Take to the open roads of eastern Canada
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.
We can help you build the perfect Eastern Canada self-drive itinerary. 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 and help you choose the right insurance. Tailor-make your own trip from scratch or use our carefully planned itineraries for inspiration. All holidays include return flights, hire car and a hotel for each place you stop.
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Choose your cities
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.
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Choose your cities
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.
See the East Coast for yourself
Watch the video below and experience The Cabot Trail
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.
The Cabot Trail's most captivating feature is its stunning scenery, with panoramic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, rugged cliffs, and the rolling hills of Cape Breton Highlands National Park. As you wind your way along the road, you'll encounter numerous viewpoints where you can stop and admire the breathtaking panoramas.
After a day of exploring the Cabot Trail's scenic wonders and historical sites, travelers can unwind in the charming fishing villages and towns that dot the route. Enjoy a delicious seafood meal at a local restaurant, savor a cup of freshly brewed coffee in a cozy café, or relax on a sandy beach while watching the waves roll in.
The Cabot Trail is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a memorable road trip experience.
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