About Quebec City

One of the oldest European cities in North America, Quebec City encompasses the "Historic District of Old Québec”, declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site which presents travelers with an older world charm. The city has been beautifully embedded with its history, displaying an extensive French influence, with the smell of fresh-baked bread, the taste of creamy cafe lattes, and buttery croissants pleasing the senses without fail. The bustling streets during the winter carnival are a witness of the city’s popularity as a tourist destination. The well-known sites of Quebec City, especially in the neighborhood of Old Quebec, can be traveled on foot in order to save money on transport, hence leaving travelers with more bucks to spend on souvenirs to capture memories for a lifetime!

Public Transport System

RTC, Funicular, Taxis and Bikes. On passing through the walls of Old Quebec, nearly everything you wish to see or do is in walking distance. But if the weather's too chilly or you're tired, the city's RTC (or Réseau de Transport de la Capitale) Métrobus shuttles visitors around the historic area with six different routes. Or you could consider a ride on the funicular, a steeply sloping railway connecting Haute-Ville (Upper Town) and Basse-Ville (Lower Town). If you plan on taking a day trip or two, you can rent a car in town or at the Jean Lesage International Airport. Another option for exploring is by bike. Bike paths start from the Old Port area, travel along the river and out to the suburbs.

Cleanliness and Efficiency

Efficiency: High, Cleanliness: High

Mode & Cost of Transports

Bus (Metrobus): There are six bus routes that offer transport throughout Old Québec, stopping near many of the neighborhoods' most popular attractions. A single ride general ticket costs only CA$3 or CA$3.50 (about US$2.75) if you pay in cash. Discounted fares are available for children, teens, students, and seniors. Unlimited weekend passes, one-day passes and five-day passes (Monday through Friday) are also available.

Taxis: Taxis are plentiful in Québec City. While you can get them on the street, you may have better luck catching one if you approach a designated cab stand, which you'll find near all the major attractions. The meter starts at around CA$3.45, and each extra kilometer (approximately 0.6 miles) costs CA$1.70

Funicular: This cliff-side elevator travels 210 feet at a 45-degree angle between Basse-Ville to Haute-Ville. The funicular opens every day at 7:30 a.m., but the closing time varies between 11 p.m. and midnight depending on the season. Rides cost CA$3 (about $2.40) per person.

 

Basic Items & Cost

Name Price
Water Bottle CAD 1.00
Cup of Coffee CAD 4.00
Milk Carton Pack CAD 2.00
Rice/Kg CAD 4.00
White Bread CAD 3.00
Eggs (12) CAD 3.00
Combo Meal CAD 10.00
Fine Dining CAD 60.00
Bottle of Coke or Pepsi CAD 2.00
Domestic Beer CAD 6.00
Imported Beer CAD 6.00
Bottle of Wine CAD 18.00
Cigarettes (20 Pack) CAD 10.00
Taxi ( 1 km ) CAD 2.00
Ticket in local transport (Single way). CAD 4.00
Rent ( One Bed Room) CAD 700.00

Do(s):

  • Make a budget for culinary experiences which are authentic to Quebec City’s region beforehand as some of the fine dining can be expensive.
  • Use cash substitutes such as traveler’s checks or credit cards, and only carry as much money as you immediately need.
  • Use authorized pick-up points for rented cars, taxis, and buses. There is a reason why they’re there.
  • Quebec City is really a walking city. There is a lot to see and do within walking distance of your hotel. It may be worthwhile to determine if you need to rent a car and pay to park it on days when you are not using it.
  • Take at least one sunblock lotion for protection against the sun on hotter days.

Don’t(s):

  • Leave purses, cell phones, wallets or keys unattended or in plain sight when you’re at the pool or on the beach.
  • Smoke at places that are open to the public.
  • Dress immodestly or disrespectfully. Instead, dress according to the occasion and place.
  • Strike off hostels from your list of accommodation options. Not only are they an incredibly affordable accommodation option, but also, they’re clean and hygienic with loads of amenities like free Wi-Fi, games, laundry and more.
  • Take pictures of people without their permission.

Night Life

Though Quebec City may not seem like much of a party place given its historical importance and European architecture around the city which gives out a vintage feel, there are more than enough fun and happening activities to occupy the travelers’ nights. If you don't have a story about partying in Quebec City that makes a tale from a weekend in Vegas pale in comparison, then you're missing out. From dance-oriented nightclubs like the Maurice Nightclub in a gutted Victorian-style mansion to Le Dagobert, which offers almost every genre of music, booths that surround big dance floors, lasers, and a huge sound system! Sounds like a fun package, right? In addition to regular bars and nightclubs, boîtes à chansons (“boxes with songs”) are small clubs that feature casual evenings of music. They’re a regional specialty. These places promise a stellar experience and a taste of the city’s nightlife that you just can't miss!

Must See

  • Montmorency Falls Park: Visit this park which is about nine miles from Old Quebec, to witness a fall which is one and a half times bigger than the Niagara Falls.
  • Battlefields Park: Anyone interested in colonial history should set aside some time to explore Battlefields Park.
  • Place-Royale: Widely considered to be the birthplace of the French colony and the French-American community, Place Royale is north of the Museum of Civilization. While exploring this quaint area, you'll come across several notable tributes to its French Colonial past.
  • Terrasse Dufferin: Formerly a military fortification, this public park still houses historic canons. Overlooking Old Quebec from its perch, Terrasse Dufferin offers spectacular views of the St. Lawrence River.
  • The Citadel: Quebec City's Citadel is the largest British-built fortress in North America; it took 30 years to construct. You can learn more about the Canadian Armed Forces at the on-site museum, which contains a notable collection of military artifacts. By the end of June and the first Monday of September, around 10 in the morning tourists can also witness the Changing of the Guard ceremony.

Experiences

  • Take the ferry to Lévis: Hop on the ferry service for a short distance between the city and its adjacent neighbor Lévis to get the best view of Quebec City.
  • Taste local craft beers: As Québécois take their brews very seriously, there are many microbreweries throughout Quebec City. Some of the famous ones include Griendel at 195 Saint-Vallier Ouest, La Souche at 801 Chemin de la Canardière, and La Barberie at 310 Saint Roch Est.
  • Go on a food tour in Old Quebec: The three-hour Old Quebec food tour features five culinary and culturally significant spots showcasing the area's historic European heritage as well as the city's inventive streak.
  • Outing at the Massif Ski Resort: Just an hour drive from Quebec City, is North America’s longest luge track. It is 7.5 km long and is ready for you to have an exhilarating outing on a sled!
  • Attend an outdoor festival: Despite its vintage feel and timeless attractions, Quebec City still knows how to throw an amazing party. One of the best music festivals to attend is the Quebec City Summer Festival which lasts for 11 days. What more could one ask for!

Activities

Shopping

Geomania (Jewelery Store)
Shopping Malls
1 Place Royale, Québec, QC G1K 4G3, Canada
Distance From City Center
2.7 km ( about 8 min by car)
Place de la Cité
Shopping Malls
2600 Boulevard Laurier, Québec, QC G1V 4T3, Canada
Distance From City Center
7.8 km (about 14 min by car)
The workshop Apple Inc. (Clothing Store)
Shopping Malls
47 Rue Sous le Fort, Québec, QC G1K 4G9, Canada
Distance From City Center
2.9 km (about 8 min by car)
Les Halles Cartier
Shopping Malls
1191 Avenue Cartier, Québec, QC G1R 2S9, Canada
Distance From City Center
2 km (about 8 min by car)
  • Artwork/paintings of Quebec City from Rue du Tresor, copper embossed pieces
  • Handwoven baskets, knits, leather-work, wooden sculptures
  • Locally made cheese, maple syrup, Artisan paper
  • Books featuring photos or art from Québec City, maps of the battle of the Plains of Abraham
  • Jewelry, paper products, dishes, and edible souvenirs
  • Posters, toys, and postcards
  • Canadian Inuit art, created by the Eskimos living in the Arctic region. They are unique and feature bold colours and feature the local fauna.
  • Dream catchers, moccasins, sculptures, First Nations music, or jewelry from the Native artists.
  • There are certain musical instruments like the  “ruine-babine” (Jew’s harp), created by the natives of the region.
  • Antiques from Saint-Paul, Sault-au-Matelot, or Saint-Pierre street shops, they are slightly expensive but are of exceptional quality.
  • Buns blessed in honour of Saint Geneviève from the Victoris Church.

Official Language

French

Other Language

English. Arabic, Spanish, Ital... Read more

Spoken Language

French is predominantly spoken... Read more

Currency

Canadian Dollar (CAD)

Population

0.532 (Millions)

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Weather

Clear Sky -0.28999999999996°C

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TimeZone

08:32 AM (GMT -04:00)

 

Ambulance Icon

Ambulance

911

 

Police Icon

Police

911

 

Electric socket

Type A
Type A (120 V 60 Hz.)
Type B
Type B (120 V 60 Hz.)
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Airport Name / IATA Code

Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport - YQB

Airport Name / IATA Code

YBG - CFB Bagotville

Best time to visit

Best times to visit are June, July, August, and September as the weather is warmer and there are plenty of festivals to enjoy around this time.

Moderate time to visit

December, January, February, October, and November are moderate times due to the chilly winters which not all tourists would be used to but there are various festivals to celebrate during these months with hefty jackets on..

Worst time to visit

March, April, and May usually witness fewer tourists due to the lack of special events but that means the travellers can take advantage of low rates during these months.

Taxi

Start Tariff: CAD 3.45

1 Km. Tariff: CAD 1.70

1 Hour Waiting Tariff: CAD 37.80

Available service

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Monthly Average Temperature & Rainfall

Local Services in Quebec City (Contact directly)

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