Quebec, Canada · Route map
St. Lawrence River Road Trip
This Parisian-flavored drive pairs historic cities with the wild marine life of the St. Lawrence River.
- 1
Montréal
arriving Montréal Airport
2 nights
Historic Old Montreal and culinary hotspots
- 2
Québec City
2 nights
Cobbled streets and fortified French history
- 3
Tadoussac
2 nights
World-class whale watching on the fjord
- 4
Montréal
departing Montréal Airport
Return your car and fly home
- ✦4 stops · 6 nights
A sample from our journal — written by Waypora, kept as inspiration
Use this as a starting pointThe day-by-day
Welcome to Montréal
Arrive into Montréal
Flight · Morning · Montreal Airport
Land at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
Express bus to downtown
Transfer · Morning · Downtown Montreal
Take the 747 Express bus directly to the city center.
Buy your ticket at the airport kiosk before boarding to save time.
Historic stroll through Old Montréal
Excursion · Afternoon · Vieux-Port
Grab a hot maple tart from Délices Érable & Cie while you walk.
Overnight in Vieux-Montréal
Accommodation · Evening · Vieux-Montréal
Montréal's Local Flavors
Jean-Talon Market food crawl
Excursion · Morning · Little Italy
Look for the Qui sème récolte stall for incredible local Quebec cider.
Afternoon exploring Mile End
At leisure · Afternoon · Mile End
Decide the city's ultimate bagel debate by trying both Fairmount and St-Viateur.
Overnight in Vieux-Montréal
Accommodation · Evening · Vieux-Montréal
To the Historic Capital
Pick up hire car
Car hire · Morning · Downtown Montreal
Collect your rental car from the downtown location.
Self-drive Montréal to Québec City
Self-drive · Morning · St. Lawrence Valley
Drive northeast along the scenic Route 138, taking about three hours.
Stop in Trois-Rivières for a coffee along the riverfront to break the drive.
Walk the ramparts of Quebec
Excursion · Afternoon · Vieux-Québec
The view from the Governors' Promenade at sunset is unmatched.
Overnight in Vieux-Québec
Accommodation · Evening · Vieux-Québec
Waterfalls and Island Feasts
Drive the Côte-de-Beaupré loop
Self-drive · Morning · Beaupré Coast
A short 30-minute drive to the falls and island.
Symphony of Montmorency Falls
Excursion · Morning · Montmorency
Walk the suspension bridge right over the crest of the falls.
Gourmet drive around Île d'Orléans
At leisure · Afternoon · Île d'Orléans
Stop at Cassis Monna & Filles for their famous blackcurrant soft-serve ice cream.
Overnight in Vieux-Québec
Accommodation · Evening · Vieux-Québec
Entering Fjord Country
Self-drive Québec City to Tadoussac
Self-drive · Morning · Charlevoix
Drive three hours through the dramatic mountains of Charlevoix.
Take the free Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry to cross the Saguenay Fjord.
Cliffs and dunes of Tadoussac
Excursion · Afternoon · Tadoussac
Walk the Sentier du Fjord trail for sweeping elevated water views.
Overnight in Tadoussac
Accommodation · Evening · Tadoussac
Whales of the St. Lawrence
Marine mammal observation zodiac tour
Excursion · Morning · Saguenay Marine Park
Join an expert-led boat excursion seeking blue whales.
Prepare for freezing temperatures on the water, even during mid-summer.
Relaxed afternoon in Tadoussac village
At leisure · Afternoon · Tadoussac
Sit on the veranda of the historic hotel with a local craft beer.
Overnight in Tadoussac
Accommodation · Evening · Tadoussac
Return to Montréal
Self-drive Tadoussac to Montréal
Self-drive · Morning · Quebec
Drive five and a half hours back to Montréal airport.
Allow extra time for the ferry boarding queue in Tadoussac.
Drop the car in Montréal
Car hire · Afternoon · Montreal Airport
Return your rental car at Montreal Airport.
Fly out of Montréal
Flight · Evening · Montreal Airport
Depart from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL).
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