Major city · Canada
Rivière-du-Loup
Stay one night as a Saint Lawrence stopover: the falls park and ferry crossing are the draw, not a multi-day base.
Rivière-du-Loup is a 20,000-person service town on the south shore of the Saint Lawrence, 200 km northeast of Québec City at the junction of Autoroute 20 and Autoroute 85. It works as a break on the drive to the Gaspé or the Maritimes, or as a ferry hop to the north shore. Two nights is the most most travellers need.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep
- avoid Nov–Apr (cold, ice, many seasonal services closed)
- Airport
- YRI
- 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 Rivière-du-Loup911 ▾
- Police, fire, 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 Rivière-du-Loup, 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 quiet regional town and generally safe to walk at night.
Show all 12 answers
- 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.
- AirportYRI Rivière-du-Loup Airport (Charter and private aircraft only; no scheduled service.
- Getting aroundThe centre is small enough to walk: rue Lafontaine between Laval and Sainte-Anne holds most shops and restaurants.
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 mealPub or café main courseC$15–30 (≈ US$11–25)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum adult entrycheck; plus taxC$7 (≈ US$6)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personC$30 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomC$260 (≈ US$190)
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
- YRI Rivière-du-Loup Airport (Charter and private aircraft only; no scheduled service. Most arrivals come by car, bus or train.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
Feb
Avoid
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
Mar
Avoid
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Apr
Avoid
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
May
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Jun
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jul
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Aug
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Sep
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Oct
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Nov
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Dec
Avoid
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
Best: Jun–Sep. Avoid: Nov–Apr. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)), coolest Jan (−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Rivière-du-Loup: 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°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
−16°C (3°F)3°F (−16°C)
12 rd
Feb
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
−15°C (5°F)5°F (−15°C)
10 rd
Mar
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
11 rd
Apr
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
11 rd
May
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
12 rd
Jun
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
12 rd
Jul
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
13 rd
Aug
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Sep
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Oct
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Nov
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
13 rd
Dec
−3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°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
The centre is small enough to walk: rue Lafontaine between Laval and Sainte-Anne holds most shops and restaurants. A car is the practical way to reach Parc des Chutes and the highway motels. VIA Rail's Ocean stops at 615 rue Lafontaine, and Orléans Express coaches stop in town.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Trois-Pistoles
goDoor to door: About 35 min
Autoroute 20 east, about 40 km (25 mi)Autoroute 20 east, about 25 mi (40 km)
Small riverside town; pairs with a coastal drive.
Rimouski
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min by car
Autoroute 20 east, about 100 km (62 mi); Orléans Express also runs it in about 1 h 30 minAutoroute 20 east, about 62 mi (100 km); Orléans Express also runs it in about 1 h 30 min
Bigger service town with the Pointe-au-Père lighthouse site.
Saint-Siméon (north shore)
goDoor to door: About 1 h 30 min terminal to terminal
Traverse Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon ferry, about 1 h 5 min
Seasonal, Easter to early January; car space should be booked ahead.
Saint-Louis-du-Ha! Ha!
cautionDoor to door: About 45 min
Autoroute 85 / Route 185 southeast, about 60 km (37 mi)Autoroute 85 / Route 185 southeast, about 37 mi (60 km)
A sign-and-stop curiosity rather than a destination; combine with the drive to New Brunswick.
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.
Rue Lafontaine / downtown
Walkable core: restaurants, shops, hostel and the train station. Best for one night without a car.
Rue Fraser and Boulevard Armand-Thériault
Motels and larger hotels with parking on the highway edge of town; best if you drive on in the morning.
Rue Hayward / waterfront
Ferry terminal and marina side; convenient for an early crossing to Saint-Siméon.
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$140–230 (≈ US$110–170) excl. bed
- High
- C$230 (≈ US$170)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × C$150 | C$150 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$160 | C$320 |
| Ferry to Saint-Siméon, adult return2 × C$42 · check; vehicle space is charged separately | C$84 |
| Île aux Lièvres boat crossing, adult return2 × C$48 · check; taxes extra | C$96 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$70 |
| Trip total≈ C$385 per person per day, bed included | C$770≈ US$600 |
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; sales tax is added at checkout and long-distance travel is excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | C$2.50–5 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Pub or café main course | C$15–30 (≈ US$11–25) |
| Three-course meal | C$19–39 (≈ US$14–30) |
| Museum adult entrycheck; plus tax | C$7 (≈ US$6) |
| Ferry, adult one waycheck; child 7–12 C$14.10, senior C$19.10, vehicle C$49.90 | C$21 (≈ US$16) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Winter is long and icy; many seasonal attractions and the ferry shut between early January and Easter.
- The ferry to Saint-Siméon is seasonal and runs 2–4 round trips a day depending on the season: book the car slot ahead in summer.
- Île aux Lièvres and the lighthouse inn have very few beds; reserve weeks ahead for July–August.
- Rural highways here see moose at dawn and dusk: slow down and scan the shoulder.
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.
Rivière-du-LoupRivière-du-Loup
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s'il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies here; US consulate general in Montréal, most other countries in Ottawa. For an emergency passport, start with your capital-city embassy.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Rivière-du-Loup → Saint-Siméon: about C$21 (≈ US$16) adult one way, about 1 h 5 min (check)
- Coach Québec City → Rivière-du-Loup: about 2 h 30 min–3 h, fare varies by date (check)
- Taxi across town: short hops only; agree the fare or check the meter
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bon-ZHOOR)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-SEE)
- Combien ça coûte ? — How much is it? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT)
- Où est le traversier ? — Where is the ferry? (oo ay luh tra-ver-SYAY)
- Puis-je payer par carte ? — Can I pay by card? (pweezh pay-YAY par KART)
- L'addition, s'il vous plaît — The bill, please (la-dee-SYON seel voo PLEH)
French is the everyday language; a bonjour before a question goes 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 Rivière-du-Loup. 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 (cold, ice, many seasonal 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
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YRI: confirm there is no scheduled service, so arrivals default to car, coach or the Ocean.
- Walking cluster on rue Lafontaine with rescue anchors: train station, tourist office, market square, waterfront.
- Place pages with verified hours for the museum, Parc des Chutes and the ferry terminal.
- Seasonal fixtures for the ferry and Île aux Lièvres so the winter and summer versions of the page differ.
Sources
- officialTourisme Rivière-du-Loup
- officialVille de Rivière-du-Loup
- officialVIA Rail — Rivière-du-Loup station
- officialTraverse Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon
- officialOrléans Express
- officialMusée du Bas-Saint-Laurent
- secondaryWikivoyage: Rivière-du-Loup, revision 5259555 (CC BY-SA 4.0)