Traveler's Guide for Air Travel
Québec Voyages Cycling Package
Travel Documents
Two to three weeksbefore your departure, you will receive the following documents by email:
- Airline ticket(s) (if purchased through Vélo Québec Voyages);
- The contact information for the hotels where you will be staying.
24 to 48 hoursbefore your departure, you will receive the following documents by email:
- The GPX data for your route, the detailed route, and the download instructions;
- Your guide's name and phone number, in case of an emergency.
Upon arrival at your destination, your guide will provide you with the following documents:
If you purchased only the land portion of the trip, these documents will be provided to you on the first day at your destination.
- The cards;
- The VQV luggage identification tag.
Please note that upon your return, a survey will be emailed to you to complete.
Meeting Points (packages with land transportation only)
If you have purchased only the land portion of a package, you can meet up with the Vélo Québec Voyages group at the airport or at the first hotel on the tour. Please indicate your preference on the “Traveler Registration” form.
Please note: If your meeting point is at the airport, it is your responsibility to check the group’s flight times and ensure you meet up with the group at the scheduled time. In the event of a delay, you will need to make your own way to the hotel to join the group. You are also responsible for your own transportation to the airport for the return trip if your itinerary differs from that of the group.
Travel Insurance
The content in this section is provided for informational purposes only. It is the responsibility of each traveler 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 filloutthe“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 place your bike in a transport box before heading to the airport to check in. Please note that bike boxes are not available at the airport. The transport box must contain only the bike and its accessories (helmet, lock, water bottle, cycling shoes). Airlines reserve the right to open the box during check-in to verify its contents. Any items other than the bike and its accessories are prohibited (clothing, food, etc.).
We prefer cardboard boxes and semi-rigid boxes (rather than rigid boxes and bags). Since these boxes will be transported throughout the entire trip—in preparation for the return flight—this type of packaging will allow us to manage the space inside our truck more efficiently. In the event of a surplus of rigid boxes or bags, on a “loop” trip, we will need to drop them off at the first hotel upon arrival at our destination. On a “linear” trip, they will be shipped from point A to point B.
- 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.
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 counter of the airline you are traveling with 3 hours before the departure time listed on your ticket. It is your responsibility to verify your flight times within 24 hours of departure.
- When you check in, please mention that you are part of the Vélo Québec Voyages group. Before checking your luggage and bike box (if applicable), make sure they are properly labeled. For details on how to check in your bike, please 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. You must let us know so that we can forward your information to Air Transat and provide you with the group booking number. You can then contact 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 file 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
You cannot select a seat in advance. Your seat will be assigned to you when you check in at the airport.
Upgrade
You may be able to upgrade your reservation for an additional fee. Please ask our advisors for more information.
Itinerary for the Trip
A Typical Day on a Vélo Québec Voyages Tour
- You'll have breakfast at your hotel (between 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.).
- Your guide will go over the day's itinerary and route with you.
- Check out of the hotel before 10 a.m., leaving your luggage with the luggage truck.
- You set out on the road whenever and at whatever pace suits you. You’ll have detailed maps and an itinerary for the route, including the towns and villages on the itinerary.
- You can have lunch wherever and whenever you like. For some destinations, when a “lunch box” is included, it is given to you in the morning at the time of departure, which is why it’s a good idea to have a bag.
- When you arrive at your stopover city, your luggage will be waiting for you at the hotel, where rooms are generally available between 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m.
- The dinners included in the package are served at the hotel or at a nearby restaurant. They include an appetizer, a main course, and dessert. Beverages, whether alcoholic or non-alcoholic, are not included.
What to Expect During Your Stay at the Hotel
You will share a room with your travel companion. If you are traveling alone, we will pair you with someone of the same gender. Depending on the city and the number of participants on the trip, the group may be accommodated in one or two hotels.
When you check out of the hotel, please return your key to the front desk and settle any charges for goods and services purchased at the hotel (e.g., phone calls, minibar).
If you plan to skip staying at the hotel on certain nights during your trip, please be sure to let the guide know so that no one gets worried.
Please note that in Europe, rooms are generally smaller than in North America.
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 issues (adjustments, flat tires, etc.), the guide will be able to help you out and get you back on the road when they pass by. You can reach them by phone at any time so they can assist you or, in the event of a major breakdown, take you to the nearest bike shop.
That said, nothing beats having everything you need on hand if you want to get back on the road in just a few minutes! For a list of basic parts and tools to bring along, see the“Packing and Checklist ↑” section.
If you feel tired or unwell while hiking
If you are unable to complete the day's stage due to fatigue, illness, or a major mechanical problem, the support vehicle will take you and your bike to the next stage town.
The Guide's Role During the Trip
Your Vélo Québec Voyages professional guide is your point of contact throughout your trip. Whether you have questions or need advice about the suggested itineraries, accommodations, meal planning, luggage transport, mechanical assistance, on-the-road support, and more, your guide is Vélo Québec Voyages’ representative on the ground. They are attentive to your needs and expectations.
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.
Destinations
The content in this section is provided for informational purposes only.
It is each traveler’s responsibility to obtain all documents required for their trip, depending on the destination. If you are not a Canadian citizen, it is your responsibility to inquire about entry requirements at the consulate general of the country you are visiting.
Passport
No matter the destination, a passport remains the best form of identification for travel. It is required for all Canadians traveling by air outside of Canada.
It is important to check your passport’s expiration date as soon as you book your trip, since some countries require that it be valid for up to 6 months beyond your scheduled return date. Since each country has its own requirements regarding passport validity, it is best to check with the embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting to find out the current regulations.
Visa
Some countries require that, in addition to a passport, you have a transit visa or a tourist visa, depending on whether you are passing through the country or staying there. Generally, visas must be obtained before you leave, not once you arrive at your destination.
To find out if you needa visa, check with the embassy or consulate of the countries you plan to visit.
Currency
Before you leave on your trip, it's a good idea to get some local currency to help you get by during the first few days.
Check with your financial institution about the ATM services available in the country you’ll be visiting. Your institution can also let you know if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) to access your account while you’re abroad. Major credit cards such as Visa and MasterCard are accepted almost everywhere.
Due to the risk of fraud, it is now strongly recommended that you set up a PIN for your credit card.
- Find out more.
- To find out the currency of most countries and their exchange rates, check out theuniversal currency converter.
Tips
Restaurants, bars, bus transfers, and taxis
On all our trips, gratuities are included with the group meals covered by your package; however, tips for wine service are at your discretion. The bus driver’s gratuity is also handled by the guide (on behalf of the entire group).
In restaurants, bars, and taxis, each destination has its own customs and practices regarding tipping. Ask your guide for more information once you arrive.
Guides
Tips for guides are not included in the package price. Although the amount of the tip is at the traveler’s discretion, it is customary to leave one. Generally, $10 to $15 per day, per person, is an amount that shows appreciation for the guide. The guide handles all aspects of the trip: transporting luggage from one hotel to another, providing support (technical and medical), managing the itinerary, arranging accommodations, planning meals, and more.
For trips that also include a local guide, it is recommended that you divide the tip among the various people involved.
Health
You can find information about your destination and the necessary health precautions on the websites listed below. If any vaccinations are required, a travel health clinic can advise you on this matter.
Phone
If you plan to make several local phone calls during your stay, it would be a good idea to buy a calling card. Be careful—calls made from your hotel room can be very expensive.
If you plan to bring your cell phone with you on your trip, check with your carrier to see what plans are available, or consider purchasing a local SIM card in the country you’ll be visiting.
Electricity
Generally speaking, most European destinations use a voltage of 220 volts. In Cuba, the voltage is usually 110 volts, though it is sometimes 220 volts.
Since the electrical voltage in Canada is 120 volts, standard Canadian plugs are not compatible. To protect your electrical appliances, be sure to bring an adapter and a converter.
Visit this website tofind out the electrical voltage in most countries.
Time difference
Visit this websiteto find out the local times and the time difference.
Another useful link
Practical Tips Before You Go
Vélo Québec Voyages has compiled various resources related to travel in light of the current situation.