How to Get to the Magdalen Islands: Local Tips for Every Budget

Dreaming of a week of pure bliss on the edge of orange cliffs, atop rounded hills surrounded by the endless sea? The Magdalen Islands are the perfect destination for you. It’s Quebec’s paradise; I fell in love with this place over a decade ago and have been returning a few times per year ever since.

Planning an affordable trip to the Magdalen Islands archipelago isn’t always easy, as the distance between major centres like Montreal and Quebec City and the islands is quite significant.

Here are several ways to get to the Magdalen Islands without breaking the bank or without hassle, no matter your preferred mode of transport!

Getting to the Magdalen Islands by car

Travelling to the Magdalen Islands by car is the most common way for travellers to get there from the East Coast of Canada and Maritime provinces.

From Montreal, it takes me just over 12 hours to reach Souris, Prince Edward Island, the departure point for the ferry to the islands.

How long does it take to get to the islands?

The CTMA ferry, on the other hand, takes 5 hours to dock at Cap-aux-Meules, but you can move around freely on the boat, so time goes by faster than driving.

To break the journey into several segments, you can stop in Edmundston and Charlottetown for a night or explore all kinds of stuff in the Magdalen Islands and New Brunwisck.

How much does the ferry to the Magdalen Islands cost?

First, calculate the cost of crossing the Confederation Bridge ($20 per vehicle, payable upon departure at the Borden-Carleton toll plaza on the PEI side; cards accepted).

There are several ferry departures daily during peak season from Souris. Note that reservations are absolutely required to board the ferry. Yes, even to be placed on a waiting list, you must register!

The ferry fare to the Magdalen Islands is:

• $29.55 one way during peak season (mid-June to mid-September)
• $19.10 the rest of the year
• For a child, it costs $14.90 or $7.70.

For a car, it’s:

• $55.10 one way during peak season
• $38.75 one way during off-peak season.

Passengers, who are not included in the vehicle crossing price, must be added to this.

A 5% fuel surcharge is added to these prices, and they are tax-exempt.

It’s not cheap, that’s true, but considering it’s the only way to access the îles de la Madeleine by land, there aren’t many options… It also avoids the need to rent a car or scooter locally.

I also learned that electric/hybrid cars benefit from a discount or free passage on Quebec ferries (to be confirmed before departure, as it changes)!

In any case, book your ferry crossing well in advance if you’re travelling in the summer, as it’s quite popular and sometimes fills up a year ahead of time.

When to go to the Magdalen Islands?

Ideally, visit the Magdalen Islands during the off-season, before June 15 or after September 15. This way, you’ll pay less for almost every aspect of your trip, from the ferry to accommodations.

It’s also the best time to have time to enjoy the archipelago, as the locals will have more time for a chat: which is the best and real way to get to know the islands!

Renting a Scooter in the Magdalen Islands

If you don’t want to pay full price and are considering alternative ways to get around the islands, you can leave your car in Souris, Prince Edward Island, and cross over on foot or by bicycle on the ferry. You can rent a scooter or car in the Magdalen Islands, cycle, or even hitchhike. This significantly reduces your expenses. And yes, hitchhiking is still common in the Maggies.

To give you an idea, a scooter can be rented from the Magdalen Islands Rental Agency for about $89.95/day, including gas. Taxes and collision insurance are extra, but 3- to 6-day packages are available starting at $59.95/day.

Mention me, Jennifer Doré Dallas, and get a 5% discount on scooter rentals of 3 days or more!

For car rentals during peak season, expect to pay around $80 per day (if you book early), plus the equivalent of 1 free day on a week-long stay/rental. Many offers and packages are available, so it’s difficult to give you an exact price, but contact my friends at the agency and say hello for me! 🙂

Heads up, book early; cars, scooters, Spyders, and motorcycles in the islands go like hotcakes!

Carpooling to the Magdalen Islands

Several Facebook carpooling groups have formed over the years to coordinate trips to and from the Magdalen Islands. It’s a great way to find an additional driver to split the cost of the drive and gas.

Do you have space in your car or would you like some company? Why not take someone with you to reduce your costs and pass the time? If you speak French or can use a translating app, check out this group.

Flying to the Magdalen Islands

A more luxurious option for travelling to the Magdalen Islands, due to its price, is by plane. It’s faster too! If you’re coming from anywhere outside of Quebec, you’ll have to transfer in Montreal or Quebec City for sure.

Flights are offered by Pascan, PAL Airlines, and Air Canada to YGR, the Havre-aux-Maisons airport in the centre of the Magdalen Islands.

The latter two airlines depart from Montreal Airport (YUL), while Pascan departs from either YUL or Saint-Hubert Airport on Montreal’s South Shore (parking is free there).

In many cases, you’ll have a short stopover in Quebec City and Gaspé before landing on Havre-aux-Maisons Island with its colourful houses. There are a few direct flights to the Magdalen Islands, especially during peak season.

These are small planes (even smaller with Pascan out of season), so it’s a great opportunity to meet locals or other vacationers in the cabin or during stopovers.

Note that Air Canada only operates flights during the summer, the high season, having discontinued its services the rest of the year, much to the dismay of the Magdalen Islanders.

How much does a plane ticket to the Magdalen Islands cost? Which airlines fly with?

A ticket to the Magdalen Islands from Montreal will cost you between $500 and $1,000. If you’re lucky enough to find a sale, which can be rare, I’ve seen tickets for $500 outside of July and August.

It depends on the airport (YUL International Airport or Montreal/Saint-Hubert Airport), the airline, and the time of year, based on supply and demand. Currently, the government offers subsidies for remote areas. Therefore, there are subsidized round-trip tickets available for $500 for Quebec residents only.

It costs less with Pascan, whose flights depart year-round, at any time, from Saint-Hubert Airport on Montreal’s South Shore and from YUL, while Air Canada and PAL Airlines only fly from Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau Airport from June to September.

However, be aware that due to the low cloud ceiling over the islands, stopovers in Quebec City or Gaspé/Bonaventure can sometimes be extended, or the plane may be unable to land even if it’s directly over the airport. It’s part of life there, and you must expect it; the locals are used to it.

I once had to stop in Gaspé, and it was a wonderful social experience despite the inconvenience, which was beyond the airline’s control!

Use points or miles to travel to the Magdalen Islands

To save money, if you have Air Miles or Aeroplan points, use them for a flight to the Magdalen Islands with Air Canada! It’s the most point-efficient flight from Montreal or Quebec City because, even though it’s the most expensive flight within our redemption zone, it requires the same number of points as a near-local flight, the minimum (approximately 1,250 Air Miles and 15,000 Aeroplan points).

That’s what I did, and it only cost me $108 in taxes in addition to my Air Miles points. A great way to use them without waiting 20 years to accumulate enough to go somewhere!

Note, however, that Air Canada no longer flies to the Magdalen Islands year-round, only from June to September in the summer season, and that the Air Miles program no longer offers such great deals permanently.

Taking the bus to the Magdalen Islands

Unfortunately, bus service was cancelled a few years ago due to low ridership. I keep hope it will come back; so, I’ll let you know here if it does.

By boat: Cruise to the Magdalen Islands

Unfortunately, the cruise ship to the Magdalen Islands has also been discontinued. Cruises are no longer offered.

Possible Stops on the Way to the Magdalen Islands

I have used every possible means to get to the Magdalen Islands. To truly experience a road trip through the Maritime provinces, I prefer not to do the whole trip in one go, unlike many tourists.

I often spend my first night in Edmundston, New Brunswick, usually at the Four Points by Sheraton or the modern Grey Rock Casino!

The next day, I stay in Charlottetown, often at the  Rodd Hotel ou au Sydney Boutique Inn & Suites. Spend the afternoon and morning learning more about Prince Edward Island before heading to Souris to catch the ferry. It’s a great way to break up the drive and explore a new place at the same time!

Edmundston and Charlottetown are 2 excellent options for extending your stay in the Magdalen Islands, both on your way there and back, without having to make a major detour.

Another great option if you only want to stop once is Shediac or Moncton in New Brunswick, where I stayed at the Château Moncton, directly facing the famous tidal bore of the Bay of Fundy and perfectly located for your journey!

Whatever your budget, I hope I’ve shown you that it’s possible and easy to get to the Magdalen Islands using your preferred mode of transport. Car, carpooling, plane, and boat; all wonderful ways to explore one of my favourite corners of Quebec, a must-see in Canada in my opinion.

Now that you know how to get there, here are a few articles that should make you even more eager to head to the archipelago soon:

• What to Eat in the Magdalen Islands and Where
• 5 Incredibly Scrumptious Restaurants in the Magdalen Islands You Need to Try
• Top Things to Do in the Magdalen Islands This Summer

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