Major city · Canada
Île d'Orléans
Go as a half-day or full-day loop from Québec City by car or bike: 34 km of road, 5 km from the bridge. Sleep over only if you want a farm-stay night.Go as a half-day or full-day loop from Québec City by car or bike: 21 mi of road, 3.1 mi from the bridge. Sleep over only if you want a farm-stay night.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Oct (farm stands and tasting rooms open); late Sep–mid-Oct for apples
- avoid Nov–Apr (most stands and tasting rooms closed, ice on the road)
- Airport
- YQB
- 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.
Île d'Orléans is a 34 km rural island in the Saint Lawrence, 5 km east of Québec City and reached by a bridge from Beauport. It is farmland and heritage houses, not a resort: cideries, wineries, a bakery, a maritime museum and a viewpoint over Montmorency Falls. Most visitors drive or cycle the perimeter road, Route 368, in a day. A car makes it easy; a weekday commuter bus runs three times a day. Winter closes most farm stands and tasting rooms.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Île d'Orléans, 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 safe.
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1 418-828-0033 Taxi de l'Île
- 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.
- AirportYQB Québec City Jean Lesage (About 30–40 min by car to the island bridge; no direct bus to the island from the airport).
- Getting aroundRoute 368 circles the island and crosses the bridge; a car is the practical way to cover the 34 km.Route 368 circles the island and crosses the bridge; a car is the practical way to cover the 21 mi.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and pastry at the bakeryC$5–10 (≈ US$4–8)
- Street or quick mealSandwich or pizza lunchC$12–20 (≈ US$9–15)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Museum or sight ticketParc maritime de Saint-Laurent entryC$5 (≈ US$4)
- Budget bedCottage (2–5 people), a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedB&B room, a night, per roomC$130 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedB&B room, a night, per roomC$170 (≈ US$130)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$60 (≈ US$45) · Mid C$130 (≈ US$95) · High C$250 (≈ 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
- YQB Québec City Jean Lesage (About 30–40 min by car to the island bridge; no direct bus to the island from the airport)
Weather and climate
Île d'Orléans: 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
−18°C0°F
15 rd
Feb
−7°C19°F
−17°C1°F
12 rd
Mar
1°C34°F
−10°C14°F
12 rd
Apr
9°C48°F
−2°C28°F
12 rd
May
18°C64°F
5°C41°F
13 rd
Jun
23°C73°F
10°C50°F
13 rd
Jul
26°C79°F
13°C55°F
13 rd
Aug
25°C77°F
12°C54°F
13 rd
Sep
19°C66°F
7°C45°F
12 rd
Oct
12°C54°F
2°C36°F
13 rd
Nov
4°C39°F
−4°C25°F
14 rd
Dec
−4°C25°F
−13°C9°F
16 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
Route 368 circles the island and crosses the bridge; a car is the practical way to cover the 34 km. Cycling the loop is popular and the shoulder is shared with traffic. A weekday commuter bus (PLUMobile) makes three trips a day between Québec City and the island. Taxi de l'Île serves the island.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Drive over the Île d'Orléans Bridge to Beauport, then Autoroute 440 west
The island is a day trip from the city, not the other way round.
Door to door: About 30 min
Drive Route 138 east along the north shore
Pairs with Montmorency Falls on the same loop.
Door to door: About 35 min
Drive Route 138 east past Beaupré
Basilica and shrine; often combined with the island by tour buses.
Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
Drive Route 138 east, then Route 360
Ski and outdoor base; only worth it if you are heading to the mountains.
L'Ange-Gardien
goDoor to door: About 25 min
Drive Route 138 east from Beauport
Small north-shore village on the way to the shrine.
Château-Richer
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive Route 138 east
Heritage village on the north shore.
Boischatel
goDoor to door: About 15 min
Drive Route 138 to the bridge approach
Montmorency Falls and the bridge to the island are here.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Sainte-Pétronille
Closest village to the bridge and the Montmorency Falls viewpoint; a few B&Bs, walkable to the western tip.
Saint-Laurent
Mid-island, waterfront B&Bs and the maritime museum; good base if you cycle the loop.
Saint-Jean and Sainte-Famille
Central and eastern villages; more B&Bs, the bakery and the pub, quiet at night.
Saint-Pierre
Near the bridge entrance; cideries and a resto-pub, easiest for a late arrival.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$60–110 (≈ US$45–80) excl. bed (own car, picnic, one tasting)
- Mid
- C$110–200 (≈ US$80–150) excl. bed (restaurant lunch, two tastings)
- High
- C$200 (≈ US$150)+ excl. bed (full restaurant meals, wine to take home)
Trip budget
| B&B room1 × 1 night × C$130 | C$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$130 | C$260 |
| Rental car, one day1 × C$90 | C$90 |
| Fuel, Québec City loop plus island1 × C$15 | C$15 |
| Parc maritime de Saint-Laurent entry2 × C$5 | C$10 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$56 |
| Trip total≈ C$306 per person per day, bed included | C$611≈ US$450 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; own car assumed. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and pastry at the bakery | C$5–10 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Sandwich or pizza lunch | C$12–20 (≈ US$9–15) |
| Restaurant main (black-currant dishes)Mains at La Monnaguette/Cassis Monna & Filles run C$13–20 | C$13–25 (≈ US$10–19) |
| Cider or wine tastingCidrerie Verger Bilodeau pours free samples | C$0–10 (≈ US$0–8) |
| Bottle of ice cider or wine to take home | C$15–40 (≈ US$11–30) |
| Parc maritime de Saint-Laurent entry | C$5 (≈ US$4) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- A car is the practical way around; without one you are limited to the three weekday buses and taxis.
- Most farm stands, cideries and wineries close from November to spring: check before you cross the bridge.
- The perimeter road is narrow and shared with cyclists and farm vehicles: drive slowly and pass wide.
- Cell coverage is fine, but some tasting rooms and stands are cash-only: carry some CAD.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Taxi de l'Île
- +1 418-828-0033
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Île d'OrléansÎle d'Orléans
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Taxi de l'Île+1 418-828-0033
Embassy
No embassies on the island; consulates and embassies are in Québec City and Ottawa. US consulate general is in Québec City (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Île d'Orléans Bridge: free, from Beauport
- Québec City → island, PLUMobile bus: three weekday trips, fare check
- Taxi across the island: metered, check with Taxi de l'Île
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mer-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Une table pour deux, s'il vous plaît — A table for two, please (ewn TABL poor DUH, seel voo PLEH)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- Où sont les toilettes ? — Where is the toilet? (oo son lay twa-LET)
French is the main language; English works in most tourism businesses.
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 Île d'Orléans. 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–Oct (farm stands and tasting rooms open); late Sep–mid-Oct for apples · avoid Nov–Apr (most stands and tasting rooms closed, ice on the road) · 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
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Bridge-to-bed contract for YQB: taxi and rental-car desk hours, last PLUMobile departure, overnight rung.
- Four village clusters with rescue anchors: Sainte-Pétronille, Saint-Laurent, Saint-Jean and Sainte-Famille, Saint-Pierre.
- Place pages with verified seasonal cutoffs (Parc maritime de Saint-Laurent, cideries, wineries) and eat pages with last orders.
- Winter and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialTourisme Île d'Orléans
- officialParc maritime de Saint-Laurent
- officialPLUMobile
- secondaryWikivoyage: Île d'Orléans, revision 5240533 (CC BY-SA 4.0)