7 Days in Montreal and Quebec
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A full week out of Montreal: the 6-day plan’s Quebec City, Ottawa, the Eastern Townships, and Mont-Tremblant, plus a seventh day at Trois-Rivières, about 1.5 hours northeast and back on the VIA Rail line toward Quebec City, a genuine day trip and a scenic stop in its own right. Fewer days? The 6-day version drops this last leg. Want the city-only version instead, no day trips at all? Our 7-day Montreal itinerary covers that ground.
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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 6 | Mont-Tremblant day trip, Laurentians |
| Day 7 | Trois-Rivières day trip by VIA Rail |
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.
Day 3: Quebec City by VIA Rail
Morning
VIA Rail, 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.
Evening
Return train to Montreal.
Day 5: Eastern Townships
Morning
Rental car or tour to the Eastern Townships, about 1-2 hours southeast, wine route through Bromont and Sutton.
Afternoon
Magog and Lake Memphremagog, or the Balnea spa.
Evening
Drive back to Montreal.
Day 6: Mont-Tremblant
Morning
Drive or tour north to Mont-Tremblant, about 1.5 hours from Montreal.
Afternoon
Ski village in winter, hiking and lakes the rest of the year.
How much should you budget for 7 days in Montreal and Quebec? Plan on $155-260 CAD a day mid-range in Montreal, plus VIA Rail fares for Quebec City, Ottawa, and Trois-Rivières, and car or tour costs for the Townships and Tremblant, before Quebec’s 14.975% sales tax throughout.
Evening
Drive back to Montreal.
Day 7: Trois-Rivières by VIA Rail
Morning
VIA Rail from Gare Centrale, about 1.5 hours northeast to Trois-Rivières, sitting directly on the line toward Quebec City, worth the stop even if you’ve already made that trip earlier in the week.
Afternoon
A slower final day trip, this one closes out the week without the long haul of Quebec City or the car-dependent Townships and Tremblant days.
Evening
Return train to Montreal for a last dinner before departure.
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 is the car-free option for Quebec City, Ottawa, and Trois-Rivières; the Eastern Townships and Mont-Tremblant both need a car or a tour. Keep an eye on your bag in Old Montreal, the RÉSO, and Berri-UQAM métro, otherwise this whole week stays genuinely safe.
Book VIA Rail seats and your Gare Centrale-area hotel early if any leg of this trip lands near the Formula 1 weekend (May 22-24, 2026) or the Jazz Festival (June 25-July 4), both spike demand across Montreal. Read more: our stay guide covers where to base yourself for a full week like this one.