Self-Launched Essence of Eastern Canada: Toronto to Montréal
8 days · Eastern Canada
Costsaver charges £1,295
No-markup version: ~£660 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the group coach and discover Eastern Canada's greatest hits at your own pace — from the roar of Niagara Falls to the cobbled streets of Old Québec City and the buzzing neighbourhoods of Montréal. This self-launched version of Costsaver's popular 8-day tour follows the same Toronto–Kingston–Ottawa–Québec City–Montréal route, swapping motorcoach group travel for trains, public buses, and budget-friendly accommodation. You'll hit every major landmark — Horseshoe Falls, Parliament Hill, Château Frontenac, a sugar shack maple breakfast — but keep far more cash in your pocket. Costs are estimated per person based on solo budget traveller rates and are approximate.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Toronto — Chinatown, Kensington & the Downtown Core
Toronto
Check into a well-located downtown hostel or budget hotel and get your bearings with a self-guided orientation walk. Head to Chinatown on Spadina Avenue, then wander into the eclectic Kensington Market for street food, vintage shops and a cheap dinner. The CN Tower is a short walk south — admire it from ground level for free or book a skip-the-line ticket via GetYourGuide if you want to head up.
🚌Arrive by flight into Toronto Pearson (YYZ). Take UP Express train to Union Station (~£11). Use the TTC subway/streetcar within the city (~£3/ride or £12 day pass).
🛏HI Toronto Hostel or Clarence Park Hostel (~£30–40/night dorm, ~£70–90 private)
- →Self-guided walk through Chinatown and Downtown Toronto
- →Explore Kensington Market — pick up dinner from one of the many cheap eateries (~£8–12)
- →View CN Tower from outside (free) or book CN Tower admission via GetYourGuide (~£30)
Day Trip to Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls
Make the day trip out to Niagara Falls independently — it's very doable by public transit or a cheap day-tour. The star attraction is the Hornblower/Niagara City Cruises boat ride to the base of Horseshoe Falls — book online in advance. The Canadian side gives the best views; walk the Niagara Parkway for free panoramas. Return to Toronto for a second night, or opt to stay overnight in Niagara Falls to save on Day 3 travel.
🚌Take GO Train from Union Station to Niagara Falls (~£18 return) or join a budget day-tour from Toronto via GetYourGuide (~£35–50 including transport). TTC back from Union Station.
🛏HI Toronto Hostel (return to Toronto) or HI Niagara Falls Hostel (~£30–40/night dorm)
- →Niagara City Cruises boat ride to Horseshoe Falls — book via GetYourGuide or direct (~£22)
- →Walk the free Niagara Parkway for Canadian and American Falls views
- →Optional: Journey Behind the Falls attraction (~£18)
Toronto to Kingston to Ottawa — Farm Stop En Route
Ottawa
Head east from Toronto towards Ottawa, with a stop in Kingston en route. Campbell's Orchard (or similar) cider and farm experiences can be visited independently by car or as part of a self-drive if you're renting. Kingston's Confederation Basin is a lovely free wander. Arrive in Ottawa by early evening and check into a hostel in the Centretown or ByWard Market area — perfectly placed for Day 4's sightseeing.
🚌Take Megabus or FlixBus Toronto → Kingston (~£15), then Kingston → Ottawa (~£12). Total journey ~4.5 hrs with stop. Alternatively, VIA Rail Toronto–Ottawa direct (~£35–55, book ahead for best prices).
🛏HI Ottawa Jail Hostel (a unique Ottawa institution, ~£30–40/night dorm) or Andaz Ottawa by Hyatt for budget private rooms
- →Stop at Campbell's Orchard near Kingston for farm tour and cider tasting (~£12 self-booked)
- →Free walk around Kingston's waterfront and Confederation Basin
- →Optional: Kingston Harbour narrated cruise via local operators (~£18)
Ottawa — Parliament Hill, Museums & ByWard Market
Ottawa
Ottawa punches well above its weight for free attractions. Parliament Hill is free to explore on the exterior (and free guided interior tours when Parliament is in session — book in advance on the Parliament website). The National Gallery of Canada has a stunning free permanent collection. Stroll Sussex Drive, take in the National War Memorial, and finish the day grazing the incredible ByWard Market for cheap eats. The Canada War Museum charges a small admission but is world-class.
🚌Walk or use OC Transpo local buses within Ottawa (~£3.75/ride). Most sights are within 30 minutes' walk of ByWard Market.
🛏HI Ottawa Jail Hostel (~£30–40/night dorm)
- →Free self-guided walk: Parliament Hill, Sussex Drive, Rideau Hall exterior, National War Memorial
- →National Gallery of Canada — free permanent collection (special exhibitions ~£12)
- →Canada War Museum admission (~£14)
- →ByWard Market — graze for lunch and pick up local produce (budget ~£10–15)
- →Optional: Mādahòkì Farm powwow performance — check local listings for ticket prices (~£15–20)
Ottawa to Québec City — Montmorency Falls Stop
Québec City
Board a VIA Rail train or Orléans Express bus from Ottawa to Québec City — the train is scenic and comfortable. On arrival, drop your bags and head straight out to explore — Québec City is compact and extraordinarily walkable. If energy allows, catch the last light at Montmorency Falls (a short bus ride from Old Town) — the falls are actually taller than Niagara and stunning at dusk. Book a dinner reservation in Old Québec for an authentic French-Canadian meal.
🚌VIA Rail Ottawa → Québec City (~£35–60, book ahead). Alternatively, Orléans Express bus (~£25–40). Journey ~4.5 hrs. Local bus or taxi from Québec City Gare du Palais to hostel (~£3–10).
🛏Auberge Internationale de Québec (HI) — centrally located in Old Town (~£30–40/night dorm, ~£80–100 private)
- →VIA Rail or Orléans Express Ottawa → Québec City (see transport)
- →Visit Montmorency Falls Park via bus line 800 from Old Québec (~£5 entry, free with Québec City pass)
- →Evening stroll along the walls of Old Québec — free
- →Dinner in Old Québec — budget ~£20–30 for a sit-down meal
Québec City — UNESCO Old Town, Plains of Abraham & Château Frontenac
Québec City
Today is all about soaking up one of North America's most atmospheric cities. Walk the fortification walls (free), visit Place Royale in the Lower Town (free), and take the funicular between Upper and Lower Town (~£3). The Plains of Abraham battlefield park is free to wander. For the guided experience, Klook and GetYourGuide both list walking tours of Old Town for ~£15–25. The Château Frontenac is best enjoyed from the outside or over a coffee in its lobby — no need to pay for a room.
🚌Walk — the entire Old Town is navigable on foot. Local buses for Montmorency area (~£3.75).
🛏Auberge Internationale de Québec (~£30–40/night dorm)
- →Self-guided walk of UNESCO-listed Old Town — Château Frontenac, Dufferin Terrace, Place Royale (free)
- →Plains of Abraham battlefield park walk (free; museum inside ~£12)
- →Funicular between Upper and Lower Town (~£3 each way)
- →Optional: Book a guided Old Québec walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£18–25)
- →Optional: Copper repoussé craft workshop at a local artisan studio — check Klook or local listings (~£20)
Québec City to Montréal — Sugar Shack Breakfast & City Tour
Montréal
Start with an iconic Cabane à Sucre (sugar shack) breakfast en route to Montréal — book a visit to a local sugar shack such as Érablière au Pied de la Côte or similar along the Route du Roy (Chemin du Roy). You'll learn how maple syrup is made and feast on maple-drenched pancakes, eggs, and ham (~£25–35 per person). Then head into Montréal — check in near Plateau-Mont-Royal or the Latin Quarter for easy access to street art, parks, and the Old Port.
🚌Orléans Express bus Québec City → Montréal (~£20–35, ~3 hrs). Or VIA Rail (~£30–50). Arrange sugar shack visit en route — easiest with a rented car for the day or by booking a dedicated sugar shack tour from Québec City. Metro within Montréal (~£3.50/ride or £10 day pass).
🛏M Montréal Hostel or Auberge Bishop Downtown (~£30–45/night dorm, ~£85–110 private) — choose something in Plateau or Downtown for best location
- →Cabane à Sucre breakfast at a traditional sugar shack en route — book direct or via GetYourGuide (~£25–35)
- →Self-guided city tour of Old Montréal, Old Port, and Place Jacques-Cartier (free)
- →Explore Plateau-Mont-Royal street art and hidden alleyways (free)
- →Dinner along the Old Port waterfront — budget ~£20–30
Montréal — Explore & Depart
Montréal
Your final morning in Montréal — use it well. The Marché Jean-Talon (Jean-Talon Market) is one of the best food markets in Canada, perfect for a cheap breakfast and local produce. Mont-Royal Park is a free green lung with panoramic views over the city. If you have time, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal has free permanent galleries. Head to the airport in the afternoon via 747 express bus from Downtown (~£8). Safe travels!
🚌747 STM Express bus from Downtown Montréal to YUL Airport (~£8). Journey ~45–60 mins.
🛏Check out — no accommodation needed
- →Jean-Talon Market breakfast — budget ~£8–12
- →Mont-Royal Park hike for panoramic city views (free)
- →Optional: Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal — free permanent collection
- →Depart from Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL)
Self-launched vs. Costsaver
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Costsaver | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£660 | £1,295 |
| Duration | 8 days | 8 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £635 per person (49%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Costsaver-style trips? Check them out here.~£660
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Essence of Eastern Canada: Toronto to Montréal cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £660 per person for 8 days in Eastern Canada. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Costsaver?+
Yes — Costsaver charges around £1,295 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £660 — a saving of roughly £635 (49%) per person.
How long is the Eastern Canada trip?+
This itinerary runs 8 days, covering 8 day-by-day stops through Eastern Canada.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, foodie trip through Eastern Canada, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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