Major city · Canada
Port-Cartier
Go for one night as a Route 138 stop between Québec City and Sept-Îles: 11 km beach, salmon trap in July, islands walk. Two nights if you fish.Go for one night as a Route 138 stop between Québec City and Sept-Îles: 6.8 mi beach, salmon trap in July, islands walk. Two nights if you fish.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, many services closed)
- Airport
- YZV
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
Port-Cartier is a mill and mining town on Québec's North Shore, 62 km west of Sept-Îles on Route 138. Travellers stop for the 11 km sand beach, the Rivière aux Rochers salmon trap and the Port-Cartier–Sept-Îles wildlife reserve. Sights are small and spread out; a car is the practical way in. One night covers the town, two nights add the reserve or a fishing day.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Port-Cartier, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetySmall-town Québec, low street crime.
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 811 Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckYZV Sept-Îles Airport (About 62 km east by Route 138; the practical air gateway for the region (check)).YZV Sept-Îles Airport (About 39 mi east by Route 138; the practical air gateway for the region (check)).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical way: sights run 20–30 km along Route 138 and buses are limited.A car is the practical way: sights run 12–19 mi along Route 138 and buses are limited.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCAD 2–4
- Street or quick mealSandwich or poutineCAD 10–18
- BeerBeer: draught in a bar / can at the storeCAD 7–10 / CAD 2–4
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekCAD 20–40
- Budget bedHostel or dormitory bed, a night, per personC$35 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel or inn double room, a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · Mid C$160 (≈ US$120) · High C$280 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YZV Sept-Îles Airport (About 62 km east by Route 138; the practical air gateway for the region (check))YZV Sept-Îles Airport (About 39 mi east by Route 138; the practical air gateway for the region (check))
Weather and climate
Port-Cartier: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−8°C18°F
−19°C−2°F
12 rd
Feb
−7°C19°F
−18°C0°F
10 rd
Mar
−1°C30°F
−11°C12°F
11 rd
Apr
5°C41°F
−3°C27°F
11 rd
May
12°C54°F
2°C36°F
12 rd
Jun
18°C64°F
8°C46°F
12 rd
Jul
21°C70°F
12°C54°F
13 rd
Aug
20°C68°F
11°C52°F
13 rd
Sep
15°C59°F
7°C45°F
12 rd
Oct
9°C48°F
2°C36°F
13 rd
Nov
2°C36°F
−4°C25°F
13 rd
Dec
−5°C23°F
−14°C7°F
13 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A car is the practical way: sights run 20–30 km along Route 138 and buses are limited. The town has about 6 km of bike paths plus a 2.6 km islands loop and a 2 km taiga trail on Patterson Island, all walkable from downtown.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Sept-Îles
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
Route 138 west, about 62 km by car; Intercar bus also runs the corridorRoute 138 west, about 39 mi by car; Intercar bus also runs the corridor
Bigger town with the old trading post and boat trips to the islands; easy half-day or overnight.
Port-Cartier–Sept-Îles wildlife reserve
goDoor to door: About 30–45 min to the gate
Chemin de la Réserve-de-Sept-Îles-Port-Cartier, north of town by car
SÉPAQ reserve, open May–September: Walker Lake, MacDonald Falls footbridge, trout and salmon fishing, cabins and camping.
Pointe-aux-Anglais and Rivière-Pentecôte
goDoor to door: About 25–40 min
Route 138 west by car
Beach, Louis Langlois Museum (late Jun–late Aug, W–Su 09:00–17:00) and the Rivière-Pentecôte historic site.Beach, Louis Langlois Museum (late Jun–late Aug, W–Su 9:00 AM–5:00 PM) and the Rivière-Pentecôte historic site.
Les Goélands outdoor base
cautionDoor to door: About 15–20 min
Route 138 south of town by car
Trails, beach and birdwatching; open year-round but the restaurant and dormitory run on seasonal hours — check before driving out.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / avenue Parent
Walk to the P'tit Quai promenade, restaurants and the history centre; best for one night without a car.
Boulevard des Îles / Galeries des Îles
Mall, supermarket, motels and the road out to McCormick and Patterson islands.
Rochelois beach area
Near the beach and bike path; hostel and quieter streets, 5–10 min drive from downtown.
Pointe-aux-Anglais / Rivière-Pentecôte
West along Route 138, 20–30 km out: beach, Louis Langlois Museum, gîtes and campgrounds.West along Route 138, 12–19 mi out: beach, Louis Langlois Museum, gîtes and campgrounds.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CAD 90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- CAD 150–230 excl. bed
- High
- CAD 250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or inn double room1 × 1 night × C$150 | C$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Rental car, one day, plus fuel1 × C$90 · check | C$90 |
| SÉPAQ wildlife reserve day access2 × C$10 · check | C$20 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$63 |
| Trip total≈ C$347 per person per day, bed included | C$693≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; travel to the region excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | CAD 2–4 |
| Sandwich or poutine | CAD 10–18 |
| Restaurant main, seafood or grill | CAD 20–35 |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at the store | CAD 7–10 / CAD 2–4 |
| Grocery run for two, one day | CAD 40–70 |
| Fuel, 100 kmcheck | CAD 12–18 |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | CAD 20–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are long: Pointe-aux-Anglais is about 25 km west of downtown, Rivière-Pentecôte further.Distances are long: Pointe-aux-Anglais is about 16 mi west of downtown, Rivière-Pentecôte further.
- Most museums, the salmon trap and the tourist office run June to September only.
- The Rochelois beach is unsupervised; the St. Lawrence is cold and the tide moves fast.
- Fuel and grocery stops thin out west of town on Route 138: fill up before you leave.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Port-CartierPort-Cartier
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (24 h health advice)811
Embassy
No embassies here; the US has a consulate general in Québec City and Montréal, and most countries keep embassies in Ottawa (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Intercar bus, Port-Cartier → Sept-Îles: about CAD 15–25, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi, downtown → Rochelois beach: about CAD 12–18 (check)
- Rental car, one day plus fuel: about CAD 80–110 (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où est la plage ? — Where is the beach? (oo ay la PLAZH)
- Je ne parle pas français — I don't speak French (zhuh nuh PARL pah fran-SAY)
French is the everyday language; English works in hotels and the tourist office but not everywhere on Route 138.
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Port-Cartier. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (cold, snow, many services closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YZV: last flight times, taxi and shuttle fallback, overnight rung in Sept-Îles.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: avenue Parent, boulevard des Îles, Rochelois beach, the islands.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (history centre, Louis Langlois Museum, salmon trap, wildlife reserve) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.