Montréal and Quebec City- 10 day trip planning

Posted by Linda (Seattle, WA, USA) on 11/07/25 04:57 PM

For many years, I’ve wanted to visit Montréal and Quebec City and will finally do just that. There is a problem though. I’m waiting to hear from Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) for scheduling the internment ceremony for my father. I’m hoping it will be in the Spring 2026 and connect my time in Northeast Canada with the trip to ANC. Time constraint away from home isn’t a big deal, as I am retired and can basically set my own schedule after the family time at ANC.

If I don’t go in the Spring, what other time period is ideal for visiting these two cities? Trying to avoid large crowds and high prices.

For you Forum members with knowledge of Montréal and Quebec City, please comment on my VERY tentative 10 day trip to those cities. I probably will not rent a car and, like most of the time, rely on public transportation and day tours. I’ve read the Lonely Planet guide and found some info online but would appreciate suggestions and advice.

Fly Seattle > Montréal Or Fly Washington DC > Montréal

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Montreal-Explore Downtown: Musee des Beaux Arts, Jazz, Marche Atwater

Montreal-Explore Little Italy & Outremont: Marche Jean-Talon, Parc Jean Drapeau Casa del Popolo

Travel Montreal to Quebec City (Orleans bus or VIA Rail train?) 3 1/2 Hrs

Quebec City: Explore Old Town & Port, Lonely Planet Historic Walk, Le Chateau Frontenac, La...

Quebec City: Explore Terrasse Dufferrin Boardwalk, Ruins of Forts, Artillery Park

Quebec City-Explore Le Monastere Des Augustines, Le Quartier Petit Champlain, Waterfront Market-...

Travel Quebec City To Montreal (3 1/2 Hrs, via Orleans Bus? or VIA Rail Train?) ????

Fly home to Seattle either from QC or Montréal

Posted by Susan ToCA

Ontario, Canada

11/08/25 02:24 AM

104 posts

This sounds like a wonderful plan. It's been years since I was in Montreal, excluding going for a funeral late last year.
For downtown Montreal, I don't know what you mean by Jazz? The Jazz festival runs in the summer, June I think, though that is easy enough to check.

In QC, Monastere des Augustines is a hotel now- not sure how much of the original monastery there is to see. The Ursulines convent is a museum now that I visited during my 2024 trip to QC. Montmorency Falls is very nice to see - it's a short trip out of QC. QC isn't a huge city - the falls are 13 km outside of the city - you can take a city bus to get there or take a fancy coach bus for a lot more money. I didn't take a tour of the Chateau Frontenac. Walking near it at street level, it doesn't seem as impressive as it seems from the popular photos that show it from the lower town and you see it sitting on the escarpment. Just my opinion.

If Via Rail was time reliable I would suggest that but the rail line is shared with freight trains which get priority so there is a good chance that the train will be delayed. You will have to decide if you can take the risk of a extra long train ride

Be aware that winters in Montreal and Quebec City are long and cold. April days may be long but it won't be warm, unless there is a day or two of a spring tease of warmer weather; it can still snow in April. Late June, July and August are warm and humid - high 20s Celsius with 60% humidity so it feels much warmer.

May and early June or September would have smaller crowds, and less likely to be very hot and humid. There is a provincial holiday in May - Monday, 18th in 2026, so many sites would be closed that day.