Major city · Canada
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Go for a day from Montréal; stay overnight if visiting during the balloon festival. Check the 2026 dates and tickets.
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu is a city of about 92,000 on the Richelieu River, roughly 40 km southeast of Montréal. Visit for its old quarter, Fort Saint-Jean, canal-side cycling and the International Balloon Festival. A day trip covers the central sights; an overnight makes sense for the festival or nearby countryside.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep; festival dates vary
- avoid Nov–Mar for outdoor activities; check seasonal opening dates
- Airports
- YJN · YUL
- 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.
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-Jean-sur-Richelieu911 ▾
- Police, fire and ambulance911
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-Jean-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
- SafetyUse normal city precautions.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and 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.
- AirportYJN Saint-Jean Municipal Airport (General aviation airport southwest of downtown; not the usual commercial gateway.).
- Getting aroundThe city has local and commuter buses, including Route 96 service from Montréal.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Museum or sight ticketFort Saint-Jean Museum admissionC$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) listed; check current prices and opening dates.
- Budget bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$110 (≈ US$80)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$170 (≈ US$130)
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomC$300 (≈ US$250)
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
- YJN Saint-Jean Municipal Airport (General aviation airport southwest of downtown; not the usual commercial gateway.) · YUL Montréal-Trudeau International (Main commercial airport for the area; onward transport to Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu: check.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
Feb
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Mar
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Apr
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
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
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Nov
Avoid
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Dec
Avoid
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Mar. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C) low), wettest Jan (14 rain days), driest Feb (11). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Saint-Jean-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
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
−14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C)
14 rd
Feb
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
11 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)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Aug
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Sep
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
Oct
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Nov
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
13 rd
Dec
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
14 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
The city has local and commuter buses, including Route 96 service from Montréal. A car is useful for sights outside the centre. The Chambly Canal has a cycling path along its east bank; the listed route is about 20 km.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mont-Saint-Grégoire
goDoor to door: check
Transport options: check
Orchards and maple-sugar operations; check seasonal opening.
Montréal
goDoor to door: check
Route 96 bus service is listed; check current timetable and fare.
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.
Vieux-Saint-Jean
Central for the Fort Saint-Jean Museum, regional ceramics museum and riverfront.
Boulevard du Séminaire Nord
A hotel is listed near Highway 35; check current rates and parking.
Iberville
A separate city sector with shopping and local services; accommodation options and transport: check.
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
- 2026 estimate: check
- Mid
- 2026 estimate: check
- High
- 2026 estimate: check
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 1 night × C$170 | C$170 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Route 96 bus from Montréal2 × C$15 · 2026 estimate; check current fare. | C$30 |
| International Balloon Festival admission2 × C$45 · 2026 estimate; check dates, ticket types and prices. | C$90 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$61 |
| Trip total≈ C$336 per person per day, bed included | C$671≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate; check current rates.
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; confirm lodging, transport and event costs before booking. Sales tax may be added. Flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Fort Saint-Jean Museum admission | C$2–4 (≈ US$2–3) listed; check current prices and opening dates. |
| Musée du Haut-Richelieu admission | C$4–10 (≈ US$3–8) listed; check current prices and opening dates. |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Check current Route 96 timetables before relying on the bus for a day trip.
- Festival dates, ticket details and balloon flights depend on the event programme and weather; confirm before booking.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Saint-Jean-sur-RichelieuSaint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; check Montréal for consular services.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Route 96 bus from Montréal: Check current timetable and fare.
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- 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)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
French is the everyday language. Canada’s emergency number is 911.
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-Jean-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: Jun–Sep; festival dates vary · avoid Nov–Mar for outdoor activities; check seasonal opening dates · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YUL: last bus and train times field-checked, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking cluster for Vieux-Saint-Jean with rescue anchors: fort, ceramics museum, riverfront, Lagabiere.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Fort Saint-Jean Museum, Musée du Haut-Richelieu, Chambly Canal lock) and eat pages with last orders.
- Balloon-festival fixture: dated tickets, weather-cancellation rule, shuttle and parking plan.