Driving directions
Arranging Your Own Transportation
Those not coming on the specified arrival and departure dates or too late/early in the day will need to arrange their own private transportation to the Ashram. Having done so once, many people prefer it. There are four ways to get here: public bus, private rental car, train, or taxi.
1. Taxi:
Taxis to the respective departure stations or to downtown Montreal are available from Trudeau Airport for approx. $30.00. Enquire at the Information counter at the airport. FYI: A taxi directly from Trudeau Airport to the Ashram costs approx. $200.00.
2. Shuttle Bus Services
The shuttle, l'Aerobus, leaves for downtown Montreal from Stop # 6, every half hour between 07:00 am to 01:00 am on the hour and half hour. The cost is $11. It travels via the Central Train Station to the Berri Central Bus Station. (These stops are all closely connected to the city metro and public bus systems.) Make sure to enquire at the Information Counter for updated information.
Getting to the Ashram from Downtown Montreal:
1. Public Bus:
From Trudeau International Airport (formerly know as Montreal Dorval Airport), you can catch the shuttle bus service or a taxi to the Berri Central Bus Station, phone: 514-842-2281. The shuttle costs $11.00 and a taxi costs approx. $30.00.
At Berri you catch a bus to Shawinigan. The "Orleans Express" departs daily at 10:00 am, 1:15 pm and 3:30 pm. (For Shawinigan, you may have to change in Three Rivers, so make sure to ask the driver when you get on.) See schedule and ticket cost below.
From Shawinigan to the Ashram: Taxis are the only available mode of transport from Shawinigan. The cost is approx. $25.00 Tel: 819-539-5804 or 819-536-2525
From Trois-Rivières to the Ashram: Taxis are the only available mode of transport from Trois-Rivières. The cost is approx. $60.00 Tel: 819-378-5444 or 819-380-7783
"Orleans Express" schedule is as follows or enquire at 514-842-2281, or check on their web site:
http://www.orleansexpress.com/
Departure from Berri Central Bus Station -- Arrival inTrois-Rivières -- Departure fromTrois-Rivières -- Arrival at Shawinigan -- Pickup cost by Ashram transportation
07:45 10:05 No pickup
10:00 11:58 12:15 13:10 $15.in Shawinigan
13:15 15:00 15:05 15:40
15:30 17:35 17:50 18:35
19:00 20:45
22:00 23:55
00:00 01:30
Montreal-Shawinigan: $33.19 single
Montreal-Trois-Rivieres: $25.65 single
2. Private Rental Cars:
We urge all those coming to the Ashram by private or rented cars to try to bring up a full load of people. Pool your ride and share the costs; advertise on esatsang. This is a good way to make friends, to reduce your costs and pollution and be of service to others. From Trudeau International Airport (formerly know as Montreal Dorval Airport) to the Ashram is a 200 km or 2 to 2:30 hour drive. The nearest town is Shawinigan, 30 min. away.
You can rent cars at Trudeau International Airport (formerly know as Montreal Dorval Airport) from the main North-American car rental companies. For your convenience, some rental car contacts are provided below:
Companies Phone Toll-free
Alamo 514-633-1222 1-800-522-9696
Avis 514-636-1902 1-800-879-2847
Budget 514-636-0052 1-800-268-8900
Hertz 514-636-9530 1-800-263-0600
National 514-636-9030 1-800-227-7368
Thrifty 514-631-5567 1-800-847-4389
Directions: You will find directions from Montreal and other places to the Ashram here.
3. By Train:
If you arrive in Montreal by train, there will not be any pick-up at the Central Train Station by Ashram Transportation. When planning your trip by train, give yourself plenty of time for arrival in Montreal since trains are often late.
Continue to the Ashram either by bus "Orleans Express" (See: Public Bus info. ) or by train to Shawinigan as per the following schedule:
Monday, Wednesday, Friday only: leave Montreal 08:30, arrives Shawinigan: 10:58
Tuesday and Thursday: leave Shawinigan 14:48, arrives Montreal: 17:15
Sunday: leave Shawinigan 19:48, arrives Montreal: 22:15.
Buy your ticket at the Via Rail counter (cost: 7 day prior reservation: $41.41 both ways, $24.16 one way; no reservation: $66.71 both ways, $33.36 one way).
For train information: 1-800-361-5390, Montreal: 514-989-2626, or www.viarail.ca
Amtrak (New York) 1 800 872-7245.
Note:
If you want to be picked up by the Ashram shuttle leaving from Trudeau International Airport (formerly know as Montreal Dorval Airport), get on the airport shuttle, "L'Aerobus" (inquire at the station information center for the location of the shuttle which is nearby-just a 2 min. walk). Go to the Trudeau International Airport (formerly know as Montreal Dorval Airport) international arrivals area to meet the Ashram Transportation Coordinator at the blue column, near the Information desk. Be there in plenty of time to board the Ashram bus leaving at 3:00 pm or 6:00pm.
YOU MUST INFORM US IF YOU PLAN TO DO THIS.
FYI:
All Courses begin with registration on the afternoon of arrival and end after lunch on the day of departure.
Campers, especially, should plan to arrive early, in order to have plenty of daylight to set up their tents.
Accommodations:
If you plan to travel to the Ashram by public bus we suggest you reserve near the Berri Central Bus Station (see below). If you plan on taking the Ashram bus from the airport, it is best to stay near the Montreal-Dorval airport.
1. Accommodation near the Central Train Station
The main Montreal City hotels are near the Central Train Station: The Queen Elizabeth, the Bonaventure and the Chateau Champlain. Please check with the airport information desk for reservation information.
2. Accommodation near Trudeau International Airport (formerly know as Montreal Dorval Airport)
All hotels below have free shuttle service to and from Trudeau International Airport.
Hotel Telephone/Rates/Notes
Comfort Inn 514-636-3391 single $103.00 double-$113 Complimentary Breakfast $ 3.00
Hotel Motel Travel Lodge 514-631-4537 1 bed $95.00 2 bed $115.00 Free Continental, breakfast, Sauna
Auberge de L'Aéroport 514-828-5080 single 69.00 double-$79.00 Free Continental breakfast.
Hilton Motel at Airport 514-631-2411 $ 190.00 double or single gym and swimming pool free
Holiday Inn Aéroport6500 Cote de Liesse 1-800-465-4329 514-739-6440 or fax: 514-739-8362 This Holiday Inn is offering us a corporate rate of $104 per person per night, no extra for a double When making reservation make sure to mention the Art of Living for the discount rate.
Minibus Service is available from the Airport to the main hotels in Montreal, enquire: 514-399-9877 or directly at hotels.
3. Accommodation information near Central Bus Station:
Modest accommodation approved by Quebec Tourist Bureau, within walking distance to the Central Bus Station:
Hotel/Telephone Rates/Notes
Auberge Glysynes, 819 Maisonneuve Blvd. 514-526-5511 Single $90.00 + tax Double $110.00 + tax.
Hotel Kais, 908 Maisonneuve Blvd. 514-526-5511 Single $90.00 + tax Double $110.00 + tax.
Maison Brunet Hotel1035 St. Hubert St. (near old Montreal) 514-845-6351 $56.00 Double, breakfast included
Hotel Taj Mahal1600 St. Hubert St 1800-613-3383 $65.00 single ask for Art of Living corporate rate.
Useful References:
1. Aeroport de Montreal/Montreal Airport: 1-800-465-1213
From this number an AOL Representative can be paged at the airport from about noon until 6:00 pm on arrival days. IF YOU KNOW YOUR FLIGHT IS GOING TO BE DELAYED, PLEASE ADVISE US.
2. Trudeau International Airport (formerly know as Montreal Dorval Airport) Information Counter: 514-931-9002
3. www.tourism-montreal.org is a website for Montreal Services of different sorts
4. www.montrealplus.ca is a website for Montreal Services of different sorts
5. www.yellowpages.ca for Canadian Yellow Pages
6. Tourism Quebec has information on Quebec Province: 1-800-266-5687
7. The Ashram is in the La Mauricie region of Quebec.
8. Tourism Mauricie has information on the Shawinigan area: 1-800-567-7603
DIRECTIONS