Major city · Canada
Baie-Comeau
Go only if you are already driving Route 138 or taking the Matane ferry: one night for the Manic-5 dam, then move on.
Baie-Comeau is a working paper, aluminium and hydro town of about 22,000 people on the north shore of the St. Lawrence, 420 km northeast of Québec City. It is not a sightseeing city: its value is as a road and ferry stop on the Route des Baleines, and as the gateway to the Manicouagan dams on Route 389. Two separate urban halves, no railway, and thin bus service mean a car decides whether you enjoy it.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (snow, cold, some services closed)
- Airport
- YBC
- Nights
- 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 Baie-Comeau911 ▾
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 Baie-Comeau, 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
- SafetyA safe, quiet town; the real risks are driving distances, wildlife on Route 138 and 389, winter conditions and thin mobile coverage.
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.
- AirportcheckYBC Baie-Comeau Airport (About 13 km (8.1 mi) southwest of town; small regional carriers only, so check current routes and days before booking.).YBC Baie-Comeau Airport (About 8.1 mi (13 km) southwest of town; small regional carriers only, so check current routes and days before booking.).
- Getting aroundHave a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range restaurantC$22–38 (≈ US$16–30)
- Street or quick mealCasual lunch (soup, sandwich, poutine)C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at a storeC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7)C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$15–35 (≈ US$11–30)
- Budget bedCampground pitch (tent, with services), a night, per roomC$27 (≈ US$20)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$140 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$200 (≈ US$150)
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 →
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
- YBC Baie-Comeau Airport (About 13 km (8.1 mi) southwest of town; small regional carriers only, so check current routes and days before booking.)YBC Baie-Comeau Airport (About 8.1 mi (13 km) southwest of town; small regional carriers only, so check current routes and days before booking.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
Feb
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Mar
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Apr
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
May
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Jun
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jul
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Aug
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Sep
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Oct
not flagged
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
Nov
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Dec
Avoid
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)), coolest Jan (−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Baie-Comeau: 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°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
−19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C)
12 rd
Feb
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−18°C (0°F)0°F (−18°C)
10 rd
Mar
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
11 rd
Apr
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
11 rd
May
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
12 rd
Jun
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
12 rd
Jul
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
13 rd
Aug
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Sep
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Oct
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
13 rd
Nov
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
13 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°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
Have a car. The two halves of the city are separate and the sights that matter (Manic-2, Manic-5) are 25–215 km north on Route 389. Local buses exist but are built for residents, not visitors; taxis are the fallback. Rental agencies are in town, so book ahead in summer.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Manic-2 (Jean-Lesage generating station)
goDoor to door: About 1 h each way with the visit
Drive Route 389 north about 25 km (16 mi), 30 minDrive Route 389 north about 16 mi (25 km), 30 min
Reception pavilion with a turbine replica and exhibits; check opening dates and tour times before driving.
Manic-5 (Daniel-Johnson dam)
overnightDoor to door: 4–5 h each way
Drive Route 389 north about 215 km (134 mi)Drive Route 389 north about 134 mi (215 km)
The multi-arch dam is the reason most people come this far; too long for a comfortable return day, so plan it as a full day or an overnight.
Godbout
goDoor to door: About 1 h by car
Route 138 east, or Intercar bus
Small St. Lawrence village with a ferry link to Matane.
Franquelin
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Route 138 east
A short coastal stop rather than a destination in itself.
Tadoussac
overnightDoor to door: 2.5–3 h
Route 138 west, about 200 km (124 mi)Route 138 west, about 124 mi (200 km)
Whale-watching base; better as its own stop than a day trip from here.
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.
Baie-Comeau proper (east, Place La Salle)
Shops, restaurants and the older commercial strip; most hotels and motels sit along boulevard La Salle and boulevard Laflèche.
Hauterive (west)
The second urban half, around avenue Nouvel; quieter, closer to the aluminium smelter side and the Route 389 turnoff.
Route 138 / Rivière aux Anglais
Campgrounds and motels outside town; only useful with a car.
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$90–140 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$150–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$250 (≈ US$190)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × C$140 | C$140 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Car rental, one day1 × C$90 · check | C$90 |
| Fuel, 500 km at north-shore prices1 × C$70 · check | C$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$20 | C$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$66 |
| Trip total≈ C$363 per person per day, bed included | C$726≈ US$550 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and ferry fares excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Casual lunch (soup, sandwich, poutine) | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Dinner main, mid-range restaurant | C$22–38 (≈ US$16–30) |
| Beer: draught in a bar / can at a store | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) / C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Campground pitch, servicedcheck | C$27–43 (≈ US$20–35) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$15–35 (≈ US$11–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Distances are long: Québec City is 420 km (261 mi) (5–6 h) and the next fuel and food east are far apart. Fill up in town.Distances are long: Québec City is 261 mi (420 km) (5–6 h) and the next fuel and food east are far apart. Fill up in town.
- Route 389 north of Manic-5 is gravel for long stretches; do not attempt it in a small car or without a spare.
- Mobile coverage is patchy: 3G in town, little or nothing on the highway and rural stretches.
- Winter runs roughly Nov–Apr with heavy snow; many seasonal businesses and campgrounds close.
- Ferry and bus seats in summer sell out: reserve, especially with a vehicle.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
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Baie-ComeauBaie-Comeau
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)811
Embassy
No embassies here; the US consulate general is in Québec City or Montréal, and most other countries keep missions in Ottawa, Montréal or Québec City. Check before you rely on one.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Matane → Baie-Comeau: about 2 h 20 min; reserve ahead, especially with a vehicle (check)
- Intercar bus Québec City → Baie-Comeau: about 7 h 15 min; daily (check)
- Intercar bus Baie-Comeau → Sept-Îles: about 3 h 45 min; several days a week (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello / Good day (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- S'il vous plaît — Please (seel voo PLEH)
- Excusez-moi — Excuse me (ex-koo-zay MWAH)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Où est le terminal du traversier ? — Where is the ferry terminal? (oo eh luh tair-mee-NAL doo tra-vair-SYAY)
French is the everyday language; a few words go 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 Baie-Comeau. 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 (snow, cold, some services closed) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YBC: confirm which carriers still fly and on which days, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Place La Salle, boulevard Laflèche, Hauterive, Route 389 turnoff.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Manic-2 pavilion, Manic-5 viewpoint, Camping Boréal, Matane ferry terminal) and eat pages with last orders.
- Ferry and bus arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.