Solo Parent Travel in Canada: Quebec City, Charlevoix, and Montreal With My Son

This past summer, I took my first international trip alone with my son. And even though I plan travel for a living, and consider myself a pretty seasoned planner, I'll be honest, the months leading up to it still had me a little nervous.

Because here's the truth: solo parent travel is deeply rewarding, but it comes with real challenges too. So before you plan yours, let me walk you through ours. Where we went, what I got right, what I'd do differently, and why I think you should absolutely go for it.

Our Canada itinerary: Quebec City, Charlevoix, and Montreal

We spent our trip in Canada, moving through Quebec City, then Charlevoix along the Saint Lawrence, and finishing in Montreal. Three stops over the week, with a resort stay in the middle, which turned out to be exactly the right shape for a trip like this.

Quebec City with kids

Quebec City pulled us right into its history. It has an old-world, European feel, like you've stepped across an ocean and back in time at the same time, and it's completely walkable, which matters a lot when you're traveling with kids.

One of our favorite mornings was a private walking tour led by a guide dressed as a British officer, who brought the whole story of the city to life. We also visited the Citadel, complete with an actual cannon firing, which my son has now described to everyone he knows.

If you're building your own days here, Old Quebec and the Petit Champlain quarter are the easy wins. We didn't make it out to Montmorency Falls this time, but it's a short drive from the city and I often add it in for clients.

Charlevoix and Club Med Québec Charlevoix

From Quebec City we headed into Charlevoix, which sits along the Saint Lawrence and is quaint and beautiful in a way that makes you slow down whether you planned to or not.

We spent the middle of our trip at Club Med Québec Charlevoix, and that break was everything. It's an all-inclusive built into Le Massif de Charlevoix, so meals and activities are handled. There are kids' clubs running by age group (though my son didn't want to participate in, which I secretly loved. This trip was for the two of us to be together.

In summer there's hiking and mountain biking on the mountain, and in winter it's ski-in ski-out. I was looking forward to some early nights here, but my son loved the evening dance parties, so we ended up staying up much later than I planned.

For a solo parent, an all-inclusive in the middle of a multi-city trip, or really any resort-style stay, is the move I'd recommend to anyone. The logistics get taken off your plate for a few days, and that's when you actually get to be present with your kid instead of managing the trip.

Montreal

Montreal sent us off with all its energy and charm. Great food, a completely different feel from where we started, and a good note to end a trip on.

This is where we went all in on my son's touristy requests. The ferris wheel, the paddle boats, and Pointe-à-Callière, the Montréal Archaeology and History Complex, which I highly recommend. The exhibits were so good I had to drag him out.

Check your documentation before you book

A quick but important note: before any international trip, check what documentation is required for the country you're visiting.

When you're traveling as the only adult with your child, some destinations may ask for things like a travel consent letter signed by the other parent, ideally notarized, so it's always worth confirming the requirements ahead of time so nothing catches you off guard at the border. Check your passports too, since plenty of countries want them valid for at least six months past your return date.

It's also worth carrying backup documentation, like a copy of your child's birth certificate, and a copy of any custody paperwork if that applies to you. You probably won't need it. You'll be glad you have it if you do.

What I'd do differently on our next trip

My son and I are both pretty big foodies, so I went in wanting to check off a long list of restaurants. We had a wonderful meal at Le Clan in Quebec City, which just earned a Michelin star!

But next time I wouldn't make every dinner an event. Some nights I'd happily call in room service, or grab a sandwich or some charcuterie from one of those adorable shops I kept spotting, and bring it back to enjoy at the hotel. Not every meal has to be a production (nor should it).

I'd also spend more time going over the history before we left. Learning it together in real time was fun, but a few conversations beforehand would have made it all land even deeper.

I also would have asked him ahead of time whether anything about the trip was worrying him.

When we got to the train from Quebec City to Montreal, he was anxious, and I didn't understand why until he told me. Last year in France, our train was stopped for a medical emergency. Someone was taken off, and we sat there a long time waiting for help to arrive. He had been carrying that, and he thought it might happen again.

We talked it through before we boarded and he was fine. But I wish I'd asked before we ever left home. Kids don't always volunteer what they're nervous about, and when you're the only parent there, you're the only one who can notice.

What I got right, and would do again in a heartbeat

First, I let my son pick where we went. Every summer I ask him where he wants to go, and this year he chose Canada, so he was looking forward to it and felt involved from the very beginning.

Second, I asked him what he actually wanted to do before I booked a single thing. I was genuinely surprised. Some of what I assumed he'd love, he said no to, and some things I never expected got an enthusiastic yes. If I'd just booked what I thought he'd want, we'd have had a completely different trip.

Third, I chose cities that were easy to navigate, and I picked hotels in spots we could get around on foot. Safety always comes first, but beyond that, having a hotel with dining on site, a concierge, and valet made checking in, checking out, and simply enjoying our stay so much easier.

And that middle stop at the all-inclusive? After moving between cities, it was such a relief to just stay put in one place, with meals handled and activities he loved already planned out.

Should you travel alone with your child?

So here's what I want you to know. I understand how intimidating it can feel to travel alone with your child. Like I said, even as a seasoned traveler and planner, I had nerves right up until we left. But go do it.

And if an international trip isn't first on your list, start in your own backyard, take a weekend trip somewhere close, or return to a place you already know well.

Traveling with other solo parents

I know how intimidating solo parent travel can feel, because I felt it myself this summer, and I do this for a living.

So next year I'm putting together a series of group trips for solo parents and their kids. The idea is simple. You get the same uninterrupted time with your child that made this trip what it was, except the logistics aren't yours to carry and you're traveling alongside other parents who understand exactly what this is like. And solo doesn't mean single. You're just as welcome if your other half simply isn't available to come along.

If you'd like to join us, submit your information here and I'll be in touch.

Common questions

Is Canada a good destination for solo parent travel? It's one of the best first international trips you can take with your child. English is widely spoken, the cities are walkable and safe, the flights are short from most of the US, and Quebec gives you a European feel without a transatlantic flight.

How many days do you need in Quebec City with kids? Three days is comfortable for Old Quebec, the Citadel, and a trip out to Montmorency Falls without rushing. Add more if you want a slower pace.

How do you get from Quebec City to Montreal? The train is the easy answer. It's about three hours, you don't have to drive, and you can get up and move around, which is a gift when you're traveling with a kid.

Is Club Med Québec Charlevoix good for families? Yes. It's an all-inclusive on Le Massif de Charlevoix with kids' clubs by age group, so meals and activities are covered. It runs year round, with hiking and mountain biking in summer and skiing in winter. Do check the age requirements for individual activities before you go, so you don't arrive and find out your child is too young for the mountain biking or the aerial course.

Do I need a consent letter to travel alone with my child? Requirements vary by destination, but many countries ask for a letter signed by the non-traveling parent, ideally notarized. Confirm what your specific destination requires before you book.

What does solo parent travel mean? One adult traveling with their children. That includes single parents, but also partnered parents whose spouse simply can't get away.