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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- 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 →
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.)
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°C23°F
−14°C7°F
14 rd
Feb
−3°C27°F
−13°C9°F
11 rd
Mar
3°C37°F
−6°C21°F
11 rd
Apr
12°C54°F
2°C36°F
11 rd
May
20°C68°F
8°C46°F
12 rd
Jun
25°C77°F
13°C55°F
12 rd
Jul
27°C81°F
16°C61°F
12 rd
Aug
26°C79°F
15°C59°F
12 rd
Sep
21°C70°F
10°C50°F
11 rd
Oct
14°C57°F
5°C41°F
12 rd
Nov
6°C43°F
−1°C30°F
13 rd
Dec
−2°C28°F
−10°C14°F
14 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
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 & 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 & 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.
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 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.