Montreal to Almaty Flights

  About Montreal

Montreal is a popular holiday destination in Canada that is a blend of the 18th and 21st-century architecture. The city is known for its diverse culture, be it Indian, Portugal or French. The city is known for its spectacular museums, eclectic cuisine and a busy marketplace. It is also like paradise for photographers. The city is, especially, famous for its vibrant and happening nightlife. You can party till you drop and treat yourself to a refreshing cup of coffee the next morning to cure that hangover. History and adventure lovers will also find their famous spots in the city quite conveniently and quickly. You can either head to Montreal with your family or with your friends, and the city will have something in store for all kinds of holidays. It is the perfect place just to sit back and relax. Getting around the city is also quite convenient. You can either book yourself a taxi, or you can use the trams or other means of local commute to explore Montreal on your own. Make sure you book a hotel in Montreal that is closer to the tourist attractions that you plan to visit to cut down on travel time.

Best Time to Visit Montreal

Summer is the peak season for Montreal, and it welcomes a lot of tourists during this time. The temperature ranges from 10 to 25 degree Celsius. A lot of events and festivals are hosted in summer. June to August is when the city experiences summer and sees a surge in the number of tourists. Make sure you book your hotel in Montreal in advance before there is a surge in prices and availability becomes an issue. You will also have to book your flight tickets to Montreal in advance if you don't wish to overpay. Though the days are quite warm, the evenings are chilly and the humidity increases in certain areas of the city. It is best to explore the city on foot by yourself in summer. You can attend a lot of events hosted in the city this summer like Formula One: Grand Prix of Canada, MURAL Fest, Montreal International Jazz Festival, Montreal Pride, Montreal International Tango Festival, Osheaga and MUTEK. Make sure you also pack a pair of layers, in case it gets chilly in the evenings and nights.

After the heat of summer, the fall season brings quite a relief to Montreal. September to November is the fall season in the city, and it is also the best time to visit Montreal. If you are visiting Montreal in late autumn, make sure you pack your warm clothes, too, because it will get pretty cold. The temperature ranges between -3 to 19 degree Celsius in autumn. If you don't like crowded places, autumn is an ideal time for you to visit. The weather is quite pleasant and does not affect any of your sightseeing plans. You can also sign up for outdoor activities during this time if you want You can attend events like the World Film Festival that starts in August and goes on till September, POP Montreal, Montreal Burlesque Festival and Black & Blue Festival. Though hotel prices drop in autumn since it is shoulder season for the city, you still might want to book several weeks in advance, so you get a better deal.

December to February is winter, and it can get quite brutal. It is highly recommended that you do not plan your vacation to Montreal in winter. The temperature ranges from -17 to -3 degree Celsius, and of course, it witnesses heavy snowfall. You can, however, head to the Underground City if you want to go on a shopping spree, go for a movie or binge on your favourite food at the restaurants here. You can also indulge in winter sports like ice skating, sleigh rides and skiing if you have no problem fighting the cold weather. The city also lights up beautifully during Christmas and New Year's Eve. You can also join the celebrations and have the time of your life. If you are planning to try winter sports, make sure you book your hotel in Montreal in advance since availability will be an issue at the last moment.

March to May is also an ideal time to plan a holiday to Montreal. The spring season makes the city far pleasant. The hotel prices drop, and you might even get cheap flight tickets to Montreal during spring. The temperature ranges from -8 to 18 degree Celsius. The weather becomes warmer as the months progress. If you are travelling during the beginning of spring, you might want to pack your boots and warm clothes, too, since it will snow lightly in the city. You can attend the Montreal St Patrick's Parade, Blue Metropolis Montreal International Literary Festival or Montreal Museums Day if you are planning a spring vacation.

Places to Visit in Montreal

Montreal is the economic and cultural capital of Quebec. It is also the second-largest city in Canada. Montreal is also the second-largest French-speaking city in the world. You will find a lot of French culture in the city. Mount Royal Park is in the centre of the city, and you will also find monuments dedicated to Jacques Cartier and King George IV. You can also visit the Notre-Dame Basilica, one of the oldest churches in Montreal. It was founded in 1656. The church also has a carving of Louis-Philippe Hebert, who was a popular sculptor. Just a 20-minute tour of the church will leave you amazed. Old Montreal is a popular tourist attraction in the city. Place d'Armes, Place Royale and Place Jacques-Cartier are some of the popular places in Old Montreal that date back to the 18th century. You can also head to Vieux-Montreal that reflects the Parisian culture and also has a stunning waterfront. You can take a stroll here and just admire the beautiful buildings around you. Jardin Botanique is one of the main reasons that tourists love Montreal. Not only does it have about 30 themed gardens but also has over ten exhibition greenhouses.

Oratoire Saint-Joseph is near Mount Royal Park is another tourist spot where you can know more about the belongings and lifestyle of the saint. Head over to Musée des Beaux-Arts if you are an art lover. The museum houses 1400 paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures. You will also find a lot of masterpieces by Canaletto, El Greco, Mantegna, Veronese, Goya and so on. If you love history and archaeology, you can visit the Montreal Museum of Archaeology and History. It was established in 1992 to celebrate the city's 350th anniversary.

Things to do in Montreal

You can visit museums and historic landmarks in Montreal. Sign up for a sightseeing tour of the4 city, or you can explore the city on your own. Montreal is also known for its vibrant and colourful nightlife. Apart from that, the city also has a lot of spots for you to go shopping and dining. Canada is known for its Maple syrup, and you can also sign up for a tour to Sugar Shack to sample some and see how it is made. Jean-Talon Market is where you head to if you want to buy fresh produce, home-grown spices, cheeses, handmade chocolate or binge on grilled sausages. If you are visiting the city with your family, you can also take your kid to the Barbie Expo.

Food and Restaurants in Montreal

Even though you will find a lot of restaurants in Montreal that serve French cuisine, you will also find restaurants that serve Portuguese, Mexican, Indian, Thai, Moroccan and other cuisines. Poutine, bagels, smoked meat are some of the popularly ordered foods here. Fairmount Bagel and St-Viateur Bagel Shop are the most popular eateries in the city for bagels. Le 409 is a popular place that serves Indian food. You can head to La Campagnola Italian steakhouse for authentic Italian food, steaks and Sicilian cuisine. Bistro 1843 and Bistro L'entrepont are some popular restaurants to try traditional French and Canadian food.

How to reach Montreal (Transportation)

Montréal–Trudeau International Airport is about 20 km away from Downtown Montreal and has been named after Pierre Elliott Trudeau, the father of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The flight connectivity to Montreal from India is excellent. British Airways, American Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, United Airlines and Air Canada have frequent flights to Montreal with layovers at London, New York, Newark, Washington and Toronto. If you book in advance, you might get cheap flight tickets to Montreal. If you are travelling to Montreal during the offseason, you might even get exciting flight deals to Montreal online. It is not very difficult to get a taxi or car rental from the airport. The Montreal airport also has premium lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas, currency exchange, and a lot more for passengers. You can also book a hotel in Montreal that is closer to the airport, so you are boarding an early flight and want to avoid the commute. You can also call for an airport shuttle service from your hotel.

  About Almaty

Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, Almaty, is the capital of the country. The gorgeous city is nestled on the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. It is considered to be one of the perfect places for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. It is located in Central Asia and holds tremendous historical and cultural significance. Not to mention, it is soon rising to be one of the best tourist destinations in the world for winter.

Best time to visit Almaty

Almaty's geographical features make it a cold city that is best visited during their summers. The average temperature in Almaty ranges from 22 degree Celsius to 27 degree Celsius. The city is known to see extreme winters that often see a negative temperature too. Hence, winters would be quite risky and unfavourable for a trip to Almaty. In contrast, the summers get rather hot with temperatures that could reach a high of 30 degree Celsius too. November to January see a massive drop in the city's temperatures and are not favourable for a trip. You might have to deal with the consequences of excess cold such as frostbites, difficulty in breathing and other such health hazards. Hence, these months need to be avoided. The city's tourism continues to see action as many folks who wish to indulge in winter activities do flock over to the city. You will find many tourists opting for skiing and other winter-related activities, head to the city. The city is not completely shut during winters as there is scope for tourism-related activities.

However, there are fewer hotels open for business. The hospitality industry doesn't see a tremendous dip as such because tourists who want to indulge in adventure sports do arrive in the city. The winters often stretch to April too. You should know though that April is the onset of monsoons in the city. April to May sees rainfall in the city. These two are the wettest months in the year and receive quite heavy rainfall. The summer months are very pleasant with temperatures often reaching 30 degree Celsius. Since a majority of the crowd visit Almaty for their winter sports, the summer sees less tourism. But it does open avenues for more adventure activities as many take to the trekking trails or indulge in the food and cultural heritages of Almaty. The summers do get very hot as it is humid as well. However, June to September is considered the best time to visit Almaty. The weather is pleasant, and you can explore more of the rocky terrains and other lovely locales of the city. It is ideal for sightseeing and other tourist activities.

Places to visit in Almaty

One of the biggest highlights of Almaty is the Big Almaty Lake. The exquisitely blue water is a natural reservoir and surrounded by the Trans-Ili Alatau. The place is too beautiful for words. Kok Tobe is one of the most famous attractions in Almaty. The recreation area is perched atop a mountain and makes way for several outdoor activities. YOU should also visit the Park 28 Panfilovtsev. The place has been reserved to honour some soldiers from the Almaty infantry who perished during the German invasion in Moscow. The place has historical significance and should definitely be explored. Another lovely place to check out would be the Zenkov Cathedral. It is constructed in the complex of Panfilov Park. The cathedral has been constructed by wood but without the use of nails. You should definitely visit the First President Park. The gigantic complex is beautifully constructed and has been opened for the public recently. It is an open space that is aesthetically gifted with exquisite fountains, bushes, green grasses and more.

Things to do in Almaty

To indulge in some of the fun ice skating and skiing, you should visit the Medeo. The place is perfect for those who wish to get their adrenaline-charged by taking up winter sports. Medeo is actually on the outskirts of Almaty and located about 1,691 meters above sea level. The place is always freezing with snow and hence, is ideal for winter sports activities. Shymbulak is another such place where you can have some winter sports fun. The ski resort organises some ski trips and is easily one of the largest ski resorts across Central Asia. The resort is located close to the Medeu Valley and is in the Zailinsky Alatau range of icy mountains. One of the fun things that you can do is explore more of Kazakhstan history and cultural significance. The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is your place to check out. The museum brings life to some of the stories and cultural references that make up Central Asia's history. Do not miss the Ile-Alatau National Park, which is massive and has the sparkling blue Chemolgan River flowing.

Food and Restaurants in Almaty

Almaty is the commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan and hence, sees a thriving food culture. There are charming, quaint cafes and restaurants that will blow your mind. Much of the architecture boasts Soviet influence and the eclectic spread of cuisines is definitely worth checking out. From small food establishments to a sophisticated setting, the city has room for all kinds of tourist audience. Interestingly, much of Almaty has heavy Russian-inspired dishes. So you will find some interesting meals from the Russian kitchen with a twist of Almaty. You can start your food rendezvous in the city by checking out Gosti. It is the perfect restaurant which boasts Russian culture in its interiors and dishes. The black tea here is a speciality that you simply cannot miss. Kishlak is another cosy food establishment in Almaty that you would fancy. The decor is inspired by Central Asian designs with motifs on the walls. It has a very basic house-style cafe with an interesting spread of Central Asian cuisine ranging from Kazakh, Uygur and Uzbek cuisine.

Kishlak has exquisite dishes such as manti and shorpa, all made from lamb meat. El Mirador is one of the few international restaurants where food is served with a Kazakh-twist. The place specialises in seafood and has an array of dishes that would get you excited. They also have grilled meats with Argentinean style delicacies. If you do not wish to indulge in their style of meat and non-vegetarian dishes, then you should visit Alasha. The restaurant is on the outskirts of the city and has been constructed in the classic Timurid style, which comes from Turkmenistan. They have some exquisite dishes and fresh salads. Meat is also prevalent, and you will find them accompanied by fun Uzbek music. For a low-key restaurant and coffeehouse, you should go to Chukotka, a quaint establishment which is known to attract the hip crowd. The place has Russian, Central Asian and even European cuisine with a bar and an area dedicated to dancing. It is the perfect pub/coffeehouse you can ask for. You can further expand your culinary list by visiting Cafeteria, Traktir Medved and Gakku.

How to reach Almaty (Transportation)

As the capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty manages to receive good flight connectivity with international cities. Although there are no direct flights to Almaty from Indian cities, there is some good connectivity that can be found in other international cities. The most popular route to Almaty from India is via Dubai. Airlines such as Emirates, flydubai, Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir, Asiana Airlines, Lufthansa, to name a few, have dedicated flights to Almaty. However, to reach the city, it is essential to find the right international route to Almaty to avoid spending too much time in transit. There are many few flight options that have less time duration to reach Almaty. Often many airlines take a roundabout international route to reach Almaty, which could be very time-consuming. Hence, it is essential to pick the right airlines and route that would reduce the travel time and other concerns in terms of flight connectivity to Almaty. Emirates has the best flight connectivity to Almaty with a slew of flights that fly to the city.

The flight duration to Almaty ranges from 7 hours to 12 hours. However, depending on the airlines and layovers, this time could be extended. If you opt for cheap flights, you might end up spending over 22 hours in transit. However, to avoid the extensive travel duration, opt for airlines that has a less layover duration. The flight tickets to Almaty are quite reasonable. They range from INR 28,000 to INR 35,000. Depending on the airlines and the flight duration, the ticket prices to Almaty could change. You can further make amends in the prices of the tickets to Almaty by opting for some online deals. Various airlines have great online flight deals to Almaty that would come in handy. If you make prior bookings to Almaty, you will be able to avail these offers. You can also combine your flight and hotel bookings in Almaty to get more discounts. There are a plethora of platforms that have miles services that you can choose. These would enable you to earn miles and further spend it on a bigger and more expensive trip.