Getting Around Quebec City
Complete guide to arriving, getting around, and exploring this walkable, beautiful city.
Getting to Quebec City
Jean Lesage Airport (YQB)
Located 15 km west of downtown. Direct flights from major North American cities. Taxi, car rental, or shuttle buses available. 30-40 min to Old Quebec by car.
Option: Aéroport de Montréal (YUL) is 3h by car or 3h bus; cheaper flights often available.
VIA Rail & Intercity Bus
VIA Rail connects Montreal (3h), Toronto (14h), and Eastern Canada. Greyhound and Megabus serve major cities. Central Station is walking distance to Old Quebec and downtown hotels.
Tip: Scenic route through Laurentian mountains in spring/fall.
Driving from Montreal
3 hours via Autoroute 20. Scenic alternative: Route 138 along St. Lawrence. Drive-in parking available but pricey ($15-25/day). Consider paid lots or hotels with parking.
Winter: Roads clear but icy. Winter tires required November-April.
Ferry from Lévis
Picturesque 12-minute crossing between Lévis and Old Port. Beautiful skyline views. Buses from Montreal/Toronto serve Lévis. One-way $5 CAD, walk-on only.
Photo: Best views at sunset from the ferry.
Getting Around Downtown
Walking (Best Option)
Old Quebec and downtown are compact and pedestrian-friendly. Most attractions within 15-20 min walk. Cobblestones can be rough; wear comfortable shoes. Funicular connects Lower Town to Upper Town.
RTC Bus System
Réseaux de Transport de la Capitale runs extensive bus network. Single fare $3.50 CAD, day pass $9. Less needed for sightseeing but useful for distant areas.
Taxi & Rideshare
Taxis plentiful, metered ($3.70 start + per km). Uber and Lyft available but taxi prices are comparable. 10-15% tip expected for good service.
Bike Rental
PBSC Bixi system with 65 stations downtown. $7 per day or $3.50 per trip (30 min). Scenic Corridor du Littoral runs 48 km along the river.
Explore by Water with AML Cruises
Bike Rentals
Cyclo Services
Quebec's top bike rental for tourists. Regular bikes, e-bikes, and tandem bikes near the Old Port. Half-day from $30, full day from $40. Guided cycling tours also available.
Address: 289 Rue Saint-Paul, Old Quebec • cycloservices.net
Promo Vélo / Corridor du Littoral
Bike rentals along the scenic 48 km Corridor du Littoral trail. City bikes, mountain bikes and e-bikes. From $25/day. Great for the Île d'Orléans loop.
Address: Near Bassin Louise, Old Port • Seasonal (May-October)
Empire 47 / E47 Mountain Bike Rentals
Specialized mountain bike and e-MTB rentals for the E47 trail network near Lac-Beauport and Sentier du Moulin. Full suspension, enduro and downhill bikes. From $65/day.
Location: Lac-Beauport area • empire47.com
Fat Bike Rentals (Winter)
Winter fat biking on Plains of Abraham, Sentier des Caps, and Jacques-Cartier. Cyclo Services (seasonal) and outdoor centers at Stoneham and Mont-Sainte-Anne. From $40/half-day.
Tip: Plains of Abraham has groomed fat bike trails free of charge.
Car Rentals
Airport (YQB) Agencies
All major agencies at Jean Lesage Airport: Hertz, Avis, Budget, National, Enterprise, Alamo. Open 7 days. Book in advance for summer. From $35-60 CAD/day.
Tip: Essential for Île d'Orléans, Côte-de-Beaupré, and Jacques-Cartier.
Downtown Locations
Hertz (44 Côte du Palais, Old Quebec). Enterprise (525 Rue du Pont, Saint-Roch). Budget (Hilton Québec, 1100 Blvd René-Lévesque). Most open Mon-Sat.
Note: Winter tires mandatory Nov 1 - April 1; included in all rentals.
Communauto (Car Sharing)
Station-based car sharing popular with locals. Register online, pick up from 200+ stations across the city. From $5/hour or $45/day. Great for occasional day trips.
Website: communauto.com
RV & Campervan Rentals
Cruise Canada and Fraserway RV have depots near Quebec City. Great for Côte-de-Beaupré, Charlevoix and beyond. Book weeks ahead in summer. From $150/day.
Tip: Several campgrounds on Île d'Orléans and along Route 138.
Practical Tips
Parking & Street Rules
On-street parking free after 6pm and weekends. Many hotels offer discounted parking ($10-15). Meters active 9am-6pm Mon-Fri, 9am-1pm Sat. No parking Sun in Old Quebec.
Winter Navigation
Sidewalks cleared quickly but icy. Wear boots with good traction. Streets can be treacherous—locals walk carefully. Some attractions have restricted winter hours. Plan ahead.
Accessibility
Old Quebec is hilly with cobblestones—challenging for wheelchairs. Elevators exist but limited. Funicular and ramps provide some access. Call attractions ahead to confirm accessibility options.
Transit Info & Passes
Download OPUS card app for easy reloading. Tourist info at 12 Rue Ste-Anne (Old Quebec). Maps at hotels. Roaming data helps navigation; download offline maps.