A 3-Day Charlevoix and Tadoussac Route

October 20, 2026

A good way to spend three days away from Quebec City is to follow the north shore of the St Lawrence through Charlevoix to Tadoussac, where whale cruises sail. This page lays out one sample route, with prices in Canadian dollars (CAD), most of them quoted before tax. Winter storms from November to April can close coastal roads, so leave a spare day if you travel in cold months.

Day 1: Quebec City to Baie-Saint-Paul

Take Route 138 northeast to Baie-Saint-Paul, a small town known for its art galleries and the Musée d’art contemporain. If you would rather not drive, the Train de Charlevoix leaves from Montmorency Falls with a listed 8:00 departure and 15:00 return, from about 169 round trip on the operator’s own site. The 2026 season started in early June and ran to about 1 November, and the train does not operate in winter. The listed schedule is a same-day return, so a night in Baie-Saint-Paul calls for a car. See the train’s website for 2027 dates.

Day 2: the coast road to Tadoussac

From Baie-Saint-Paul, Route 362 follows the shore through Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive on the way to La Malbaie. At Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive, a free ferry crosses to Île-aux-Coudres in about 15 to 20 minutes. That ferry is the island’s only link, with no causeway or bridge, so check its timetable before building a visit around it.

Carry on along the shore to Baie-Sainte-Catherine, where a free ferry of about 10 minutes crosses to Tadoussac. Quebec City is about 210 to 215 km from Tadoussac, roughly 3 hours of driving plus that crossing, which is why a single day there and back is tiring. Sleep in Tadoussac.

Day 3: whale cruise and the drive home

Croisières AML runs the cruises in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park. Its 2026 season ran from 2 May to 1 November, and 2027 dates were not yet published. The listed options, all before tax:

A Zodiac trip of about 2.5 hours, from 134.99 for adults, at 10:15 and 13:30. Children under 6 may not ride.
A boat tour of about 3 hours at 13:00, from 134.99, with an upper deck at 169.99 and a VIP lounge at 209.99 to 219.99.

Most tours offer a free return trip if no whales are seen. Among the species AML names are minke, fin and humpback whales, porpoises, harbour seals and belugas, with blue whales a possibility. A 10:15 departure gives you the afternoon for the drive south, while the later sailings suit a second night. It is cold on the water in any month, so pack a windproof jacket. Reserve through Croisières AML .

A winter version

The cold months have a different overnight: the Hôtel de Glace at Valcartier, about 30 minutes north of Quebec City. Its suites are offered from 4 January to 13 March 2027, starting around 485 before tax, and day visits run from 26 December 2026 to 21 March 2027, with the date to be confirmed. It is close to the city, so it fits a single night away. Rates are on the Valcartier ice hotel page .

Going on to Montreal

Montreal is a separate journey of about 250 km by road. VIA Rail trains from Gare du Palais take roughly 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 40 minutes, according to secondary listings, so check the current timetable before booking.

Hotels and guesthouses near Tadoussac can be searched on Booking.com .