Hello,
We’re a group of four active seniors (still in great shape!) and we’re planning to visit this part of Canada for the first time. We usually travel with a self-drive tour package that includes accommodations and site visits.
Our trip is scheduled for June 2027, and we’d love some advice from the community on how many days we’ll need for this first visit, given the distances involved. We’d also appreciate any tips on our route, as we want to see the main highlights: Niagara Falls, Quebec City, Montreal, Charlevoix, whale watching, and more...
We’ll be arriving either from Toronto and returning via Montreal, or the other way around—still deciding.
Thanks in advance for your suggestions—they’ll be much appreciated!
Hi Jean François,
June 2027—it’s never too early to plan, that’s for sure! 😄
First off, the route you’re considering is pretty classic. There are several travel journals I’d recommend reading to help you define your itinerary and duration based on your interests.
When you mention “etc.,” does that include the Gaspésie loop? Also, how many days are you hoping to stay?
I’m guessing you’ll rent a car. You’ll need to find a company that serves Toronto (if that’s your arrival point) and Québec City (if that’s your return point).
Once you’ve nailed down those details, we’d be happy to help you prepare your trip in more depth! 😊
Cheers and happy planning! 👋👋👋
hi,
Since you want to see Niagara Falls and the whales, you’d be better off planning 3 weeks to do everything.
After that, make sure to crunch the numbers because if you pick up the rental car in Toronto and drop it off in Montreal, you’ll have drop-off fees to consider. For the flight ticket, check if it might be a bit more expensive than a standard round-trip.
If you do a round-trip from Paris to Montreal, you could start with a loop: ***Montreal / Parc Omega / Ottawa / Niagara / Montreal*** and then do another loop: ***Montreal / Tadoussac / Parc du Bic / Montreal***.
Happy planning!
Hi Jean,
First of all, thank you for your quick reply. Yes, it’s clear I’m planning ahead for June 2027, but experience tells me that after several weeks of thinking about a trip’s itinerary, it really helps to "let it mature."
When it comes to the number of days and possible visits, it’s a tough choice! I’d love to see everything, but without traveling too many kilometers and keeping it under 15 days.
I’ve heard that in Montreal (a possible arrival or departure point), you don’t need a car—the city is perfectly doable using public transport. So if I spend 2 days visiting Montreal (is that enough?), do I head north or south, knowing I *really* want to see the falls—even if it’s super touristy—Quebec City, Tadoussac, and Charlevoix? For now, Ottawa isn’t part of this plan, and neither is Toronto unless you think otherwise. I’m also wondering if Gaspésie could fit into this itinerary.
That’s why I’m counting on your valuable advice.
By the way, would it be possible for you to guide us around Montreal?
Hi,
Since you want to see Niagara Falls and the whales, you’d really benefit from planning 3 weeks to do everything.
After that, make sure to crunch the numbers because if you pick up your rental car in Toronto and drop it off in Montreal, you’ll have drop-off fees to consider. For the flight ticket, check if it might be a bit more expensive than a standard round-trip.
If you do a round-trip from Paris to Montreal, you could start with a loop: '''Montreal / Parc Omega / Ottawa / Niagara / Montreal''' and then do another loop: ''Montreal / Tadoussac / Parc du Bic / Montreal.''
Good prep!
Hi Jean-Yves, thanks for the quick reply too.
Yeah, I know seeing everything would take 3 weeks, but unfortunately, I can’t go beyond 15 days, so I’ll have to make some choices.
As for the flight tickets, flying into Toronto and out of Montreal—or doing a round-trip to Montreal—doesn’t change the price much. The main thing is figuring out the practicality and flight schedules based on the rest of the itinerary.
Given that I’ve got limited time for this trip and can skip Ottawa and Parc Omega, what do you think would be the best way to structure this itinerary?
I’ve still got time to think about it, but your advice and Bauhaus’s are really helpful.
It looks like you're already considering the length of your stay here. 14 days is already good. Still, check if you can add 2 or 3 more days. Often, it doesn’t impact the cost of flight tickets much but makes such a difference for your trip.
Lescaribous can help you more than I can on several topics, like transportation and great tips for eastern Quebec.
Visiting Montreal in two days is doable, but you’ll have to make some tough choices. For example, trying to visit the Olympic Stadium and its surroundings *and* Mount Royal in the same day seems pretty exhausting to me. But hey, I’m not exactly young anymore—maybe that’s why! 😅😅
I’d be happy to act as your guide (depending on dates, interests, and availability) or give you advice for Montreal. I just need to know what interests you. For example, would you like to see Montreal’s big parks, neighborhoods like Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, the Plateau Mont-Royal, downtown, or the underground city? Montreal is famous for its festivals—jazz, comedy, and more. In June, I think there’s also the Formula 1 Grand Prix, in case that’s one of your passions.
Anyway, we’ll keep following your thoughts and try to help as best we can! 😊
hey,
If you really want to see Niagara Falls, and since you only have about 15 days, plan to arrive (or leave) via Toronto (Toronto to Montreal is roughly 500 km, so a multi-destination flight will save you time!!
For Niagara, I *highly* recommend splurging on a hotel room with a view of the falls—sure, it’s a bit pricier than a motel room, but I promise waking up to that view is a memory you’ll keep forever!! If you’d like, I can give you the address of the hotel where I stayed with my family when we visited from France!
For the Toronto-Montreal leg, I suggest taking the route through the Thousand Islands region (and maybe even a cruise on the St. Lawrence River).
Happy planning!
Hi Jean,
Thanks for your interest in helping me plan my trip.
For now, I’m thinking Montreal deserves 3 days without rushing.
I definitely want to see the Olympic Stadium and the Underground City. Beyond that, my friends and I will need to discuss—everyone’s tastes can be different!
I’ll wait a bit before finalizing what we want to see, since my friends are currently on vacation and I’m heading back to Spain at the end of the week. We’ll pick up this conversation again in early September.
Thanks also for your offer to help out while I’m there.
See you on the forum!
Perfect, we’ll pick this back up in September. In the meantime, there’s an underground route in Montreal I really like. It starts at Place des Arts, runs north-south, then heads toward the ICAO near Old Montreal. It gives you a good sense of the city. Plus, the path is lined with artworks. You can definitely get a feel for it with a bit of research 😁.
Hi Jean-Yves,
I’ve noted that to see the falls, it’s necessary to arrive via Toronto, which I’d more or less already planned.
Yes, I’d love the address of the hotel facing the falls—it must be amazing!
On my way back up to Montreal, stopping by the Thousand Islands is part of my plan.
As I already mentioned to Bauhaus, I’m heading to Spain (with the heatwave) at the end of the week, so I’ll have a hard time staying in touch for about two weeks.
We’ll pick up our conversation again in early September.
Thanks again for all your help.
See you soon
Two weeks is generally essential for traveling comfortably without spending all your days on the road.
Hi Laura, yes, it’s much more reasonable to do this trip in at least two weeks.
But it’s always tricky—you want to see as much as possible without burning out, fit the trip into your schedule, and keep an eye on the budget!
Not easy, but these are the kind of little hassles that are actually pretty enjoyable.
Have a great day.
The hotel was the following: Embassy Suite Niagara Embassy Suites Niagara Falls Hotel - Official Site
A picture is worth a thousand words:
Going to bed, this is what it looks like
Hello,
I’ve just discovered this forum and I’m looking for your valuable advice. We’re planning to spend a month in Quebec from mid-July to mid-August 2027 with our young adult daughters. Everything looks so beautiful that we’re struggling to decide how to organize our trip beyond our stops in Montreal and Quebec City. We’ll be renting a vehicle to explore the province, but we don’t want to spend our entire vacation racking up kilometers. Do you have any suggestions for an itinerary?
Hi, I’d like to visit Quebec this fall or starting in August (what do you recommend?). I’d love to meet some Quebecers and get some tips on transportation. I’m wondering if it’s doable with an electric mountain bike (not too much rain?). I’m planning to buy one second-hand and return it afterward. If there are any travel buddies out there too...thanks
I’ve already been to Quebec City and Montreal, so this time I’d like to return to Quebec but skip visiting those two cities and focus entirely on Gaspésie. I’ll be traveling solo from October 5th to 15th.
What do you think? Any thoughts on park closures, weather, etc.?
hi everyone,
my flight’s all booked (Sept 19–Oct 4), with 1.5 days in Montreal + 1.5 days in Quebec City...
then I’ve got 11 days starting from Quebec City for a road trip—what route do you recommend?
(I’ve seen these stops come up a lot: Parc Omega, Charlevoix, Tadoussac, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay, Parc de la Gaspésie, Parc Forillon, Mauricie...)
The idea is no more than 2–3 hours of driving per day on average.
I’m traveling solo :-( (if you’re in the area around the same dates, hit me up!)
45 years old, I love sports (so I’m hoping to do hikes, kayaking, and other activities, see whales...discover beautiful landscapes). I’m not sure if there are any events in the area during those dates, but I’d also like to meet some people...
Thanks in advance for your tips!
Hi everyone,
I'd like to know which route is the quickest between Montréal-Trudeau Airport and downtown: the 747 bus, the Air Canada shuttle, or taking the 815 bus to the De La Savane REM station.
Thanks for your replies, have a great evening!
I’m looking for your help planning a 3-week road trip from mid-September to early October starting in Montréal.
We’d like to explore part of Québec and the Gaspésie, and we’re intentionally starting with the Gaspésie because if we leave it for the end (early October), the weather might be less favorable and a lot of places will already be closed. I’ve also read that the fall colors are more beautiful in the Mauricie and Laurentides regions toward the end of our trip (early October).
Here’s the itinerary we’ve come up with:
Montréal (arrival and departure airport) -> Québec City -> Charlevoix -> Crossing the St. Lawrence River from St-Siméon to Rivière-du-Loup -> Rimouski and Parc du Bic -> Gaspésie along the coast (Matapedia, Percé, Bonaventure Island, Gaspé, Forillon Park) -> Crossing the St. Lawrence River from Matane to Baie-Comeau -> Tadoussac to Lac Saint-Jean via the route along the Saguenay River -> Return to Montréal via La Tuque, crossing the Laurentides and Mauricie Park
This is our first time in Canada, so don’t hesitate to be critical (I won’t take it badly ;)), if the route seems too ambitious (we know there’ll be a lot of driving!) or if it’s better to skip some stops that aren’t must-sees.
Hi,
I'm looking for an organized tour in Quebec lasting at least 2 weeks for next winter.
I'm looking for a tour that's done by bus, because there are many where you have to rent a car, and I don’t have a driver’s license.
Could you recommend any travel agencies that offer this?
Thanks in advance.
Hi everyone,
I’ve got 2 weeks of vacation to take (around Sept 15–Oct 10 max).
I’m thinking of Canada since I’ve never been, to see the beautiful fall colors, mix in some sports activities (hiking or others), and a bit of city exploration...
Traveling solo, backpacker style (youth hostels), renting a car/van or using buses... (whichever is most cost-effective and practical).
Which area would you recommend?
For arrival, I can fly into Montreal, Quebec City, or Toronto at the cheapest fares.
What itinerary (big picture) or activities would you suggest?
Or maybe you’d advise against it? ))
Hi there,
I was wondering if there’s a taxi stand at the Sainte Foy bus station, or do we have to use an app to call one?
Thanks in advance for your help
Hi there, I’m planning a road trip to Quebec in late September/early October.
Since I’m over 75, it’s impossible to rent a camper van. So, the option left is a car plus hotels. I’m used to traveling freely—I sketch out a rough route and stop wherever and whenever I feel like it.
Is it possible during this period to travel without booking hotels/motels or B&Bs in advance, knowing I’ll only need a double room?
Thanks for your replies.
Hello,
I’m not sure if it’s still possible to travel to Quebec. I haven’t bought my flight ticket for June (from June 11 to July 1) and I’d like to know the current cost of gas. Also, can we book hotels last-minute without risking cancellation due to current events? Thanks
Hi everyone, from August 7th to 10th I’m renting an apartment right across from the WESTMOUNT library, next to the park of the same name. The landlord tells me that parking around the apartment is free. Does that cause any issues? I was planning to rent my car before leaving MONTREAL, but I might visit a friend who lives nearby—I’ll only know for sure at the last minute. Thanks in advance for the replies
Hi everyone,
We’re heading to Québec for 4 days in Montréal and 4 days in Québec City from April 18 to April 22. I’ve been looking but can’t find any excursions—any tips for seeing belugas or other whales?
If it’s really off-season and impossible to find anything,
what else can we do in the area instead?
Thanks in advance!
Hi there,
We’re planning a trip to Quebec from June 15 to 28, 2025, specifically along the St. Lawrence River. As I’ve been looking into it, I’ve got two main questions:
First, about our route—I feel like I might be biting off more than we can chew by wanting to follow the left bank downstream from Quebec City (including the Saguenay Fjord and Lac Saint-Jean), then heading to Gaspésie by ferry, and finally returning along the right bank. We’re flying into Montreal and will likely stop in Quebec City too. Over about ten days, is that too much? Would it be better to stick to the left bank, enjoy the coast and the lake, and maybe explore Mauricie or Mont-Tremblant on the way back instead?
Second, about prices. Since we’re thinking of renting a car and booking accommodations at each stop, I was a bit surprised by hotel and motel rates. I’ve always heard Canada is a pretty expensive destination, but I’m seeing average prices very similar to France—between 60 € and 90 €. Am I missing something? Is service not included? Meanwhile, on platforms like Airbnb, the prices seem exorbitant.
This second question is a bit generic, but as I’m trying to budget, I don’t feel like there’s a huge difference compared to France, even for meals. Am I way off base?
Hello everyone.
We’ve already traveled to Canada in 2018.
This time, we’re prioritizing heading to Quebec City right after arriving in Montreal to stay for 3 days, then moving on to Rivière-du-Loup for 2 to 3 days before heading toward New Brunswick.
We want to see Acadia, Prince Edward Island, the Bay of Fundy, etc., before returning to Quebec City to drop off the rental car.
We were thinking of taking the bus from Montreal Airport to Quebec City and only renting the car 3 days later. Same route on the way back, with one night in Quebec City.
We arrive in Montreal around June 25 (11 AM) and return on July 26 (6 PM).
Could you give us some advice? Routes, sights, accommodations, and chalet rentals.
On our first trip, we went through an agency, but this time we’d prefer to organize everything ourselves.
Thank you so much for your tips and suggestions!
See you soon,
Fabienne
Hi everyone, as a regular in the "bike travel" section, I’m reaching out for some info since I’m planning to come to Montreal at the end of September 2026 for the Road Cycling World Championships. If I get the time off and manage to gather the details, I’ll arrive on Wednesday the 23rd and leave on Tuesday the 29th. Traveling solo with just my backpack, I need answers to:
1°) Do you know of any youth hostels (or similar) within walking distance (less than 3 km) of the finish circuit on Mount Royal?
2°) What’s the best way to get to this accommodation from the airport—metro, bus, etc.?
I’m just starting my research and counting on you all for any tips. My goal is to watch the road races and explore Montreal afterward—restaurants, bars, and more.
Hi everyone! 🙂
My partner would love to discover Quebec, while I’ve already been there over 15 years ago (Quebec City, Tadoussac, the Fjords, Lac Saint-Jean).
This time, of course, we’d want to do something different.
Quebec City would still be a must for my partner in this plan.
With the tight budget we have right now🤪, we’re thinking of spending several days in Quebec City, then maybe renting bikes to explore the surrounding areas—aside from Montmorency Falls, what other nice spots are worth visiting? I remember there being tons of bike paths.
After that, we’d rent a car (for a few days to visit the parks) and use trains or buses for the rest of the trip. From what I recall, cars aren’t super fuel-efficient there.
Since we’ve never seen Niagara Falls, I’d like to include it in this itinerary.
For a roughly 15-day trip in September, I was thinking of a multi-destination flight: France-Quebec / Toronto-France, so it’d look something like this:
Quebec City: 5 days (including arrival day)
Pick up the car
La Mauricie National Park (or others?) 1 day
Mont-Tremblant 1 day
Montreal 4 days
Drop off the car in Montreal
By train/bus
Toronto 2 days
By train/bus
Buffalo-Niagara Falls 1 day
Toronto 1 day (return to France)
I was planning one night at Niagara Falls—is that enough, or is a single day sufficient?
If our finances don’t stretch that far, we’d shorten the trip from Montreal (so long, Niagara🙁), adding extra nights between Quebec City and Montreal.
Anyway, thanks in advance for all your great tips!
Hi, I’d like to plan a trip for 4 adults. 14 days.
From June 4–6 to June 21, 2026
Arriving in Montreal
Then Quebec City... Gaspésie, Lac Saint-Jean
Looking for a loop route starting and ending in Montreal
Where to sleep... where to stay 1 day or more
Thanks for your ideas!
Nature, hiking, a little city time—but not too much.
Jean-Yves. B ARBRISSEL
hi there,
it's been a long time since I've been to Quebec, and I've kinda lost my bearings...🙂
What's the best spot to hitchhike from Montreal to Quebec City and from Quebec City to Tadoussac?
If you've got the public transit route to get to those spots, I'd love to hear it!
Hi there!! We all know there are mosquitoes in Quebec… but is it bearable? Are the cities affected too? Like Montreal and Quebec City? I can imagine it’s bad in the parks… The road trip would be from July 5th to the 21st, right in the middle of bug season!! Best, Christophe
If you’re French, you *have* to make an effort to go see Alexandre Texier play at the Bell Centre. The new player for the Montreal Canadiens, originally from France, is having a lot of success. 🏒
Looking for a comparison? Imagine a Quebecer playing for Paris Saint-Germain. ⚽ You’d be surprised, and we’d be proud. Well, that’s exactly what’s happening. Yesterday, he was the hero of a great win. 🌟
Many of you often wonder what makes Quebecers’ hearts race. Go see a Montreal Canadiens hockey game, and you’ll experience something unforgettable. Especially right now with this young team. Okay, does this fit the travel forum criteria? I think so—especially if you want to learn more about the locals you’re visiting. 😄
Enjoy your trip to Quebec! And if you’re from France, don’t worry about the snow—it always melts eventually. 😄😄👋👋👋
We’re planning our first trip to Quebec for early July 2026. There’ll be 2 adults and 2 teens (17 and 14 years old). For now, we’re thinking of renting an RV in Montreal for this loop.
Here’s a first draft of our route, based on itineraries I’ve seen on the forum.
The times below are the useful time spent at each stop, not including driving.
Does the order make sense? It has us crossing the river twice.
Are the lengths of the stops reasonable? We like to take our time and not spend too much time on the road.
Finally, any other suggestions for places to add or swap out?
Arrival and half a day in Montreal
Pick up RV the next day
Mauricie National Park: 2.5 days
Quebec City: 2 days
Jacques Cartier National Park: 2.5 days
Saguenay Fjord–Tadoussac: 2.5 days, then crossing
Bic Park: 2.5 days, then crossing back
Charlevoix: 3.5 days
Montreal: 2 days, then return to France
Thanks so much in advance for any help you can give us!
Hi, I'd like to know if I rent a car at Quebec City airport, can I drive to New Brunswick without any issues and then return to Quebec?
Thanks in advance for the answer, Claude
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a trip to Quebec at the end of June/beginning of July 2026 for 20 days.
We’re a family of 4, with two kids aged 7 and 4 at that time.
I’ve already started drafting our itinerary but I’m open to all suggestions and ideas.
We plan to land in Montreal and stay a few days to recover from the trip.
Here’s my first draft of the itinerary:
-Day 1 to 4: Exploring Montreal:
-Day 5: Sucrerie de la Montagne in Rigaud.
-Day 6/7: Parc Omega (staying in Pods)
-Day 8-10: Saint-Alexis-des-Monts (staying at Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc)
-Day 9/10: Heading toward Lac Saint-Jean: I’m still looking for accommodation halfway to La Tuque. I’ve noticed Pourvoirie du Triton or Domaine Le Bostonnais.
-Day 10/11: Zoo Sauvage de Saint-Félicien: I’m also looking for accommodation near the lake for this stop + visiting Village historique de Val-Jalbert?
-Day 12-13-14: Stop in Sacré-Cœur at Ferme 5 Étoiles. (I also saw the Canopée Lit accommodations in the area—something to consider).
-Day 15-16: Tadoussac: Whale-watching excursion. Should we do it by Zodiac given my kids’ ages?
I’m also looking for accommodation in the area (Hotel Tadoussac is out of budget).
On the way back from Tadoussac to Quebec City, I’m considering an intermediate stop if there’s a spot worth the detour (Malbaie??).
-Day 17-18-19: Exploring Quebec City (Montmorency Falls / Old Town / Wendake).
-Day 20-21: Return to Montreal and flight home.
I’d love recommendations for activities for young kids along this route.
Thanks
I’m heading back to Montreal in early November after several years away. I’m so excited!
I won’t be staying long, but I’ll have time to wander and explore.
I’d love to get your recommendations for great things to eat—restaurants, bakeries, all kinds of food.
I’m open to all your suggestions and addresses.
I’ll definitely hit up the market. And eat bagels, of course.
I’ll probably stay in the Quartier des Spectacles,
but I’ll definitely be getting around the city.
Hi everyone,
I’m planning to spend at least 3 weeks on the Côte Nord all the way to Natashquan to see the whales. I’m torn between renting a van or finding accommodations.
For the van, it’s hard to find one in Quebec City—most rentals start in Montreal... plus the prices are pretty high.
For accommodations, there aren’t many towns, so there aren’t a lot of options on Booking, for example. Do you have any leads, websites, or addresses to help me find some?
Thanks for any info you can share!
Isabelle
We’re heading out for 3 weeks and just bought our flight tickets;
3 days in Montreal
2 days in La Mauricie Park
drive down Route 155 to Lac Saint-Jean
2 days in Tadoussac
ferry to Gaspésie—planning to stay 6/7 days there
Charlevoix region for 3 days
Quebec City for 2 days
Back to Montreal
If you’ve got any great tips, I’d love to hear them—accommodation, activities (seaplane, bears, whales), parks.
We’re traveling with our kids, aged 20 and 23,
A picture is worth a thousand words:
Going to bed, this is what it looks like
