An 8 Day Girl’s Trip Itinerary from Toronto to Montréal

If Canada has been sitting on your dream travel list for years, this is the kind of itinerary that makes it feel possible. It brings together big-city Toronto energy, food markets, skyline views, train journeys, national capital culture, Québec wellness and the creative buzz of Montréal.

Created for the City Girl Guide to Canada in partnership with Air Transat, this itinerary has been designed to make exploring eastern Canada as simple and rewarding as possible. It begins with a direct flight from London Gatwick to Toronto (direct flights are also available year-round from Manchester and Glasgow) before taking you on an unforgettable journey through Ottawa and into Québec’s Outaouais region, finishing in Montréal with a direct flight home to London Gatwick.

Rather than retracing your steps, this route allows you to keep moving forwards, experiencing something completely different at every stop. From Toronto's buzzing neighbourhoods and waterfront, to the historic charm of Ottawa, the calming escape in Outaouais’ Gatineau Park and the European feel of Montréal, every destination builds naturally on the last. It saves valuable travel time, avoids unnecessary backtracking and means you can spend more of your trip discovering Canada.

Whether you're planning your very first Canadian adventure or looking for an itinerary that makes the most of your time, this point-to-point route is one of the smartest and most enjoyable ways to experience eastern Canada.

Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Toronto

Start your adventure with Air Transat's direct flight from London Gatwick to Toronto, arriving in the afternoon with plenty of time to ease into the city. Rather than trying to pack too much into your first day, use the evening to settle into your hotel, stretch your legs after the flight and start soaking up the atmosphere. A gentle stroll around your neighbourhood, whether that's the trendy streets of West Queen West, the waterfront or the historic Distillery District, is the perfect way to get your bearings.

Toronto is a city best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, with each neighbourhood offering its own personality, independent cafés, restaurants and local shops to discover. We checked into the iconic Gladstone House, wandered along Queen Street West, through Trinity Bellwoods Park and into Cocktail Bar in Dundas West. There are plenty of incredible restaurants in Toronto to choose from for your evening meal, but we’d recommend dinner at Grey Gardens in one of Toronto’s most eclectic neighbourhoods, Kensington Market.

Day 2: Food, Islands and Toronto neighbourhoods

This is your one full day in Toronto, so pack in as much as you can to make the most of it. Start early at St. Lawrence Market, one of the city's most atmospheric food spots. We took a food tour with Culinary Adventure Co, where our guide Kevin introduced us to the delicacies of this historic marketplace. Try a Peameal bacon sandwich, oysters, and/or Ice Wine to bring together a truly Canadian experience. 

Then head to the Distillery District for cobbled streets, independent shops, public art and SOMA Chocolatemaker. We stopped in at El Catrin Destileria for Mexican cuisine that was both delicious and nourishing. 

In the afternoon, take the ferry from Jack Layton Ferry Terminal to Toronto Islands for skyline views and a quieter side of the city. We travelled to Centre Island, where we hired bikes to explore the island. In good weather, it is one of the loveliest ways to see Toronto, and you get the best skyline views! There are sandy white beaches to explore on the far side of the island. It’s also home to the iconic Hanlan’s Point, Canada’s oldest surviving queer space and host of Canada’s first ever Gay Pride in 1971.

Once back in Toronto, travel to Riverdale Park East to watch the sun set over the Toronto skyline. Then finish the day with dinner in Little Portugal or West Queen West. We grabbed a bite at Conejo Negro, a carribean inspired bar and kitchen in Little Portgual. There is always something going on in the streets or patios of Toronto. We’d recommend checking out Destination Toronto’s website for any events and festivals taking place when you visit.

Day 3: Travel to Ottawa with VIA Rail

Take the 5 hour VIA Rail train from Toronto to Ottawa through Ontario’s countryside. Rail travel is a brilliant addition to a Canada itinerary because the journey becomes part of the story.

Arrive in Ottawa in the afternoon, check in and keep the evening simple.  

We checked in to AC Hotel Ottawa in Downtown, which is a 5 minute walk from Ottawa’s iconic ByWard Market and 11 minutes from Parliament Hill and the Rideau Canal. It’s also 3 minutes away from Ottawa’s shopping centre, CF Rideau Centre.

We were caught in a rain shower, and explored the CF Rideau Centre before wandering to Starling Restaurant in ByWard Market. Timing dependent, we’d also highly recommend taking a narrated cruise along the Rideau Canal, or booking onto the Lady Dive Amphibus Tour, where the tour bus dives into the river! 

Day 4: Ottawa to Outaouais

Take a leisurely stroll from the hotel through Byward Market, Major Hills Park and Parliament Hill. You could even squeeze in a trip to the National Gallery of Canada, sitting opposite Major Hills Park, before crossing from Ottawa into Gatineau and the Outaouais region. The Aqua Taxi from Parliament to the Canadian Museum of History is a memorable way to make the transfer feel like an experience rather than just transport. 

Visit the Canadian Museum of History, with its stunning architecture and rich collection of artifacts. The Museum is large, so we recommend making time to wander around and see everything it has to offer, as well as booking a tour. Once you are ready and hungry, walk across the street to Bobino Bagel for lunch. 

In the afternoon, continue on to Chelsea via taxi for a gin tasting at Distillerie du Square (https://squareoldchelsea.ca/distillerie/), before checking in at Lofts du Village. It’s an idyllic place to stay that puts you right in the heart of nature in Outaouais. You may even spot raccoons!

Whilst Chelsea has a great restaurant offering, we’d highly recommend dinner at L'Oree du Bois, a short walk from Lofts Du Village through woodland and past a rushing river. 

Round off your day at Nordik Spa Village, the largest Nordik Spa in North America. Sitting on the edge of Gatineau Park, this incredible spa has been carefully designed for optimum relaxation. 

Day 5: E-bikes, Gatineau Park and Montréal

Start with breakfast at Biscotti & Cie before heading out on an electric bike ride with Nomades du Parc Gatineu Park is built well for cycling, and there is a lot to see. 

We travelled to Pink Lake and the Mackenzie King Estate with Lac Kingsmere, but Champlain Lookout is another popular place to cycle to with incredible views of the park and Ottawa River. This is the nature-filled moment of the itinerary: lakes, woodland, views and fresh air. You can also catch a glimpse at local wildlife, including chipmunks, racoons, or turtles.

After lunch at Chelsea Pub, transfer to Ottawa station and take the VIA Rail to Montréal. The train ride takes approximately 2 hours, and allows you to take in more of the sites along Eastern Canada.

Once you arrive in Montréal, check in at your hotel – we stayed Hotel Bonaventure Montréal opposite the train station in the Downtown area – and wander into the city. 

We’d highly recommend venturing starting with a drink at Terrasse Place D’Armes with views of the iconic Notre-Dame Basilica. Then head for dinner; if you’re looking for something a little more upmarket, go to Monarque. 

Days 6: Markets, Murals and Montréal food

Montréal feels like a city that you want to take your time exploring. Start with the Old Port, ideally from the water on a Le Petit Navire boat tour. The sites are fantastic from the water. Then travel via Metro (STM) to lean into the food scene with lunch at Juliette Plaza Bistro in Little Italy. A short walk away is Jean-Talon Market, with fresh produce from across Québec. 

Add a mural walking tour to understand the city's creative side. We explored Montréal’s Murals with Melanie Renaud, and we were lucky to be in the city for the time of the Mural Festival. The city comes alive with new artworks during the Mural Festival (held in June every year), and the Saint-Laurent Boulevard is lined with stalls and music. 

We finished the day with dinner at Larrys, where we tasted cuisine prepared by Chef Ruby Gatt - who was recently a contestant on Top Chef Canada! Larry's is close to lots of bars and pubs to explore for an after dinner drink. We’d highly recommend checking out Siboire Saint-Laurent.

Days 7: Bota Bota, Old Port and The Ring

Photography by Pippa Moyle, using a Sony RX100 VII from MPB

Start the morning with coffee (or matcha) at Café Olimpico before heading to Bota Bota, Spa-sur-l’eau in the Old Port. Set across converted ships, this floating spa offers hot and cold pools, saunas, steam rooms and relaxation spaces overlooking the river and Montréal skyline. It was one of our favourite experiences in the city and a welcome opportunity to slow down after several busy days of exploring.

Afterwards, stay around the Old Port and take a ride on La Grande Roue de Montréal for wide-reaching views across the waterfront and surrounding neighbourhoods. From here, make your way Downtown for lunch at Le Cathcart, a stylish food hall beneath a striking glass pavilion, with restaurants, bars and casual counters arranged around a lively central garden.

Spend the afternoon exploring The Ring at Place Ville Marie before discovering Montréal’s Underground City, a vast network connecting shopping centres, hotels, transport hubs and downtown buildings. It is especially useful during the colder months, but also makes it easy to combine sightseeing with some shopping. Finish the day with dinner at Kazu, a lively Japanese restaurant known for creative izakaya-style dishes, excellent sashimi and bold daily specials.

Days 8: Mont Royal, Museums and a flight home

Make the most of your final morning with coffee (or matcha) at Melk before travelling up to Mount Royal. Head to the Kondiaronk Lookout for one of the best panoramic views in Montréal, with the Downtown skyline spreading out below. You can reach the park by walking up the stairs from Downtown, or taking a taxi to the car park and following the walking trails to the lookout. We opted for the latter, taking the steps back to Downtown.

For a memorable late lunch, book a table at Portus 360. The revolving dining room serves refined Portuguese cuisine alongside sweeping views, allowing you to see Montréal from another perspective before leaving. Afterwards, spend some time at the McCord Stewart Museum, where exhibitions explore the city’s social history, photography, fashion and design.

The late Air Transat flight from Montréal to London Gatwick means your final day can still feel like a proper day of the holiday rather than one spent waiting around for the airport. Leave enough time to collect your luggage and travel to Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, but enjoy every last opportunity to explore before heading home.

Final Thoughts

For a first girls' trip to Canada, this itinerary strikes the perfect balance. It gives you a little bit of everything: vibrant cities, incredible food, scenic train journeys, rich culture and moments of relaxation, all wrapped up in one unforgettable adventure. From exploring Toronto's buzzing neighbourhoods and discovering Ottawa's history to wandering the charming streets of Montréal and unwinding at a Nordic spa, every stop offers something different without feeling overwhelming.

What makes this route so special is its pace. Rather than trying to squeeze too much into one trip, it allows you to experience each destination properly while keeping travel between them straightforward and enjoyable. It truly is the trip of a lifetime.

This article was created in partnership with Air Transat, VIA Rail, Destination Toronto, Tourism Ottawa, Bonjour Québec, Outaouais, Tourisme Montréal as part of the City Girl Guide to Canada.