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Territory capital · Canada

FrancoisFrançois

Go only if you want a roadless outport at the end of a fjord: 2 nights, ferry in and out, and a spare day for weather cancellations.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Francois is a village of about 89 people at the head of a 2 km fjord on Newfoundland's south coast. No road reaches it: you arrive by passenger ferry from Burgeo via Grey River, or by helicopter when the ferry is cancelled. There is one general store, a post office, a small museum and boardwalk paths instead of streets. Two nights is the working minimum, because wind can hold the boat.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
CAD
Best months
Jun–Sep
avoid Nov–Apr (snowmobile-only access, ferry weather cancellations)
Airports
YQX · YYT
Nights
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.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Francois911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Francois, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Budget bedCamping site (own tent), a night, per personC$0 (≈ under US$1)
  • Mid-range bedRoom in a resident's home, a night, per roomC$110 (≈ US$80)
  • High-end bedRoom in a resident's home, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$70 (≈ US$55) · Mid C$120 (≈ US$90) · High C$200 (≈ US$150)

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 →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

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.

Roadless outport at the end of a fjordBoardwalk paths and the Friar headlandHarbour Ruin waterfallChaleur Bay hikeOld Salt Box vacation home
Airports
YQX Gander International (Closest large airport; long drive to Burgeo, then ferry.) · YYT St. John's International (Main provincial gateway; drive or bus to Burgeo, then ferry.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −1°C (30°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    −1°C (30°F)

  3. Mar

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    15°C (59°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    19°C (66°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    16°C (61°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    11°C (52°F)

  11. Nov

    Avoid

    6°C (43°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    2°C (36°F)

Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (19°C (66°F)), coolest Feb (−9°C (16°F) low), wettest Dec (17 rain days), driest Jul (12). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Francois: 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

−1°C (30°F)

−8°C (18°F)

16 rd

Feb

−1°C (30°F)

−9°C (16°F)

14 rd

Mar

2°C (36°F)

−6°C (21°F)

14 rd

Apr

6°C (43°F)

−2°C (28°F)

14 rd

May

11°C (52°F)

2°C (36°F)

14 rd

Jun

15°C (59°F)

6°C (43°F)

13 rd

Jul

19°C (66°F)

10°C (50°F)

12 rd

Aug

19°C (66°F)

11°C (52°F)

12 rd

Sep

16°C (61°F)

8°C (46°F)

13 rd

Oct

11°C (52°F)

4°C (39°F)

15 rd

Nov

6°C (43°F)

0°C (32°F)

16 rd

Dec

2°C (36°F)

−5°C (23°F)

17 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

No car roads. Narrow paved walkways and boardwalks double as 4-wheeler routes; everything in the village is walkable in minutes. Trails leave from the settlement edge.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Grey River

go

Door to door: About 2 h

Same ferry, Grey River to Francois leg, about 1 h 45 min

Tiny outport on the same run; you pass through it on the way in.

Burgeogo

Door to door: About 2 h

Ferry from Burgeo to Grey River, about 2 h

Where the ferry starts; the practical staging town before Francois.

Ramea

caution

Door to door: Half a day or more

Ferry connections via Burgeo; check the schedule

Island community; only worth it if you are already on the south coast run.

Rencontre East

caution

Door to door: Half a day or more

Ferry links along the south coast; check the schedule

Another roadless outport; combine only with a flexible plan.

St. Lawrence

caution

Door to door: About 3 h

Drive from Burgeo via Route 470 and Route 220; no ferry link

Staging town on the Burin Peninsula; pair it with Burgeo, not with a Francois day.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Main Path (Old Salt Box rental)

Two-bedroom oceanview house, sleeps 1–4, full kitchen and laundry; about $250 a night, book well ahead.

Church camping site

Simple tent spot with picnic bench and outhouse; no services, no bookings.

Resident home stays

Several households rent rooms; rates on request and usually low. Arrange before you sail.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
C$60–110 (≈ US$45–80) excl. bed (camping, groceries from the general store)
Mid
C$100–160 (≈ US$75–120) excl. bed (store food plus a meal or two)
High
C$160 (≈ US$120)+ excl. bed (rental house split, boat trip)

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Old Salt Box rental house (1–4 people)1 × 2 nights × C$250C$500
Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × C$120C$480
Ferry Burgeo → Francois, one way, adult2 × C$12C$24
Ferry, senior/student/child 5–13, one way2 × C$6C$12
eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25C$50
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeC$107
Trip total≈ C$293 per person per day, bed includedC$1,173≈ US$900

2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; travel to Burgeo excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Ferry Burgeo → Francois, adult one wayC$11.75 (≈ US$9)
Ferry, child under 5Free
Old Salt Box rental house, per night for 1–4C$250 (≈ US$190)
Groceries at the general storeOutport prices, higher than mainland supermarkets
Boat trip to the old whaling stationArrange locally; ask at the general store

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Very low crime; the real risks are weather and isolation. Sail with a spare day, tell someone your plan, and carry cash, medication and warm rain gear.
  • Access is by passenger ferry only; strong winds can cancel sailings and strand you a day or two.
  • When the ferry is cancelled, a helicopter links Francois and Burgeo — seats are limited, so keep a buffer day.
  • No bank, no fuel station, no car access: bring cash and any medication you need.
  • Cell coverage is patchy; the library has internet access.
  • Book the rental house or a room before you board; walk-up beds are not guaranteed.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Marine emergency (coast guard)
16
Ferry service enquiries
+1 709 729-3835

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

FrancoisFrançois

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Marine emergency (coast guard)16
  • Ferry service enquiries+1 709 729-3835

Embassy

No consulates in Francois; nearest consular help is in St. John's, and embassies are in Ottawa.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Ferry Burgeo → Francois, adult: C$11.75 (≈ US$9) one way; Burgeo–Grey River about 2 h, Grey River–Francois about 1 h 45 min
  • Ferry, senior/student/child 5–13: C$6 (≈ US$5) one way; under 5 free
  • Helicopter Francois ↔ Burgeo: Runs when the ferry is cancelled; seats limited, ask at the ferry office

Say or show

  • Thank you / Merci — Thank you
  • Hello / Bonjour — Hello
  • Where's the ferry? — Where is the ferry?
  • How much is that? — How much is it?

Print this card: ferry days and times change, and there is no phone signal on the trails.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

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 Francois. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep · avoid Nov–Apr (snowmobile-only access, ferry weather cancellations) · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 5 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Ferry-day contract for the Burgeo–Grey River–Francois run: sailing days, check-in cutoff, helicopter fallback.
  2. Two walking clusters: village boardwalks and the lookout hike; Chaleur Bay and Harbour Ruin waterfall.
  3. Place pages with verified access notes (museum by request, camping site, rental house) and a boat-trip operator list.
  4. Weather-cancellation fixture so the page can show a stranded-night plan.

Meanwhile

Back to Canada

Sources

Ask about Francois

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