Eastern Canada Fly Drives
City-hop on a driving tour
Canada's East Coast has some of the most iconic destinations, like Toronto and Niagara Falls. The cities are all amazing and it's so easy to drive between them, with much shorter driving distances than in the West. Our fly drive holidays take care of your return flights, car hire and all your hotels.
How to Book
Speak with our experts
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Call our experts
Ready to embark on an epic road trip in Eastern Canada? Whether you're ready to book or would just like some more advice on where to go and how to do it, our friendly Canada Travel Experts are on hand to help. Just tell us about your dream journey and we can match you up with the perfect carefully-prepared package or we can tailor-make a unique trip from scratch. Our driving holidays include return flights, all your hotels and your car hire.
Destinations
Choose your cities
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Toronto
You can fly to Toronto direct from London Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow. The city is the perfect place to start a fly drive holiday. It's so easy to pick up your car hire at Toronto airport, or you can pick up from downtown too if you fancy a few car-free days in the city. Toronto is packed with things to do, from galleries and museums to street food and shopping. Make sure you take a trip up the iconic CN Tower. -
Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls is just a 90-minute drive from Toronto, so it couldn't be easier to fly into the city, pick up your car and drive over. There are plenty of attractions at the astonishing falls, like the Hornblower boat cruise up to the face of the falls, the Journey Behind the Falls experience and even a zip line over the river! There are plenty of hotels with stunning views. You could even explore further into the Niagara wine region. -
Kingston
It's just over a two-hour drive from Toronto to Kingston, which enjoys an enviable position at the start of the St. Lawrence River. It's a vibrant hub in itself, but it's most famous for being the gateway to the spectacular 1000 Islands region. This beautiful and tranquil region consists of hundreds of islands and islets dotted all along the river. Some are big enough for impressive homes, while others only support a single tree! A river cruise here is a must. -
Ottawa
Ottawa is a 4 1/2 hour drive from Toronto or just over a two-hour drive from Kingston. This is Canada's capital city, and you'd be right to expect something special here. It's packed full of history and culture and has an exceptional collection of museums. The Gothic-style Parliament Buildings dominate the skyline and a tour inside will teach you all about Canada's varied history. The Rideau Canal is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which completely freezes over in winter. -
Montréal
You can fly direct from London Gatwick and Glasgow to Montréal or get a connecting flight via Toronto. This French-influenced city in the province of Québec exudes charm and romance. Montréal is famed for its lively culture, winding cobbled streets and delicious food! Try Rue St. Denis for great little pubs and restaurants or the city's namesake hill, Mont-Royal, for incredible views. Make sure you sample local Montréal smoked meat (a little like pastrami) while you're there. -
Québec City
You can fly to Québec City via Montréal or drive there in under three hours from Montréal. The city oozes old world charm, with Parisian-style cafes and spellbinding architecture. The iconic Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac overlooks the vibrant waterfront along the St. Lawrence River which is perfect for a stroll. The UNESCO World Heritage treasure of Old Québec is infinitely friendly and walkable, filled with interesting streets to explore. Make sure you get out to Montmorency Falls, 15 minutes away.
Hotels
The best places to stay
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Hotels for a tailor-made tour
Where you'll stay each night is one of the most important elements on your driving holiday. We've got hundreds of hotels to choose from with big names like Fairmont, Hilton and Sheraton right in the heart of the action. When you tailor-make with us, we'll make sure you enjoy the nights as much as the days! Whether it's downtown Toronto, Niagara Falls with a view, or a cabin in the Québec countryside, we'll find hotels that perfectly match your itinerary. -
Hotels in your packaged itinerary
If you book a pre-packaged tour with hotels included, you can still upgrade your accommodation for an extra-special experience. Your fly drive holiday package will come with hotels carefully pre-selected in the perfect locations to match your itinerary. All hotels will be 3* as a minimum, but you can upgrade to 4* or 5* hotels where available if you're after a luxury experience. The Deluxe level of touring is the finest way to fly drive!
Car Hire
Choose your Avis car
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Choose your ride with Avis
We partner with Avis so that you can choose from a wide range of new cars which are fully serviced and come with impeccable customer support. We'll help you choose the right car for your trip and talk you through everything you need to do. Then you simply pick up the keys once you arrive in your choice of airport or downtown destination. On the East Coast, you'll find convenient depots in places like Toronto and Montréal. -
Small and medium hire cars
If you're doing a lot of city hopping, you might feel more comfortable driving a smaller car. Avis offers great value and practical smaller cars like their Compact, Economy and Intermediate cars. These are perfect for couples, a few friends or small family groups. Just give our Canada Experts a call and they'll be happy to help you pick the right car, insurance and mileage package to suit your planned trip. -
SUVs and people carriers
If you're travelling in a larger group, driving long distances or want a bit of extra space, you might feel most comfortable in one of Avis' larger cars. Their Sports Utility Vehicles give you a 4x4 driving experience and come in three sizes, from Midsize (seating 5 adults comfortably) to Premium, which can seat up to 7 adults comfortably. There is also a more wallet-friendly Minivan option which provides 7 seats at a lower price than the larger hire cars.
Excursions
Add tours & extras
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Add on tours and extras
Getting there is only half the fun. There is so much to see and do once you arrive at each destination. Our most popular East Coast tours are city sightseeing and whale watching. Joining a bus tour, walking tour or even a foodie tour is a great way to learn what the locals love. Québec and Atlantic Canada are some of the best places in the world for whale watching, so definitely add a whale watching excursion onto your holiday.
Top Tips
How to drive Canada
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Driving conditions
Canadian roads are wide and quiet, which makes driving on them a dream. However, make sure you take extra care if travelling in winter when roads can be icy or snowy. Also, keep an eye out for wildlife when you're driving through provincial and national parks. Although it's an amazing experience to see a moose trundle along the road in front of you, you wouldn't want to hit one! Be mindful of cars behind you if you stop for photos too. -
Rules of the road
Make sure you don't speed while you're in Canada. Not only will you miss the sights, you'll also be liable for any fines you pick up. Speed limits vary by province so check before you go, but often motorways have a 100km/h limit while towns have a 50km/h limit. Make sure you also keep an eye on fuel stops too. Although East Canada is usually better serviced than the West, you should still take care if you're driving through rural areas. -
Ferries in Atlantic Canada
If you're driving the stunning Atlantic Canada provinces, you'll find that ferries are an essential and enjoyable way to get around. Bay Ferries operate across the Bay of Fundy linking Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick at ports like Saint John and Digby. Marine Atlantic is the service you'll need to cross the Cabot Strait between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Crossings come included in our packages and we can also help you if you tailor-make.
Our favourite Canada driving routes
Get inspired by some iconic driving routes taking in the best of Eastern Canada
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Show Map
Eastern Spirit
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Show Map
A Journey Beyond Nature
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Show Map
Routes des Voyageurs
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Show Map
Eastern Express
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Show Map
French Culture, Lobster & Lighthouses
See the East Coast drives for yourself
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Watch Video
The Cabot Trail
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Watch Video
Fundy Coast
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Watch Video
Muskoka & Algonquin
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Watch Video
Road trips in Québec
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Watch Video
Driving Newfoundland & Labrador
Your East Coast Canada fly drive holiday
Are you looking for more information about what you can find on an East Coast Canada fly drive? Ask our Canada holiday experts! You can find stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean from some of the world’s most iconic driving routes. The Cabot Trail around Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton Island is renowned for its fabulous cliff-top bends and wide, ocean views. You can find vibrant cities all within easy driving distances of each other. Try a Toronto fly drive and visit Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City in the same trip. Expect stunning lakes, hundreds of rivers and forest wilderness in Ontario. The province of Québec will delight you with its French heritage and verdant pastures. The Maritimes promise beaches, seafood and delightful fishing villages.
Wherever tickles your fancy, we can help you build the perfect Eastern Canada self-drive itinerary to get you there. We can advise the best way to see sights like Lake Ontario, Niagara Falls and Algonquin Provincial Park. We’ll make sure the driving distances aren’t too big, give you just the right mileage package and help choose the insurance that suits you best. Tailor-make your own trip from scratch or use our carefully planned itineraries for inspiration. All holidays include your return flights, your hire car (from little to large) and a fantastic hotel for each place you stop.
Road trip Know-How
Our favourite driving routes in Eastern Canada
Learn more about the incredible routes you can explore on your driving holiday in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada
The Cabot Trail
Perhaps the most famous driving route in Eastern Canada, this looping trail takes in Cape Breton Island on the northern tip of Nova Scotia. The route is 185-miles long and winds through the Cape Breton Highlands National Park, hugging the spectacular coastline the entire way. Expect deep river valleys, miles of ocean and welcoming fishing villages.
The Viking Trail
The 489km Viking Trail in Newfoundland takes in Gros Morne National Park and the L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site.
Algonquin Park Corridor
This section of Highway 60 is the best access to the outdoor delights of Algonquin Provincial Park. Expect forests and lakes in abundance.
St. Lawrence Route
This 36m long road follows the mighty St. Lawrence River from Bair-Saint-Paul to La Malbaie in Québec. Keep an eye out for whales.
Gaspesie Tour
The Gaspé Peninsula is home to mountains, rugged sea cliffs and the Gulf of St. Lawrence. See the spectacular Percé Rock natural monument.
Fundy Coastal Drive
Any self-drive itinerary in Canada’s Maritimes should take in this sweeping route. The Bay of Fundy lies magnificent between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and is one of the world’s 7 Natural Wonders. Rich feeding waters attract dozens of species of whales here. Keep an eye out as you traverse bridges and waterways and see the world’s highest tides.