These are the best weekend getaways from Montreal, all within a few hours by car or train. Quebec’s mountains, villages and river views make perfect escapes.
Quick comparison
| Destination | Drive time | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec City | 3 hours | history lovers |
| Mont-Tremblant | 1.5–2 hours | skiers and couples |
| Eastern Townships | 1–1.5 hours | foodies |
| Ottawa | 2 hours | families |
| Charlevoix | 4 hours | nature lovers |
| Kamouraska | 4 hours | sunset seekers |
| Lake Champlain | 1.5 hours | outdoor lovers |
The getaways
Quebec City
The walled old town. See our Quebec City guide.
Mont-Tremblant
Ski village and spas.
Eastern Townships
Wineries, cideries and lakes such as Memphrémagog.
Ottawa
Museums and the Rideau Canal.
Charlevoix
River views and food trails.
Kamouraska
River sunsets and smoked fish.
Lake Champlain
Cycling and lakeside towns (some across the US border).
Road trip essentials
- Dash cams worth buying VerdictFox
Record scenic drives and protect yourself if something happens on the highway. - Best budget 12V portable fridges VerdictFox
Keep drinks and picnic food cold on long road trips without buying ice every day. - Power stations for camping and road trips VerdictFox
Run a cooler, charge cameras and power a CPAP at campsites without hookups.
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Tips for weekend trips
- Leave Friday afternoon or early Saturday to beat traffic.
- Book Saturday nights early, especially in summer and fall.
- Pack light: a weekender or small backpack is enough.
A sample weekend
- Friday evening: leave after work, check in and have a relaxed dinner close to your hotel.
- Saturday morning: tackle the headline sight or hike early, before day-trippers arrive.
- Saturday afternoon: slow down with a long lunch, a winery or brewery visit, a spa or a beach.
- Saturday evening: book one special dinner in advance.
- Sunday: a short walk, market or scenic drive, and head home early afternoon to beat the return traffic.
What to pack
- Layers and a light rain jacket
- Comfortable walking or hiking shoes
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- A reusable water bottle and snacks for the drive
- Chargers and a power bank
- Swimsuit for pools, lakes or hot springs
Keep it to one bag; a good weekender makes two-night trips effortless.
Weekend budget
For two people, a mid-range weekend typically costs C$360–C$700 for two nights of accommodation, C$250–C$450 for food and drink, plus fuel, parking and any entry fees. Travel outside peak summer and holiday weekends, and you can often save a third on rooms.
Weekend favourites in detail
Quebec City
Quebec City is the only walled city north of Mexico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with French charm, the Château Frontenac and a famous winter carnival. Read our Quebec City travel guide.
- Best time: June to October; February for Carnival; December for Christmas
- Getting there: About 3 hours from Montreal
- Don’t miss: Old Quebec, Château Frontenac and Petit-Champlain
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Mont-Tremblant
Mont-Tremblant is a colourful pedestrian ski village in the Laurentians, popular year-round for skiing, lakes and fall colours. Read our Mont-Tremblant travel guide.
- Best time: December to March; late September to early October for colours
- Getting there: About 1.5–2 hours from Montreal
- Don’t miss: Tremblant ski resort, Pedestrian village and Mont-Tremblant National Park
- Mid-range hotels: C$320–550 a night
Ottawa
Ottawa, Canada’s capital, combines Parliament Hill, national museums, the Rideau Canal and a bilingual atmosphere. Read our Ottawa travel guide.
- Best time: May to October; February for Winterlude
- Getting there: About 2 hours from Montreal; 4.5 hours from Toronto
- Don’t miss: Parliament Hill, Rideau Canal and National Gallery of Canada
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Charlevoix
Charlevoix is a UNESCO biosphere region of rolling hills along the St. Lawrence, known for food, art and the Train de Charlevoix. Read our Charlevoix travel guide.
- Best time: June to October
- Getting there: About 1–1.5 hours from Quebec City
- Don’t miss: Baie-Saint-Paul, Le Massif and Hautes-Gorges-de-la-Rivière-Malbaie
- Mid-range hotels: C$220–380 a night
Planning tips for your trip
- ID for flights: Domestic flights require government-issued photo ID; carry a passport if you might cross into the US.
- Money: GST or HST is added to most prices at the till, so budget 5–15% more than the shelf price; tipping 15–20% at restaurants is standard.
- Insurance: Provincial health plans may not pay the full cost of care in another province, and ambulance and air-ambulance costs can be high, so check whether an out-of-province travel insurance policy makes sense for you. Read our guide to out-of-province travel insurance.
- Driving: Most Canadians road-trip in their own car; rentals are widely available, and winter tyres are required on many BC highways and in Quebec in winter. Fuel is usually cheapest in Alberta and most expensive in BC and the North.
- Saving money: see our Canada budget travel and cheapest places to travel in Canada guides.
What a trip costs
Typical spending per person per day, excluding flights:
| Travel style | Per person per day | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | C$150–C$220 | motel, hostel or campsite, casual meals, self-drive |
| Mid-range | C$300–C$480 | good hotel, restaurant meals, some tours |
| Luxury | C$700–C$1,400 | resort or historic hotel, fine dining, guided experiences |
Prices rise in peak season and on holiday weekends, and fall sharply in the shoulder seasons.
Responsible travel tips
Popular places are under pressure from crowds. Visit on weekdays or in shoulder seasons, carpool or use shuttles, refill a reusable water bottle, and buy from local businesses. Respect Indigenous lands and cultural sites, follow posted closures, and keep a safe distance from wildlife.
Safety basics
Carry water and layers on outdoor outings, check weather and road conditions before long drives, and tell someone your plans in remote areas, where mobile coverage can be patchy. In cities, use normal precautions with valuables at night. The emergency number is 911.
Travel in style
- Fine jewellery gifts Opulique
Mark an anniversary or honeymoon with something lasting. - Luxury gift ideas Opulique
Gifts for the traveller in your life. - Luxury weekender bags for short getaways Opulique
A refined weekender is perfect for two-night escapes.
Partner links: these go to our sister review sites, which may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Frequently asked questions
What is the closest getaway?
The first entries on our list are under two hours away.
Do I need a car?
For most, yes, though some are reachable by train or bus.
When is the best time?
Spring and fall have the best weather and fewer crowds.
Are these good for couples?
Yes, several are classic romantic escapes.
How much does a weekend cost?
Plan roughly C$400–C$800 per person for two nights mid-range.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Most Romantic Getaways in Canada
- Best Small Towns to Visit in Canada
- How to Travel Canada on a Budget: 25 Money-Saving Tips