Take a morning flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport to Montréal–Trudeau International Airport; the flight itself is about 1½ hours, but allow roughly 3 hours door to door for airport arrival, security, baggage, and the transfer into town. From the airport, the most economical option is 747 Montréal–Trudeau/Downtown bus, which takes about 45–70 minutes depending on traffic and costs around C$11; a taxi to Old Montréal is faster but usually around C$50–60. Leave luggage at your hotel before exploring, and wear comfortable shoes—today is easiest without a car.
Start at Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal, where the richly colored Gothic Revival interior is well worth the approximately one-hour visit. Check the official schedule before leaving, as hours and service-related access can vary; admission is generally around C$16–20. Walk a few minutes afterward to Crew Collective & Café on Saint-Jacques Street for coffee and a light meal in the former Royal Bank headquarters. Expect approximately C$15–30 per person, and take a moment to look up at the ornate ceiling and grand banking hall rather than rushing through.
Continue downhill toward the Old Port of Montréal for an easy late-afternoon stroll along the waterfront. The public spaces are free, and this is a good place to slow down after the flight; allow about 1½ hours for walking, sitting by the river, and browsing seasonal activities. Then head to Marché Bonsecours, a short walk east, to admire the domed historic building and browse its local design, craft, and souvenir shops. Most stores generally operate from late morning into early evening, though individual hours vary. If you need a break, nearby Saint-Paul Street has plenty of places for a drink, but keep room for dinner later.
From Marché Bonsecours, take the métro or a short taxi/rideshare toward the Lachine Canal—allow roughly 20–30 minutes depending on your access point. Walk or rent a BIXI bike for an easy 1½-hour evening outing beside the water; the Griffintown and Atwater Market sections are particularly pleasant around sunset. The canal path is free and remains accessible into the evening, but bike-share availability and daylight are better earlier rather than later. Afterward, return to your accommodation by métro or rideshare; avoid adding a car, since parking around Old Montréal and the canal is limited and costly.
Start at Jean-Talon Market in Little Italy around 8:30 or 9:00 a.m., when the stalls are lively but not yet crowded. It is an excellent inexpensive breakfast stop: grab a coffee, a warm pastry, fruit, or a crêpe, then browse Québec berries, cheeses, maple products, and picnic foods. The market generally opens around 7 a.m. in summer, though individual vendors vary. From central Montréal, take the Orange Line to Jean-Talon station and walk about 10 minutes; allow roughly 1½ hours here.
Continue by métro or on foot toward Mile End for lunch at Wilensky’s Light Lunch on Fairmount Avenue. Order the famous grilled Wilensky Special with a pickle and a cherry cola, or keep it simple with a sandwich and fries—expect about C$15–25 per person. The setting is tiny, old-fashioned, and intentionally casual, so avoid arriving with a large group and check its current weekday hours before setting out. After lunch, walk south through the colorful residential streets of Mile End and Plateau-Mont-Royal toward Mount Royal Park; the uphill walk takes around 25–35 minutes, while a short bus ride saves energy.
Spend about two hours in Mount Royal Park, following the paths to the Kondiaronk Belvedere for the classic Montréal skyline view. The climb is manageable but noticeably uphill, so bring water and wear comfortable shoes; the park itself is free. From the lookout, descend toward Sherbrooke Street and continue to the Montréal Museum of Fine Arts in the Golden Square Mile. Plan roughly two hours for the Canadian, Indigenous, international, and decorative-arts collections. The museum is commonly open into the early evening on Fridays but has varying hours on other days, so verify today’s schedule and admission before going; adult entry is typically in the moderate C$20–30 range, with some areas or exhibitions priced separately.
Finish at Atwater Market, reached from the museum by a short bus ride or approximately 25 minutes on foot. Browse the specialty counters and pick up cheese, bread, prepared food, or fruit for a modest late snack; the market usually closes in the early evening, so arrive by about 5:00 p.m. From there, take an easy Saint-Henri evening walk along Notre-Dame Street West and toward the Lachine Canal. The canalside path is especially pleasant in the softer light, and there is no admission fee—just leave room to wander, sit by the water, and enjoy the neighborhood rather than adding another scheduled attraction.
Take an early VIA Rail train from Montréal Central Station to Québec City, ideally departing between 7:00 and 8:00 a.m. The ride takes roughly 3½ hours, so you should arrive around late morning. From Gare du Palais, leave your bags at your accommodation or use a taxi to reach your hotel; central Québec City is compact, and you will not need a car for the old town itself. For the afternoon, rent a car near the station or arrange a rideshare/taxi to Parc de la Chute-Montmorency—it is about 15 minutes by car from downtown, while public transit takes longer.
Spend about two hours at Parc de la Chute-Montmorency, where the waterfall drops 83 metres—higher than Niagara Falls. Walk the lower paths and suspension bridge for the best views; the cable car is optional and usually costs extra, so it is easy to keep this stop moderate-priced. Afterward, continue across the bridge onto Île d’Orléans for a relaxed three-hour scenic drive through farm lanes, orchard country, and small villages. Allow extra time for roadside produce stands, and check the rental-car fuel policy before setting out. Drive to Cassis Monna & Filles in Saint-Pierre-de-l’Île-d’Orléans for a casual meal or berry-based dessert; budget about C$15–35 per person, and verify its August hours before leaving Québec City.
Return toward Québec City in the early evening, stopping again at the Montmorency Falls viewpoint for roughly 45 minutes. The light is gentler then, and the surrounding park is generally calmer than during mid-afternoon; keep a light jacket handy near the water. Drop the car back near Gare du Palais or your rental location, then take a short taxi ride to your accommodation. If you are using a guided excursion instead, confirm that it includes the evening viewpoint and return transport, since some island tours finish earlier.
Start at Dufferin Terrace around 8:30 a.m., before the Old Québec crowds build. The boardwalk is free and gives you broad views of the St. Lawrence River, Île d’Orléans, and the Lévis shoreline; allow about 45 minutes for the viewpoints and a relaxed walk. From there, stroll a few minutes through Old Québec to Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. You can admire the exterior, courtyards, and historic surroundings without paying admission; the hotel’s public areas are generally accessible during the day, although access may be limited during private events. Comfortable shoes matter here—the streets are steep and often cobbled.
Continue downhill through the Petit-Champlain District, one of the prettiest parts of the city, with stone buildings, murals, small boutiques, and narrow pedestrian lanes. Give yourself about 1½ hours to wander rather than shopping at every stop; the fun is in the details and the changing views toward Place Royale. For lunch, eat at Le Chic Shack near Dufferin Terrace, where burgers, vegetarian options, fries, and shakes usually run about C$20–35 per person before drinks and tax. It is casual and popular, so arriving around 11:30 a.m. or after 1:30 p.m. can help avoid the longest queue.
Walk back toward the waterfront and take the Ferry Québec–Lévis from the Québec City terminal for the short crossing to Lévis. The round trip takes roughly an hour, including boarding and time on the opposite shore, and is one of the best inexpensive skyline-photo opportunities in the area. Check the seasonal sailing schedule before leaving—service is frequent in summer, but fares and departure intervals can change. Return to the Québec City side and walk or take the funicular and local bus uphill toward the Plains of Abraham; a taxi is worthwhile if your feet are tired. Finish with an easy 1½-hour park walk, heading toward the river overlooks for sunset. There is no admission charge, and a convenience-store picnic or cold drink makes this a pleasant low-cost end to the day.
Begin at the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec when it opens, typically around 10:00 a.m. (check the museum’s current summer hours before leaving). Allow about 1½ hours for the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions, especially the Québec art galleries. Admission is generally in the C$20–30 range for adults, with reduced prices for some visitors. From central Old Québec, it is roughly a 15–20-minute walk uphill toward Grande Allée, or a short taxi ride if you are carrying luggage; ask your hotel to hold bags after checkout.
Walk a few minutes along Grande Allée to Café La Maison Smith for coffee and a light breakfast. Budget about C$10–25 per person for coffee, a pastry, or a simple breakfast. This is a good unhurried stop before the airport—summer mornings can be busy, so allow 45 minutes rather than trying to rush through. If you have a rental car, keep it parked at your accommodation or use a nearby paid garage; driving around Parliament Hill is less convenient than walking.
Continue on foot to the Parliament Building of Québec and spend about 45 minutes viewing the impressive Second Empire exterior, the Fontaine de Tourny, and the surrounding gardens on Parliament Hill. The grounds are free to visit, while interior tours may require advance booking and are not practical on a tight airport morning. From here, allow roughly 20–30 minutes by car to Québec City Jean Lesage Airport, depending on traffic. For an afternoon flight, leave downtown about 2½ to 3 hours before departure; arrive at the airport approximately two hours ahead, particularly if checking bags. If you rented a car for Île d’Orléans, follow the airport rental-return signs and allow extra time for inspection and the shuttle or walk to the terminal.
Finish with your return flight from Québec City Jean Lesage Airport to Toronto Pearson. A nonstop flight is usually around 1½ hours, though the full journey will be longer with airport procedures and Toronto ground travel. If fares or timings are better with a connection, compare the total travel time carefully before booking; for a short final day, a nonstop option is worth prioritizing.