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Traveler's Guide for Air Travel

Formula Self-guided

Table of Contents

Travel Documents

Two weeksbefore your departure, you will receive the following documents by email:

  • Airline ticket(s) (if purchased through Vélo Québec Voyages);
  • Contact information for the hotels where you will be staying, including instructions for bike storage and luggage storage;
  • Information regarding the transport of your luggage and your transfer from a stopover city, if applicable;
  • A document containing information on tourist offices, bike shops, and the emergency phone number for Vélo Québec Voyages;
  • The detailed route, including maps showing entry and exit points from the city.

48 hoursbefore your departure, you will receive the following documents by email:

Please note that upon your return, a survey will be emailed to you to complete.

Travel Insurance

The content in this section is provided for informational purposes only. It is each traveler’s responsibility to have adequate travel insurance based on their place of residence and the country they are visiting. To better assist you during your trip, we ask that you fill out the “Traveler Registration” form.

Please note that we offer you the option to purchase coverage through our travel insurance partner, Croix Bleue. Contact us for more information.

Travel Cancellation or Interruption Insurance and Medical Coverage

To travel with peace of mind, every traveler should always have travel insurance. It’s important to review your existing insurance policies and, if necessary, purchase supplemental insurance to ensure you’re adequately protected.

Coverage Provided by a Credit Card or Personal Insurance
If your trip is covered by your credit card or any other personal insurance, check to see if it meets your needs. Does it include coverage for medical care and hospitalization abroad? Does it include trip cancellation insurance covering all prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses, as well as trip interruption insurance? Does it include coverage for lost or stolen luggage? After assessing the situation, you’ll be able to determine whether or not you need to purchase supplemental insurance.

Coverage provided by the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ)
Visitramq.gouv.qc.cato learn more about the health coverage available to all Quebecers when traveling within or outside Quebec.

Since the cost of health care outside Quebec is generally higher, it is essential to have private travel insurance that covers, in whole or in part, the expenses that the Régie does not reimburse.

Insurance covering damage, theft, or loss of luggage and bicycles

Vélo Québec Voyages assumes no liability for any loss, theft, or damage to your luggage and personal belongings (including your bicycle) during your trip. It is your responsibility to have adequate insurance coverage for your luggage and bicycle.Please note that many home insurance companies, certain group insurance plans, and some credit cards cover property that is damaged or stolen away from home. Check with the relevant providers.

In addition, if you have purchased Blue Cross insurance through us, you can review the terms of the baggage coverage by reading the “Policyholder’s Guide.”

Packing Checklist and Tips

Once you arrive at your destination, Vélo Québec Voyages will transport your luggage from one hotel to the next for the duration of the trip. Please remember to clearly label your luggage to ensure it is transferred properly.We accept only one piece of luggage per person, and its weight must not exceed 20 kilograms. 

We reserve the right to refuse to transport any luggage that exceeds the 20-kilogram weight limit, both at the start of the trip and during the trip.

Packing the Bike

You must pack your bike in a shipping box before heading to the airport to check in. Please note that bike boxes are not available at the airport.

  • If you are traveling on a tandem, a quetzal, or any other non-standard bicycle, or if you are traveling with a box or a hard-sided bag, please indicate this on the “Passenger Registration” form.
  • Please note that electric bicycle batteries are not allowed on flights;
  • If your bike is equipped with Di2, an electronic drivetrain, you'll need to carry the battery with you in the aircraft cabin.

Important note regarding the weight of the bike box: Vélo Québec Voyages limits the weight of the box, including the bike, to 23 kg, even if the airline’s weight limit differs from ours. Please note that any weight exceeding the airline’s limit is the traveler’s responsibility. For more information, visit the website of the airline you are traveling with.

Air Travel | General Information

Passport and plane ticket

Your airline ticket is issued based on the information listed on your invoice.

  • If the name on your invoice does not match the name on your passport, please contact us immediately so we can make the necessary changes. A fee applies for issuing a new airline ticket.
  • Here's a tip: Make photocopies of your passport and plane ticket, and avoid keeping the original documents and their copies in the same place. If you ever lose your passport, you'll be glad you took this precaution.
  • To learn more about passports and entry requirements for different countries, please refer to the current information on theGovernment of Canada’s website.

Check-in at Montréal-Trudeau Airport on the day of departure

  • You must check in at the check-in counter of the airline you are traveling with between 3 and 4 hours before the departure time listed on your ticket. It is your responsibility to verify your flight times within 24 hours of departure.
  • Before checking your luggage and bike box (if applicable), make sure they are properly labeled. For details on how to check in your bike, refer to the specific guidelines provided by your airline.

Air Travel | Air Transat

Bicycle Check-in Procedures

You must check your bicycle at the same time as your luggage on the day of departure at the Air Transat counter.

Advance Seat Selection

You can select your seat as soon as you purchase your package by contacting the Air Transat Information and Seat Selection Center (1-877-872-6728). Please note that a fee applies for this service, payable by credit card only. When you call, please have the following information ready: your booking reference number, the dates and flight numbers for your outbound and return flights, your departure city and destination, and your credit card.

Booking the Plus Option

Air Transat invites you to chooseOption Plus, an Economy Class service option that offers a host of perks and priority services. To learn more and book Option Plus, call the Air Transat Information and Seat Selection Center.

Information and Seat Selection Center: 1-877-872-6728 or 514-636-3630

"Club Class" Reservation

Please contact us if you would like to travel in“Club Class” on Air Transat. These seats are available upon request and in limited quantities, for an additional fee. Once your “Club Class” seat is confirmed, you can select it in advance—for a fee—either online or by calling the Air Transat Information and Seat Selection Center. The terms and conditions for this additional service differ from those of your trip; please contact our agents for more information.

Air Travel | Air Canada and Other Airlines

Bicycle Check-in Procedures

You must check your bike at the same time as your luggage on the day of departure at the airline counter. Payment for transporting your bike will be processed at the check-in counter. You will receive this information when you book your package.

Advance Seat Selection

If you are not traveling as part of a group, you can select a seat in advance for an additional fee; please contact our advisors for more information.

Upgrade

You can upgrade your reservation for an additional fee. Please ask our advisors for more information.

Itinerary for the Trip

A Typical Day on a Trip Self-guided

  • You will have lunch at your hotel according to the schedule set by the hotel staff. On the days of your stay when you need to travel to the next stop,you must drop off your luggage at the hotel front desk by 9:30 a.m.
  • In addition to the planned route for your trip to the next stopover city, you have a few route options to explore during your stay in each of the stopover cities along your journey. Each day, you choose your route and hit the road at a time and pace that suits you.
  • You can have lunch wherever and whenever you want.
  • When you move on to the next stop, your luggage will be transported to the next hotel, whererooms are available between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. 

What to Expect During Your Stay at the Hotel

A list of the hotels where you will be staying will be emailed to you two to three weeks before your departure. When you check out of the hotel, please return your key to the front desk and, if applicable, settle any charges for items and services purchased at the hotel (e.g., phone calls, minibar).

What about your bike? It will spend the night in your room or in a secure area designated for that purpose. We recommend that you keep it locked at all times.

In the event of a mechanical problem on the course

We recommend that you have your bike thoroughly serviced before you set off. A bike in good condition is the first step toward a successful trip.

For minor mishaps (tire adjustments, flat tires, etc.), nothing beats having everything you need on hand to get back on the road in just a few minutes!

See the “Packing and Checklist ↑” section for a list of the basic parts and tools you should bring. In the event of a major mechanical breakdown, you’ll have the contact information and phone numbers for the nearest bike shops on hand.

Using GPX Data

When you made your reservation, you received instructions on how to download GPS data via Ride With GPS, along with two days’ worth of data so you could test the system. Please note that the complete GPX data for your trip will be emailed to you along with your travel documents.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Vélo Québec Voyages has compiled various resources related to travel in light of the current situation.