Ontario & Quebec: Toronto to Montreal
10 days | 12 days with Montreal extension |
Discover the history and culture of Canada’s vibrant cities.
Explore some of Canada’s most exciting cosmopolitan destinations on this journey through Ontario and Quebec. Admire distinguished landmarks in diverse Toronto and get a true feel for the country’s national heritage in charming Ottawa. Then, meander along the cobbled streets of Old Quebec City before marveling at beautiful architecture in Montreal. From the shores of the St. Lawrence River to the sidewalks of stunning cities, this tour has it all.
Your tour package includes
- 9 nights in handpicked hotels
- 9 breakfasts
- 4 dinners with beer or wine
- 5 sightseeing tours
- Expert Tour Director & local guides
- Private deluxe motor coach
Included highlights
- Royal Ontario Museum
- Thousand Islands National Park
- Ottawa’s Parliament Hill
- Plains of Abraham
- Old Quebec
- Notre-Dame Basilica
- Saint Joseph’s Oratory
Itinerary

Toronto3 nights
Day 1: Arrival in Toronto
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Canada! Get settled in your hotel, then gather with your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 2: Sightseeing tour of Toronto
Included meal: Breakfast
Join a local expert on a panoramic coach tour of multicultural Toronto, Canada’s largest city and the historic, vibrant capital of the province of Ontario.
- Pass the University of Toronto, modernist Toronto City Hall, and the CN Tower, one of the world’s tallest buildings
- Drive by Yonge-Dundas Square in the heart of the city’s downtown area and pass the St. Lawrence Market, housed in a late 19th-century brick building
- Enter the Royal Ontario Museum, which is dedicated to natural history and cultures around the world
Spend free time in Toronto or add an excursion.
Day 3: Free day in Toronto
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a full free day in Toronto or add an excursion.
Ottawa2 nights
Day 4: Ottawa via Kingston
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to Ottawa today, stopping along the way to explore the charming city of Kingston. This “Limestone City” boasts architecturally notable buildings made from local, hand-cut stone.
- Board a cruise boat and sail along the St. Lawrence River through Thousand Islands National Park, which lies along the Canada-U.S. border
- Pass the numerous granite islands of the park and get a peek at the lavish waterfront mansions that dot Millionaires Row
Sit down for an included dinner in Ottawa this evening.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Ottawa
Included meal: Breakfast
Join your Tour Director and get to know Ottawa, the country’s capital. This welcoming urban center is home to a diverse population, world-class museums, and many monuments that pay homage to Canada’s national heritage.
- Journey to Parliament Hill where you'll see the soaring, Gothic Revival-style Centre Block, site of the country’s Senate, House of Commons, and Library of Parliament from outside
- Visit the Parliament Immersive Experience, an engaging exhibit that brings the country’s democratic process to life through interactive displays and multimedia storytelling
- Learn about Canada’s native populations during a guided tour of the First Peoples Hall, located in the Canadian Museum of History
Spend a free evening in the city or add an excursion.
Quebec City, Quebec2 nights
Day 6: Transfer to Quebec City
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to Quebec City, where you will have a free afternoon to explore on your own. Then, sit down for an included dinner.
Day 7: Sightseeing tour of Quebec City
Included meal: Breakfast
Follow a local guide as you immerse yourself in the European charm of this old-world city, which overflows with remnants from its colonial past.
- Stop at the Plains of Abraham, a national battlefield that served as the site of a defining 1759 conflict between France and Britain during the Seven Years’ War
- Journey along cobblestone streets on a walking tour of UNESCO-recognized Old Quebec City, which is surrounded by 18th-century fortifications
Enjoy a free afternoon in Quebec City or add an excursion.
Montreal, Quebec2 nights
Day 8: Transfer to Montreal & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Take in stunning countryside views as you drive to Montreal. This predominantly French-speaking city sits on an island in the St. Lawrence River, and you’ll see it all on a panoramic tour with a local guide this afternoon.
- Make a photo stop at Notre-Dame Basilica, an architectural landmark built in the Gothic-Revival style
- Enter Canada’s largest basilica, Saint Joseph’s Oratory, which is capped by a staggering copper dome
Day 9: Free day in Montreal
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Enjoy a full free day in Montreal or add an excursion.
Then, join your group at a farewell dinner.
Flight Home
Day 10: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home, or extend your stay in Montreal.
Montreal extension
For a European feel you don't have to go far, it's hard to beat Montreal. Continue your trip to keep exploring the city, and lean on your expert Tour Director to point you toward the can't-miss sites.
Montreal, Quebec2 nights
Day 10: Sightseeing tour of Château Ramezay
Included meal: Breakfast
Join your Tour Director and enjoy a sightseeing tour of Château Ramezay in Old Montreal.
- Walk to nearby Château Ramezay, a museum built in 1705 as the residence of then-governor of Montreal, Claude de Ramezay. The Château was the first building proclaimed as a historical monument in Quebec and is the province's oldest private history museum.
- Explore the exhibits on a self-guided tour and immerse yourself in the rich history of the region.
- End the tour with a tasting of Beaver Tail, a local treat, before enjoying some free time or walking back to the hotel.
Day 11: Free day in Montreal
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a full free day in Montreal or add an excursion.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Flight Home
Day 12: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Reviews
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Toronto - Chelsea Hotel Toronto
This modern hotel is located in downtown Toronto. Guests enjoy a pool, cafe, and rooftop. Nearby you’ll find Allan Gardens, St. Lawrence Market, and the Art Gallery of Ontario.
Ottawa - Courtyard Ottawa Downtown
This modern hotel is located in the Byward Market neighborhood. Guests enjoy a fitness center, a pool, and event space. Nearby, you’ll find Byward Market, Parliament Hill, and the Royal Canadian Mint.

Quebec City - Delta Hotels Quebec
This sophisticated hotel is located in Quebec City. Guests can unwind in the heated outdoor pool surrounded by urban views, maintain their wellness routine at the comprehensive fitness center, and savor bistro-style cuisine at...
Montreal - Hyatt Place Montreal - Downtown
This modern hotel is located in the Village neighborhood of Montreal. Guests enjoy the indoor pool, sauna, and on-site coffee house. Nearby you'll find the Place des Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Montreal Clock...
Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare and you’ll get:
- Round-trip flight for your tour
- Airport transfers at your destination
- A great price locked in today
- 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
- Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
- Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
FAQ
- Canadian citizens need valid government-issued identification for air travel within Canada.
- In order to enter Canada, U.S. citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
- You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code OAQ.
- Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Toronto and depart from Montreal.
- Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
- When you arrive in Toronto, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.
Physical Activity Level
This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.
Tour Pacing
This is a steady-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:
- Most transportation by motor coach, some by boat
- About 4 hours of bus time daily
Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements
- Travelers should be prepared to walk 2-3 miles per day on city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
- Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
- Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
- Please note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on tour.
Climate Considerations
- In winter, temperatures range from the 20s°F in Montreal to the teens°F in Quebec. In summer, temperatures can reach the low-80s°F in both cities.
- Occasionally, heatwaves during the summer months (June-September) can push temperatures even higher .
- Summer is the rainy season in Montreal and Quebec, bringing hot, humid days and frequent rainfall.
Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions
- Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
- Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
- If you have mobility concerns or tour pacing questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team.
- This tour includes various modes of transportation, including boat and motor coaches. Some modes of transportation will have raised platforms or steps and often not provide access to ramps or lifts.
- Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches.
- A checked bag may not be included in your airline ticket.
- Some airlines may impose additional charges if you exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
- Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
- Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
- Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
- We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
- A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
- You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
- It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
- We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
- We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
- In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
- Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
- Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
- Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
- Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
- Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
- North America operates on 110-120 volts and uses Type A or B plugs with two flat pins or two flat pins and one round pin, respectively.
- Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
- Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
- We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
- Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
- Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
- At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
- If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
- If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
- Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
- The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
- This tour includes four dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water.
- Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
- Canadian cuisine closely resembles British cuisine, with elements that will be very familiar to Americans as well. While in Canada, you may want to try local favorites like butter tarts, poutine, and anything with maple syrup.
- At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
- We recommend tipping $10USD to $12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and $4USD per person per day for your driver.
- If applicable, we also recommend $2USD per local guide.
- Tips can only be paid in cash.
- If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
- The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
- You will use Canadian dollars on this tour tour.
- Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
- We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
- You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
- International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
- Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers.
- To help you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend downloading the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. It’s free and provides information about important deadlines and entry requirements, as well as your detailed itinerary, packing tips, and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the app’s chat feature.
- Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
- There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
- Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
- Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
- The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
- One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
- Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
- This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
- As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
- For the majority, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec operate on Eastern Time (ET).
- Please note: Small eastern portions of Quebec operate according to Atlantic Standard Time, but you will not visit those portions of the province on tour.
- When it’s noon in New York City, it’s noon on tour.
- When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
- Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
- Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
- When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
- Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
















































































