Major city · Canada
Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu
Go for a half-day on the Richelieu: the cable ferry, the riverfront chemin des Patriotes and the church. Sleep elsewhere unless you have a car.
Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu is a small riverside village of about 1,600 people on the east bank of the Richelieu, 51 km from Montreal. It is a cycling, boating and farm-stand stop rather than a destination: the cable ferry to Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu, the heritage chemin des Patriotes and the church are the reasons to come. Most travellers see it in two to four hours, or use it as a lunch stop on the Route du Richelieu.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- May–Oct (ferry runs April–December)
- avoid Nov–Mar (ice bridge replaces the ferry; most services closed)
- Airports
- YUL · YMX
- Nights
- 0–1
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.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu911 ▾
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 Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu, 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
- SafetyVery low crime; the real risks are the river (cold, fast current), farm traffic on the rangs and winter ice on the roads.
Show all 12 answers
- 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.
- AirportYUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 60–75 min by car via Autoroute 20 and Route 133; no direct transit to the village.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical way: the village is spread along chemin des Patriotes and the rural rangs, with no local bus.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$3–5 (≈ US$3–4)
- Beerdraught in a village restaurantC$8–11 (≈ US$6–8)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Budget bedCampground pitch, a night, per roomC$35 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedB&B or inn double room, a night, per roomC$170 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedB&B or inn double room, a night, per roomC$280 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$80 (≈ US$60) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
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.
- Airports
- YUL Montréal–Trudeau (About 60–75 min by car via Autoroute 20 and Route 133; no direct transit to the village.) · YMX Montréal–Mirabel (About 1 h 15 min by car; limited passenger service.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Feb
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Sep
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Oct
Best
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: May–Oct. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C) low), wettest Nov (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu: 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
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
12 rd
Feb
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
10 rd
Mar
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
11 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
12 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
11 rd
Oct
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
13 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
A car is the practical way: the village is spread along chemin des Patriotes and the rural rangs, with no local bus. The cable ferry crosses to Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu in about 5 minutes (April–December); in winter an ice bridge is built for cars. Cyclists use the Montérégie network and the Richelieu River route.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu
goDoor to door: About 10 min
Cable ferry from the quai at 463 chemin des Patriotes, about 5 min
314 m crossing; runs April–December, ice bridge in winter.
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via Route 133 and Autoroute 20, about 25 min
Mountain trails, orchards and the fine-arts museum.
Beloeil
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Car via Route 133 south, about 20 min
Riverfront old town and restaurants; good rainy-day backup.
Chambly
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car via Route 133 and Autoroute 10, about 35 min
Fort Chambly and the canal; a full half-day.
Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Car north on Route 133, about 20 min
Patriots history and the Fête du Vieux Marché.
Saint-Antoine-sur-Richelieu
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Car north on Route 133, about 30 min
Quiet river village; pair with Saint-Denis.
Saint-Basile-le-Grand
cautionDoor to door: About 35 min
Car via Route 133 and Autoroute 20, about 30 min
Mostly residential; go only if you are already in the area.
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.
Chemin des Patriotes (riverfront)
Inns and B&Bs along the river; the only real place to sleep in the village.
Saint-Marc-sur-Richelieu (west bank)
Across the ferry; more lodging and restaurants, 314 m by cable ferry.
Saint-Hyacinthe or Beloeil
20–30 min by car; more beds, restaurants and services if the village is full.
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
- Budget
- C$80–130 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$130–220 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| B&B or inn double room1 × 1 night × C$170 | C$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| Cable ferry crossing, one way2 × C$5 · check | C$10 |
| Car from Montréal, one day (fuel and tolls)1 × C$45 · check | C$45 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$58 |
| Trip total≈ C$317 per person per day, bed included | C$633≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; tax extra. Flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$3–5 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Farm-stand strawberries (season)check | C$6–10 (≈ US$5–8) per basket |
| Casual lunch, main dish | C$16–26 (≈ US$12–19) |
| Beer, draught in a village restaurant | C$8–11 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Cable ferry crossingcheck | C$5–6 (≈ US$4–5) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No local public transit: without a car you are limited to the village strip.
- The ferry does not run in winter; an ice bridge replaces it and conditions vary.
- Many farm stands and restaurants are seasonal and close outside summer and fall.
- Sales tax is added at the till; prices shown are before tax.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
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Saint-Charles-sur-RichelieuSaint-Charles-sur-Richelieu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)811
Embassy
No embassies in the village; the US consulate general and most embassies are in Montréal (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Cable ferry Saint-Charles → Saint-Marc: about C$5–6 (≈ US$4–5), 5 min (check)
- Taxi Saint-Charles → Beloeil: about C$35–50 (≈ US$30–40) (check)
- Car Montréal → Saint-Charles: 51 km (32 mi), about 45 min (check)32 mi (51 km), about 45 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Où est la traverse ? — Where is the ferry? (oo ay la tra-VERS)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
French is the main language; a bonjour before a question goes a long way.
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 Saint-Charles-sur-Richelieu. 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: May–Oct (ferry runs April–December) · avoid Nov–Mar (ice bridge replaces the ferry; most services closed) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Ferry timetable and ice-bridge status field-checked for the winter window.
- Walking cluster along chemin des Patriotes: town hall, gallery, church, quai and Restaurant du Quai.
- Farm-stand and orchard opening dates verified for the summer and fall season.
- Cycling route links to the Montérégie network with distances and surface notes.