Eastern Canada in 9 Days
Canada
Overview
This route covers Eastern Canada's strongest highlights: Toronto's CN Tower and lakefront, a half-day trip out to Niagara Falls, then VIA Rail east to Montreal for its French-Canadian food and nightlife, finishing in Quebec City's walled Old Town — the only fortified city north of Mexico. Trains connect every city comfortably.
- Duration
- 9 days
- Pace
- Balanced
- Transport
- Mixed
- Estimated budget (comfortable)
- US$2,200–US$2,800
Route
1. Toronto2. Montreal3. Quebec City
Highlights
- Niagara Falls from the Canadian side, including a boat tour
- Montreal's Old Port and bagel culture
- Quebec City's Château Frontenac and walled Old Town
- Poutine and tourtière along the way
Worth knowing
- Distances are longer than they look — this is a lot of train time
- Winters are extremely cold; best done May-October
- Niagara Falls' Canadian side gets very touristy in summer
Day by day
Day 1
TorontoMain activities
- Arrive, settle in
- CN Tower
- Harbourfront
Overnight: Toronto
Day 2
TorontoMain activities
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Kensington Market
Optional additions
- Distillery District
Overnight: Toronto
Day 3
Toronto → Niagara FallsMain activities
- Bus or drive (~1.5h)
- Falls boat tour
- Return to Toronto
Optional additions
- Niagara-on-the-Lake wine tasting
~1.5 hours each wayOvernight: Toronto
Day 4
Toronto → MontrealMain activities
- VIA Rail train (~5h)
- Old Port evening stroll
~5 hours · VIA Rail from Union StationOvernight: Montreal
Day 5
MontrealMain activities
- Old Montreal walking tour
- Notre-Dame Basilica
Optional additions
- Mount Royal park
Overnight: Montreal
Day 6
MontrealMain activities
- Plateau Mont-Royal neighbourhood
- Bagel tasting
Optional additions
- Jean-Talon Market
Overnight: Montreal
Day 7
Montreal → Quebec CityMain activities
- VIA Rail train (~3h)
- Old Quebec ramparts walk
~3 hoursOvernight: Quebec City
Day 8
Quebec CityMain activities
- Château Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace
- Petit Champlain district
Optional additions
- Montmorency Falls day trip
Overnight: Quebec City
Day 9
Quebec CityMain activities
- Final morning in Old Quebec
- Departure
Overnight: Quebec City
Alternatives
Shorter version · 6 days
Drop Quebec City and finish in Montreal.
Longer extension · 13 days
Add Ottawa between Toronto and Montreal for Parliament Hill and the museums.