5 Days in Montreal and Quebec
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The 4-day plan’s Montreal core, Quebec City, and Ottawa, plus a fifth day to the Eastern Townships, a true day trip at only 1-2 hours southeast, wine route, Magog, and Lake Memphremagog. This one needs a car or a tour rather than VIA Rail. Fewer days? Use the 4-day version ; more time, 6 and 7-day plans add Mont-Tremblant and Trois-Rivières.
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| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Old Montreal, Notre-Dame Basilica, the Old Port |
| Day 2 | Mount Royal, downtown, a fast Mile End food stop |
| Day 3 | Quebec City day trip by VIA Rail |
| Day 4 | Ottawa day trip by VIA Rail |
| Day 5 | Eastern Townships day trip, wine route and Magog |
Day 1: Old Montreal, fast
Morning
Old Montreal, free to wander, and the Notre-Dame Basilica, about $16 for a daytime visit.
Afternoon
The 1847 Bonsecours Market and the Old Port.
Evening
Dinner near Gare Centrale.
Day 2: Mount Royal, downtown, and a fast food stop
Morning
Mount Royal and the Kondiaronk Belvedere.
Afternoon
The RÉSO underground city, then Mile End bagels at St-Viateur or Fairmount.
Evening
Schwartz’s Deli smoked meat, an early night.
Day 3: Quebec City by VIA Rail
Morning
VIA Rail from Gare Centrale, about 3 hours to Old Québec, the corridor’s genuine UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Afternoon
The fortified old city and Château Frontenac.
Evening
Return train to Montreal.
Day 4: Ottawa by VIA Rail
Morning
VIA Rail, about 2 hours to Parliament Hill.
Afternoon
Ottawa’s museum cluster near Parliament Hill, a comfortable long day trip.
Evening
Return train to Montreal.
Day 5: Eastern Townships, wine route and Magog
Morning
Pick up a rental car or join a tour for the Eastern Townships (Cantons-de-l’Est), about 1-2 hours southeast, the region’s wine route runs through towns like Bromont and Sutton.
Afternoon
Magog and Lake Memphremagog anchor the area, with the Balnea spa nearby if you’d rather unwind than tour vineyards. This is a genuine true day trip, no overnight framing needed.
How much should you budget for 5 days in Montreal and Quebec? Plan on $155-260 CAD a day mid-range in Montreal, plus VIA Rail fares for Quebec City and Ottawa and a car or tour cost for the Townships, before Quebec’s 14.975% sales tax throughout.
Evening
Drive back to Montreal for a final dinner in the city.
Getting around and one honest note
YUL airport sits about 20 kilometers from downtown; the REM doesn’t reach it yet, use the STM Bus 747 (about $11.25) or a taxi (about $49.45). VIA Rail from Gare Centrale covers Quebec City and Ottawa car-free; the Eastern Townships need a car or tour, unlike the rail-served day trips earlier in the week. Keep an eye on your bag in Old Montreal, the RÉSO, and Berri-UQAM métro.
With a sixth day, our 6-day version adds Mont-Tremblant in the Laurentians, another car-needed day trip north of the city.