Major city · Canada
Saint-Basile-le-Grand
Skip as a base: it is a residential suburb 25 km from Montréal with one listed hotel. Come for a half-day on the exo train, or sleep in Beloeil or Mont-Saint-Hilaire (lodging availability: check).Skip as a base: it is a residential suburb 16 mi from Montréal with one listed hotel. Come for a half-day on the exo train, or sleep in Beloeil or Mont-Saint-Hilaire (lodging availability: check).
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- May–Oct for cycling and the river; Sep–Oct for colour
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, few services open); mud season in March
- Airports
- YUL · YMX
- 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.
Saint-Basile-le-Grand is a residential and commercial town of about 16,700 people on the Mont-Saint-Hilaire commuter line, 25 km east of Montréal. Its draw is small: a stretch of old houses on rue Principale, a riverside launch ramp and 20 km of bike paths. Most travellers pass through on the way to Mont-Saint-Bruno or the Richelieu valley towns, and one night is enough if you stop at all.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Saint-Basile-le-Grand, 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 by big-city standards; the real risks are Route 116 traffic, winter ice and thin late-night services.
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire and 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.
- AirportcheckYUL Montréal-Trudeau (The usual gateway for this area; drive time and route: check.).
- Getting aroundA car is the practical option: Route 116 runs along the railway and Route 223 follows the Richelieu River.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and pastry at a local bakeryC$5–9 (≈ US$4–7)
- Sit-down mealDinner main at a local restaurantC$20–35 (≈ US$15–30)
- Street or quick mealCasual lunch (soup, sandwich or pizza slice)C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19)
- Beerdraught in a bar / can at the storeC$8–10 (≈ US$6–8)C$3–4 (≈ US$3)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 mi5 km taxi3.1 mi taxiC$15–20 (≈ US$11–15)
- Metro or bus rideexo train ride, one zoneC$4–7 (≈ US$3–6)
- Budget bedHostel or shared bed (nearest options in Longueuil or Montréal), a night, per personC$45 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedHotel double room (Hôtel Le Mirage or nearby), a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedHotel double room (Hôtel Le Mirage or nearby), a night, per roomC$240 (≈ US$180)
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
- YUL Montréal-Trudeau (The usual gateway for this area; drive time and route: check.) · YMX Montréal Mirabel (Scheduled passenger service: check before planning around it.)
Weather and climate
Saint-Basile-le-Grand: 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°C23°F
−14°C7°F
10 rd
Feb
−3°C27°F
−13°C9°F
9 rd
Mar
2°C36°F
−7°C19°F
11 rd
Apr
11°C52°F
1°C34°F
11 rd
May
19°C66°F
8°C46°F
12 rd
Jun
24°C75°F
14°C57°F
12 rd
Jul
27°C81°F
17°C63°F
11 rd
Aug
26°C79°F
16°C61°F
10 rd
Sep
21°C70°F
11°C52°F
10 rd
Oct
13°C55°F
5°C41°F
11 rd
Nov
5°C41°F
−2°C28°F
11 rd
Dec
−2°C28°F
−10°C14°F
11 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
A car is the practical option: Route 116 runs along the railway and Route 223 follows the Richelieu River. The exo Mont-Saint-Hilaire line stops at Saint-Basile-le-Grand station (121 rue de la Gare) and reaches downtown Montréal; frequency and journey time: check the exo timetable before you rely on it. Local buses are sparse; taxis must be called.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Car via Route 116 west, about 15 min; summer RTL shuttle in season
Open year-round; trails, cross-country ski and snowshoe rental. Arrive before 10:00 at weekends.Open year-round; trails, cross-country ski and snowshoe rental. Arrive before 10:00 AM at weekends.
Beloeil
goDoor to door: About 20 min
Car via Route 223 north along the Richelieu, about 10 min
Riverfront, restaurants and a better evening than Saint-Basile.
Mont-Saint-Hilaire
goDoor to door: About 20 min
exo train one stop east, or 10 min by car
Nature reserve hikes and a small old village.
Door to door: About 35 min
Car via Route 223 south, about 20 min
Fort Chambly and the basin; a half-day with lunch.
Montréal
goDoor to door: About 1 h
exo Mont-Saint-Hilaire line from Saint-Basile-le-Grand station, or car via the Victoria Bridge
Weekday trains are frequent; check the weekend timetable.
Saint-Denis-sur-Richelieu
cautionDoor to door: About 50 min
Car via Route 223 north, about 35 min
Small heritage village; combine with Saint-Charles and Saint-Antoine on one loop.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Route 116 strip (boulevard Sir-Wilfrid-Laurier)
Hôtel Le Mirage is the hotel listed in the sources, plus the restaurants and the train station. Practical for one night with a car; other lodging: check.
Vieux-Saint-Basile-le-Grand (rue Principale)
Old houses, bakery and café; almost no lodging. Stay here only if you have a rental with parking.
Beloeil or Mont-Saint-Hilaire (nearby)
10–15 min by car; more rooms, restaurants and riverfront than Saint-Basile — lodging availability: check.
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 room (Hôtel Le Mirage or nearby)1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| exo train, Saint-Basile-le-Grand to Montréal, one way2 × C$7 · 2026 estimate; check | C$14 |
| Car rental, one day, compact1 × C$70 · 2026 estimate; check | C$70 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 · 2026 estimate; check | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$59 |
| Trip total≈ C$327 per person per day, bed included | C$653≈ US$500 |
2026 estimate; check
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; flights excluded. All figures are estimates — check current rates. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and pastry at a local bakery | C$5–9 (≈ US$4–7) |
| Casual lunch (soup, sandwich or pizza slice) | C$15–25 (≈ US$11–19) |
| Dinner main at a local restaurant | C$20–35 (≈ US$15–30) |
| Beer, draught in a bar / can at the store | C$8–10 (≈ US$6–8) / C$3–4 (≈ US$3) |
| exo train ride, one zone | C$4–7 (≈ US$3–6) |
| 5 km taxi | C$15–20 (≈ US$11–15) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Commuter trains run mainly on weekdays: check the exo timetable before you rely on a weekend train.
- Route 116 has fast traffic and few crossings; cross at lights only.
- Winter sidewalks and the riverside path ice over; the launch ramp is removed in November.
- Restaurant kitchens close early in this suburb: last orders are often before 21:00.Restaurant kitchens close early in this suburb: last orders are often before 9:00 PM.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire and ambulance
- 911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)
- 811
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Saint-Basile-le-GrandSaint-Basile-le-Grand
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire and ambulance911
- Info-Santé (health advice, 24 h)811
Embassy
No embassies here; they are in Ottawa, with consulates in Montréal. US consulate general: Montréal (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- exo Saint-Basile-le-Grand → Montréal: about C$7 (≈ US$6) one way, 45–55 min
- Taxi Saint-Basile-le-Grand → Beloeil: C$18–25 (≈ US$14–19)
- Car, Saint-Basile-le-Grand → Montréal centre: 25 km, about 30 min off-peak16 mi, about 30 min off-peak
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Excusez-moi — Excuse me (ex-koo-zay-MWAH)
- 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 est la gare ? — Where is the station? (oo ay la GAR)
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-Basile-le-Grand. 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 for cycling and the river; Sep–Oct for colour · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, few services open); mud season in March · 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 YUL: taxi and rideshare bands, exo last-train check, overnight fallback.
- Walking clusters with anchors: rue Principale old village, Route 116 commercial strip, the station, the riverside ramp.
- Place pages with verified hours for the church, the municipal art collection and the library.
- Winter and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.