hours without border delays.
Transit option — regional express bus, 30 to 40 dollars each way; books out on weekends.
Key neighbourhoods — Old Montreal, Mile End, Plateau-Mont-Royal. Walking shoes are mandatory on cobblestones.
Must-try foods — Montreal bagels, smoked meat, poutine. St-Viateur Bagel is open 24 hours.
Border tip — keep passports easily accessible and documents ready before the booth.
Good to know
How far is Montreal from Burlington, Vermont?+
About 95 miles, or roughly two hours of driving each way without border delays: I-89 north to the Highgate Springs crossing, then Autoroute 35 north and Autoroute 10 west into downtown.
What documents do I need to cross into Canada?+
A valid passport, passport card or NEXUS card for every traveller, plus your driver’s licence, vehicle registration and proof of auto insurance. Confirm with your insurer that coverage extends into Canada.
When is the best time to cross the border?+
Northbound before 8:00am to avoid commuter queues, and southbound before 4:00pm or after 7:30pm. Highgate Springs, Vermont to St-Armand, Quebec is the primary crossing from Burlington.
What should I eat in Montreal on a day trip?+
Smoked meat on rye at Schwartz’s, or steak frites at a classic bistro like L’Express; a Montreal bagel from St-Viateur or Fairmount in Mile End, poached in honey water and wood-fired; and poutine at La Banquise.
Can I get to Montreal from Vermont without a car?+
Yes. Intercity express buses run between Burlington and the Gare d’autocars de Montréal for about 30 to 40 dollars each way. They sell out on weekends, so book ahead — and you will be walking in Montreal, which is fine.