Quebec Vacation
Total Trip Cost:
Quebec Vacation – 9 days September 2021
Explored all over Montreal & Quebec City
Highlights: McGill District / the Underground / China Town / Art District / Latin Quarter / Old Port / Old Montreal / Morency Falls, Old Quebec City Walking Tour / Bus Tour of Quebec City
| Airfare to Montreal from Vancouver Return | $266.00 |
| Accommodations | $329.53 |
| Transportation | $187.90 |
| Activities | $116.80 |
| Trip Airfare, Accommodations, Transportation, Activities Cost | $900.23 |
| Food | $416.36 |
| Misc | $54.00 |
| Total Trip | $1,370.59 |
My total trip cost $1,370.59 for the nine 9 days – What a deal!
Because you may eat more or less expensive restaurants or markets and spend more or less on souvenirs or other miscellaneous items, I subtotaled the cost of the airfare, transportation, accommodation and activities, then added the food and Misc items.
Airfare: $266.00
Airfare from Vancouver – return with 1 carry one. (No checked luggage)
Note: on the West Jet Website this flight was $371.00. but using the site I used to purchase the ticket,
I got the same flight for $266.00 This fare also included one free flight change.
With the use of packing cubes it was so easy to pack everything I needed for the 9 days in my carry on.
Transportation: $187.90
I used the Metro system and busses, including a return bus trip from Montreal to Quebec City
I used my favorite app to get around with ease. It doesn’t matter if you want to walk, catch a bus, cab or Uber,
this app will show you every option available for getting you where you need to go.
I decided to purchase a metro pass for $10 a day. The 24 hr pass is good for all busses and subway.
That way I could make as many stops as I wanted all with one fare!
Accommodation: $329.53
I spent 4 nights in Quebec where I chose a Hostel International which are well known for their quality accommodations.
In Montreal, I selected the hostel because of the location and It had the built in bunks which I prefer,
plus I was curious what a number 1 rated hostel in Canada was like.
Activities: $116.80
Activities:
Rented a Bixi Bike and rode around Ile Sainte-Helene and Notre Dame Island
Climbed Mont Royal in Montreal
St. Joseph’s Oratory in Montreal
Notre Dame Cathedral in Old Montreal
Boat Tour – Old Port, Montreal
Bus Tour – Quebec City
Morency Falls – Quebec City
Funnicular – Old Quebec City
Walking Tour of Old Quebec City
Food: $416.36
I loved the nightlife and all the outdoor restaurants, your choice of any cuisine!
I had Mexican for my birthday dinner, because that is my favorite.
I wasn’t expecting the 15% tax on all food, that in addition to the 15%-20% tip added up quickly.
For example a $20 meal with 15% tip and taxes quickly became $26.00
My 9 day trip to Montreal & Quebec City Sept 2021
I tried to stay home as long as I possibly could but decided it was about time I started travelling again. I don’t think I have stayed home this long since I was a teenager. I was finally booking my first vacation since Covid! I wanted to go somewhere that I wouldn’t have to worry about covid testing or quarentines. I’d always wanted to go to Quebec City so I thought “now is the time” and I looked into airfare to Quebec. I found an amazing deal from YVR to Quebec on Westjet. $266.00 CAD return. How could I not jump on that price! AND….I would be celebrating my 50th Birthday in Montreal!
Montreal
I absolutely loved Montreal! There was so much to see and do. Just exploring Montreal by foot and metro kept me busy most days. So many districts to walk to and see. The Old Port, Old Montreal, McGill University District, Latin Quarter, Art District, China town, and that’s only some of them! I even took advantage of their Bixi bikes that are all over the city and rode around Isle St Helene and Notre Dame Island one afternoon.
The view from Mont Royal is breathtaking! I recommend taking a bus to the top then walking back. Unfortunately I did it the opposite way, which was quite a climb (over 400 steps!) but I am glad I did it.
Visiting the Old Port and taking a Boat Tour was a must do on my list. Due to covid, there were only 7 other people on my boat tour which was awesome! It was like having the boat all to myself!
Accommodations
I had known about M Montreal hostel for a couple of years. It was voted the #1 Hostel in Canada for 2021 so I was excited to try it out. Due to covid, the free breakfast, bar, games room and all the activities were closed but I still enjoyed my stay and could understand how they were rated so high. The hot tub was open. They actually had two on the roof; one for families and one adult only. This was a great area to relax and unwind. The rooms had built in bunks and a really nice bathroom in each dorm. The hostel was situated just a block from the metro so the location was great.
Quebec City
I stayed in Old Quebec City in walking distance to everything.
The day I was there was a beautiful afternoon. The Chateau Frontenac looked stunning overseeing Quebec City. I took a walking tour of old Quebec city and even rode the funnicular back to the top. The view going up the funnicular was spectacular and is a must do when you are there.
One of my highlights of the trip was going to Morency Falls for the afternoon. I took the city bus rather than a tour so I could stay as long as I wanted. It was extremely easy to get there from Old Quebec city and was everything I expected it to be. Being able to walk right above the falls was amazing and then seeing the falls from a completely different view was stunning. Before researching my trip to Quebec I didn’t even know the falls existed and it turned out to be one of my favourite days!
I found due to covid, there wasn’t as much to do in Quebec City compared to Montreal but I still managed to see most items on my list! I really enjoyed the Bus tour of Quebec City. From the Battlefields, Parliament Buildings, and some places inside the walled city. I thought it was a good value for what you got.
In Quebec City, I stayed in the Old City at a HI Hostel. (Hostel International) They are a chain and are well known for providing good accommodation. It seemed more like a hotel than a hostel. I stayed in a 4-bedroom dorm that was very spacious and very comfortable.
One night I had the dorm all to myself. The other nights I only shared with one other lady.
Food
I ate at several different restaurants throughout each city. Of course, I had to try some local cuisine so I was on a quest to try a poutine and I had my first fondue! Both were delicious!
I found food super expensive in both Montreal and Quebec city. In both places however, if you went out of the “tourist zones” the prices were much more affordable.
The People
People were super friendly. I only have Grade 12 French but that wasn’t a problem as everyone I encountered spoke English to me once they realized I couldn’t speak French. I am sorry to say that before visiting Quebec, I had heard many stories of not being welcomed in Quebec due to the fact that I wasn’t French speaking; however, I am happy to report that I have changed my thoughts as everyone was welcoming and I did not encounter anyone that had a problem with speaking English. Even not having a Quebec Covid passport, I had no issues showing my covid Card along with my ID to enter restaurants etc. Everyone was very welcoming.
What I would do differently next time:
Due to covid, one excursion that I wanted to go one wasn’t available on my days that I was in Quebec City. I would have arranged my days a little differently if I had realized that.
Also, If I had not gone to Niagara falls before, I would recommend adding that onto your trip. I would fly into Toronto, visit Niagara falls and Niagara on the Lake, Bus or train to Montreal then onto Quebec City. I would only stay in Quebec city for 2 days rather than 3.
That would be the perfect trip!
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