Evening All, I'm contemplating a trip over for the Grand Prix in June, and was planning to stay on for another week or so (13th - 20th) to see a bit more of Canada, with Nova Scotia the current favourite. The two options seem to be: 1) Drive: This looks to be at least a two day drive to get to the general vicinity, with a two day return drive leaving me four days to explore the area. Alternatively Saint John, New Brunswick looks like it could be done in one day, with a ferry trip over to Digby the next day. The main problem I have here is trying to gauge driving times. It looks like there are some fairly major roads, so I should be able to make good time, but would want to avoid spending 12hours behind the wheel just to make the final destination. 2) Fly: On the face of it a more costly option, although car hire from Halifax seems to be cheaper than from Montreal, and I'd save a bit of cash on petrol. I'd also have a bit more time in the area. Any pointers for local/low cost airlines would be appreciated here; best price I've found is Air Canada @ £370 (approx $550cad). Thanks in Advance Adam
You may want to try Porter Airlines. Their website can be found here: https://www.flyporter.com/Flight/Tickets?culture=en-CA
Adam, May I suggest you rent a car in Montreal and drive to Quebec City. 2,5 hour drive and you get into North America's craddle. Nice sightseeing, excellent restaurants all at affordable prices.
Thanks, very useful. Yes, that's a great idea. I had been trying to work in some time there as it's a great looking city.
I agree, check out GlobeCar www.globecar.ca They have the cheapest prices in Montreal (it is guaranteed) and Free GPS.
Hi Adam, I live in Halifax, Nova Scotia and drive to Montreal at least once a year (usually fly though, ~$400). Driving time has averaged around 9.5 hours but that's pushing the speed limits a little . The highways in New Brunswick are like new and have little traffic during the day. Hope this helps. Oh, and Quebec City is beautiful... Jeff
Adam, I live in both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and if I had a limited window as you're suggesting, I would tend to fly from Montreal to Halifax. Driving down through NB would eat up the better part of a day and a lot of it is not that interesting if you don't have time to stop. Double all the thoughts on Quebec City, it's a must-see. I'd do a car trip Montreal - Quebec City (great scenery along the river) and back, then fly Montreal - Halifax which is really cheap. Once there, 4 -5 days would allow you to cover all that's good about NS. If you need suggestions, routes, can definitely help with that. Then, you could do NB on a later trip. The coastal areas, especially the Acadian Peninsula, are great to visit as well. Just some thoughts and I hope you enjoy your time in Canada regardless of your eventual choice...
Yes indeed, Troy. No traffic or police concerns either, notable considering the mostly two lane QC border to Riviere-du-Loup segment monitored by the QPP Cabano detachment. I guess he must be using the interstate . Two people who know better .
funny you bring up the QPP - i still owe them $500 for getting caught with a radar detector there back in '92. hahaha
Adam, If you are coming over for the GP in Montreal see the old town 18th century (boutiques, galeries and restaurants by the waterfront. Botanical gardens, biodome, more white water rafting in Lachine, see the Casino - catch a show Then come to Ottawa next see the Rideau Canal, several museums, tons of great retaurants, The Ferrari Festival is the following weekend then decide if you want to towards Mont Tremblant Quebec (former F1 circuit, large water slide parks, Nordic Spas,Amazing golf courses) Just east of Montreal , Bertier Quebec - Gilles Villeneuve museum Quebec city, see the old city fortress, galeries, restaurants the Montmorency falls, hit the Val Cartier waterpark (largest one yet) If you still have time go to Tadousac to the the Beluga whales may have missed a few things but by then you will have had a very memorable time and tasted great Canadian hospitality Denis
Yes 160kph. A math scholar on Fchat, who knew? I don't care for driving through NB so I put my foot down, ever tried it? Anyway, I'll wave the next time I pass you.
I'll be sure to get out of your way.... . Best I've ever done Montreal is 12 hrs... I'm gettin old... Edit - almost forgot, me and a few buddies years back cooked between mtl and tor averaging about 180... the whole way! God I'm glad I've never killed anyone on the road in my younger days, I was a dangerous little bastard
I've had too many run-ins with the police in my 20's (just speeding lol), probably desensitized me in a way. I remember my father's stories from the early 70's and thought he was bullshi##ing me . Had to try it for myself. I don't endorse or recommend it but those times are possible. I know a certain local 360 owner who probably shouldn't do it anymore haha. I am slowing down with age but have a ways to go. I tried keeping on the race track but it just made it worse... Honestly with today's speeding fines I wouldn't try it again, especially in Quebec. Some things that have helped in my travels, EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT INTERESTED IN SPEED (again I don't endorse it - I can't emphasize that enough): stay in the right side lane as much as possible, watch for deer not police (police are predictable), stop for gas only in Fredericton and St Helene (or somewhere close), lots of chocolate bars, stay vigilant - if it looks like a police car, it is a police car. There, I made myself look like a complete ass^ole. Nice 348 Troy. I drove one for a few days about 7-8 years ago. It was a lot of fun. My only issue was the A/C vents, my knees were frozen while the rest of me sweated. Good times. Jeff
Thanks. Yeah, with the new 'stunting' laws in effect for anything over 160 your looking at some serious quid and points. Times are gettin' tough!
Thanks for the advice folks. We all know hire cars are the fastest on the planet so 9.5hrs sounds like a challenge On a more serious note, I got a decent price for London/Montreal and Halifax/London direct flights, and Porter airlines are offering 30% off at the moment so I've gone that route for the Montreal/Halifax hop.
