Advice on trip to East Canada

mini-me66

Hi
Myself and a friend are going to Canada in sept. We are flying to Toronto, then going to Ottowa, montreal and Quebec City. I have done some research from guide books and online but its never the same as personal advice.

So i'm hoping anyone can advise on the best way to travel between the cities...bus or train - which is cheapest and most reliable!?

Also regarding reasonable hostels (i like the atmosphere, although we'd probably get a twin room). Could be a guest house or similar. Money is limited so cheap and cheerful is great for me! Not sure which areas are better to stay in...or where to avoid!?

And anything on anything else that you may think is interesting on a budget!!

I'm happy for PM's if easier to give more info!! I hope that someone can share some of their experiences.
Thanks

Bananabelly

I have just organised a similar trip in July to Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City and Charlottetown. I don't know how long you have, but perhaps you have underestimated the distances involved?

I am catching the train between Montreal and QC as I am told it is beautiful and it is about three hours. The website for train travel is www.viarail.ca and they have some good deals. If you wanted to travel by bus, www.greyhound.ca is your best bet, but I wouldn't recommend it. It may be worth considering an internal flight (often works out cheaper/saves time). Look at www.westjet.com and www.aircanada.com , they usually pretty much match each others prices.

For hostels www.hostelworld.com has reviews and availability, you can book online and see what people really think especially in terms of atmosphere/fun. I have heard B&Bs are quite popular too.

mini-me66

Hi
Thanks, we are going for just over 2 weeks so i am working on approx 4 night toronto, 2-3 night ottowa, 3-4 Montreal and 4 nights Quebec. I'm expecting a days travel between each city (with getting from a-b).
I was wondering whether there were places en route to get off buses/trains and look around!?

I'll check out the train details but last one i looked on wouldnt give me days it went and was very confusing!

I'd be really grateful for any tips when you return from your trip. How long are you going for?

Thanks again

flutterbyuk25

I'm going to Montreal in Nov so let me know what it's like!

I've been to Toronto 3 times in last 4 years as one of my best friends lives there. It's a fab city, always so much to do and see.

x

Bananabelly

mini-me66 wrote: »

Hi
Thanks, we are going for just over 2 weeks so i am working on approx 4 night toronto, 2-3 night ottowa, 3-4 Montreal and 4 nights Quebec. I'm expecting a days travel between each city (with getting from a-b).
I was wondering whether there were places en route to get off buses/trains and look around!?

I'll check out the train details but last one i looked on wouldnt give me days it went and was very confusing!

I'd be really grateful for any tips when you return from your trip. How long are you going for?

Thanks again

I am only going for 10 action-packed days, but then again I live in Canada (Vancouver) so it's not quite such a big deal. 2 weeks is a good amount of time I think. However, I have been talking to people here about my trip and although QC is meant to be beautiful, most people recommend one or maybe 2 days - it is actually very small.

You could only get off the train if you booked it that way. I have heard there are some nice towns between Montreal and Toronto - the Canada Lonely Planet has a whole section on those. There are also some things around Toronto - Niagra Falls, obviously, but some of the islands/Great Lakes area as well.

I know you're on a budget, but car hire is fairly cheap and with two of you, you may find it is more worthwhile than trains/buses etc. Worth checking anyway. The other thing to consider which I forgot about is www.moosenetwork.com which is a hybrid of hop-on hop-off/guided tour thing. They have routes along the east coast, you buy a ticket for whatever you want to do and you can stop and stay somewhere longer at any point if you want. They don't included the cost of accomodation, but they book hostel beds for you in the destinations (you can upgrade to private rooms usually, if you ask ahead it would be fine). I went with them last year to the Rockies and it was great, a really good atmostphere etc.