How to get around Quebec City?

Gett‌ing around Quebec City may seem like a daunting task‌, but it doesn’‌t have to be! Whethe‌r you’re arrivi‌ng by plan‌e, train, or by tour‌ist shuttle, gett‌ing around Queb‌ec City can be fairl‌y easy.

T‌hat being said, some mode‌s of trans‌porta‌tion may requir‌e some advance plann‌ing. For exampl‌e, driving arou‌nd Old Quebec City during the summe‌r months can be quit‌e challeng‌ing, so it migh‌t be best to park in a parking gara‌ge and either walk or use publ‌ic transpo‌rtati‌on. Here are some of the best ways to get arou‌nd Quebec City.‌

On foot

Since many of top tourist attractions in Quebec city are located within the historic walls of Old Quebec, you can make the most of your visit without much effort. But make sure you dress warmly, especially in the winter, and stop often: the city’s many cozy cafes and quaint shops are great places to cool off.

Bike

If you want to further enjoy the river or see the suburbs of Quebec City, there are several great inline bike trails, most of which start at the Old Port. The 5.5-mile Corridor de la Rivière-Saint-Charles trail starts at the Jardins du bassin Louise, away from traffic, and loops along both sides of the river. Other routes can be found on the Quebec City Tourism website. Several local companies offer bike rentals and guided tours. However, given the hills of Old Quebec and snowy winter conditions, biking is not the best way to get around the city in the colder months.

Furt‌hermo‌re, explori‌ng Quebec City by bicycle duri‌ng the summer is an excel‌lent way to apprecia‌te its captivat‌ing charm and beauty‌. The city boas‌ts an expa‌nding netw‌ork of bike paths, making it progr‌essiv‌ely more appeal‌ing to cyclists‌. Riding along the Samuel-de-Champlain Promenade provi‌des breath‌takin‌g views of the Saint Lawr‌ence River‌, while the Plains of Abraham offer a more historic and park-‌like ambia‌nce. Over‌all, cycli‌ng in Queb‌ec City during the summer allo‌ws for the disc‌overy of hidden trea‌sures and the enjoym‌ent of the city´‌s unique atmosp‌here at one´‌s own preferr‌ed pace

Bus

When you get tired of walking or the cold weather has you shivering, Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC) system can help. There are three bus lines that travel throughout Old Quebec and stop near many of the most popular attractions nearby, such as the Citadel and the Museum of Civilization. A regular one-way fare is just $3.40 CAD (about $2.50 USD) or $3.75 CAD (about $2.79 USD) if you pay with cash. Discounts are available for children, teens, students, and seniors. There are also daily passes, unlimited weekend passes, and five-day passes (Monday to Friday). Buses stop every 10 to 15 minutes, so you don’t have to wait long for a ride.

For airport transfers, you can take bus 76 from the airport and transfer to bus 80 to reach downtown Quebec City. Buses are an affordable and convenient option for reaching the city center.

If you want to explore beyond the old city walls, there are 55 leBus bus lines to explore. RTC operates 60 bus routes across the metropolitan area, but to determine which bus route meets all your travel needs, consult RTC's handy bus guide for travelers. Métrobus and leBus fares are the same.

Taxis

Taxis are plentiful in Quebec City. While you can hail a taxi on the street, you may have better luck catching one if you download the Taxi Coop smartphone app and reserve one, or look for designated taxi stands. The ride-hailing app Uber also operates in Quebec City.

Car

You can rent a car in town or at the airport, but we don’t recommend it. Parking can be a nightmare on the narrow streets of Old Quebec, and finding a spot can be difficult (even at night and on weekends). A car is only useful if you’re going on a day trip out of town (like to Jacques-Cartier National Park), and if that’s the case, we recommend waiting until the same day to rent a car.

Ferry

For a unique and affordable experience, take a ferry from Quebec City to Lévis, across the St. Lawrence River. The ferry offers fantastic views of Quebec City’s skyline and is a great way to see the city from a different perspective.

By considering these various modes of transportation, you can explore Quebec City in the most convenient and enjoyable way for your needs.