Search

No longer offered

Vacations By Rail has withdrawn this trip from sale. We keep the page for reference and comparison. Live alternatives are under Similar journeys below.

Vacations By Rail · Independent vacation

Montreal & Quebec City by Rail

Seven-day independent rail vacation between Montreal and Quebec City

Illustration of Montreal & Quebec City by Rail

Vacations By Rail offers a 7-day independent vacation between Montreal and Quebec City, two major French-Canadian destinations. The package spans 6 nights and includes 3 nights in each city, guided sightseeing tours, and a 3-hour VIA Rail Corridor Service train journey along the St Lawrence River. In Montreal, a guided tour covers more than 200 landmarks such as Notre Dame Basilica, Old Montreal, and Mont Royal, followed by a full day at leisure to explore Bonsecours Market, the Old Port, or the Montreal Science Centre on your own. After the train arrives in Quebec City, a second guided tour reveals the Latin Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, and colonial history, with another full day free to visit Parliament Hill, Montmorency Falls, or the Beaupre Coast. The itinerary suits first-time rail travellers looking for a relaxed pace, couples seeking a mix of structure and spontaneity, and history enthusiasts drawn to centuries of Canadian heritage.

What to know before you look closer

  • Flights and airport transfers are not included in the from-price; you arrange your own to and from Montreal
  • Hotels vary by plan tier; your final accommodation depends on which tier you select (Moderate, Superior, or Deluxe)
  • The single one-way train journey is 3 hours; most of the vacation is spent in the two cities rather than on the train

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Montreal

    Montreal

    Arrive in Montreal, check into the hotel and spend the day exploring the city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Montreal

    Montreal Sightseeing

    Sightseeing tour to more than 200 points of interest including Notre Dame Basilica, Old Montreal, the Olympic Complex, McGill University and Mont Royal.

  3. Day 3overnight: Montreal

    Montreal at Leisure

    A day at leisure, with suggestions to visit Old Montreal's Bonsecours Market, the Old Port, City Hall, the Montreal Science Centre and underground Montreal.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Quebec City

    Montreal to Quebec City

    3-hour VIA Rail journey along the St Lawrence River to Quebec City, transfer to a centrally-located hotel with the rest of the day free.

  5. Day 5overnight: Quebec City

    Quebec City Sightseeing

    Sightseeing tour of the Latin Quarter, the Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, the Fortifications, the National Assembly, Place Royale and the Basilica.

  6. Day 6overnight: Quebec City

    Quebec City at Leisure

    A full day at leisure, with suggestions including Parliament Hill, Montmorency Falls Park, the Beaupre Coast, Ile d'Orleans, and (in winter) Quebec City's Winter Carnival.

  7. Day 7rail

    Quebec City

    Tour concludes; option to extend time in Quebec City, visit another town along the rail route, or transfer independently to the airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Guided sightseeing tour of Montreal covers more than 200 points of interest, including Notre Dame Basilica, Old Montreal, Mont Royal, and McGill University
  • Day 4Three-hour VIA Rail Corridor Service journey from Montreal to Quebec City travels along the St Lawrence River
  • Day 5Guided tour of Quebec City includes the Latin Quarter, Plains of Abraham, the Citadel, Fortifications, the National Assembly, and Place Royale

Included

  • Hotel accommodations for 6 nights
  • Rail travel on VIA Rail Canada

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers not included

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The package includes a one-way VIA Rail Corridor Service journey from Montreal to Quebec City (or reverse) and covers hotel stays for both cities.
Is this an escorted tour or independent?
Independent. Vacations By Rail books your hotels and sightseeing tours in each city but does not provide an escort. Guided tours are included in Montreal and Quebec City; the rest of each day is free.
How many nights are in each city?
Three nights in Montreal and three nights in Quebec City, for a total of 6 nights. The itinerary includes one guided tour per city and full days at leisure to explore on your own.
What class of train is used?
VIA Rail's Corridor Service. Your class (Economy, Business, or other) depends on which vacation tier you book: Moderate, Superior, or Deluxe.
What hotels are available?
Vacations By Rail offers options across three tiers: the Novotel Montreal and Hotel Clarendon; the Hotel Le Germain Montreal and Hotel Manoir Victoria; and the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth and Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac.

Similar journeys