Ontario & French Canada Self-Launched: Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa & Québec City
9 days · Ontario & French Canada, Canada
Cosmos charges £1,490
No-markup version: ~£795 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Skip the coach and do Ontario & French Canada on your own terms. This self-launched version of the classic Cosmos circuit covers the same ground — Niagara Falls, the Thousand Islands, Ottawa, Québec City, Montréal, and Upper Canada Village — using intercity buses and trains, hostel dorms or budget hotels, and self-bookable activity tickets. You'll save hundreds of pounds compared to the guided tour price while keeping every major highlight. Estimated costs are approximate and based on budget traveller rates in Canada (~£30–45/day for accommodation, £15–20/day for food, plus activities).
Day-by-day
Arrive in Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Fly into Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). Take the UP Express train to Union Station (£10, ~25 mins) — the easiest and cheapest airport link. Check into your hostel in the downtown core around Kensington Market or Queen West. Spend the evening exploring the neighbourhood, grabbing dinner on Kensington Market's eclectic food strip, and getting your bearings. Pick up a Presto card for the TTC subway/bus network.
🚌UP Express train: Pearson Airport → Union Station, ~£10
🛏HI Toronto Hostel or Planet Traveler Hostel — dorm from £25–35/night, private room from £60
- →Arrive and take UP Express from Pearson Airport to Union Station (~£10)
- →Check in to hostel in downtown Toronto
- →Explore Kensington Market food scene for dinner
- →Pick up a Presto card for TTC transit
Niagara Falls & Toronto Sightseeing
Niagara Falls & Toronto, Ontario
Take an early GO Bus from Union Station to Niagara Falls (£12–15 return, ~2 hrs). Walk to the Hornblower/Niagara City Cruises boat tour at the base of the falls — self-bookable on GetYourGuide for around £20. After lunch in Niagara, return to Toronto on the GO Bus and join a self-guided walking tour of the banking district, City Hall, and the University of Toronto campus. Swing by Rogers Centre and the base of the CN Tower for photos. If the budget allows, book a CN Tower observation deck ticket online (~£25) or splurge on the revolving restaurant (~£60) for sunset views.
🚌GO Bus: Toronto ↔ Niagara Falls, ~£12–15 return
🛏HI Toronto Hostel or Planet Traveler Hostel
- →GO Bus from Toronto Union Station to Niagara Falls (~£12–15 return)
- →Niagara City Cruises boat tour at the base of the falls (self-book via GetYourGuide, ~£20)
- →Lunch in Niagara Falls town
- →Return to Toronto by GO Bus
- →Self-guided walk: banking district, Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto City Hall, University of Toronto, Rogers Centre
- →Optional: CN Tower observation deck (book online, ~£25) or revolving restaurant (~£60)
Kingston, Thousand Islands & Ottawa
Kingston → Thousand Islands → Ottawa, Ontario
Take an early Greyhound or FlixBus from Toronto to Kingston (~£20, 2.5 hrs). From Kingston, catch a local connection or rideshare to Rockport (approx. 1 hr), where you can self-book a Thousand Islands boat cruise with Rockport Cruises directly (~£18–25). After the cruise, continue by bus or shared shuttle to Ottawa (~£15–20, 2 hrs). Check in to your Ottawa hostel and stroll along the Rideau Canal for the evening.
🚌Bus chain: Toronto → Kingston → Rockport → Ottawa
🛏HI Ottawa Jail Hostel (unique historic stay) — dorm from £28, private from £65
- →Greyhound/FlixBus: Toronto → Kingston (~£20, ~2.5 hrs)
- →Local bus or rideshare: Kingston → Rockport (~£10)
- →Thousand Islands National Park boat cruise with Rockport Cruises (direct booking, ~£20)
- →Bus or shared shuttle: Rockport/Kingston → Ottawa (~£15–20)
- →Evening stroll along the Rideau Canal
Ottawa — Parliament Hill, Mint & Byward Market
Ottawa, Ontario
Ottawa is very walkable — use the city's O-Train or walk everywhere. Start with a free self-guided walk of Parliament Hill (free exterior/grounds access; book a free interior tour at parl.gc.ca). Head to the Royal Canadian Mint for a guided tour (~£10, book online). Walk through the embassy district and stroll down Sussex Drive. Lunch at Byward Market — Ottawa's oldest and most vibrant food market, full of cheap and delicious options. In the afternoon, cross the Ottawa River to Gatineau to visit the Canadian Museum of History (~£15 entry, self-guided).
🚌Walking and O-Train within Ottawa; free ferry to Gatineau in summer
🛏HI Ottawa Jail Hostel
- →Free self-guided walk of Parliament Hill (free guided tours bookable at parl.gc.ca)
- →Royal Canadian Mint guided tour (~£10, book online)
- →Walk through the embassy district along Sussex Drive
- →Lunch at Byward Market
- →Canadian Museum of History, Gatineau (~£15, self-guided)
- →Evening walk along the Ottawa River
Ottawa to Québec City via Cap-de-la-Madeleine
Ottawa → Trois-Rivières → Québec City, Québec
Take an Orleans Express or FlixBus from Ottawa to Québec City (~£25–30, ~3.5 hrs). Ask the driver or check schedules for a brief stop near Trois-Rivières to visit the Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Cap (Cap-de-la-Madeleine) — a beautiful national shrine with free entry, open to visitors. Continue to Québec City and check in to your hostel in the Old Town. For a real Québec sugar shack experience, pre-book the Érablière le Chemin du Roy Sugar Shack dinner excursion independently via GetYourGuide or directly (~£40–55 including dinner and guided maple extraction visit) — typically run in spring but replaced with farm/food tours at other times of year.
🚌Orleans Express / FlixBus: Ottawa → Québec City, ~£25–30
🛏Auberge Internationale de Québec — dorm from £28, private from £70
- →Orleans Express or FlixBus: Ottawa → Québec City (~£25–30, ~3.5 hrs)
- →Stop at Basilica of Notre-Dame-du-Cap, Trois-Rivières (free entry)
- →Check in to hostel in Old Québec
- →Optional: Érablière le Chemin du Roy Sugar Shack dinner excursion (pre-book via GetYourGuide, ~£40–55)
Old Québec City — Walled City & Historic Heart
Québec City, Québec
Spend the full day exploring Old Québec (UNESCO World Heritage Site) entirely on foot — it's compact and completely walkable. Start at Place d'Armes and admire the iconic Château Frontenac (exterior/lobby free). Walk through the Séminaire de Québec (Laval Seminary), visit the Citadelle of Québec for a guided tour (~£12), and descend the Breakneck Stairs (Escalier Casse-Cou) to Lower Town and Place Royale. Explore the cobblestone streets, browse local artisan shops, and grab a poutine or baguette sandwich for lunch. The city walls are free to walk. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a traditional Québécois restaurant in the Old Town.
🚌Walking throughout Old Québec
🛏Auberge Internationale de Québec
- →Self-guided walk: Place d'Armes, Château Frontenac (free exterior/lobby)
- →Séminaire de Québec (Laval Seminary) — exterior and grounds
- →Citadelle of Québec guided tour (~£12, book at the gate or online)
- →Walk the Old City walls (free)
- →Descend Breakneck Stairs to Lower Town and Place Royale
- →Poutine lunch in Old Town
- →Dinner at a traditional Québécois restaurant
Québec City to Montréal — Old City & Mount Royal
Montréal, Québec
Take the Orleans Express train or bus from Québec City to Montréal (~£18–25, ~3 hrs). Check into your hostel in the Plateau-Mont-Royal or Old Montréal neighbourhood. Spend the afternoon exploring Old Montréal (Vieux-Montréal) on foot — the Seminary of St. Sulpice, Notre-Dame Basilica (~£8 entry), and the old port. In the late afternoon, take the free or low-cost bus up to Parc du Mont-Royal for panoramic views over the city — the hike to the summit is free and takes about 30 mins from the Peel Metro stop. Grab dinner in the Plateau neighbourhood's vibrant restaurant scene.
🚌Orleans Express: Québec City → Montréal, ~£18–25; Montréal Metro (~£2/ride)
🛏HI Montréal Hostel or Auberge Bishop — dorm from £25, private from £65
- →Orleans Express: Québec City → Montréal (~£18–25, ~3 hrs)
- →Check in to hostel in Old Montréal or Plateau
- →Self-guided walk of Old Montréal: Seminary of St. Sulpice, old port
- →Notre-Dame Basilica entry (~£8)
- →Hike or bus to Mount Royal Park summit (free)
- →Dinner in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood
Upper Canada Village & Return to Toronto
Upper Canada Village → Toronto, Ontario
Take a Greyhound or FlixBus from Montréal to Morrisburg, Ontario (~£20–25), the closest stop to Upper Canada Village — a living history museum that recreates 19th-century Ontario village life. Entry is ~£15. Spend 2–3 hours exploring the costumed interpreters, heritage buildings, and working mills. Alternatively, you can hire a car for this day (~£50 split between travellers) for more flexibility. In the afternoon, continue by bus or drive west along the 401 corridor to Toronto (~2.5 hrs, £18–22 by bus). Check back in to your Toronto hostel.
🚌Bus: Montréal → Morrisburg → Toronto; or car hire (~£50/day)
🛏HI Toronto Hostel or Planet Traveler Hostel
- →Greyhound/FlixBus: Montréal → Morrisburg (~£20–25)
- →Upper Canada Village living history museum (~£15 entry, ~2–3 hrs)
- →Optional: rent a car for the day for flexibility (~£50 total, shareable)
- →Bus or drive: Morrisburg → Toronto (~2.5 hrs, ~£18–22 by bus)
- →Return to Toronto hostel
Final Day in Toronto — Depart
Toronto, Ontario
Enjoy a final morning in Toronto. If you haven't already, walk the waterfront along Lake Ontario, visit St. Lawrence Market (open Tue–Sat) for a legendary peameal bacon sandwich, or spend time in the Distillery District. Head to Pearson Airport via UP Express (£10) in time for your departing flight. Check UP Express schedules at upexpress.com and allow at least 2.5 hrs before your flight departure.
🚌UP Express: Union Station → Pearson Airport, ~£10
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Morning walk along the Toronto waterfront / Lake Ontario
- →Visit St. Lawrence Market for breakfast (peameal bacon sandwich, ~£5)
- →Explore the Distillery District
- →UP Express: Union Station → Pearson Airport (~£10, ~25 mins)
- →Depart Toronto
Self-launched vs. Cosmos
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Cosmos | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£795 | £1,490 |
| Duration | 9 days | 9 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £695 per person (47%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Cosmos-style trips? Check them out here.~£795
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Ontario & French Canada Self-Launched: Toronto, Niagara, Ottawa & Québec City cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £795 per person for 9 days in Ontario & French Canada, Canada. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Cosmos?+
Yes — Cosmos charges around £1,490 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £795 — a saving of roughly £695 (47%) per person.
How long is the Ontario & French Canada, Canada trip?+
This itinerary runs 9 days, covering 9 day-by-day stops through Ontario & French Canada, Canada.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a culture, city-breaks, backpacker trip through Ontario & French Canada, Canada, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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