Major city · Canada
Rimouski
Stop 1 night for the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse and submarine, or 2 nights to add Bic National Park; skip it if you are only passing on Route 132.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep (warm, ferry and park open); Feb for snow and quiet
- avoid Nov (rain, no snow activities, many closures); mid-Oct–Apr for the ferry
- Airports
- YYY · YXK
- 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.
Rimouski is a university and marine-research town of about 47,000 on the south shore of the St. Lawrence, roughly 3 hours by car from Quebec City. Most travellers treat it as a fuel-and-food stop on the way to the Gaspé Peninsula, but the Empress of Ireland museum, the Onondaga submarine and Bic National Park justify a night. The town centre is small and walkable; everything outside it needs a car.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Rimouski, 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
- SafetyRimouski is a low-crime small city; the real risks are winter driving on Route 132, fog on the river, and cold water along the shore.
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- 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.
- AirportcheckYYY Mont-Joli regional airport (About 35 km east; daily Air Canada and Pascan flights from Montréal and Québec City (check current schedule).).YYY Mont-Joli regional airport (About 22 mi east; daily Air Canada and Pascan flights from Montréal and Québec City (check current schedule).).
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable in 15–20 minutes end to end.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4)
- Sit-down mealDinner main at a bistroC$24–39 (≈ US$18–30)
- BeerDraught beer in a brewpubC$7–10 (≈ US$6–8)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miTaxi across the centreC$10–18 (≈ US$8–14)
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed, a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedMotel or budget double room, a night, per roomC$120 (≈ US$90)
- High-end bedMotel or budget double room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$90 (≈ US$70) · 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 →
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
- YYY Mont-Joli regional airport (About 35 km east; daily Air Canada and Pascan flights from Montréal and Québec City (check current schedule).) · YXK Rimouski Airport (General aviation and cargo only; no scheduled passenger service.)YYY Mont-Joli regional airport (About 22 mi east; daily Air Canada and Pascan flights from Montréal and Québec City (check current schedule).) · YXK Rimouski Airport (General aviation and cargo only; no scheduled passenger service.)
Weather and climate
Rimouski: 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
−7°C19°F
−15°C6°F
14 rd
Feb
−6°C22°F
−14°C8°F
12 rd
Mar
0°C32°F
−8°C18°F
12 rd
Apr
7°C45°F
−1°C30°F
12 rd
May
15°C59°F
5°C41°F
13 rd
Jun
21°C69°F
11°C51°F
12 rd
Jul
24°C74°F
14°C57°F
13 rd
Aug
23°C73°F
13°C56°F
12 rd
Sep
18°C64°F
9°C48°F
13 rd
Oct
10°C51°F
4°C38°F
14 rd
Nov
4°C39°F
−2°C29°F
14 rd
Dec
−3°C27°F
−9°C16°F
15 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
The centre is walkable in 15–20 minutes end to end. For Pointe-au-Père, Bic or the canyon you need a car or taxi; there is one taxi company and a minimal city bus network. Taxi-Bus must be reserved about an hour ahead with a membership card.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pointe-au-Père maritime site
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Route 132 east about 15 km by car, or taxiRoute 132 east about 9.3 mi by car, or taxi
Lighthouse, Empress of Ireland museum and the Onondaga submarine in one stop; allow 2–3 hours.
Parc national du Bic
goDoor to door: About 30–40 min
Route 132 southwest to the park entrance, then walk or bike
Seals, coastal hikes and bike rental; a half or full day. Camping and yurts book ahead in summer.
Canyon de la Porte de l'Enfer
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Car south via Saint-Narcisse-de-Rimouski
Seasonal opening and trail conditions vary: check before driving out.
Trois-Pistoles
goDoor to door: About 45 min by car
Route 132 west by car, or Orléans Express bus
Small river town with a seasonal ferry across the St. Lawrence.
Rivière-du-Loup
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min by car
Autoroute 20 or Route 132 west by car; Orléans Express bus
Better base for the ferry to Charlevoix and for onward rail connections.
Door to door: 6–8 h by bus to Gaspé
Route 132 east, or Orléans Express along either shore
Too far for a day: break the drive at Matane or Sainte-Anne-des-Monts.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / rue Saint-Germain
Walkable to restaurants, the regional museum and the train station; best for one night without a car.
Boulevard René-Lepage Est
Highway-side hotels with free parking; best if you arrive by car and leave early.
Pointe-au-Père
Near the lighthouse and museum, 15 km east; quiet, few beds, needs a car.Near the lighthouse and museum, 9.3 mi east; quiet, few beds, needs a car.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$140–220 (≈ US$110–160) excl. bed
- High
- C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × C$170 | C$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| Car rental, one day, compact1 × C$75 · Fuel extra. | C$75 |
| Pointe-au-Père maritime site, museum plus submarine2 × C$15 | C$30 |
| Bic National Park entry, one day2 × C$9 | C$18 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$64 |
| Trip total≈ C$354 per person per day, bed included | C$707≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; sales tax is added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4) |
| PoutineCantine de la gare lists 19 versions across that range. | C$5–27 (≈ US$4–20) |
| Bistro lunch, two courses | C$16–23 (≈ US$12–17) |
| Dinner main at a bistro | C$24–39 (≈ US$18–30) |
| Draught beer in a brewpub | C$7–10 (≈ US$6–8) |
| Junior hockey ticket, adult | C$17.50 (≈ US$13) |
| Taxi across the centre | C$10–18 (≈ US$8–14) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The Ocean train calls at Rimouski around 01:30 eastbound and 01:50 westbound, three times a week: plan the station transfer, not a full night's sleep.The Ocean train calls at Rimouski around 1:30 AM eastbound and 1:50 AM westbound, three times a week: plan the station transfer, not a full night's sleep.
- The Rimouski–Forestville ferry has been suspended since 2022: check before you build a crossing into your route.
- Most signs and menus are French only; a few words of French help outside the hotels.
- Winter snow is heavy (over 600 mm in January on average): allow extra driving time.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
RimouskiRimouski
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; the US consulate general is in Montréal and the US embassy in Ottawa. Canadian services: 911.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Orléans Express, Québec City → Rimouski: 4.25–4.75 h
- Orléans Express, Rivière-du-Loup → Rimouski: about 1.5 h
- VIA Rail The Ocean, Montréal → Rimouski: about 8 h, three trips a week, night call
- Île Saint-Barnabé boat from the marina: about C$16.50 (≈ US$12), every 30 min in season
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Je voudrais celui-ci — I would like this one (zhuh voo-DREH suh-LWEE SEE)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-LET)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
Prices in Canadian dollars, before sales tax.
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 Rimouski. 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 (warm, ferry and park open); Feb for snow and quiet · avoid Nov (rain, no snow activities, many closures); mid-Oct–Apr for the ferry · 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
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YYY: last Pascan and Air Canada arrivals field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: rue Saint-Germain, the marina and Île Saint-Barnabé, Pointe-au-Père, Bic.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (maritime site, regional museum, Maison Lamontagne, canyon) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and night-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTourisme Rimouski
- officialVille de Rimouski
- officialSite historique maritime de la Pointe-au-Père
- officialParc national du Bic (Sépaq)
- officialVIA Rail — Rimouski station
- officialOrléans Express
- secondaryWikivoyage: Rimouski, revision 5240233 (CC BY-SA 4.0)