Québec 7 days: Montréal + Tremblant + Québec City
Old Quebec City: Grand Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
Why this itinerary works
The Montréal–Tremblant–Québec City loop is the definitive Québec road trip. It concentrates the province’s three most distinctive experiences — cosmopolitan French-Canadian city culture, mountain wilderness, and the only fortified city in North America — into a week that feels unhurried yet comprehensive.
The loop works best with a rental car picked up in Montréal and dropped off in Québec City (or vice versa). Total driving: approximately 600 km over 7 days. Distances are easy: Montréal to Tremblant is 1h30 (130 km via Route 117), Tremblant to Québec City is 4h (430 km via Route 50 then Autoroute 20). The Québec drive time estimator has interactive distance calculations for this exact route.
Day 1: arrive in Montréal
Afternoon arrival. Pick up your rental car at YUL airport. Book in advance for the best rates — major agencies (Enterprise, Hertz, National) have desks at the airport. Budget 60-90 CAD/day for a mid-size car. Drive to your hotel (downtown or the Plateau) and park for the duration — you will not need the car in the city.
Evening — first immersion. Take the metro to Old Montréal for an introductory stroll along the cobblestoned streets of the Vieux-Port. The Original Old Montréal walking tour does evening departures in summer — an excellent way to hit the ground running on day one. Dinner in Old Montréal (Toqué!, Garde-Manger) or the Plateau (Joe Beef). Budget 70-100 CAD per person.
Day 2: Montréal in full
Morning — the Plateau and Mile End. Start with coffee at Café Olimpico on Rue Saint-Viateur, then walk south through the Plateau’s Victorian streets toward Mount Royal Park. The mountain summit (Kondiaronk Belvedere lookout) offers the best panorama of the city skyline. Allow 2 hours.
Afternoon — best of food walking tour. The city’s food culture is one of its greatest assets. The Best of Montréal food walking tour runs 3 hours through the Plateau and Jean-Talon Market, covering local cheeses, smoked meat, Montréal bagels, craft cider and a dozen other regional specialities.
Evening — last night in Montréal. Dinner in the Plateau or Mile End. If you have not had smoked meat yet, Schwartz’s on Boulevard Saint-Laurent is essential. Pack your bags tonight — early start tomorrow.
Day 3: Mont-Tremblant scenic transfer
Morning — depart Montréal. Leave by 9:00 to arrive in Mont-Tremblant by 11:00. The Route 117 north from Montréal passes through the Laurentian foothills — beautiful in summer, spectacular during foliage season (late September). Drive time: 1h30 without stops, plan 2h with a coffee stop in Saint-Sauveur or Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts.
Late morning — first views of the resort. The Tremblant pedestrian village at the base of the mountain is visually striking — a purpose-built Québec village with colourful buildings and a gondola rising above. Walk through the village, grab lunch at a terrace restaurant (50-70 CAD per person), and check into your accommodation.
Afternoon — choose your adventure. In summer: the Sentier des Cimes treetop walk, white-water rafting on the Rouge River, or hiking in Mont-Tremblant National Park. The winter gondola day trip is available in the ski season (November-April) for those visiting in winter. In summer, the gondola still runs for sightseeing purposes and the treetop observatory is open late May to mid-October.
Evening — Tremblant village at dusk. The village is most photogenic in the golden hour light. Dinner at La Forge Bar + Cuisine or Coco Pazzo Ristorante. Budget 60-100 CAD per person.
Day 4: Mont-Tremblant to Québec City
Morning — Tremblant outdoor activities. Do not leave too early — this is your one full morning in the mountains. In summer: the Sentier des Cimes treetop observatory walk (2 hours, excellent views), a morning kayak on Lac Tremblant, or a hike in the national park. In winter: morning skiing or the dogsledding experience.
Midday — departure by 12:00. The drive from Tremblant to Québec City via Route 50 then Autoroute 20 is 4h without stops, 4h30-5h with a lunch stop. Leave by noon to arrive in Québec City by 5:00-5:30. The route passes through the Quebec City region along the south shore — scenic with increasing river views as you approach.
Evening — check in and first walk in Old Québec. Check in near the fortified walls and take an evening stroll along the Dufferin Terrace boardwalk. The illuminated Château Frontenac reflected in the Saint-Laurent is one of the great evening sights in Canada. Light dinner in the Saint-Roch neighbourhood (10 minutes by taxi from the walls) for honest local prices — 50-70 CAD per person.
Day 5: Old Québec in depth
Morning — the grand walking tour. The Old Québec 2-hour grand walking tour is the best orientation for the UNESCO old city. The guide covers the Citadelle, the Château Frontenac, the Plains of Abraham, and the descent to Petit-Champlain through the funicular. Book in advance during summer.
Afternoon — Quartier Petit-Champlain. After the tour you will be in the lower town. Browse the artisan shops on Rue Sous-le-Fort and Rue du Petit-Champlain — this is the place for genuine Québec crafts (avoid the tourist souvenir chains). The Boulevard Champlain along the waterfront is a pleasant walk. The Place-Royale is the historic heart of New France — a quick stop.
Evening — food tour. The Old Québec City food tour with 10+ tastings is an excellent way to eat your way through the local culinary scene — poutine, maple, local cheese, charcuterie and craft cider in a 3-hour evening walk. Alternatively, dine at one of Saint-Roch’s outstanding restaurants: Le Clan, Chez Boulay, or Tanière³ (reserve well ahead for the latter).
Day 6: Île d’Orléans and Côte-de-Beaupré
Morning — drive to Île d’Orléans. 15 minutes from Old Québec by car. The bridge over to the island offers an immediate view of the old farmsteads and orchard-covered hillsides. Île d’Orléans is a 35-km island entirely designated as a heritage landscape — 450 years of French agricultural tradition preserved within sight of a major city.
All day — e-bike tour with tastings. The Île d’Orléans guided e-bike tour with tastings covers the best producers on the island in 4-6 hours — heritage cider at Domaine Steinbach, ice wines, artisan cheeses, and fresh strawberries (June-July). This is the most efficient way to see the island without spending an entire day in the car.
Evening — Montmorency Falls sunset. On the way back to Québec City, stop at Montmorency Falls (5 minutes from the Île d’Orléans bridge). The 83-metre waterfall is illuminated at night in summer. The Côte-de-Beaupré scenic road along the north shore offers excellent river views on the drive back to the city.
Day 7: final morning and departure
Morning — helicopter tour or final walk. If budget allows, the 15/30/45-minute helicopter tour over Québec City is the most dramatic way to end the trip — the flight over the fortified city, the Saint-Laurent and the fall colours (in September-October) is unforgettable. Otherwise, a final walk along the Plains of Abraham and one last coffee at Paillard.
Midday — drop the car, fly or train. If flying out of YQB, the airport is 20 minutes from Old Québec. If returning to Montréal for an international flight, Via Rail has afternoon departures to Gare Centrale (3 hours).
Drive times and logistics
| Leg | Distance | Realistic drive time |
|---|---|---|
| YUL airport → downtown Montréal | 25 km | 30-40 min (traffic dependent) |
| Montréal → Mont-Tremblant | 130 km | 1h30 (via Route 117) |
| Mont-Tremblant → Québec City | 430 km | 4h-4h30 (via Rte 50 + A-20) |
| Québec City → Île d’Orléans bridge | 15 km | 20 min |
| Québec City → YQB airport | 18 km | 20 min |
Note: all times are without stops. Factor in 30-45 extra minutes per leg for fuel, food and photos.
What to book in advance
- Rental car at YUL: 3-4 weeks in advance for summer
- Île d’Orléans e-bike tour : 1-2 weeks in advance
- Old Québec walking tour : 3-5 days in advance
- Old Montréal walking tour : same week is fine
- Hotel in Québec City: 4-6 weeks for July-August
- Hotel in Tremblant: 2-3 weeks for any season
Budget estimate for 7 days (per person, sharing)
| Category | Mid-range (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation (7 nights) | 700-1 050 |
| Rental car (7 days) | 250-350 |
| Fuel (600 km at ~12L/100 km) | 80-120 |
| Meals (3/day) | 600-900 |
| Tours and activities | 300-500 |
| Total | 1 930-2 920 |
Before taxes (~15%). See Québec budget calculator for a personalised estimate.
When to do this itinerary
Summer (June-August): Ideal. All activities open, long days, festivals in both cities. Book early.
Fall (September-mid-October): Exceptional. The foliage on Route 117 (Laurentians) peaks around September 21-30, coinciding perfectly with this drive north from Montréal. Charlevoix foliage (visible from Québec City) peaks October 1-15.
Winter (December-April): Replace the Tremblant outdoor activities with skiing. See the dedicated winter Québec 7-day itinerary for a version designed around the Carnaval and ski season.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do this loop without a car?
You could take the train from Montréal to Québec City (3h) and do the Tremblant day trip by guided tour, but the experience is significantly reduced without a car. For a car-free version, see the 5-day Montréal and Québec City itinerary.
What is the best direction to drive the loop?
Montréal → Tremblant → Québec City (north then east) allows the most logical one-way car rental. The return direction (Québec → Tremblant → Montréal) works equally well if you fly into and out of YUL.
Is Mont-Tremblant worth the detour?
Yes. The mountain scenery, outdoor activities and charming village make it a qualitatively different experience from the two cities. One day and one night is the minimum — two nights if you want to do full justice to the outdoor activities.
Top experiences
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