7 days Canada: Montreal + Quebec + Toronto + Banff

Trip map

Click each numbered marker to see the corresponding day.

Day by day

1. 1

   Day 1

   Arrival Montreal

   Direct Paris-Montreal (YUL) flight (7h30, Air France/Air Canada/Air Transat, €400-900 return depending on season). eTA mandatory for French (CAD 7, online application 72h before, valid 5 years). Land at Pierre Elliott Trudeau airport (20 km from centre). Transfer to Old Montreal: 747 bus (CAD 11, 45 min, 24/7), flat-rate taxi CAD 50, Uber CAD 40-60. Time difference -6h. Settle hotel Old Montreal (William Gray CAD 300-500), Downtown (Marriott CAD 180-350), Plateau Mont-Royal boutique hotels. Evening first poutine (Au Pied de Cochon, La Banquise — CAD 15-25/person) or smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's (Saint-Laurent, since 1928, CAD 15-20).

   Tips

   • · eTA MANDATORY: CAD 7, online application 72h before, valid 5 years
   • · 747 bus YUL-centre: CAD 11, 45 min, 24/7
   • · Schwartz's since 1928: legendary smoked meat sandwich (Saint-Laurent)
   • · Old Montreal hotels: William Gray CAD 300-500
   Montreal →
2. 2

   Day 2

   Montreal: Old Port + Mont Royal

   Morning Old Montreal: Place Jacques-Cartier, Notre-Dame Basilica (CAD 10, spectacular starry blue interior), Pointe-à-Calliere (archaeology museum CAD 27). Old Port for stroll + optional St. Lawrence cruise. Lunch Olive et Gourmando (local cafe-restaurant) or Bouillon Bilk (CAD 35-50). Afternoon Mont Royal (park designed by Frederick Olmsted, Central Park NYC designer): 30 min ascent from Plateau, Kondiaronk Belvedere (panoramic view Montreal + St. Lawrence), Mont-Royal chalet. Plateau Mont-Royal next (Saint-Denis + Saint-Laurent streets: trendy restaurants, creative boutiques). Plateau dinner: Au Pied de Cochon (revisited Quebec cuisine CAD 60-100) or L'Express (classic brasserie CAD 40-60).

   Tips

   • · Notre-Dame Basilica: CAD 10, spectacular starry blue interior
   • · Mont Royal: 30 min climb, Montreal + St. Lawrence panorama
   • · Au Pied de Cochon: revisited Quebec cuisine, CAD 60-100
   • · Plateau Mont-Royal: Saint-Denis (restos), Saint-Laurent (bars)
   Montreal →
3. 3

   Day 3

   Train to Quebec City + Old Quebec

   Morning VIA Rail Montreal → Quebec train (3h, CAD 70-150 return, St. Lawrence landscapes in winter). Alternative Orleans Express bus (3h15, CAD 50-80). Arrive Palais Station Quebec, 10 min walk from Old Quebec. Settle hotel: Chateau Frontenac (iconic Fairmont, CAD 350-700/night), Manoir Victoria Hotel (CAD 180-300), Auberge Saint-Antoine boutique hotel (CAD 300-500). UNESCO Old Quebec (1985, only fortified city in North America): Dufferin Terrace (St. Lawrence + Chateau Frontenac view), funicular (CAD 3.50) to Petit Champlain (oldest commercial street in North America, since 1685). Lunch Aux Anciens Canadiens (traditional Quebec cuisine in 1675 building, CAD 30-50). Afternoon Citadelle (1h guided tour, CAD 20, panoramic St. Lawrence view), Plains of Abraham (1759 battle where English defeated French, 100-hectare park). Dinner Old Quebec: Le Continental (CAD 50-80) or Chez Boulay (boreal cuisine CAD 60-90).

   Tips

   • · VIA Rail Montreal-Quebec train: 3h, CAD 70-150 return
   • · UNESCO Old Quebec: only fortified city in North America
   • · Chateau Frontenac: iconic Fairmont hotel, CAD 350-700/night
   • · Aux Anciens Canadiens: traditional cuisine in 1675 building
   Quebec City →
4. 4

   Day 4

   Quebec → Toronto flight + CN Tower

   Morning Air Canada Quebec → Toronto Pearson (YYZ) flight (1h30, CAD 200-400 return) or VIA Rail train (5h, CAD 100-200). Land Pearson, 25 km from centre. Transfer UP Express (fast train CAD 12.35, 25 min to Union Station). Settle hotel downtown Toronto: Fairmont Royal York (CAD 250-500, historic 1929 hotel facing Union Station), Shangri-La (CAD 400-800 luxury). Afternoon CN Tower (553 m, 1976, CAD 45 day ticket for observation deck at 346 m, +CAD 20 for transparent EdgeWalk skywalk). Rogers Centre adjacent (Toronto Blue Jays stadium - MLB match possible CAD 30-100). Distillery District: former 1832 industrial neighbourhood reconverted to creative pedestrian zone (galleries, restaurants, microbreweries). Dinner El Catrin (Mexican Distillery CAD 40-70) or Pai Northern Thai (CAD 45-65).

   Tips

   • · Quebec-Toronto flight: 1h30, CAD 200-400 return Air Canada
   • · UP Express Pearson-Union Station: CAD 12.35, 25 min
   • · CN Tower: 553m, 1976, CAD 45 base ticket + CAD 20 EdgeWalk
   • · Distillery District: 1832 former neighbourhood, restos + galleries
   Toronto →
5. 5

   Day 5

   Niagara Falls (day excursion)

   Day excursion Niagara Falls from Toronto (1h30 drive, 130 km). Several options: organized bus (Niagara Falls Tours, CAD 80-120/person, day), GO Train (CAD 15 + local transfer), car rental (CAD 40-60/day). Arrive Niagara Falls (Ontario), Canadian side — more spectacular view than American side. Visits: Horseshoe Falls (main falls, 670 m wide, 57 m high, 2,800 m³/s flow), Maid of the Mist (boat at foot of falls, CAD 30, 30 min, poncho provided), Journey Behind the Falls (tunnels behind falls, CAD 25), Skylon Tower (236 m, panoramic view CAD 35). Lunch Table Rock House (facing Horseshoe Falls, CAD 35-55) or local snack. Afternoon Niagara-on-the-Lake (15 min by car): picturesque historic village + vineyards (Inniskillin ice wine tasting CAD 20-30). Back Toronto evening.

   Tips

   • · Toronto-Niagara: 1h30, 130 km, bus CAD 80-120/person
   • · Horseshoe Falls: Canadian side more spectacular than US
   • · Maid of the Mist: boat at foot, CAD 30, 30 min
   • · Niagara-on-the-Lake: picturesque village + Inniskillin vineyards
   Niagara Falls →
6. 6

   Day 6

   Toronto → Calgary flight + Banff Rockies

   Morning Air Canada Toronto → Calgary (YYC) flight (4h30, CAD 250-500 return, several flights/day). -2h time difference (Mountain Time). Land Calgary. Mandatory car rental (CAD 50-80/day, book 2 months ahead high season). Route Calgary → Banff (1h30, 130 km, Trans-Canada Highway 1). Banff National Park (1885, Canada's first national park, CAD 10.50/day/person — Discovery annual pass CAD 75). Settle hotel: Fairmont Banff Springs ('Rockies castle', CAD 400-800/night), Banff Park Lodge (CAD 200-400), Sunshine Mountain Lodge (CAD 300-500). Banff village: Banff Avenue (main street, mountain shops, restos), Bow Falls (15 min walk), Cave and Basin (hot springs discovered 1883, national park origin museum CAD 8). Dinner The Bison (boreal cuisine, game CAD 50-80) or Three Ravens (Banff Centre, view CAD 40-60).

   Tips

   • · Toronto-Calgary flight: 4h30, CAD 250-500 return Air Canada
   • · -2h time diff Toronto→Calgary (Mountain Time)
   • · Banff park: CAD 10.50/day/person (Canada's first national park)
   • · Fairmont Banff Springs: 'Rockies castle', CAD 400-800/night
   Banff →
7. 7

   Day 7

   Lake Louise + Moraine Lake + Paris return

   Morning Lake Louise (45 min from Banff): emblematic Canadian turquoise glacial lake (the old CAD 20 banknote image), Chateau Lake Louise (Fairmont 1890, CAD 500-1000/night, terrace lunch CAD 60-100), canoe rental (CAD 135/hour). Moraine Lake (15 km from Lake Louise, LIMITED ACCESS since 2023: mandatory shuttle in high season, CAD 8 return): even more turquoise glacial lake, iconic 'Valley of the Ten Peaks'. Belvedere Rock Trail (30 min, panoramic photo). Afternoon back Calgary (2h30 drive). Return car YYC airport. 3h margin. Calgary → Paris CDG flight via Toronto (Air Canada, 10h transit + 7h45 transatlantic) OR direct Calgary → London LHR flight (Air Canada, 8h45) + Paris connection. +7h time difference back to France. End of Canadian trip. Souvenirs: AAA maple syrup (CAD 15-30 per 250ml, top quality), Roots fleece jacket or beanie, Mordecai Richler or Margaret Atwood books, Inniskillin ice wine (CAD 50-80).

   Tips

   • · Lake Louise: turquoise glacial lake, old CAD 20 banknote
   • · Moraine Lake: mandatory shuttle CAD 8 return since 2023
   • · Chateau Lake Louise: Fairmont since 1890, terrace lunch CAD 60-100
   • · Calgary-Paris return flight via Toronto (Air Canada) or London
   Lake Louise →

Frequently asked questions