tour from quebec city to montreal

Montreal + Quebec City Itinerary (2024)

Montreal and Quebec City are the two biggest cities in Quebec, with beautiful old towns, rich history and fun things to do, and are both highly worth visiting. This Montreal and Quebec City itinerary will help you see all of the key sights and not miss anything.

Montreal and Quebec City are very different from each other , and from the rest of Canada, which makes visiting them both interesting places to visit. They have great food, scenic beauty, and heritage buildings that date back 100s of years.

As an Ontarian, I’ve been to Quebec countless times and I adore both places- especially Quebec City, because of how different it is from anywhere else in North America.

You will need at least 5 days to see both Montreal and Quebec City (two days in each, plus one in between.) However, an extra day in either city would be beneficial and I’ll provide options for a 3rd day in case you have more time.

So, let’s jump into your Montreal + Quebec City itinerary below!

What you Need to Know about this Itinerary

✅   It starts in Montreal, and ends in Quebec City, but you could easily do it the other way around

✅   It can be done with or without a car. A car is helpful in both cities, but they are also both doable via public transit. I’ll provide options for both

✅   It can be done with all age groups. I specialize in family travel, but I’ll also be providing some add-ons for those looking for a little extra adventure.

2-Days in Montreal (+ Optional 3rd Day)

Where to Stay in Montreal

• Budget: Hotel St. Laurent Comfy and spacious hotel just a 5 minute walk from Old Montreal
• Mid-Range: Fairmont the Queen Elizabeth Known for its ‘John Lennon and Yoko Ono suite’, has a pool, breakfast and is well located downtown Montreal
• Luxury: The Ritz-Carleton One of the most luxurious hotels in Montreal, the Ritz-Carlton has an indoor pool, and a delicious breakfast

Day 1 in Montreal

1. explore old montreal.

Time needed: 2 hours +

Today will be a fun morning of walking around Old Montreal, exploring the heritage buildings, and Montreal’s incredible history.

Start your walk around Victoria Square (shown on the map below.)

From Victoria square, walk north on Saint-Paul Street (Rue St. Paul) which is the most famous street in Montreal. In the old days, it used to be the ‘main’ street in town. It’s lined with boutique stores, cafes and eateries.

I recommend starting south on Rue St. Paul and work your way north, so that at the end you can turn onto a street to bring you to the Notre Dame de Basilica de Montreal.

I highly recommend going inside the Notre Dame de Basilica (its open every morning from 9am.) The inside is really beautiful.

After the church, continue heading north towards Place Jacques Cartier.

After spending some time at the Place Jacques Cartier, walk towards Saint Laurent Boulevard which is a short walk from the square. On the way, you will pass the Montreal City Hall, a heritage building that you can take a photo of.

Saint Laurent Boulevard is a trendy, fashion area with a lot of colourful street art. Walk down the street, window shopping and consider what your plans for lunch are.

Another optional activity in this Old Montreal area along the river is to ride the Grand Roue de Montreal. The ferris wheel is a short, 5 minute walk from the Notre Dame Basilica. It’s the tallest ferris wheel in Canada at 196 feet or 60 metres, and a great way to get views of the river and the city from a bird’s eye view. Grab tickets for the ferris wheel on their website here .

2. Choice between Montreal Food Tour or Lunch in Old Town

Later in the morning or early afternoon, you’ll probably be getting hungry. I recommend choosing between doing a Montreal Food Tour, or grabbing lunch at a restaurant in Old Town.

Here’s more about each option:

Option #1: Montreal Food Tour

Time needed: 3 hours (offered hourly between 11am and 3pm)

Montreal is the foodie capital of Canada , so if you only do one food tour during this trip, it should be here. Montreal bagels are a staple, as well as poutine and Italian-inspired eats.

What I like about this tour is that they tell you in advance what you can expect to eat, plus there’s one ‘surprise dish.’ All ages are welcome.

If you want to do this tour, you’ll have to make your way over to the meeting point which is at 5170 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montréal. This is just further down the street where you ended off, but still another 30-minute walk.

You could walk there in 30 minutes if you’re up to it, or get there by taking the metro to the Saint-Laurent / Fairmount station (from there its a less than 2 minute walk.)

Book the Montreal Walking Food Tour here

Side note: I recommend making your way over to Boulevard Saint Laurent sometime during your stay in Montreal regardless, because it has beautiful and colourful street murals in the summertime which are worth seeing.

Option # 2: Lunch on Saint Laurent Boulevard

Time needed: It depends

If you decide that a food tour isn’t really your thing, then you have your pick of a variety of restaurants in Old Town. There are too many to name , the area is literally lined with great places to eat.

A few of my personal favourites are:

• SHAKER Cuisine & Mixologie St-Laurent (the food here is really different and unique, but still of the ‘comfort food’ variety) Menu here
• Restaurant Mechant Boeuf (means “mean steak” in English.) It’s a steakhouse, but it has vegetarian options too. See lunch menu here

3. Get views of Montreal from the top of Mont Royal

Time needed: Anywhere from 1 hour to 4 hours (depending on how you get up there, and how long you stay)

In the afternoon of day 1 in Montreal, you’re going to head up to Mont Royal to get a view of the city skyline. It’s a spectacular thing to see in all seasons.

Option # 1: Climb to the top

There are a few different paths to get to the top.

If you want as easy of a hike as possible, then this one is an easy option, at about 4 km/2.4 miles, and takes around 30 minutes if you take the easiest route. It’s a moderate hike, but the path is wide and mostly smooth; some paved and some dirt trail.

If you want a more challenging hike, then you will see other trail options – they’re all well marked and you’ll be able to choose the one for you.

See the Google street view of the entrance to the steps here.

Option # 2: Take a bus

The most common bus that people take to the top of Mont Royal is 11 Parc-du Mont-Royal / Ridgewood .

Option # 2: Drive

If you have a car, then driving up Mont Royal is an option. At peak times, it can be hard to get a parking place,

Regardless of how you choose to get to the top of Mont Royal, you will find a large viewing platform at the top and likely, several other tourists enjoying the views.

4. Evening in Montreal

You may be looking for some things to do in the evening in Montreal either today, or tomorrow (or both!) Here are some ideas:

• Ride the large ferris wheel on the harbour, if you didn’t do so already
• Visit the Underground City
• Visit La Ronde Amusement Park  on Helen’s Island (summer only)

Day 2 in Montreal:

1. head to the montreal biosphere.

It was hard to narrow down the best things to do in Montreal into two days, but the Montreal Biosphere was high on the priority list and the first thing I’d recommend doing on the morning of your second day.

It’s the largest in the world of its kind, at 249 ft in diameter and 203 ft high. It’s located on the island, so you can also get views of downtown Montréal from the other side of the river.

You can buy your tickets to the Biosphere in advance on their website here. You’ll also notice that there are a few other science museums; a planetarium, and insectarium and others. (Might be some ideas for a 3rd day in Montreal.)

You can either drive, or take transit to the Biosphere. They have a couple parking lots nearby, and you can also take public transit (take the subway to Jean-Drapeau station and the biosphere is just a short walk from there.

The biosphere is very cool to look at from the outside, but the inside is also an environmental science museum. Give yourself at least an hour, to 90 minutes to see the whole thing.

After that, it will be time to make your way back to mainland Montreal.

2. Head to Petite Italie (Little Italy)

The next stop on your second day is Little Italy. Head back to mainland Montreal via the bridge or the subway.

Either drive, bike, or take the subway to Jean-Talon or De Castelnau station. You will now be in the Little Italy area, which is a huge foodie neighbourhood.

3. Pop into the Jean-Talon Market

The Jean Talon is a famous historic market (and these days to be honest, – more of a tourist attraction than market) located in Little Italy.

It’s named after Jean Talon, a French settler from the 1600s who wanted to bring migrants to the area.

The other great thing about the Jean-Talon Market is that it’s in the centre of Little Italy (Petite Italy), and its open 7 days a week, year round. It’s become a popular attrction for a reason, so I recommend checking it out.

There are some food items in the market, and tons of restaurants in the area. There isn’t just Italian food – you can find Vietnamese, and many other ethnic foods. I recommend grabbing something to eat here.

3. Make your way over to Montreal Olympic Park

Take the metro to Pie-IX station (The ride from Little Italy will take approximately 40-45 minutes.)

There is so much to see and do in this little corner of Montreal, including:

• The Montreal Tower
• The Montreal Biodome
• The insectarium and the planetarium

There are parks, trails, and ponds. If you want to be outside and enjoy the views, you could simply walk around, soaking up the nature.

If you want to do another museum, then I’d highly recommend one of them if you haven’t had too much science for one day. (You can buy tickets from the same website where you bought the Biosphere tickets.)

Otherwise, you could visit the Montreal Olympic Park. At the time of writing, guided tours are closed. But, you can still visit – and even climb the tower (pictured above) to get a cool view from the top of the surrounding area!

(Optional) 3rd Day in Montreal

• Great museums: When you only have two days, its hard to prioritize a museum because then you don’t really see the city. But if you have a third day in Montreal (or if it rains on one of the first two days) then check out one of Montreal’s amazing museums.
• Canada’s largest cemetery . I know it sounds a bit sinister to check out a cemetery while you’re on vacation, but this cemetery is a popular tourist attraction and one of the most unique things to see in Montreal. Read about visiting here .
• Botanical Gardens (since the Botanical Gardens is located further north, you could also visit it on the way to Montreal, or out of Montreal on your way to Quebec City.)

Shoulder Day: Travelling from Montreal to Quebec City (or vice versa)

Quebec City and Montreal are roughly 255 km (158 miles) from each other

If you’re driving between Montreal and Quebec City

It takes about 2.5 hours to drive from one to the other, but there are two different routes you can take:

• The Trans Canada highway – Mostly boring, but faster. there are some great poutine places you can stop at along the way.
• The 40 highway – more scenic, but about 15-20 minutes slower. You can stop in Trois-Rivières, which is a nice little city

Public transit options between Montreal and Quebec City

If you’re not using a car, then your public transit options are:

• Taking the Via Rail train . You can choose between economy and business class. An economy train ticket from Montreal to Quebec City costs between $42 and $61 one-way, whereas a business class ticket is between $100-$200. Prices go up closer to your date of travel, so book soon on the ViaRail website.
• Take the bus with Orleans Express. It takes around 3.5 hours, and tickets are similar to the train. You can book your trip online

Pro Tip: Personally, I would go with the train. Via Rail has been around for a long time, and I’ve used it many times and never had a bad experience. It’s also quicker than the bus, for roughly the same price.

2 Days in Quebec City (+ Optional 3rd Day)

Where to Stay in Quebec City

• Budget: Auberge International de Quebec  A hostel in Old town, with dorms and private rooms
• Mid-Range: Addresse sur Grande-Allee Lofts . Comfortable Victorian building, just a short walk from Old Town, near the St. Louis gate
• Luxury: Chateau Frontenac , A beautiful castle hotel overlooking Old Town and the St. Lawrence River

Evening in Quebec City (on the day you arrive)

Depending on what time you get to Quebec City, you might have a few hours in the evening to do something before going to bed.

Here are some evening options in Quebec City:

• Simply explore lower Old Town by evening; the old buildings are still charming by night. (You can also take the funicular, which is open until 11pm)
• Do a Quebec City Ghost Walk
• Head to the Grande Allée (which is like Paris’s Champs Elysees in Quebec) for some bar food and a drink

Day 1 in Quebec City

The Old Town of Quebec City is sort of divided into two parts – the upper part, and the lower part (you need to take stairs, or the funicular to get down to the lower part.)

Overall, you could spend hours walking around both parts of Old Town. You can do it self-guided, but if you’re a history buff, you might want to do a tour with a local guide (offered daily, between 9:30 and 3:30pm) that can teach you about the history of Canada’s oldest settlement, which goes back to the 1600s.

If you don’t want to book a walking tour, then read below on how to explore Old Town on your own.

1. Walk through Upper Old Town

around an hour

Upper Old Town of Quebec City has charming streets to stroll through. There is great shopping, some medieval buildings, and great restaurants. (If you want to grab breakfast here there are some great places to do it – I recommend Cochon Dingue, or )

Here are the things to check out in Upper Old Town:

• Cathedral-Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec – the oldest stone church in Canada, built in the 1600s. I recommend going inside, its so beautiful. Doors are open from 7:30am to 4pm daily.
• The Chateau Frontenac (get lots of photos in front of it!)
• Dufferin Terrace which is the boardwalk in front of the Chateau Frontenac. From there, you can get views of the St. Lawrence River, and Levis on the other side of the river

2. Take the funicular down to Lower Old Town

You’ll find the funicular on Dufferin Terrace, right in front of Chateau Frontenac. It costs $5 cash to take the funicular to Lower Old Town.

No need to reserve the funicular – simply show up. Sometimes there’s a small line up, but it goes pretty fast as they can fit many people inside each vehicle.

You can also walk to the lower part of Old Town via a staircase, but you should take the funicular at least once for the experience.

It’s a quick, 2 minute ride, but you’re riding in a 120 year old structure.

3. Explore Lower Old Town

Time needed: around an hour

After you get out of the funicular, you’ll be in the lower part of Old Town.

When you first get off the funicular, you will be facing Rue Petit

The things to make sure you see in the lower part of Old Town are:

• Rue Petit Champlain
• Place Royale.
• Umbrella Alley (pictured above)

2. Have lunch

you may be ready for lunch, or dejeuner, as the French would call it. Since you’re down in Old Town, it makes most sense to grab something here.

On Rue Petit Champlain, you will find a Lapin Sauté, a café and an Italian place. There are more restaurants along Umbrella Alley. Most of the options are Quebecois food.

Pro Tip: Most restaurants in Quebec City take online reservations. I’d recommend this if you want to ensure you get to eat somewhere very specific. If you’re visiting in summer, you could also delay lunch and eat on the boat cruise (info below) instead

2. Take a boat cruise

Time needed: 90 minutes

If you’re in Quebec City in summer , then there are boat cruises in the St. Lawrence River.

You can get to the port pretty easily from the Lower part of Old town.

The cruises are 90 minutes and show you the Quebec City skyline, Montmorency Falls, and Ile d’Orléans.

You can choose between 2pm or 4pm. Pick whichever works best. If you’re a morning person, you may have seen all of old town and had lunch by 2pm. But if not – it might be closer to 4 by the time you’re ready for the cruise.

Check availability for the cruises here. Try to book in advance if your visit is in summer, as they do fill up.

There is a bistro menu on board that you can order lunch from (if you’d rather eat on the boat than in Old Town.)

If the cruises aren’t running

If you’re visiting Quebec City in winter, then the boat cruises won’t be running anymore, but you can take the ferry to Levis instead of a boat cruise. (In fact, you may choose the ferry regardless of the season.)

The ferry is cheap, and fast – it only costs $12 per person, and takes 10 minutes to reach Levis, on the other side of the river. So, if you’re not wild about being in a boat, then I’d recommend this option.

Ferries to Levis can be booked online, or on the spot. They leave every 12 minutes throughout the day.

After taking the ferry to Levis, you can explore the area for a little bit (which I’d recommend doing in the warmer months) but you can also just take hop directly heading on the ferry going straight back to Quebec City.

Many people do this, including us (when we visited in winter) because they just want to see the Quebec City skyline.

3. Getting dinner in Quebec

You may want to start thinking about some places to grab dinner. Quebec City is full of restaurants – there are more options in Upper Town than Lower town, simply because its bigger.

Check out my guides on family-friendly restaurants, and poutine places in the area too.

5. Evening activities in Quebec City

Before or after dinner, you may have energy for an evening activity before retiring back to your accommodation. Here are some ideas:

• Haunted Walk of Quebec City, which run in evenings at 8pm. I did this tour with a friend and it was fun to learn about Quebec City’s dark past. Book here
• Head to the Grande Allée, a large street in Upper Old Town, where there are lots of pubs, restaurants, live music and nightclubs.

Day 2 in Quebec City

1. spend the morning at montmorency falls.

After grabbing breakfast near your accommodation, make your way to Parc Montmorency, where you can see the beautiful Montmorency Falls.

If you drive, it will only take 15 minutes, and you should book your daily access in advance here . (You can choose parking only, or packages that include other things.)

But there are several other ways to get to Montmorency Falls:

• Taking an Uber
• Taking the bus
• Booking this tour (which will take you to Montmorency Falls and St. Anne de Beaupré cathedral)

Visiting Montmorency Falls will be a half-day affair. There is a lot to explore at Parc Montmorency, as its called.

There is a bridge that walks over the bridge, and various lookout points where you can get different lookouts of the falls. In the summer, there’s a tall staircase that can take you all the way down to the base of the falls.

Pro Tip: In the winter, many of the trails and lookouts are closed off, but you can still visit it.

In the summer, there’s a gondola you can ride from the bottom area back up to the top (which is what we did once when we visited in the summer)

2. Lunch at Manoir de Fontaine (optional)

While you’re at Montmorency Falls, I recommend going inside the Manoir de Fountain. They have a cute gift shop where you can find some Quebecois souvenirs.

You can also eat lunch at the Manoir. I ate there once and enjoyed it, the food is fresh and good. But, the menu is pretty limited if I’m honest – you can check it out, and book online here .

If you’re not wild about eating at the Manoir, then you can also wait until you’re back to Quebec City for more options.

If you have a car (and if you don’t eat lunch at the Manoir) then of course there are still plenty of options in Quebec City.

If you haven’t had a crepe yet, I recommend it – they’re great for lunch or dinner. My favourite creperie in Quebec City is Le Billig Creperie (in Upper Old Town) but there are many others.

4. Afternoon in Quebec – 2 options

Option # 1 musee de beaux arts & cartier avenue.

I recommend visiting the Musée de Beaux Arts, because you can see Quebec and indigenous art that is local to the area.

Musée de Beaux Arts a beautiful museum, and you could spend a couple hours wandering around. Visiting is also a bit of an ‘off the beaten path’ activity, since its about a 30 minute walk from lower Old Town.

We didn’t mind the walk at all (we even walked with our two kids) but if you don’t feel up to a walk at this time, then I’d recommend option # 2 instead.

The Musée de Beaux Arts has an amazing gift shop – we spent more money there than any other gift shop in Quebec. Great place to find Quebec and Canadian souvenirs.

If you do head up to Musée de Beaux Arts, then I recommend taking a walk down Cartier avenue afterwards. It’s famous for its colourful lamp streetlights, which have been designed with art by Quebecois artists!

There are many restaurants where you could grab dinner. One of my favourites in this area is Chez Victor Burger -they have a variety of burgers, and poutines.

Option # 2: Tour the Citadelle

The citadelle is

If you’re a history buff, then the Citadelle is fascinating. You get to explore the fortress that was built to protect Canada from an American invasion.

The only way to visit the Citadelle is to do a 1-hour guided tour, and there’s a museum you can visit self-guided after. Book your tour online

Optional 3rd day in Quebec City

You have done all the ‘musts.’ If you have time for a 3rd day in Quebec City, I do highly recommend it because there are so many things to do, depending on what you’re most interested in.

Here are the options for what to do on a 3rd day in Quebec City. (You could probably fit in 2 of these activities into one day.)

• Ile d’Orleans wine tour – great for foodies, and people who want a relaxing experience on a romantic holiday. Check availability here .
• Explore Levis, if you didn’t take the ferry the other day and did a boat cruise instead. Then, on a 3rd day I would take the ferry over and explore a bit more. See things to see and do in Levis here. Book walking tour here , or see the ideas
• Aquarium du Quebec – Quebec City’s Aquarium , its a large and impressive aquarium that has both outdoor and indoor enclosures. There are polar bears! Perfect for if you’re in Quebec City with kids ; our kids loved the Quebec Aquarium
• Musée de Civilizations – Quite awesome, especially if you like science, geology and history. Save money by booking your ticket online.
• Guided tour of the Citadelle . (Highly recommended, if you didn’t do it yesterday.) From there you can get this view:

Montreal and Quebec City Itinerary FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about an itinerary of Quebec City and Montreal

How many days do you need in Montreal and Quebec City?

If you want to see both Montreal and Quebec City, then you need at least 5 days. (2 in each, plus one day in between.) I recommend doing 3 in each if you can (7 days in total) but it is up to you. Anytime between 5-7 days is perfect for exploring both Quebec City and Montreal.

What are the must see places between Montreal and Quebec City?

In between Montreal and Quebec City, some must-see places are Trois Rivieres,

Can I do a day trip from Montreal to Quebec City?

Yes, Quebec City can be seen on a day trip from Montreal. I’d recommend outright visiting there, but if you prefer a day trip then you can book this one which takes you to Old Quebec and to Montmorency Falls from Montreal.

Is the drive from Montreal to Quebec City pretty?

The drive between Montreal and Quebec City is somewhat scenic if you take highway 40. It’s slightly slower than the Trans Canada highway, but it allows you to see more along the way. The Trans Canada highway isn’t particular scenic, but its faster.

Final Thoughts on Quebec City and Montreal

I hope that this Quebec City and Montreal Itinerary has cut down on hours of your trip planning and made it easier to understand how to structure your trip. If you follow most of it, I’m sure you’ll see all the best things there are to see and have a great time.

Both of these cities will show you a lot of what is great about la belle province and allow you to see a great side of Canada. Bonne voyage!

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Montreal & Quebec City by Rail | Winter Splendors

From November 1, 2024 to April 15, 2025

From November 1, 2025 to April 15, 2026

Winter Promotion | Book by November 30th and enjoy 10% off (up to $500 per couple).

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INTRODUCTION

Experience the essence of Eastern Canada on a 5-day winter train journey through Montreal and Quebec City.

This tour offers an intimate glimpse into the vibrant tapestry of cultures, histories, and landscapes that shape this region., in montreal, immerse yourself in a fusion of old-world charm and modern dynamism. , continue to quebec city, where cobblestone streets echo tales of centuries past. .

Guided sightseeing in both cities ensures a deep dive into the province's distinctive geography and diverse heritage. 

As the train traverses snow-laden landscapes, witness how Quebec's unique blend of influences culminates in a singular, unforgettable identity. 

Itinerary at a Glance

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Toronto to Montreal | VIA Rail Business Class Enjoy the facilities of the Business Class Lounge before boarding the train. Complimentary newspapers and non-alcoholic beverages are available in the lounge. Once on your way, the train follows the shores of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America, to Trenton Junction, where the St. Lawrence River flows from the lake. Passing the village of Napanee, look south as you cross the river to view a series of beautiful waterfalls. The city of Kingston is an historic Canadian city, being the early capital of the “Province of Canada” (1841-1867) and is the birthplace of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Here, you cross the Rideau Canal, built in 1832 to connect Kingston with Ottawa and originally designed after the War of 1812 to guarantee a supply route north of the US border in the event of another war. Past Cornwall, the line enters the Province of Quebec. Approaching Montreal, cross the Ottawa River to Dorval, before arriving at Central Station in Montreal. The station is located below the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in the heart of downtown. (lunch is included today) Day 2 Montreal | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 2 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Private Old Montreal Culinary Walking Tour Embark on a culinary journey through Old Montréal with a private guide. Dive deep into the city's rich culture, blending history and gastronomy. Explore iconic spots like Place d’Armes and Saint-Paul Street, savoring four curated tastings along the way. Marvel at architectural gems, including the ancient Saint-Sulpice Seminary. Relish in local gourmet delights and learn about Montréal's storied past. Option 2. Private Walking Tour of Old Montreal East and West Embark on a captivating journey through the eastern & western sector's of Old Montréal, unveiling its historic sites and hidden treasures. Marvel at the majestic exterior of Notre-Dame Basilica, stroll through Cours le Royer, St-Paul Street, and Place Jacques-Cartier, and admire the City Hall and Champ de Mars. Continue off the beaten path, reflecting on Montréal's 19th-century economic boom and its modern-day vibrancy. Highlights include Place d’Armes, St-Jacques Street with its historic banks, McGill Street, and Place d’Youville. Conclude near the iconic Bonsecours Market and Pointe-à-Callière Museum, capturing the essence of Montréal's rich past and dynamic present. Day 3 Montreal to Quebec City | VIA Rail Business Class Following the St. Lawrence River, pass from city suburbs to the rural landscapes of forests and rich pastures, dotted with tiny villages that extend to Quebec City. For the first hour, you will note the rugged Monteregian Hills that seem to loom up from nowhere. These huge volcanic mounds were formed over 120 million years ago. There are seven of these hills in a row, including Mont Royal in Montreal, ending with Monte Rouge near the tiny village of Boloeil. Many of the trees you see are maple trees, producing the great Canadian staple, maple syrup. Your rail journey is just over two hours to Quebec, the oldest walled city in North America and heart of the French Canadian culture of Canada. Arrive into Quebec at Gare du Palais. Steeped in history, Quebec is the most charming city in Canada, 400 years old and most of the original architecture and buildings have been lovingly preserved. (lunch is included today) Day 4 Private Walking Tour of Quebec City Embark on a captivating journey through Old Quebec, exploring both its Upper and Lower towns. Delve into its rich history, marvel at its exquisite architecture, and soak in the culture that permeates every corner. Traverse the Dufferin Terrace, enjoying breathtaking views of the Chateau Frontenac, the St-Lawrence River, and the Plains of Abraham-Citadel. Witness the city's fortifications, the Ursuline's Convent, City-Hall, and the Seminary courtyard, all nestled among stunning churches within the walled city. Descend to the Lower Town, the heart of Quebec City, where the Old Port Marina meets a charming 'antique & art' district. Your enlightening journey culminates at "Place Royale", Quebec City's birthplace, before concluding on the historic Petit Champlain Street, a testament to centuries of commerce. Day 5 Quebec City | Departure Upon check-out of your hotel your magical winter vacation ends.

Package Includes:

• Hotel accommodation including provincial taxes for 4 nights
• Business class rail travel Toronto to Montreal (lunch included)
• Private Old Montreal Culinary Walking Tour | Duration 3 Hours
• Private Walking Tour of Old Montreal East & West | Duration 3 Hours
• Business rail travel Montreal to Quebec City (lunch included)
• Private Walking Tour of Quebec City | Duration 2 1/2 Hours
• Meals as per itinerary

Hotel & Rail Information | Superior Grade

• Montreal - Le Germain Hotel | Prestige Room
• Quebec City - Hotel Manoir Victoria | Deluxe Room

Hotel & Rail Information | Deluxe Grade

• Montreal - Fairmont Queen Elizabeth | Fairmont View Room
• Quebec City - Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac | Fairmont Room

Not Included

• Activities other than specified
• Meals other than specified
• Portage fees

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DATES & PRICING

Departs from Toronto: Daily (Tour Code: TRW62)

Not yet on sale

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Montreal & Quebec City by Rail | Splendors of Eastern Canada

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INTRODUCTION

If you're searching for a short and personalized Eastern Canada Rail tour, this itinerary is packed with freedom of choice tours to suit every traveler's needs.

Soak up the diverse culture of montreal and quebec cities by rail on this 5-day tour through the best of eastern canada., with sightseeing tours in both montreal and quebec city, you'll have the opportunity to discover this province's unique geography, diversity, history and culture that together has forged its identity. .

Itinerary at a Glance

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1 Toronto to Montreal | VIA Rail Business Class Enjoy the facilities of the Business Class Lounge before boarding the train. Complimentary newspapers and non-alcoholic beverages are available in the lounge. Once on your way, the train follows the shores of Lake Ontario, one of the five Great Lakes of North America, to Trenton Junction, where the St. Lawrence River flows from the lake. Passing the village of Napanee, look south as you cross the river to view a series of beautiful waterfalls. The city of Kingston is an historic Canadian city, being the early capital of the “Province of Canada” (1841-1867) and is the birthplace of Canada’s first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. Here, you cross the Rideau Canal, built in 1832 to connect Kingston with Ottawa and originally designed after the War of 1812 to guarantee a supply route north of the US border in the event of another war. Past Cornwall, the line enters the Province of Quebec. Approaching Montreal, cross the Ottawa River to Dorval, before arriving at Central Station in Montreal. The station is located below the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel in the heart of downtown. (lunch is included today)

Day 2 Montreal | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Montreal Half Day Sightseeing Tour Enjoy a fully guided driving tour to all the "must see" areas of Montréal such as Mont Royal, Old Montréal, and the city's picturesque riverfront. Highlights of the tour include a visit to the Notre-Dame Basillica, taking in the 360 degree views from the Observatoire Place Ville Marie, and a scenic river cruise along the beautiful St. Lawrence River. Option 2 Walking Tour of Old Montreal Explore the winding cobblestone streets of Old Montréal on a guided walking tour. Travel back in time to Fort Ville-Marie in 1642, to today’s modern city and find out more about all the eras that shaped Montréal Option 3 Beyond the Market Food Walking Tour The city’s best food tour takes you to at least 6 of your local guide’s favourite eateries and watering holes. From artisanal charcuteries to thirst quenching craft beers, discover the surrounding areas of JeanTalon, our largest food market on our walking tour!

Day 3 Montreal to Quebec | VIA Rail Business Class Following the St. Lawrence River, pass from city suburbs to the rural landscapes of forests and rich pastures, dotted with tiny villages that extend to Quebec City. For the first hour, you will note the rugged Monteregian Hills that seem to loom up from nowhere. These huge volcanic mounds were formed over 120 million years ago. There are seven of these hills in a row, including Mont Royal in Montreal, ending with Monte Rouge near the tiny village of Boloeil. Many of the trees you see are maple trees, producing the great Canadian staple, maple syrup. Your rail journey is just over two hours to Quebec, the oldest walled city in North America and heart of the French Canadian culture of Canada. Arrive into Quebec at Gare du Palais. Steeped in history, Quebec is the most charming city in Canada, 400 years old and most of the original architecture and buildings have been lovingly preserved. (lunch is included today)

Day 4 Quebec | Freedom of Choice - Choose 1 of 3 Excursions Today you can personalize your day by choosing one of these excursions Option 1. Rendezvous with History Quebec City Tour This is your chance to visit history first hand. The Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, Ramparts, world famous Château Frontenac, National Assembly, Basilica, City Hall, Place-Royale, Citadelle and a glimpse of modern Quebec City are the perfect introduction to the city. Option 2 A Fabulous Country Tour Travel back in time to rural Quebec along the Chemin du Roy to SainteAnne-de-Beaupré, pass through the many traditional villages of rural Québec. In Sainte-Annede- Beaupré, you will be given time to visit the world famous Shrine and a stop at the Montmorency Falls. Just as you think your day is over, you will be treated to a short visit on the Island of Orléans, discovered by Jacques Cartier in 1535, where the picturesque village of Sainte-Pétronille, with its 19th century rural atmosphere, waits to be rediscovered again. Option 3 Foodie Walking Tour of Quebec City Throughout the years, the food of Quebec has been influenced by Amerindian, British and French cuisines. The Food Tours offer the opportunity to discover these different culinary and cultural traditions. Treat yourself to a behind the scene experience of Quebec City, discovering its gastronomy and culinary history by taking part in five exclusive tasting presentations.

Day 5 Quebec City | Departure Upon check-out of your hotel your package ends.

Package Includes:

• 2 nights accommodation in Montreal
• 2 nights accommodation in Quebec City
• Business class rail travel Toronto to Montreal (lunch included)
• Montreal Half Day Sightseeing Tour
• Walking Tour of Old Montreal
• Beyond the Market Food Walking Tour (operates Thu - Mon)
• Business class rail travel Montreal to Quebec City (lunch included)
• Rendezvous with History Quebec City Tour
• A Fabulous Country Tour
• Foodie Walking Tour of Quebec City
• Meals as per itinerary

Hotel & Rail Information | Moderate Grade

• Montreal - Alt Hotel | Standard Room
• Quebec City - Hotel Manoir Victoria | Standard Room

Hotel & Rail Information | Superior Grade

• Montreal - Le Germain Hotel | Prestige Room
• Quebec City - Hotel Manoir Victoria | Deluxe Room

Hotel & Rail Information | Deluxe Grade

• Montreal - Fairmont Queen Elizabeth | Fairmont View Room
• Quebec City - Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac | Fairmont Room

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Arrange a call with a Canada Travel Designer and bring your vacation one step closer!

DATES & PRICING

Departs from Toronto: Daily (Tour Code: TR62)

STAY AT THESE HOTELS ON THIS RAIL VACATION

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac Hotel

Days / Nights

Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel

Hotel Manoir Victoria

Le Saint-Sulpice

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