We did Montreal three nights pre-cruise. Just follow the yellow arrows on the airport floor of a taxi logo to the exit. No need to pre-buy a ticket or fare card. $38 set fee for taxi from airport with a wonderfully thought-out taxi queue system. Big construction back-up--took an hour into town. There is an express bus #747 http://www.stm.info/english/info/a-747.htm for $8 that goes to main bus terminal near University and makes stops along the way and there are multiple bus routes you can transfer to at main bus terminal to your hotel if you want to go the "wheel-your-own" route. The $8 is the one-day pass fare for any bus. You can't miss the large desk against the exit wall after you get out of customs. See internet for Metro map and multi-day passes.

The Old Montreal $17 walking tour (average 2 hours) meets outside the entrance to the gift shop at Basilica Notre Dame at 10:45AM for the 11AM tour in English.

McDonald's and Starbucks are at corner of Notre Dame West (not East) and Saint Laurent. That's one block to the right coming out of Notre Dame entrance. Read more